佛說菩薩修行四法經
The Sutra on the Four Dharmas of Bodhisattva Practice
大唐天竺三藏地婆訶羅譯
Translated by Divākara of the Great Tang Dynasty.
如是我聞：
Thus I have heard:
一時佛在舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園，與大比丘眾千二百五十人俱。爾時世尊告諸比丘：「汝等已得無量善利，當求無上佛大菩提。何以故？佛菩提者，世、出世間無等等故。若未來世諸眾生等，發意欲求佛菩提者，當修四法。何等為四？一者、當發大菩提心，寧失身命，不應退轉；二者、應當親近善友，寧失身命，不應遠離；三者、應修忍辱柔和，寧失身命，不生瞋恚；四者、當依寂靜之處，寧失身命，不思憒閙。諸善男子！如是四法，菩薩摩訶薩應當修學。」
Thus have I heard: At one time, the Buddha was staying in the Jeta Grove of Anathapindika’s Park in the city of Shravasti, together with a great assembly of 1,250 bhikkhus. At that time, the World-Honored One addressed the bhikkhus, saying:
“You have already attained immeasurable good benefits. You should now seek the unsurpassed, supreme enlightenment of the Buddha. Why? Because the enlightenment of the Buddha is unequaled in both the worldly and transcendental realms.
If, in future ages, there are sentient beings who aspire to seek the enlightenment of the Buddha, they should cultivate four practices. What are these four?
First, they should give rise to the great mind of enlightenment, and even at the cost of their own lives, should not retreat from it.
Second, they should draw near to good friends, and even at the cost of their own lives, should not distance themselves from them.
Third, they should cultivate patience and gentleness, and even at the cost of their own lives, should not give rise to anger or hatred.
Fourth, they should dwell in places of tranquility, and even at the cost of their own lives, should not seek out noisy distractions.
O virtuous ones! These four practices should be cultivated and learned by all bodhisattva-mahasattvas.”
爾時世尊即說偈言：
At that moment, the World-Honored One spoke this verse:
「諸欲求勝果， 當發菩提心，
策勤精進行， 須依善知識。
忍辱佛所讚， 稱為有力人，
空閑聖所居， 無畏猶師子。」
"Those who seek the highest goal Should awaken the mind of enlightenment, Diligently practice and progress, Relying on a spiritual teacher.
Patience is praised by the Buddha, Those who endure are called strong, The peaceful place where sages dwell, They are fearless, like a lion."
爾時世尊說此偈已，復作是言：「諸有智慧大慈悲者，能修如上四種之法，其人則能解脫生死，出離魔網，成等正覺，得大涅槃。」
At that time, having spoken this verse, the Buddha said: "All those who possess wisdom and great compassion, and who can cultivate the four methods described above, such people will be able to transcend the cycle of birth and death, escape the net of Mara, achieve perfect enlightenment, and attain great Nirvana."
爾時世尊說此經已，彼諸比丘及諸菩薩聞佛所說，皆大歡喜，信受奉行，作禮而去。
At that time, after the World-Honored One had spoken this sutra, all the monks and bodhisattvas who heard what the Buddha said were filled with great joy. They accepted it with faith, put it into practice, paid their respects, and departed.
佛說菩薩修行四法經
The Sutra on the Four Dharmas of Bodhisattva Practice