佛為勝光天子說王法經
Sutra on the King's Law Spoken by the Buddha for Prince Shèngguāng
大唐沙門釋義淨奉 詔譯
Translated by the Tang Dynasty Monk Shi Yijing by Imperial Command
如是我聞：
This is what I heard:
一時薄伽梵在室羅伐城逝多林給孤獨園，與大苾芻眾百千人俱，皆是大阿羅漢，諸漏已盡。復與無量菩薩摩訶薩俱，人中大龍，一生補處。爾時世尊在一樹下，於勝妙座加趺而坐，於大眾中，普為人、天演說自證微妙之法，所謂初、中、後善，文義巧妙，純一圓滿清淨鮮白梵行之相。
At that time, the Bhagavan was in the city of Shravasti, in the Jeta Grove of Anathapindika's park, accompanied by a great assembly of a hundred thousand bhikkhus, all of whom were great arhats, their defilements completely exhausted. Also present were countless bodhisattva mahasattvas, great dragons among humans, destined for a single lifetime before enlightenment.
At that moment, the World-Honored One was seated beneath a tree, in a sublime posture with legs crossed. In the midst of the great assembly, he expounded for the benefit of gods and humans the subtle Dharma he had realized himself—a teaching excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, and excellent in the end, with profound meaning and skillful expression, perfectly pure, complete, and radiant, embodying the practice of the holy life.
爾時，憍薩羅國王勝光天子，嚴駕侍從，出室羅伐，往逝多林，欲禮世尊，恭敬供養，承事親近。既至林所，下車整衣，詣大師處。遙見如來坐於樹下為眾說法，顏貌端正，調伏諸根，意樂寂靜住增上定，人中龍象，如師子王，亦如牛王，如善智馬，人中最上，如白蓮華，如池湛寂，如妙高山安處大海，具三十二相、八十種好，如妙金幢形色充遍，亦如白日千光晃耀，如盛月輪，眾星圍遶。
At that time, King Prasenajit of Kosala, accompanied by his retinue, departed from Śrāvastī and traveled to the Jeta Grove, intending to pay homage to the World-Honored One, to honor and make offerings, to serve and draw near to him. Upon reaching the grove, he alighted from his carriage, straightened his robes, and approached the Great Teacher. From a distance, he beheld the Tathāgata seated beneath a tree, teaching the assembly. His countenance was serene and dignified, his senses fully subdued. His mind abided in profound stillness, dwelling in supreme concentration. Among humans, he was like a mighty dragon-elephant, like a lion king, like a bull king, like a well-trained thoroughbred, the foremost of humankind. He was like a pure white lotus, like a tranquil and clear pond, like the majestic Mount Sumeru resting in the great ocean. Adorned with the thirty-two major marks and eighty minor characteristics, he resembled a splendid golden banner, his form radiant and complete. He was like the sun at its zenith, a thousand rays shining brightly, like the full moon encircled by stars.
時，王見已，生大歡喜，身毛遍竪，得未曾有。灌頂大王有五盛事，所謂如意髻珠、白蓋、白拂、寶履、寶劍，悉皆棄捨，著常人服，從以大臣，安詳正念，諸根寂靜，偏露右肩，整理衣服，曲躬合掌，至世尊所，禮佛雙足，布上妙華，燒眾名香。為供養已，右繞三匝，退坐一面。
At that time, when the king saw this, he was filled with immense joy, and the hairs on his body stood on end—he had never experienced anything like it before. A consecrated king possesses five great royal treasures: the wish-fulfilling pearl on his crown, a white canopy, a white fly whisk, jeweled slippers, and a precious sword. But now the king abandoned all these, setting aside his royal regalia and donning ordinary attire. Accompanied by his ministers, he proceeded with a calm and composed demeanor, his thoughts correctly aligned, his sense faculties at peace. Baring his right shoulder and adjusting his robes, he bowed reverently, pressed his palms together, and approached the World-Honored One. He paid homage at the Buddha’s feet, scattering fine flowers and burning various precious incense as offerings. After completing these rituals, he circumambulated three times to the right and then stepped back to take a seat at one side.
時勝光王從座而起，如常威儀，合掌向佛作如是言：「惟願大師！開悟於我，善教於我，為國主法，令於現在恒受安樂，命終之後當生天上，乃至菩提善心相續。」
The majestic King Prasenajit then rose from his seat, adjusted his posture as was customary, and, with palms pressed together, addressed the Buddha: "Great Teacher, I humbly ask you to enlighten me and teach me well concerning the way of a righteous ruler. Show me how, as a king, to enjoy peace and happiness in this present life, and, after death, to be reborn in the heavenly realms—and, going even further, to maintain a continuous and virtuous mind that carries onward until the attainment of Enlightenment."
佛告大王：「善哉！善哉！當一心聽，甚為希有！孰能致問求勝資糧，當順法行，蠲除惡事。何以故？大王！若王、大臣捨其善法行惡法者，於現世中人所輕鄙，不敢親附咸生疑惑，常見惡夢多有怨家，後生懊悔，命終之後墮地獄中。大王！若王、大臣遠離惡法修善法者，於現世中人所欣仰，皆來親附不生疑惑，常見好夢能除怨敵，無復追悔，命終之後得生天上，乃至菩提證真常樂。
The Buddha said to the king: "Excellent! Excellent! Listen with full attention—such a question is truly rare! Who else would inquire about the supreme provisions for the path? You should act in accordance with the Dharma and abandon unwholesome deeds. Why is this? Great king, if a king or minister rejects wholesome practices and pursues unwholesome ones, in this present life they will be scorned by others. People will not draw near to them, will harbor doubt, and will often have nightmares. They will have many enemies, later come to regret their actions, and after death, fall into hell. Great king, if a king or minister stays away from unwholesome deeds and cultivates wholesome ones, in this present life they will be admired and loved by others. People will come to them willingly, without suspicion. They will have good dreams, be able to overcome enemies, have no regrets, and after death, be reborn in heaven—ultimately attaining true, eternal bliss on the path to enlightenment."
「大王！譬如父母，憐愛諸子，常願安隱，令無惱害，遮其惡行，勸修善業。大王！為天子者亦復如是，於諸臣佐乃至國人僕使之類，咸以四攝而恩育之，布施、愛語、利行、同事。時彼人王能於國界，廣作如是大饒益已，成就二種利益之事。云何為二？王如父母，愛念無差；國人如子，並懷忠孝。
"Great king! Just as parents care for their children with deep love, always wanting them to be safe and free from suffering—guiding them away from harmful actions and encouraging them to do good—so too should a ruler, O king, act in the same way. Toward all his ministers, subjects, and even servants, he should foster them with kindness using the four means of attraction: generosity, kind words, beneficial actions, and shared goals.
When a king in this way brings such great benefit and support to his realm, he achieves two kinds of favorable outcomes. What are these two? The king becomes like a parent, loving all without distinction; the people become like children, each filled with loyalty and filial devotion."
「復次大王！作天子者，情懷恩恕，薄為賦斂，省其傜役；設官分職，不務繁多；黜罰惡人，賞進賢善；不忠良者，當速遠離；順古聖王，勿行刑戮。何以故？生人道者，勝緣所感，若斷其命，定招惡報。大王！常當一心恭敬三寶，莫生邪見。我涅槃後，法付國王，大臣、輔相，當為擁護，勿致衰損；然正法炬，轉正法輪，盡未來際常令不絕。若能如是依教行者，則令國中龍王歡喜，風調雨順，諸天慶悅，豐樂安隱，災橫皆除，率土太平，王身快樂，永保勝位，福力延長，無復憂惱，增益壽命，現在名稱遍滿十方。外國諸王咸共讚歎：『某國天子仁讓忠孝，以法教化，拯恤黔黎，於諸國中最為第一。我等今者，咸當歸伏此大法王，捨身之後得生天上，受勝妙樂，乃至菩提！』
Furthermore, O Great King, a heavenly king should be compassionate and forgiving, levy light taxes, and reduce forced labor. When appointing officials, do not create an excess of positions. Punish the wicked, reward and promote the virtuous and wise. Those who are disloyal should be quickly kept at a distance. Follow the example of ancient sage-kings and do not impose the death penalty. Why? One who is born into the human realm is touched by a special connection; if you take that life, you will surely reap an evil consequence.
Great King, always with a single heart, respect the Three Jewels; do not give rise to wrong views. After my nirvana, I entrust the Dharma to the king, his ministers, and high officials. You should protect it, and not let it decline. Light the torch of the true Dharma, turn the wheel of the true Dharma, and let it never cease for all time to come. If you can practice accordingly, you will cause the dragons in the kingdom to rejoice, the winds and rains to be timely, the gods to be pleased, the land to be prosperous, peaceful, and secure, all disasters to be eliminated, and the entire realm to be at peace. The king himself will be happy, will forever retain his exalted position, his merit and power will be extended, he will no longer have worry or sorrow, his lifespan will be increased, and his reputation will be known throughout the ten directions. All foreign kings will praise him, saying: "The heavenly king of that land is benevolent, yielding, loyal, and filial. He governs with the Dharma, rescues and cares for the common people, and is the foremost among all nations. Now we should all submit to this great Dharma King. After he abandons his body, he will be reborn in heaven, experience sublime happiness, and even attain enlightenment!"
「復次大王！一切諸法體性空虛，無常滅壞。譬如有人，於夜夢中，見好園圃，山河人眾，茂林清泉，堂舍樓閣皆可愛樂，及其睡覺，一無所見。大王當知！所紹王位及以壽命，諸有勝樂，自在尊貴，五欲歡娛，象馬車步、父母兄弟、男女妃后、所有國人乃至臣妾，金銀珍寶、衣服飲食及諸庫藏，命終之際悉皆棄捨。此等眾事，皆是無常滅壞之法，事難保守，體是動搖，終歸離散；可怖畏處，能生苦惱，無我、我所，亦無主宰。常應觀察，勿為放逸。
「復次，大王！譬如大樹，初生葉華，次當結實，果既熟已，漸當墮落；青葉次黃，後悉零墜，終至皆盡，唯有空樹。其樹乾枯，有大火至，熾然猛焰，不久燒盡。
「復次，大王！譬如日月，有大威力，具大光明，能令黑闇悉皆除盡，此亦不久終歸磨滅。大王！如是當觀無常、無我滅壞之事，應生怖懼。而作國王當以法化，勿行非法，常修眾善，不隨惡行。
「復次，大王！譬如四面各有大山，從四方來，堅固一段，無有空缺，上陵大虛，下磨地界，於中所有草木、叢林及諸生類，無一飛走能得免者，無有壯夫而為拒敵，亦無能以呪、藥、財物可令迴去。大王！人間四山亦復如是，謂老、病、死及以失勢。大王！老若來時，令人衰悴；疾病若至，能生苦惱；死期現前，必當命斷；勢若失時，滅其威力。
「復次，大王！如師子王，駿疾多力，爪牙鋒利，入鹿群中，隨意取食，無能為礙，此諸獸類被他所愶，無有自在。大王當知！一切眾生被死箭射，無有豪強，無歸無護；命欲斷時，骨節離解，血肉乾燥，口不能言，手足撩亂，勢力都盡；涎唾、便利遍污其身，眼等六根悉皆閉塞，喉中氣逆，飲食不通；念念之間後識將盡，無始時來生老病死，苦海流轉隨業而去；即於此時命根將斷，隨所作業皆悉現前，琰摩使人甚可怖畏，黑闇長夜無能違逆；出入之息溘然而盡，獨行無侶，所向慞惶。捨此人間，趣於後世，將墜大坑，入深闇處；惟涉險道，無復資糧；業風所吹，不知前路，爾時厄難無別歸依，於此時中隨業受報。
「大王！有陀羅尼，名曰勝幡。若人先時曾受持者，於生死中能為善伴，共相救護。大王善聽！我今為說。呪曰：
「南謨釋迦牟奈曳 怛他揭多也 阿羅𠿒帝三藐三勃陀也 怛姪他唵 苫謎苫謎薩婆波跛 鉢羅苫末泥(去)莎訶」
佛告大王：「此陀羅尼諸佛所說，於日日中清淨澡漱，常誦七遍，有大威神能為救濟——如遭極寒，遇炎火聚；如大熱時，得清冷水；盛夏尋路，逢好樹陰；如渴，遇清泉；如飢，得美食；如病，蒙呪藥，又復遇良醫；如怯怖人，得強壯伴。大王！如是有福之人臨欲死時，有好瑞相，而為導引。大王！於此時中唯有善法，共相護念，為作歸依，惟此陀羅尼善能救濟。是故大王！常當日日誦此神呪，能得消除一切罪障，復能生長無量福因，當善觀察，無常滅壞究竟空無，於死門中生大恐怖，以善化世莫行惡法，常修福業起大慈悲。何以故？然於此身常所愛護，供以名厨上妙飲食，隨時偃息，無憂自在。雖受如是殊勝之樂，終歸不免臨死之際飢火來逼，乏食而死。
「復次，大王！所著衣服皆是微妙——迦尸、白疊、錦綺、綾羅、涼燠。順時任情受樂，終歸不免臨死之際委臥床席，迴轉隨人，垢膩縈身，衾裳霑體，能令見者生可惡心。
「復次，大王！平生之日澡浴嚴身，塗香、末香、種種莊飾，熏香遍馥，頂繫花鬘。設受如此上妙樂具，終歸不免漸將變壞，復本形狀，臭穢現前，澡沐塗香並皆虛設。
「復次，大王！多處內宮婇女圍繞，管絃代發，歌舞隨情。以樂送時不聞憂事，終歸不免死苦來迫，懷怖而終。
「復次，大王！所居宮殿種種莊嚴，戶牖疎通，寒溫適節；暢情終日，受樂通宵；室燎明燈，多諸婇女，疎籠散馥，名花遍布；七寶莊校所臥之床，氈褥重敷，并安偃枕，恣意而臥，無復憂勞。及其業盡，終歸不免身亡之後送往寒林，置之空野；屍骸爛潰，膿血橫流；骨肉分張，人皆鄙賤；被諸狐狼、鵄梟、鵰鷲之所飡食。悲哉此身！卒至於此。
「復次大王！嘉晨令節，嚴駕出城，往詣芳林，縱情遊賞，象馬車步，前後陪隨，意樂乘騎，無不遂念，諸臣侍從，雉扇嚴儀，幰帳高懸，復持金蓋，鼓樂並奏，鈴鐸和鳴，人皆敬奉如天帝釋。若福命盡，琰摩使來，收錄精神將至王所，隨分判斷，無能免者！惟有殘骸置之於地，父母妻子及以國人，咸共悲號，椎胸懊惱，靈輿送殯，詣彼屍林，或燒、或埋、或沈於水，飛禽走獸、魚鼈黿鼉，聞其肉氣，爭來飡食，骨成塵粉，與地無殊。大王當知！一切眾生稟識之類悉皆如是，終為無常之所滅壞，體難保信，念念遷移，諸煩惱身無可愛樂。誰有智者不生厭離？
「是故大王！當觀如是身為患本，無常所隨，鎮被死王之所驅逼。知是事已，當為法王，不應恣情起貪、瞋、癡，行於惡事。何以故？大王！我不說有愚癡凡夫，於五欲境——色、聲、香、味、觸——恒多積聚，常樂親近，如是之人能生厭足。大王！誰於欲境能發厭心？謂賢聖人起勝智慧，現在前時方生厭足，漸當遠離證妙涅槃。」
爾時，勝光天子聞佛為說，安隱自身，長保國位，利益含識，名聞十方，當得生天，受勝妙樂。深心喜慶，得未曾有，合掌恭敬，一心瞻仰，白佛言：「世尊！如來大慈，為說如是微妙法義。我今頂戴，常願流通，舉國諸人皆令誦習。」
佛言：「善哉，善哉！大王！前世修因，今受勝報，得為天子，所願隨心。當如說行，勿為放逸！」
時勝光天子及諸大眾，皆大歡喜，信受奉行，禮佛而去。
佛為勝光天子說王法經