中本起經卷下
Middle Length Collection of Sutras, Volume 2
後漢西域沙門曇果共康孟詳譯
Later Han Dynasty Translation by Monk Tanguo and Kang Mengxiang from the Western Regions
須達品第七
Chapter 7: Sudatta
佛從本國，與比丘僧千二百五十人俱，遊於王舍國竹園中。長者伯勤，承佛降尊，馳詣竹園，五心禮足，逡巡恭住，整心白佛：「唯願世尊，顧下薄食。」佛法默然已為許可。長者欣悅，接足而退。還家具膳，莊嚴幢幡，親自執事，極世之味。舍衛長者，名曰須達(晉言善溫)。與主人伯勤雖未相見，每信相聞，行同德齊，遙揖為友。須達因事來行，推親往造，伯勤親供不容得出。須達踟蹰殊久，呼使而曰：「吾故遠至，以展不面，虛心在昔，馳散所懷。不謂今日見薄不偶。」迦蘭迦事訖乃出，相揖而坐：「不面在昔屈辱臨顧，傾企之情有兼來趣。明請大賓，執事自逼，是使乃心滯而不敘。」善溫問曰：「何謂大賓？為是婚姻國節會耶？」答曰：「同志！卿不聞乎？白淨王太子，入山六年，道成號佛。威相明遠，神明爥幽。方身丈六，華色紫金，明耀於世，吐法陳戒，精義入神。所從弟子，名比丘僧，居靜正身，修德履道，忽榮棄利，義曰真人，凡有一千二百五十人俱。」
The Buddha traveled from his homeland together with a community of 1,250 monks, and they came to stay in the Bamboo Grove at the city of King's Domain. The elder Boqin, upon learning of the Buddha's arrival to grace him with his presence, hurried to the Bamboo Grove. Touching his head to the Buddha's feet with utmost respect, he stood respectfully to the side, composed his mind, and said to the Buddha: "I humbly beg the World-Honored One to look upon me with kindness and accept a simple meal at my home." The Buddha remained silent, signifying his consent. The elder rejoiced, bowed again to the Buddha's feet, and withdrew.
Returning home, he prepared a feast, decorated banners and canopies, and took charge of everything himself, preparing the finest flavors the world had to offer.
At that time, there was an elder in the city of Shravasti named Sudatta, known as Sun Wen in the Jin language. Though he had never met his colleague Boqin, they often exchanged letters keeping in touch, shared the same virtuous conduct, and considered each other friends from afar. Having traveled to a nearby area on business, Sudatta decided to visit his friend. However, Boqin was personally busy with preparations for his honored guest and could not spare time to meet him.
Sudatta waited for a very long time, growing impatient. Finally, he called to a servant and said: "I have traveled far to see him, to make up for our not meeting face-to-face. I've always admired him in my heart and came to share my thoughts with him. But today, I am treated coldly and not received!"
When Boqin had finished his work, he finally came out, greeted Sudatta with a bow, and sat down. He said: "We have not seen each other for so long, and now I'm ashamed to have kept you waiting. My longing for you has only grown, which is why I wanted to come see you. But today, I am hosting an honored guest and am personally busy with preparations, so my heart is troubled, and we haven't had the chance to talk."
Sudatta (Sun Wen) asked: "What honored guest? Is it a wedding or a state festival?"
Boqin replied: "My friend, haven't you heard? The prince of the pure rice clan went into the mountains for six years, fully awakened, and is now called the Buddha. His majestic presence is bright and far-reaching, his divine radiance illuminates the mysterious depths. His body stands sixteen feet tall, with a golden complexion like a purple-gold flower, shining brilliantly upon the world. He teaches the Dharma and sets forth precepts, with profound meaning that leads one into spiritual realization. His disciples are called the community of monks. They live in stillness, correct their bodies, cultivate virtue, and walk the path. They renounce glory and abandon profit. They are known as true persons, and together there are 1,250 of them."
善溫聞稱佛聲，舉身毛竪，心喜交胸。逸豫待明，五情內騷，轉側不寐。至誠感通，中夜霍明，即便嚴出。方向城門，顧見城左，有神祠舍，名曰漯披。過往跪拜，禮畢旋顧，奄便更冥。善溫惶恐，不知所趣，雖有此變，心猶存佛，承其至心恐畏消除。空中聲曰：「善哉！須達！心至乃爾。」即問空聲：「為是何神？」便答之曰：「吾是子親摩因提也！」問曰：「卿生何許？奚為此間？」即而答曰：「吾昔從佛神足弟子大目揵連，聞說經法。因此福報，得生第一天上，功德甚少，別使典此。見卿至心，來相佐助。佛者至尊，舉足中間，福祐難量，恨吾生存不獲覩佛。如今所見，明驗真諦。」天放大光，照於竹園。善溫尋光，遙見如來，踰於所聞，前拜却住，微心視相，而問於佛：「神尊寧安耶？」佛為須達，而作頌曰：
As soon as Shandu heard the name of the Buddha spoken, every hair on his body stood on end, and joy welled up in his heart. He was filled with peaceful anticipation, waiting for dawn, yet inwardly restless with emotion—turning over and over, unable to sleep. His sincerity reached and connected with the divine; suddenly, in the middle of the night, light appeared. He immediately dressed and went out. He headed toward the city gate, and as he looked to the left, he noticed a shrine called Luopi. When he passed it, he knelt and bowed. After finishing his worship and turning around, suddenly it became dark again. Shandu was terrified, not knowing where he was going. Yet despite this shift, his faith in the Buddha remained strong. Because of his pure and earnest heart, his fear dissolved. A voice from the sky said: "Excellent, Sudatta! Your devotion has brought you this far." He asked the voice in the sky: "What spirit are you?" The voice answered: "I am your relative, Mo Yindi!" Shandu asked: "Where were you born? Why are you here now?" The voice replied: "I once heard the dharma teachings from the Buddha's disciple of spiritual power, Maudgalyayana. Because of that blessing, I was reborn in the First Heaven. Yet my merit was too small to hold a high position, and so I was assigned to oversee this place. Seeing your deep sincerity, I have come to assist you. The Buddha is supremely honored; every step he takes brings boundless blessings. Regrettably, when I was alive, I never had the chance to see him. But what I now witness is the true realization of the dharma truth." A heavenly light shone brightly, illuminating the Bamboo Garden. Shandu followed the light and saw the Thus-Come One from afar—more magnificent than what he had heard. He stepped forward, bowed, and then stood a little off to the side, humbly observing the Buddha's serene marks, and asked: "All-Honored One, are you at peace?" For Sudatta, the Buddha spoke a gatha:
「無憂無喜相， 心虛清淨安，
已能無所生， 見諦入泥洹。
覺正念清明， 己度五道淵，
恩愛網斷壞， 永寂悅彼安。」
"Free from worry and joy alike, the mind is empty, pure, and at peace.
Having ceased all arising, seeing truth, one enters Nirvana.
Awakened, mindful, and clear, having crossed the abyss of the five paths,
the net of attachment is cut and broken— eternally still, in blissful peace."
長者須達，聞說是時，因本功德，便發淨意，逮得法眼，歸命三尊，諮受五戒，為清信士。前白佛言：「唯願如來，臨盻舍衛，教授一時，濟度君民。」世尊又曰：「卿姓字何乎？」長者跪對曰：「鄙字須達，侍養孤老，供給衣食，國人稱我給孤獨氏。」佛而告曰：「彼有精舍，容吾眾不？」對曰：「未有。」長者須達，承佛聖旨，進前長跪，而白世尊：「余能堪任興立精舍，唯須比丘，監臨處當。」顧勅舍利弗，竝行營佐，即受教命，作禮而退。
還彼舍衛，周行求地，唯祇園好——眾果流泉，奇鳥翔集，地夷木茂，去城又近——因往守請祇，了無賣意。求之不止，恚而言曰：「若能以金錢，集布滿園，爾乃出耳？」重問：「審實爾不？」祇謂：「價高，子必不及，戲言決耳！復何疑哉？」須達辭還，載輦送錢。園監不聽，走白大家：「須達送錢，不審內不？」報勅園監：「吾自戲言，遣錢勿受。」二人共諍，舉國耆老，馳往諫止。耆老斷當：「地價已決，不應得悔。國政清平，祇不違法。」即聽布錢。門裏不周，祇意喜曰：「吾還得園矣！」遣人催督。須達自往，共詣園觀，所思未周，意憒不樂。祇曰：「國賢若悔便止。」答言：「不悔。」思得伏藏，畢地直耳。祇心惟：「佛必是至尊，能使斯人，竭財不恨，可戴可仰，神妙如茲。」便謂須達：「勿復足錢，餘地貿樹共立精舍。」須達即言：「善哉！許諾。」便興功夫，僧房、坐具、床㯓、茵褥，極世之妙；加施幢幡，香汁灑地，備辦供具，兼餚重饌，燒眾名香，遙跪請佛：「唯願如來枉屈尊神。」
He returned to Śrāvastī and searched everywhere for a suitable site. Only the Jeta Grove was perfect—with abundant fruits and flowing springs, rare birds soaring and gathering, level ground and lush trees, and close to the city. So he went to Jeta to request the purchase of the grove, but Jeta had no intention of selling it. When Sudatta persisted in his request, Jeta grew annoyed and said, “If you can cover the entire grove with gold coins, then I will sell it.” Sudatta asked again, “Are you truly serious about this?” Jeta thought, “The price is too high—he will never be able to afford it. I am only joking to settle the matter! Why should he doubt it?” Sudatta took his leave and returned, loading carts with gold coins to deliver. The grove’s steward would not allow it and hurried to inform his master, “Sudatta is bringing the money. Should we accept it or not?” Jeta instructed the steward, “I was only joking. Send the money back.” The two argued, and the elders of the entire country rushed to intervene and stop the dispute. The elders ruled, “The price has already been set—you cannot go back on your word. The country’s governance is just and fair, and Jeta should not violate the law.” So they allowed the gold coins to be laid out. When the coins did not completely cover the grove, Jeta thought happily, “I will get to keep the grove after all!” He sent people to urge Sudatta. Sudatta went himself, and together they inspected the grove. Seeing that the coins did not cover everything, Sudatta felt troubled and unhappy. Jeta said, “If you, the country’s worthy man, regret it, you may stop.” Sudatta replied, “I do not regret it.” He thought of finding a hidden treasure to complete the payment for the land. Jeta reflected, “The Buddha must be the most venerable one, able to make this man exhaust his wealth without regret—worthy of reverence and admiration, so divine and marvelous.” He then said to Sudatta, “Do not add any more coins. I will trade the remaining land for trees, and together we will build a monastery.” Sudatta immediately said, “Excellent! I agree.” So they began the construction work. The monks’ quarters, sitting mats, beds, benches, and cushions were of the finest quality in the world. They added banners and streamers, sprinkled fragrant water on the ground, prepared offerings, and arranged abundant and exquisite food. They burned various precious incenses and knelt from afar to invite the Buddha, saying, “We humbly beseech the Tathāgata to grace us with your divine presence.”
於是眾祐，與大比丘僧千二百五十人俱，遊於舍衛國，應須達請。威神震動，國內咸喜，男女大小填路而出。給孤獨氏及王弟祇陀，前禮佛足，共上精舍。佛受呪願，故曰祇樹給孤獨園。王國有事，急召須達，赴行應會。事訖馳還，奉齋盡恭。却從步涉中路有人，奉酪一瓶，顧無所使，自提而行。前逢梵志，請令持之。共詣精舍，手自斟酌。顧命梵志，汝便斟酌。飯訖行澡，儼然聽法，一切歡喜，稱善無量。
梵志暮還，奉齋不飡。婦怪而問：「不審何恨？」答曰：「不恚，吾齋故耳。」婦重質之：「何從齋來？」梵志答曰：「給孤獨氏於園飯佛，請吾往齋，齋名八關。」其婦流淚，忿然恚曰：「君毀遺則，禍此興矣！瞿曇亂法，奚足採納？」迫踧不已，便共俱飯。梵志壽算，終於夜半，生於欝多羅衛國，作大澤樹神。時有婆羅門等五百人，欲詣恒水三祠神池，沐浴垢穢，希望神仙。中道乏糧，遙望彼樹，想有流泉，馳趣樹下，了無所見，窮困斯澤，飢渴委厄。樹神人現，問梵志曰：「道士那來？今若行耶？」同聲答曰：「欲詣神池澡浴望仙，今日飢渴，幸哀矜濟。」樹神即舉手，眾味流溢。眾飯飽足。詣神請曰：「何等功德，致此巍巍？」神答梵志：「吾因舍衛給孤獨氏，持八關齋，為婦所敗，不卒其業，來生斯澤，作此樹神。若終齋法，福應生天。」爾時樹神，而作頌曰：
In the evening, a Brahmin returned home. Observing the precepts, he did not eat. His wife, puzzled, asked, "What grievance troubles you?" He replied, "No grievance, I am simply keeping the precepts." She pressed further, "Where did you obtain these precepts?" The Brahmin answered, "The householder Anathapindika hosted a meal at his garden for the Buddha and invited me to observe the precepts—the 'Eightfold Precepts.'" His wife burst into tears and angrily said, "You have broken our traditions, and disaster will follow! Gotama's teachings are corrupt; how can they be worth adopting?" Pressured insistently, they eventually ate together. The Brahmin's lifespan ended at midnight, and he was reborn in the kingdom of Uttara as the spirit of a great forest tree.
At that time, there were five hundred Brahmins heading to the triple sacred pool of the Ganges River to wash away impurities in hopes of attaining immortality. Running out of food on the way, they spotted the distant tree and thought there might be a spring. They hurried to the tree only to find nothing there. Lost in the marsh, they were trapped by hunger and thirst. The tree spirit appeared in human form and asked the Brahmins, "Where are you ascetics coming from, and where are you heading?" They answered in unison, "We are heading to the sacred pool to bathe and seek immortality. Today we are hungry and thirsty. Please show mercy and help us." The tree spirit raised its hand, and an abundance of food and drink flowed forth, filling them all. After they had eaten their fill, they asked the spirit, "What kind of merit has brought you such majesty?" The spirit replied, "Because of the householder Anathapindika in Shravasti, I once took the Eightfold Precepts. But my wife ruined them, so I could not complete the practice. Thus I was reborn in this marsh as this tree spirit. Had I completed the precepts, I would have been reborn in heaven." At that moment, the tree spirit spoke this verse:
「祠祀種禍根， 日夜長枝條，
唐苦敗身本， 法齋度世仙。」
梵志聞偈，迷解信受，旋還舍衛。路由一國，名拘藍尼，國有長者，字瞿師羅(晉言美音)，人民敬愛，言輒順承。梵志眾等，往造求宿。美音問曰：「道士何來？今欲所之？」具陳彼澤樹神功德，欲詣舍衛，造給孤氏攢採法齋，冀遂本志。美音喜躍，宿行所追，亘解欲行，明旦宣令：「宗室及所親愛，誰能共行受齋揩式？」合五百人僉然應命，本願相引，感義嚴出。行詣舍衛，未至祇洹，道逢須達，往造佛所過而不識。顧問從者：「此何大夫？」對曰「給孤獨氏也。」梵志眾等喜而追曰：「吾願成矣，求人得人。」馳趣相見，同聲歎曰：「久承令懿，注仰虛心，聞有道訓八關齋法，故遠投託，幸蒙示導。」須達止車答曰：「吾有大師，號曰如來、眾祐，度人近在祇洹，可共俱進，造覲世尊。」聞命敬諾。恭肅盡虔，遙瞻如來，情喜內發，五體投地，退坐一面。緣察本心，旨說法要。五百梵志得阿那含，便作沙門。美音宗等，逮得法眼。
諸比丘白佛：「五百梵志及諸長者，得道何速？」世尊告曰：「過去不遠，時世有佛，號名迦葉。為眾講法，說吾當來，今諸梵志於彼佛前，願樂欲見當來釋迦文佛。是諸長者亦同斯願。從是因緣，見吾便解。」比丘歡喜，盡受奉行。美音心念欲請世尊。佛知其念，而告之曰：「彼無精舍，汝願不遂。」美音悅解，喜前白佛：「我有別宅，願為精舍。唯哀垂救，濟度群生。」乞退還國，修備所供，頭面接足，禮畢而去。