佛說護國尊者所問大乘經卷第一
The Sutra Spoken by the Buddha on the Questions of the Guardian of the Nation, Volume 1
西天譯經三藏朝散大夫試鴻臚卿傳法大師臣施護奉 詔譯
Translated by Dharma Master Shi Hu, Tripitaka Master of the Western Regions, Court Gentleman for Ceremonial Service, Probationary Minister of
如是我聞：
This is what I heard:
一時佛在王舍城鷲峯山中，與大苾芻眾千二百五十人俱，復有菩薩摩訶薩眾五千人俱——得大忍辱無礙辯才，降伏魔怨、制諸外道，發大道心，得三摩地，總持自在，具四無礙智，通達四攝及最上甚深波羅蜜多，乃至一切佛法、無量無邊諸善功德——其名曰：普賢菩薩、普眼菩薩、普觀菩薩、普光菩薩、普照菩薩、上意菩薩、增意菩薩、無邊意菩薩、廣意菩薩、無盡意菩薩、持地菩薩、世上菩薩、勝意菩薩、最上意菩薩、總持自在王菩薩、文殊師利菩薩摩訶薩等——復有賢護菩薩摩訶薩等十六人俱；復有娑婆世界主大梵天王及帝釋天主、護世四大天王，復有蘇尸彌天子、安意天子，及諸天王、龍王、緊那囉王、巘馱哩嚩王、藥叉王、誐嚕拏王等，各與若干百千眷屬俱來會坐。
At one time, the Buddha was dwelling on Vulture Peak Mountain in the city of Rājagṛha, accompanied by a great assembly of 1,250 bhikṣus. There was also an assembly of 5,000 bodhisattva-mahāsattvas—those who had attained great forbearance and unobstructed eloquence, had subdued the forces of Māra and tamed non-Buddhist paths, had aroused the mind of great enlightenment, had attained samādhi, and possessed mastery of dhāraṇī. They were endowed with the four kinds of unobstructed wisdom, were skilled in the four means of attraction, and had reached the supreme and profound pāramitās, as well as all Buddha-dharmas, immeasurable and boundless wholesome merits.
Their names were: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, Bodhisattva Samantacakṣus, Bodhisattva Samantadarśin, Bodhisattva Samantaprabha, Bodhisattva Samantāloka, Bodhisattva Uttaramati, Bodhisattva Vṛddhimati, Bodhisattva Anantamati, Bodhisattva Vipulamati, Bodhisattva Akṣayamati, Bodhisattva Dharaṇīndhara, Bodhisattva Lokendra, Bodhisattva Jayamati, Bodhisattva Paramamati, Bodhisattva Dhāraṇīśvararāja, and Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva Mañjuśrī, among others.
Also present were sixteen bodhisattva-mahāsattvas including Bhadrapāla. Moreover, there were the Great Brahmā King, lord of the Sahā world; Śakra, lord of the gods; the four great world-protecting kings; Suśīmi devaputra; Anantamati devaputra; and various other heavenly kings, nāga kings, kiṃnara kings, gandharva kings, yakṣa kings, and garuḍa kings, each accompanied by hundreds of thousands of attendants, all gathered together in the assembly.
爾時，世尊坐於吉祥藏師子之座，四眾圍繞逾於須彌，光明熾盛，譬如日、月普照一切世間；威儀具足，梵行寂靜，譬如帝釋於諸天中威儀最勝；亦如輪王七寶具足，離諸怖畏如師子王；善能談說諸法空義，如大火聚破諸幽暗，如摩尼寶王遠照一切。如是佛光照於三千大千一切世界，於其光中出妙梵音告諸眾生：「我今所得一切諸法最上波羅蜜，說真實義，初善、中善、後善，文義殊勝，純白圓滿，梵行清淨，純一無雜。」
At that time, the World-Honored One was seated upon the auspicious lion throne. Surrounded by the four assemblies, his presence towered above Mount Sumeru. His radiance blazed brilliantly, like the sun and moon illuminating all worlds. His majestic bearing was complete, his pure conduct serene, like Śakra, the most majestic among the gods. He was like a Wheel-Turning King adorned with the seven treasures, fearless as a lion king. Skillfully he expounded the emptiness of all phenomena, like a great fire dispelling all darkness, like a wish-fulfilling jewel illuminating everything afar. Thus, the Buddha's light shone upon the three thousand great thousand worlds, and within that light emerged a sublime, pure voice, proclaiming to all beings: "The supreme perfection I have now attained in all dharmas speaks the truth—excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, excellent in the end. Its meaning and expression are profound, pure, complete, and perfect, with pure conduct undefiled and utterly unadulterated."
爾時，喜王菩薩摩訶薩在大眾中安詳而坐，瞻仰世尊於師子座放大光明——譬如千日照耀一切——心大歡喜，深信恭敬，即從座起，合掌向佛以頌讚曰：
At that time, the Bodhisattva King of Joy, seated peacefully among the great assembly, gazed upon the World-Honored One. From his lion throne, the Buddha radiated a brilliant light—like a thousand suns illuminating all things. Filled with immense joy, deep faith, and reverence, the Bodhisattva rose from his seat, joined his palms, and addressed the Buddha with these verses of praise:
「佛身晃曜如金山， 利益世間甚希有，
菩薩、聲聞、緣覺僧、 天、龍八部皆圍繞。
譬如須彌諸天居， 出於大海而高顯，
悲愍眾生而現身， 放百千光常照曜。
行梵天行即梵天， 於彼梵天復為王，
行禪解脫三摩地， 光照上位諸菩薩。
亦如帝釋為天主， 威德儀容諸相異，
牟尼光明照世間， 相好莊嚴功德異。
金輪四洲得自在， 能善調伏諸有情，
引彼眾生出苦輪， 我佛慈悲亦如是。
所有火光、摩尼光、 日、月光等諸光明，
如是百千日等光， 不及佛日恒照曜。
如月夜分放光明， 普照世間悉清淨；
佛面端嚴如滿月， 映蔽一切光不現。
譬如高山燃大火， 能破夜暗顯諸方；
大仙所有智慧光， 破盡黑暗離諸有。
如大師子曠野吼， 眾獸聞之悉驚怖；
佛說法空、無我義， 諸魔聞之亦如是。
摩尼寶王放光明， 諸餘摩尼光不現；
佛身晃曜真金色， 映蔽一切世間光。
一切世間賢聖中， 無有最上與佛等，
具福精進方便智， 一切功德不可量。
瞻仰大師功德海， 威光普照諸群生，
一心恭敬慕尊顏， 是故我今頭面禮。
我所讚佛歸敬心， 世間功德無等等，
盡將迴向法界中， 一切世間成佛道。」
The Buddha's body shines like a golden mountain, Bringing benefit to the world, truly rare and wondrous. Surrounded by Bodhisattvas, Śrāvakas, Pratyekabuddhas, And the eightfold assembly of gods and dragons.
Like Mount Sumeru, dwelling of the gods, Rising high above the ocean, Out of compassion for sentient beings, he manifests his form, Radiating a thousand lights, ever illuminating.
Practicing the conduct of Brahmā, he becomes Brahmā, And among the Brahmās, he is king. Through meditation, liberation, and samādhi, His light illuminates the highest Bodhisattvas.
Like Śakra, lord of the gods, With majestic virtue and splendid marks, The Sage's light shines upon the world, His adorned features and merits are unparalleled.
Sovereign over the four continents with the golden wheel, Skillfully taming all sentient beings, Leading them out of the wheel of suffering— Thus is the compassion of my Buddha.
All the light of fire, of jewels, Of sun and moon and every radiance— Even a hundred thousand such suns Cannot match the Buddha's constant illumination.
Like the moon shining in the night, Cleansing the world with its pure light; The Buddha's face, serene as the full moon, Outshines all other lights.
Like a great mountain ablaze with fire, Dispelling the darkness of night in all directions; The Great Sage's light of Wisdom Shatters all darkness and transcends existence.
Like the lion's roar in the wilderness, Frightening all beasts that hear it; So too, when the Buddha teaches emptiness and selflessness, All demons tremble in fear.
When the king of jewels shines forth, All other jewels lose their light; The Buddha's body, radiant in true gold, Outshines every light in the world.
Among all sages and saints of the world, None can compare to the Buddha, supreme and peerless. Endowed with merit, diligence, skillful means, and Wisdom, His virtues are immeasurable.
Gazing upon the ocean of the Master's merits, His majestic light shining upon all beings, With single-minded reverence, I long for his noble face— Therefore I now bow my head in homage.
All my praise and devotion to the Buddha, Whose merits are unequaled in the world, I dedicate entirely to the Dharma realm, That all beings may attain Buddhahood.
爾時，喜王菩薩摩訶薩讚歎佛已，合掌向佛，瞻仰尊顏，目不暫捨。心觀法界——其義甚深，難知難見，離言分別，絕諸戲論，微妙難解，不可思議——如是觀想一切法界，唯佛、如來觀智攝受現量證知，佛之境界無有等等，如是觀見所有如來不可思議方便境界，皆攝一相法界性中。譬如虛空，無有住處，即眾生界，亦如自性；一切諸法亦復如是，無礙解脫，究竟寂靜。諸佛、世尊以善方便身變佛剎遍滿一切，現眾生前，諸如來身經無數俱胝劫而不可得。
At that time, the great bodhisattva Joyful King, having praised the Buddha, joined his palms toward the Buddha, gazing upon the honorable countenance without a moment’s distraction. With his mind he contemplated the Dharma realm—its meaning is profoundly deep, difficult to know and difficult to see, beyond verbal distinctions, free from all conceptual elaborations, subtle and hard to grasp, inconceivable—contemplating all Dharma realms in this way, only the Buddha, the Tathāgata, with his contemplative wisdom, fully embraces and directly realizes it. The Buddha’s domain has no equal. In this way, he saw that all the inconceivable skillful means and domains of the Tathāgatas are all gathered within the single nature of the Dharma realm. Just as space has no fixed abode, so too is the realm of sentient beings, like their own nature; all phenomena are likewise, unobstructed and liberated, ultimately tranquil. All Buddhas, World-Honored Ones, through skillful means, manifest their bodies and transform Buddha-lands, pervading everything, appearing before sentient beings. Yet the bodies of the Tathāgatas, even across countless koṭis of kalpas, cannot be grasped.
時喜王菩薩摩訶薩如是觀佛功德已，默然而住。
Then the great being, King of Joy Bodhisattva, having thus contemplated the Buddha’s virtues, remained silent.
爾時，有一尊者名曰護國，於舍衛大城安居三月。過是夏已，著衣持鉢，與諸苾芻及初出家者、初發心者出舍衛國，詣王舍城鷲峯山中。到彼山已，即時護國尊者往詣佛所，頭面禮足，右繞三匝，住立一面，合掌恭敬而說此頌讚歎佛曰：
At that time, there was a venerable monk named Protector of the Land, who had spent the three months of the rainy season retreat in the great city of Shravasti. After the retreat ended, he put on his robes, took up his alms bowl, and together with other monks—both newly ordained and those who had just begun their spiritual journey—departed from Shravasti and headed to Vulture Peak Mountain in Rajagriha. Upon arriving at the mountain, the Venerable Protector of the Land immediately went to where the Buddha was. He bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times to the right, then stood to one side with palms joined in reverence, and spoke this verse in praise of the Buddha:
「稽首最上佛光明、 稽首如空無礙意、
稽首能斷諸結縛、 稽首永超三有海。
我佛無邊真色相， 普遍俱胝剎土中，
菩薩聞已歡喜來， 恭敬供養佛功德。
作此最上供養已， 聽牟尼法離諸塵，
各生歡喜還本土， 稱讚世尊所說法。
廣歷俱胝無數劫， 利樂一切諸有情，
如是身心不疲倦， 為求無上佛菩提。
恒行布施、持戒行、 忍辱、精進、禪定門、
智慧方便到涅盤， 是故我禮大覺尊。
成就六通、四神足、 諸根、十力解脫門，
以此行及諸眾生， 我今禮佛無等智。
能知一切世間心， 所行、所作、所成業，
所有身、口及言說， 無上世尊悉觀見。
貪、癡過失不能斷， 眾生因彼墮三有，
因佛得成善逝業， 能知世間諸善惡。
所有過去諸佛事， 及彼現在天人師，
乃至未來功德海， 一切諸法悉能知；
清淨剎土眾圍繞， 菩薩、緣覺與聲聞，
乃至諸佛壽較量， 我佛一切悉能知；
所有一切生滅法， 所有供養作佛事，
所有受持法藏法， 我佛一切悉能知。
佛有十力無礙智， 現在常住於三世，
如是一切方便法， 我禮世尊智慧海；
大覺世尊無等等， 相好莊嚴大吉祥，
如夜眾星現空中， 我禮牟尼最上尊。
色相端嚴無與等， 光照諸天及世間，
帝釋、梵王、究竟天， 對彼佛前俱不現。
無垢不動如金山， 右旋螺髻紺滋潤；
佛頂高顯如金山， 光明遠照生諸福；
光遍俱胝那由他， 顯現眉間白毫相；
目若青蓮恒適悅， 觀照世間運慈心。
清淨滿月虛空中， 佛面圓明亦如是，
一切見者無厭足， 我禮如來圓滿相；
行如鵝王及鹿王， 亦如牛王行步穩，
振動大地無暫止， 我禮如來堅固力；
手指纖長網縵相， 指甲清淨如赤銅，
平立垂手過於膝， 我禮金色大覺尊。
佛行大地現好相， 具足顯現千輻輪，
足放光明照群生， 蒙光悉得生天界。
大聖法王施七財， 能為施主心平等，
調御世間依法行， 我禮法王無上覺。
慈悲法念心為劒， 持戒方便智慧弓，
能斷煩惱諸群賊， 生滅輪迴無有增。
自利果滿復利他， 令彼眾生亦解脫，
究竟安樂出塵勞， 得入善逝寂靜宗。
無生、無滅、無諸苦， 亦無生、老、愛別離，
如是無為最上乘， 佛為眾生慈愍說。
我讚最上大牟尼， 攝盡一切諸佛法，
如是所有諸功德， 願諸眾生證菩提。」
I bow to the supreme Buddha's light, I bow to the mind as boundless as space, I bow to the one who cuts all fetters, I bow to the one who transcends the three realms of existence.
My Buddha's endless true form and appearance, Spreads throughout countless worlds, Bodhisattvas rejoice upon hearing this and come, Respectfully making offerings to the Buddha's merits.
Having made these supreme offerings, They listen to the Sage's Dharma, free from all defilements, Each rejoicing, they return to their own lands, Praising the World-Honored One's teachings.
Throughout countless eons without end, Bringing benefit and joy to all sentient beings, Their body and mind never weary, In seeking the unsurpassed Buddha enlightenment.
Always practicing giving, upholding precepts, Forbearance, diligence, and meditative concentration, Wisdom and skillful means leading to Nirvana, Therefore I bow to the Great Awakened One.
Perfecting the six superpowers, the four bases of spiritual power, The faculties, the ten powers, and the doors of liberation, Through these practices and for all sentient beings, I now bow to the Buddha's peerless wisdom.
He knows the minds of all beings in the world, Their actions, deeds, and the karma they create, All that is done by body, speech, and thought, The unsurpassed World-Honored One sees it all.
Greed and delusion's faults cannot be severed, Sentient beings fall into the three realms because of them, Through the Buddha they achieve the deeds of the Well-Gone One, Who knows all good and evil in the world.
All the deeds of past Buddhas, And the present teachers of gods and humans, Even the future ocean of merits, He knows all dharmas completely;
Surrounded by pure Buddha-lands, Bodhisattvas, Pratyekabuddhas, and Shravakas, Even comparing the lifespans of all Buddhas, My Buddha knows all of this completely;
All dharmas of arising and ceasing, All offerings made as Buddha-work, All the Dharma-treasures received and upheld, My Buddha knows all of this completely.
The Buddha has the ten powers and unobstructed wisdom, Now eternally present in the three times, All these skillful means and methods, I bow to the World-Honored One, the ocean of wisdom;
The Great Awakened One, incomparable, Adorned with excellent marks, greatly auspicious, Like stars appearing in the night sky, I bow to the Supreme Sage.
His form and features are supremely elegant, with no equal, His light shines upon gods and the world, Shakra, Brahma, and the highest heavens, All vanish before that Buddha.
Stainless and unmoving like a golden mountain, His dark blue topknot curls to the right, moist and lustrous; The Buddha's crown rises high like a golden mountain, Its light shining far, giving rise to blessings;
Light pervades countless billions of worlds, Revealing the white hair-tuft between his brows; His eyes like blue lotuses, ever serene and joyful, Gazing upon the world with a heart of compassion.
A pure full moon in the empty sky, The Buddha's face is perfectly radiant likewise, All who see it never tire of the sight, I bow to the Tathagata's perfect features;
He walks like a goose king and a deer king, Also like a bull king, with steady steps, Shaking the great earth without ceasing, I bow to the Tathagata's steadfast power;
His fingers are slender and long, with webbed marks, His nails are clean like red copper, Standing upright, his hands hang past his knees, I bow to the golden Great Awakened One.
When the Buddha walks the earth, excellent marks appear, Fully manifesting the thousand-spoked wheel, His feet emit light that illuminates all beings, Those touched by the light are all reborn in heavenly realms.
The Great Holy Dharma King bestows the seven riches, As a giver, his mind is perfectly equal, Taming the world, he acts in accordance with the Dharma, I bow to the Dharma King, the unsurpassed Awakened One.
Compassion and Dharma mindfulness are his sword, Precepts and skillful means are his wisdom bow, He cuts off the bandits of all afflictions, In the cycle of birth and death, nothing is increased.
Perfecting his own benefit, he then benefits others, Causing all beings to likewise attain liberation, Ultimately at peace, free from worldly toil, Entering the Well-Gone One's tranquil tradition.
No birth, no death, no suffering, No aging, no illness, no parting from loved ones, Such is the unconditioned supreme vehicle, Which the Buddha, out of compassion, teaches to beings.
I praise the Supreme Great Sage, Who embodies all the Buddhas' Dharmas, All these many merits, May all beings realize enlightenment.
爾時，尊者護國頌讚佛已，偏袒右肩，右膝著地，合掌向佛恭敬頂禮，白佛言：「世尊、如來、應、正等覺！我有所問，唯願世尊慈悲聽許。」
At that time, the venerable Protector of the Nation, having praised the Buddha in verse, bared his right shoulder, knelt on his right knee, and with palms together, bowed respectfully to the Buddha. He then said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, Thus-Come One, Worthy of Offerings, Perfectly Enlightened One! I have a question, and I humbly ask that the World-Honored One, out of compassion, grant me permission to ask."
爾時，世尊告尊者護國言：「如汝所問，我為汝說，滿所求願，令生歡喜。」
At that time, the World-Honored One said to the Venerable Protector of the Land, "As you have asked, I shall explain this for you, fulfilling your wishes and bringing you joy."
時尊者護國聞佛語已，身心適悅而發聲言：「世尊！有何等法為菩薩行法具足，能得一切最上功德、無礙大智、決定辯才，明了性相，入一切智教化眾生，斷彼無明妄想煩惱，決定真實，入一切智、發真實語，令彼有情依言所作、離諸愚暗、念佛方便，樂聞一切甚深梵義，受持諸法，速得證於無上正智？」
Then the Venerable Protector of the Land, hearing the Buddha's words, felt his body and mind at ease and joy, and spoke aloud, saying: "World-Honored One! What dharmas constitute the complete practice of a bodhisattva, enabling the attainment of all supreme merits, unobstructed great wisdom, resolute eloquence, clear understanding of appearance and nature, entry into all wisdom to teach and transform living beings, severing their ignorance, delusive thoughts, and afflictions, determining what is true, entering all wisdom, uttering true speech, causing sentient beings to act according to one's words, leaving behind all darkness and ignorance, recollecting the Buddha's skillful means, delighting in hearing all profound Brahma meanings, receiving and upholding all dharmas, and swiftly attaining supreme right wisdom?"
爾時，尊者護國即於佛前而說頌曰：
「菩薩所行決定行， 彼行必有真實法，
真法從佛智海生， 最上如來為我說。
佛身光明黃金相， 最上無邊大福聚，
救度六趣諸眾生， 為說菩薩無垢行。
何得無盡大覺智， 總持甘露生菩提？
何得清淨智慧海？ 彼慧能斷眾生疑。
俱胝多劫輪迴苦， 眾生迷沒意無疲，
覩此愚迷苦惱侵， 為彼云何修十善？
剎土清淨眾會滿， 實剎無邊壽命長，
為眾恒宣微妙言， 願說菩提無垢行。
降伏邪魔生正見， 枯彼愛河證解脫，
清淨法眼照愚盲， 令諸有情行上行。
端嚴富貴大辯才， 言辭柔軟聞歡喜，
譬如甘露潤世間， 願說甚深微妙法；
梵音深妙斷諸惡， 其聲和雅如頻伽，
求法之眾佛所集， 願說甘露濟群生。
眾有菩提最上根、 及彼聲聞、緣覺性，
願佛隨根方便說， 師資遇會正是時。
我今樂聞最上乘， 唯佛知我菩提性，
於此小乘不樂求， 願說如來第一法。」
A Bodhisattva's practice is firmly set, And in that practice, truth is surely met. That truth arises from the Buddha's sea of wisdom— The supreme Tathāgata has taught this to me.
The Buddha's body shines with golden light, A vast, immeasurable store of merit bright. He rescues beings lost in the six realms' strife, And teaches the Bodhisattva's stainless life.
How can we gain the endless, great awakening mind, The deathless nectar that all wisdom finds? How can we reach the clear sea of insight, That cuts through every doubter's darkened night?
For eons countless, beings wander in pain, Lost and weary, they stumble in the rain. Seeing them afflicted by this bitter plight, How should we practice the ten virtues right?
The pure land is full, the assembly vast, The true land boundless, life that e'er will last. For all, the Buddha teaches without cease— Please speak of the Bodhisattva's path of peace.
Subdue the demons, plant right view within, Dry up the river of craving, freedom win. The pure Dharma-eye illumines the blind, And guides all beings to the highest kind.
With grace and wealth, eloquence refined, Gentle words that soothe and please the mind, Like nectar raining on the world so dry, Please teach the profound Dharma from on high.
The Brahma-sound, deep and pure, dispels all wrong, Its harmony sweet, like the kalaviṅka's song. Those who seek the Dharma gather at your feet— Please speak the nectar that saves all beings sweet.
Among the crowd are those of highest seed, And voice-hearers, pratyekas in their need. May the Buddha teach according to each bent— Now is the time for guide and student meant.
I long to hear the Supreme Vehicle's way, Only you know my Bodhi-nature's ray. For lesser paths I hold no wish or claim— Please teach the Tathāgata's first and foremost dharma's name.
爾時，尊者護國說此頌已，佛言：「善哉，善哉！尊者能問如來最上之義，利益多人令得安樂，攝受未來諸菩薩摩訶薩。汝今諦聽，善思念之，我當為說。」
時尊者護國白言：「善哉，世尊！我今樂聽，唯願說之。」
爾時，世尊告尊者護國言：「有四種法，具足清淨是名菩薩摩訶薩。
「何等四法？一、內，二、外，三、心，四、意。如是四法稱理真實，見諸眾生其心平等——猶若虛空，無所分別——依言所行，是名菩薩摩訶薩四種之法獲得清淨。」
爾時，世尊重說頌曰：
「心、意、內、外常清淨， 不退菩提正道心，
所作之善無唐捐， 能得菩薩無邊智。
觀彼眾生苦無我， 生、老、病、死悉來侵，
如是三有大海中， 廣運法船救群品。
見諸眾生心平等， 觀彼世間如一子，
願令一切俱解脫， 悉向菩提心不退。
常談空義依空行， 亦無人、我，無眾生，
譬如夢幻等無實， 令彼愚迷生智慧。
如所宣說大覺智， 依智而行所作事，
調伏過失心寂靜， 求證菩提為佛子。」
爾時，世尊說此頌已，告尊者護國言：「復有四種法於諸菩薩令心安慰。何等四法？一者、於總持法門志求修學；二者、常近善友，威儀無缺；三者、求證甚深無生法忍；四者、精進修行持戒清淨。如是四法令彼菩薩安慰其心，進修不退。」
復說頌曰：
「若人愛敬總持法， 名聞遠響眾所歸，
能持無上妙法門， 一切如來同所說。
智慧增明無忘失， 如是速得無礙智，
通達一切最上法， 成就無為解脫門。
皆因善友證菩提， 出生七覺能修斷，
增長八正作佛事， 遠離惡友如怖火。
聞甚深法證無生， 能了諸法畢竟空，
無我、無人、無眾生， 如是永離一切見。
律儀出生諸善本， 堅持守護離破犯，
彼行能成寂靜心， 佛為眾生親演說。」
爾時，世尊說此頌已，告尊者護國言：「復有四種法，於諸菩薩在輪迴中令心愛樂。何等四法？一者、令諸菩薩愛樂見佛，二者、令諸菩薩愛樂說法，三者、令諸菩薩愛樂能捨一切所有，四者、令諸菩薩愛樂忍印無相深法。如是四法，於諸菩薩在輪迴中深生愛樂。」
復說頌曰：
「菩薩得見二足尊， 一切生中行正行，
能善調伏諸世間， 光明普照除愚暗。
如是供養人中尊， 深生愛樂常尊重，
救度一切諸眾生， 令入菩提無上道。
若聞諸佛所說法， 身心寂靜生愛樂，
如是堅固心無退， 依行速證佛菩提。
能捨一切心無悋， 見來求者生歡喜，
國城、妻子及身命， 給施眾生作佛因。
若聞無相甚深法， 性離分別本來空，
無我、無人、無眾生， 如是於斯生愛樂。」
爾時，世尊說此頌已，告尊者護國言：「復有四種法，於諸菩薩不得愛樂。何等四法？一者、於其在家不得愛樂，二者、既出家已不得愛樂利養，三者、不得愛樂上族中生，四者、不得愛樂小乘之人。如是四法，於諸菩薩不得愛樂。」
復說頌曰：
「在家無邊大過失， 捨離令心無所著。
常樂山野寂諸根， 勇猛勤修大智德，
獨行清淨如利劒， 能斷愚癡諸垢染。
於彼種種大利養， 常樂遠離無愛著，
棄捨高貴上種族， 觀如幻化、陽焰等。
普為群生行布施、 持戒、忍辱等諸行，
不惜身命及眷屬， 志求正覺到彼岸。
於小乘法無所著、 於最上乘恒堅固，
乃至割截於身體， 其心不壞如金剛。」
爾時，世尊說此頌已，告尊者護國言：「復有四種法，於諸菩薩而有損減。何等四法？一者、破犯戒律；二者、不住山野而趣寂靜；三者、不依四乘之教，邪妄推求；四者、雖樂多聞，全無所得。如是四法，於諸菩薩而有損減。」
復說頌曰：
「戒相清淨如摩尼， 能引眾生到彼岸，
菩薩於斯破律儀， 迷沒不成無上覺。
住持山野寂靜處， 我、人分別自然除，
男、女、眷屬及己身， 觀如草木無情愛。
四乘教理無虛誑， 一心清淨奉教行，
必得具足眾功德， 成就佛智大丈夫。
觀彼輪迴諸有情， 常處生、死、憂、悲苦，
恒運最上妙法船， 度彼有情出苦海。
若無救度彼眾生， 迷沒沈淪無有盡，
是故小乘非究竟， 為生令發菩提心。」
爾時，世尊說此頌已，告尊者護國言：「復有四種法，於諸菩薩明了修習。何等四法？一者、發生諸佛平等之心而求善逝；二者、承事法師，尊重供養，於臥具等而不愛著；三者、不貪利養，亦無所求；四者、於甚深法忍具足成就。如是四法明了修習。」
復說頌曰：
「彼有善逝大丈夫， 天上人間無有等，
平等導引諸群生， 如是修習行十善。
尊重承事於法師， 依師教授而修學，
作大供養求佛智， 無邊諸佛亦此生。
常住深山無所畏， 於斯利養不生貪，
善能成就無礙智， 通達深法離諸塵。
聞佛功德深歡喜， 如是行法堅固修，
證彼寂靜無生忍， 廣度眾生無量苦。」
爾時，世尊說此頌已，告尊者護國言：「復有四種法，於諸菩薩行法清淨。何等四法？一者、身心決定，志求菩提，行法清淨；二者、離諸虛妄，樂住深山，行法清淨；三者、一切能捨，不求果報，行法清淨；四者、常隨法師晝夜求法，行法清淨。如是四法，於諸菩薩行法清淨。」
復說頌曰：
「貪、瞋、癡垢心皆盡， 懈怠、虛妄亦復無，
一切過失令不生， 決定求證菩提道。
厭離本舍憂根斷， 捨彼俗塵求出家，
諸惡朋友不相逢， 行住深山趣解脫。
於彼山中修淨行， 能成如來無礙智，
於身命、財無所著， 自在無畏如師子。
見彼有情生歡喜， 譬如飛鳥聚還離，
觀彼世間非久居， 如是求大菩提道。
身心清淨如虛空， 所捨一切無驚怖，
於彼利養無愛著， 如鹿心驚不住地。
世間恒處大嶮難， 難發身心求解脫，
覩此虛妄無真實， 是故我行寂靜行。
恒以軟語誘群生， 怨、親平等無分別，
無著、無住亦如風， 是求菩薩最上行。
無相解脫、空、無願， 了彼有為如幻化，
常行清淨廣大心， 飲甘露味常歡喜。
志求道法依師學， 彼人五蘊恒清淨，
眾苦逼迫無疲勞， 如是證入總持門。
解此所修菩薩行， 成就所求令彼喜，
若人不求於菩提， 彼即少智百生失。」
爾時，世尊說此頌已，告尊者護國言：「復有四種法，於諸菩薩而為難法。何等四法？一者、心不尊重，多行輕慢；二者、心無孝行，懈怠背逆；三者、心貪利養，少於知足；四者、心樂虛妄，邪求財利。如是四法為菩薩難法。」
復說頌曰：
「佛法本師及父母， 全無信重多輕慢；
不行孝敬心懈怠， 常以愚癡行散亂；
一向貪心於利養； 復行虛妄為邪利；
自讚德業誣他人： 『我能持戒及修行。』
互相鬪諍無慈愍， 覆藏己過見他非，
復行農業及經營， 如是沙門無功德。
末法之時人散亂， 鬪諍、相殺、心嫉妬，
沙門隱滅如來法， 諸善苾芻皆遠離，
菩提妙道永不逢， 五趣輪迴無有窮。」
爾時，世尊說此頌已，告尊者護國言：「復有四種法，於諸菩薩宜應遠離。何等四法？一者、懈怠，二者、不信，三者、嫉妬，四者、憎見他人。如是四法宜應遠離。」
復說頌曰：
「無信、懈怠心愚迷， 心懷嫉妬常瞋恚，
見有沙門持忍辱， 却行驅擯出伽藍。
於彼世間貴賤人， 都無分別善惡事，
一向只行於是非， 如是過失從瞋得。
遠離佛法諸功德， 墮入惡趣大火坑，
如是所行惡趣行， 不依教法獲斯苦，
是故常行菩提道， 無令淪沒惡趣生。
利益有情大金仙， 多劫俱胝方出世，
今時暫得遇牟尼， 速捨諸過求解脫。」
爾時，世尊說此頌已，告尊者護國言：「有四種法，於諸菩薩不應行。何等四法？一者、惡友補特伽羅不應行，二者、有見補特伽羅不應行，三者、捨一切善法補特伽羅不應行，四者、樂著財利補特伽羅不應行。如是四種補特伽羅不應行。」
復說頌曰：
「若人遠離諸惡友， 常得善友來親近，
如夜圓月現當空， 除暗明顯菩提道。
凡有所見常不斷， 於己身命偏養育，
如是毒氣能遠離， 彼人成佛大智慧。
若捨最上微妙法， 不樂寂靜甘露味，
如是名為不淨器， 遠離求證大菩提。
貪求財利、衣鉢等， 復與在家同營事，
如是遠離此火坑， 而能成就最上道。
常樂降伏諸魔怨， 恒轉法輪度群品，
如是廣作大利益， 常逢善友得菩提。
親踈毀讚常平等， 利養、嫉妬亦復然，
如是無上諸佛智， 彼人不久悉成就。」
爾時，世尊說此頌已，告尊者護國言：「復有四種法，於諸菩薩為苦報法。何等四法？一者、輕慢教法，二者、執著我、人，三者、心無信解，四者、於不淨境具足印持。如是四法為菩薩苦報法。」
復說頌曰：
「若有受持微妙法， 堪受世間諸供養，
於彼輕慢無大智， 當受無邊眾惡苦；
於佛本師及父母， 常懷人、我不恭敬，
如是大福心不求， 當得不淨無知處；
三寶最上良福田， 而無信解行歸敬，
純以虛誑昧世間， 如是當獲罪惡苦；
女人即是惡趣門， 流浪生死無窮盡，
無智愚癡作彼業， 永沈地獄及畜趣。
若人尊重向諸佛， 能滅眾苦得無畏，
復閉一切惡趣門， 開引眾生得佛道。」
佛說護國尊者所問大乘經卷第一