佛說馬有三相經(出雜阿含別譯)
The Buddha's Discourse on the Three Characteristics of a Horse
後漢沙門支曜譯
Translated by the Han Dynasty Monk Zhi Yao
聞如是：
This is what I heard:
一時，佛在舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園。佛便告諸比丘：「善馬有三相，用入官可給御、中王意，得名為官馬。何等為三相？一者有善馬意自能走，二者有力，三者端正好色，是為三相，善馬中入官。善人亦有三相，自得善意名聞亦豪，舉人敬難之，可受人禮能福天下。何等為三相？有善人得意能走、有力、有端正色。何等為善人得意能走？有善人得意是苦如有知，為是習、為是盡敗、為是道識，如是善人得意為走。何等為善人得意為力？為有弊惡態當為斷，盡力求之，精進求者意棄惡，未起弊惡態不復起，未起善意當為起，已起善意當為止不忘減稍稍增多，行意俱善行盡力求，制意棄惡，如是善人得力。何等為善人得意有色端正？是間有善人得意避五樂、避弊惡，能到四棄得行，如是善人得意有色。是為三因緣諦行，善人得意名聞為能主舉人難之，可取禮天下如是。」
Thus have I heard. At one time, the Buddha was in the kingdom of Shravasti, at the Jeta Grove, in the garden of Anathapindada. The Buddha said to the monks: "A good horse has three characteristics that make it fit for the king's service, worthy to be called an official mount. What are these three? First, it has the natural will to run on its own. Second, it has strength. Third, it has a beautiful form and good color. These are the three characteristics of a horse fit for royal service. In the same way, a good person has three characteristics that bring them a good reputation and noble standing, making people respect them and regard them as admirable, worthy of receiving offerings and bringing blessings to the world. What are these three? A good person has the will to 'run,' strength, and a beautiful form and good color. What does it mean that a good person has the will to run? A good person understands suffering for what it is. They know the origin of suffering, they know its cessation, and they know the path that leads to its cessation. This is understanding the truth—this is the good person's will to 'run.' What does it mean that a good person has strength? They strive to cut off unwholesome tendencies. With all their effort, they diligently pursue this, abandoning evil intentions. Unwholesome tendencies that have not yet arisen do not arise; wholesome intentions that have not yet arisen they bring forth; wholesome intentions that have already arisen they maintain, not forgetting them, gradually increasing them. Their actions and mind are both good, moving with full effort. They control the mind and abandon evil. This is the good person's strength. What does it mean that a good person has a beautiful form and good color? Here, a good person avoids the five sensual pleasures and avoids evil. They are able to reach the four levels of renunciation and practice accordingly. This is the good person's beautiful form and good color. These are the three true principles. Through them, a good person gains a good reputation, becomes a leader, is respected and held in awe by others, and is worthy of receiving the world's offerings."
佛說如是。
Thus spoke the Buddha.
佛說馬有三相經
Sutra on the Three Characteristics of a Horse