舍利弗大目揵連來學品第五
Chapter 5: Shariputra and Mahamaudgalyayana Come to Study
佛在羅閱祇竹園精舍，與大比丘僧千人俱，皆得應真，欝俾羅等。彼有一卿，名曰那羅陀。故有梵志，字曰沙然。精修仙行，延納來學，好仙弟子，凡有二百五十人。門徒之中，有二人高足難齊：一名優波替，次曰拘律陀，才明深遠，研精通微。沙然得病，自知將終，告於二賢：「此諸新學，志存道行，累卿二人，必令全志。」二人敬諾，受教奉行。
The Buddha was residing in the Bamboo Grove Monastery in Rājagaha, together with a thousand great bhikkhus, all of whom had attained true enlightenment, including Upaka and others. At that time, there was a nobleman named Nārada. There was also a former ascetic practitioner named Sāraṇa, who diligently cultivated spiritual practices and welcomed students. He had two hundred and fifty disciples in total. Among his followers were two outstanding students who far surpassed the rest: one was Upatissa, and the other was Kolita. Both were profoundly wise, deeply insightful, and thoroughly understood the subtle truths. When Sāraṇa fell ill and realized his end was near, he said to these two worthy ones, "All these new students have set their minds on the spiritual path. I entrust them to you both—you must ensure their aspirations remain complete." They respectfully agreed, received his instruction, and faithfully carried it out.
是時世尊，勅比丘頞陛：「汝行宣化，往必有度。所可見者，其智明遠，自捨如來，無能與論。若與相見，直說法本，勿與酬酢，以致其嗤。」頞陛受勅，整服持鉢，禮佛而行。時優波替，從諸弟子相隨遊觀，遙見頞陛，威儀庠雅，未曾聞覩，何所法像？被服改俗，須至當問。二人俱前，相逢中路，便問頞陛：「章服反常，何所從出？豈有師宗可得聞乎？」於時頞陛，以頌答曰：
At that time, the World-Honored One instructed the monk Anpi, saying: "Go forth and spread the teachings; wherever you go, some will find deliverance. Those you meet will see in you wisdom that is clear and far-reaching. Apart from the Thus-Come One, no one can match you in debate. If you encounter anyone, directly proclaim the foundation of the Dharma—do not engage in witty exchanges, lest you invite ridicule." Having received this command, Anpi straightened his robe, took up his bowl, bowed to the Buddha, and set out.
At that time, Upati was strolling with his disciples when he saw Anpi from afar. Anpi’s bearing was dignified and refined, unlike anything Upati had ever seen or heard of. "What kind of spiritual tradition does he follow?" wondered Upati. "His robes and appearance are different from the norm. I must ask him when he arrives." As the two approached each other on the road, they met halfway. Upati asked Anpi: "Your robes and clothing deviate from the ordinary—where do you come from? Is there a teacher or a school whose teachings I might learn?" Then Anpi answered with a verse.
「我年既幼稚， 學日又初淺，
豈能宣至真， 如來廣大義。
一切諸法本， 因緣空無主，
息心達本源， 故號為沙門。」
"I am young in years, with learning still shallow and new. How could I fully express the vast, profound meaning of the Tathagata? The root of all things is conditionality—empty, with no inherent master. One who calms the mind and reaches this original source is truly called a Shramana."
優波替方聞法義，尋思至理而自惟曰：「吾小好學，八歲從師，至年十六，古仙道術，靡書不綜，十六大國，謂吾廣博，未曾聞斯真要之義；今偶出遊，遇此寶藏，此言之妙，美於甘露。」心寤意解，便逮法眼，旋還精舍，欣悅無量。拘律陀，見彼容悅，疑得甘露。即問優波替：「得甘露那？勿違本要，惠及少少。」優波替具向拘律陀說所聞偈，一聞不解，再說乃了。尋思反覆，亦得法眼。二人議曰：「本願甘露，今得服甞，寧可共詣大沙門所，就彼海淵，沐浴清華。」議合心同，嚴辦當發，拘律陀念曰：「吾師臨終，囑授弟子，令吾成濟；今便委棄，義所不安。」便告弟子：「彼大沙門，有甘露仙化，壞裂俗網，息心寂行。吾欲啟請，窮微反真。汝將何趣？」門徒對曰：「今得視聽，是大師恩。大人宗仰，承命踊逸，貪羨甘露，願從下風。」師徒志合，即出所止，往詣竹園。
Upati had just heard the teaching of the Dharma and pondered its ultimate truth, thinking to himself: "From childhood I loved learning. At eight I began studying under a teacher, and by sixteen I had mastered every ancient immortal scripture and mystical art. In all sixteen great kingdoms, people considered me broadly learned—yet I had never heard such essential truths as these. Today, while out on a walk, I encountered this treasure. The beauty of these words surpasses sweet nectar." His mind awakened and he understood; in that moment he attained the Dharma eye. Then he returned to his hermitage, filled with boundless joy.
Kolita saw his radiant delight and suspected he had obtained the nectar. He immediately asked Upati: "Have you obtained the nectar? Don't break our original pact—share a little with me." Upati fully recounted to Kolita the verse he had heard. At first Kolita did not grasp it, but after hearing it again he understood. As he reflected on it over and over, he too attained the Dharma eye.
The two discussed together: "We originally vowed to obtain the nectar, and now we have tasted it. Why don't we go together to the Great Shramana? Let us go to that ocean-like depth and bathe in its pure splendor." They agreed wholeheartedly and prepared to set out.
But Kolita thought: "My former teacher, on his deathbed, entrusted his disciples to me, that I might guide them to completion. If I now abandon them, it would go against my sense of duty." So he told his disciples: "That Great Shramana possesses the immortal transformation of nectar. He shatters the net of worldly conventions, quiets the mind, and dwells in serene practice. I wish to go to him, to inquire into the subtlest truths and return to the genuine. What do you intend to do?" The disciples replied: "Everything we now see and hear is due to our teacher's kindness. You are the one we look up to. We follow your command with eagerness, craving that nectar and wishing to learn from your example." With their resolve united, the teacher and his disciples left their dwelling and went to the Bamboo Grove.
於時世尊，告諸比丘：「今有二賢，從諸弟子，乘本願行，欲作沙門。勸成其功者，頞陛力也！」比丘承教，延望其眾。憂波替、拘律陀等，遙見如來相好暉光，神動情震，自惟歎曰：「幸哉余生，得奉清誨，其榮難云！」延趣坐前，頭面禮佛。禮畢嘉歡重喜無量，斯須乃進，具陳情言：「替等罪弊隨流入淵，始於今日，反俗極源，願蒙接納，得充僧次。」即便許可，頭髮自落，皆成沙門。佛告諸比丘：「此二人者，願於古佛，待吾道成，侍衛左右。」
佛謂憂波替：「高世之號，花而不實，復汝本字，為舍利弗。拘律陀，還字大目揵連。」因本說法，逮得羅漢，佛勅侍者。古千比丘，暮當結戒，不得他行。即夜行籌數，得千二百五十人。佛結戒竟，比丘歡喜，莫不肅然，禮佛而退。