大乘遍照光明藏無字法門經
Great Vehicle Sutra of the All-Illuminating Treasury of Radiant Light
大唐天竺三藏地婆訶羅再譯
Retranslated by the Tripitaka Master Divākara of the Tang Dynasty
如是我聞：
This is what I heard:
一時，佛住王舍城耆闍崛山，與大菩薩及比丘僧無量百千億那由他眾俱。其諸菩薩，一切皆得大智善權，悉能通達無字法藏，具樂說辯不違真俗，勇猛精進永離蓋纏，調伏諸根無所執著，憐愍眾生如視一子，愛重實智如大寶洲，慚愧為身定慧為首，以大慈悲而為體性，知善不善、實不實法，照了二空住勝妙地，得大名稱永安隱眠，決定修行最上之法，永離胎藏下劣之身，示現受生守護國土，諸所施為普遍賢善，離於三界能救三界，其行清淨善達自他，皆得具足如是功德。其名曰：勝思惟菩薩，勝趣行菩薩，妙音菩薩，美音菩薩，辯具菩薩，辯聚菩薩，珠髻菩薩，千輻菩薩，法輞菩薩，法響菩薩，蓮花面菩薩，蓮華眼菩薩，持地菩薩，持世菩薩，聲遍大地菩薩。如是等菩薩摩訶薩，一切皆是童子像類，於此眾中而為上首，各各與己眷屬等俱。
At that time, the Buddha was dwelling at Vulture Peak in Rājagṛha, accompanied by a great assembly of bodhisattvas and bhikṣus, numbering countless hundreds of thousands of millions of nayutas. All these bodhisattvas had attained great wisdom and skillful means, fully comprehending the wordless Dharma treasury. They possessed eloquent speech that harmonized both ultimate and conventional truth, were courageous and diligent, forever free from hindrances and defilements, disciplined their senses without attachment, and regarded sentient beings with compassion as if they were their only child. They cherished true wisdom as a great treasure island, took shame and humility as their body, concentration and wisdom as their head, and great compassion as their essential nature. They understood wholesome and unwholesome, real and unreal phenomena, illuminated the two emptinesses, abided in the supreme and wondrous stage, attained great renown, and rested eternally in peace. They were resolute in practicing the highest Dharma, forever free from the inferior body born from the womb, yet manifested birth to protect the land. All their actions were universally virtuous and wise, transcending the three realms yet able to save beings within them. Their conduct was pure, and they skillfully understood self and others. All were fully endowed with such virtues.
Their names were: Bodhisattva Superior Contemplation, Bodhisattva Superior Practice, Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound, Bodhisattva Beautiful Sound, Bodhisattva Eloquence Endowed, Bodhisattva Eloquence Assembly, Bodhisattva Jeweled Crown, Bodhisattva Thousand Spokes, Bodhisattva Dharma Wheel, Bodhisattva Dharma Resonance, Bodhisattva Lotus Face, Bodhisattva Lotus Eyes, Bodhisattva Earth Holder, Bodhisattva World Sustainer, Bodhisattva Sound Pervading the Great Earth. Such great bodhisattvas as these, all appearing in the form of youths, were the foremost in this assembly, each accompanied by their own retinues.
爾時，觀世音菩薩，與無量無數灌頂受職諸菩薩眾之所圍繞；得大勢菩薩，與無量億大梵天眾之所圍繞；勝思惟菩薩，與無量菩薩及天主帝釋之所圍繞；虛空藏菩薩，與無量四天王眾之所圍繞；眾所知識菩薩，與無量婇女之所圍繞；普賢菩薩、離疑菩薩、不空見菩薩、止諸蓋菩薩、無量善巧藥王菩薩、藥上菩薩等，各與無量菩薩大眾之所圍繞；長老舍利弗、摩訶目乾連、摩訶迦葉等，各與一切大阿羅漢之所圍繞；乃至十方恒河沙等一切世界所有日月諸天子等，各以威光來至佛所，以佛神力，彼彼威光不能照曜，猶如聚墨比閻浮金；又有無量那羅延天，及以水天德叉迦龍王、阿那婆達多龍王等，亦與眷屬之所圍繞；美音乾闥婆王，亦與無量乾闥婆眾之所圍繞；無濁迦婁羅王，與七億迦婁羅王眷屬圍繞；乃至十方恒沙世界一切菩薩，各請己佛，與眷屬俱，來至此間娑婆世界，持諸上妙出世供具，供養於佛及菩薩已，各禮佛足却住一面，坐蓮華座瞻仰世尊。
At that time, the Bodhisattva Guanyin was surrounded by countless, innumerable bodhisattvas who had received the empowerment and initiation. The Bodhisattva Mahāsthāmaprāpta was surrounded by hundreds of millions of great Brahma deities. The Bodhisattva Superior Thought was surrounded by innumerable bodhisattvas and the lord Śakra, ruler of the gods. The Bodhisattva Ākāśagarbha was surrounded by innumerable Four Heavenly Kings. The Bodhisattva Known by All was surrounded by innumerable celestial maidens. Bodhisattvas such as Samantabhadra, Free from Doubt, Non-Empty Vision, Stillness of All Hindrances, Immeasurable Skillful Medicine King, and Medicine Superior were each surrounded by innumerable assemblies of great bodhisattvas.
The Elder Shariputra, Mahāmaudgalyāyana, Mahākāśyapa, and others were each surrounded by all the great arhats. Even the sun and moon deities and all other celestial beings from all worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River in the ten directions came to the Buddha's presence with their majestic light. Yet, by the Buddha's spiritual power, their respective lights could not shine forth, like ink compared to Jambūnada gold.
Furthermore, innumerable Nārāyaṇa deities, along with the water deities, the dragon king Takṣaka, the dragon king Anavatapta, and others, were also surrounded by their retinues. The gandharva king Beautiful Sound was surrounded by innumerable gandharvas. The garuḍa king Free from Turbidity was surrounded by a retinue of seven hundred million garuḍa kings. Even all the bodhisattvas from all worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River in the ten directions, each inviting their own buddhas and coming together with their retinues to this Sahā world, brought the most sublime offerings of transcendental quality. Having made offerings to the Buddha and the bodhisattvas, they each bowed at the Buddha's feet, stepped back to one side, sat upon lotus seats, and gazed upon the World-Honored One.
爾時勝思惟菩薩摩訶薩即從座起，偏袒右肩，右膝著地，合掌向佛，而作是言：「世尊！我為四眾，欲問如來二字之義，惟願如來為我解說，令我等輩咸得利益。」
Then, the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Superior Wisdom rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, placed his right knee on the ground, joined his palms, and addressed the Buddha, saying: "World-Honored One! For the sake of the fourfold assembly, I wish to ask about the meaning of two words. I earnestly pray that the Tathagata will explain them for me, so that all of us may gain benefit."
爾時世尊告勝思惟菩薩言：「善男子！如來豈為一眾生故出現於世？乃為利益無量眾生出現於世。善男子！汝今乃能為四眾故，請問於我二字之義。隨汝所問，當為汝說。」
At that time, the World-Honored One said to the Bodhisattva Superior Contemplation: "Good man, does the Tathāgata appear in the world for the sake of one single being? He appears in the world for the benefit of countless beings. Good man, you are now able to ask me about the meaning of two words for the sake of the fourfold assembly. According to what you ask, I shall explain it to you."
於是勝思惟菩薩蒙佛聽許，白佛言：「世尊！有何等法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅及以守護？復有何法，如來克證及以覺知？如是二義惟願為說。」
Then the Bodhisattva Superior Thought, having received the Buddha's permission, addressed the Buddha, saying: "World-Honored One, what are the things that a great bodhisattva should eliminate and guard against? And what are the things that the Tathagata has realized and awakened to? I beseech you to explain these two matters."
爾時，佛讚勝思惟言：「善哉，善哉！善男子！汝已成就無量福慧，復為如來加威神力，乃能問我如是之義。諦聽，諦聽！善思念之！吾當為汝分別解說。
At that time, the Buddha praised Sage Contemplation, saying: "Excellent, excellent! Virtuous one, you have already accumulated immeasurable merit and wisdom. Moreover, empowered by the Tathagata's majestic spiritual force, you are able to ask me such a profound question. Listen attentively, listen well! Reflect deeply upon it! I shall now explain it to you in detail."
「善男子！有一種法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。何等一法？所謂欲貪。如是一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。善男子！復有一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。何等一法？所謂瞋恚。如是一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。善男子！復有一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。何等一法？所謂愚癡。如是一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。善男子！復有一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。何等一法？所謂我執。如是一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。善男子！復有一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。何等一法？所謂懈怠。如是一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。善男子！復有一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。何等一法？所謂睡眠。如是一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。善男子！復有一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。何等一法？所謂染愛。如是一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。善男子！復有一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。何等一法？所謂疑惑。如是一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。善男子！復有一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。何等一法？所謂無明。如是一法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。善男子！如上所說如是等法，菩薩摩訶薩應當除滅。
Noble one! There is one thing a great bodhisattva must abandon. What is that one thing? It is sensual desire. This is the one thing a great bodhisattva must abandon.
Noble one! There is another thing a great bodhisattva must abandon. What is that one thing? It is anger. This is the one thing a great bodhisattva must abandon.
Noble one! There is another thing a great bodhisattva must abandon. What is that one thing? It is ignorance. This is the one thing a great bodhisattva must abandon.
Noble one! There is another thing a great bodhisattva must abandon. What is that one thing? It is the belief in a self. This is the one thing a great bodhisattva must abandon.
Noble one! There is another thing a great bodhisattva must abandon. What is that one thing? It is laziness. This is the one thing a great bodhisattva must abandon.
Noble one! There is another thing a great bodhisattva must abandon. What is that one thing? It is excessive sleep. This is the one thing a great bodhisattva must abandon.
Noble one! There is another thing a great bodhisattva must abandon. What is that one thing? It is craving. This is the one thing a great bodhisattva must abandon.
Noble one! There is another thing a great bodhisattva must abandon. What is that one thing? It is doubt. This is the one thing a great bodhisattva must abandon.
Noble one! There is another thing a great bodhisattva must abandon. What is that one thing? It is fundamental ignorance. This is the one thing a great bodhisattva must abandon.
Noble one! These things, as described above, are what a great bodhisattva must abandon.
「善男子！汝問於我，復有何法，菩薩摩訶薩應守護者，今為汝說。善男子！有一種法，菩薩摩訶薩常當守護。何等一法？所謂己所不欲，勿勸他人。如是一法，菩薩摩訶薩常應守護。何以故？若菩薩摩訶薩守護此法，即是守護諸佛如來一切戒藏。如諸菩薩，自愛命者則不應殺，自愛財者則不應盜，自愛妻者不應侵他，自愛實語不應誑彼，自愛和合不應間他，自愛正直不應邪綺，自愛柔軟不應惡罵，自愛止足終不於他而生貪欲，自愛仁恕終不於他而生瞋恚，自愛正見終不教他令生邪見。善男子！如是菩薩發意說言，『我今敬順如來正教，應當勤心守護此法』，是名菩薩摩訶薩守護一法。善男子！我見如是諸菩薩等，欲求無上大菩提者，悉為樂故而求菩提，無有為苦求之者也。善男子！是故我說己所不欲，勿勸他人。如是等法，菩薩摩訶薩應當守護。」
"Virtuous man! You have asked me what other methods a Bodhisattva Mahasattva should uphold. I will now explain this to you.
Virtuous man! There is one method that a Bodhisattva Mahasattva should always uphold. What is that one method? It is this: Do not urge others to do what you yourself do not desire. This one method, a Bodhisattva Mahasattva should always uphold.
Why is this? If a Bodhisattva Mahasattva upholds this method, it is equivalent to upholding all the precept treasuries of all the Buddhas and Tathagatas. For example: Just as those who cherish their own lives should not kill, those who cherish their own wealth should not steal, those who cherish their own spouses should not violate others', those who cherish truthful speech should not deceive others, those who cherish harmony should not cause discord, those who cherish integrity should not engage in crooked flattery, those who cherish gentleness should not speak harshly, those who cherish contentment should never harbor greed toward others, those who cherish kindness and forbearance should never harbor anger toward others, those who cherish right view should never lead others to generate wrong views.
Virtuous man! When a Bodhisattva thus resolves and declares, 'I now respectfully follow the true teaching of the Tathagata and should diligently uphold this method,' this is called the Bodhisattva Mahasattva upholding the one method.
Virtuous man! I observe that all such Bodhisattvas who seek the unsurpassed great enlightenment do so for the sake of happiness; there is none who seeks it for the sake of suffering.
Virtuous man! Therefore, I say: Do not urge others to do what you yourself do not desire. Such methods, a Bodhisattva Mahasattva should uphold."
爾時勝思惟菩薩復白佛言：「世尊！何等之法，如來克證及以覺知？惟願為我開演其義。」
At that time, the Bodhisattva Superior Thought again addressed the Buddha, saying: "World-Honored One, what is the Dharma that the Tathagata has realized and awakened to? I earnestly beseech you to explain its meaning to me."
佛言：「善男子！無有一法而是如來所覺所證。何以故？於諸法中無覺無證，此是如來所證所覺。善男子！一切諸法本無有法，如來覺證；一切諸法本無有滅，如來覺證；一切諸法性離二邊，如來覺證；一切諸法本無有實，如來覺證。
The Buddha said: "Virtuous one! There is not a single thing that the Tathagata perceives or attains. Why is this? Because within all phenomena, there is nothing to perceive and nothing to attain. This is what the Tathagata realizes and comprehends.
Virtuous one! All phenomena originally have no inherent existence—this the Tathagata realizes. All phenomena originally have no cessation—this the Tathagata realizes. The nature of all phenomena transcends dualities—this the Tathagata realizes. All phenomena originally lack substantial reality—this the Tathagata realizes."
「復次善男子！一切諸法，皆從自業因緣力故而得生起；而是因緣，念念不住猶如電光，如是業緣，如來覺證。是故我說以因緣故而諸法生，以因緣故而諸法滅，若離因緣，則無業報。如是等事，如來覺知。善男子！如是所覺一切法性，是名遍照光明之藏。善男子！何故法性名之為藏？以諸眾生世出世智，皆依此藏而得生故。如以實智觀彼法性，智依彼生，故名為藏。
Furthermore, noble one! All phenomena arise from the power of one's own karma and conditions. Yet these causes and conditions are ever-changing, fleeting like a flash of lightning. Such karmic conditions are fully realized and understood by the Tathagata. Therefore, I say that phenomena arise due to causes and conditions, and phenomena cease due to causes and conditions. Without causes and conditions, there would be no karmic results. All such matters are thoroughly known by the Tathagata.
Noble one! This nature of all phenomena that is thus realized is called the Treasury of All-Pervading Radiant Light.
Noble one! Why is this nature of phenomena called a treasury? Because all worldly and transcendent wisdom of sentient beings arises from this treasury. When one observes the nature of phenomena with true wisdom, wisdom itself arises from it—therefore it is called a treasury.
「復次善男子！我亦復說一切諸法如幻如焰，如水中月，如是等事，如來覺證；又善男子！諸法性相，一味解脫，如是等事，如來覺證。善男子！如是解脫一味法性，是名遍照光明之藏。
Furthermore, noble one! I also say that all phenomena are like illusions, like mirages, like the moon reflected in water—such things are fully realized and understood by the Tathāgata. And noble one! The nature and characteristics of all phenomena are of one taste—liberation—such things are fully realized and understood by the Tathāgata. Noble one! This liberation, this single-tasted Dharma-nature, is called the Treasury of All-Pervading Radiant Light.
「復次善男子！又有一法如來覺證。何等一法？所謂諸法不生不滅、不增不減、不來不去、不取不捨、非因非緣。如是等法，如來覺證。
Furthermore, noble son, there is yet another truth that the Tathagata has awakened to and realized. What is this truth? It is that all phenomena neither arise nor cease, neither increase nor decrease, neither come nor go, are neither grasped nor abandoned, and are neither cause nor condition. Such is the truth that the Tathagata has awakened to and realized.
「復次善男子！如來了知一切諸法無有自性，不可為喻，無有文字之所辯說。如是之法，如來覺證。善男子！如上所說如是之法，悉是如來所覺所證。」
Furthermore, noble one! The Tathagata fully understands that all phenomena have no inherent nature; they cannot be compared by analogy, nor can they be fully expressed in words. Such is the reality that the Tathagata has awakened to and realized. Noble one! All that has been described above are truths that the Tathagata has awakened to and realized.
當佛說此遍照光明藏無字法時，有微塵數諸菩薩等得住十地；又有無量諸菩薩等住於諸地；又有無量諸菩薩等證得百千諸大三昧；又有無量塵數眾生發阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心；又有無量無邊眾生得阿羅漢果；又有無量無邊眾生得脫地獄、餓鬼、畜生種種諸苦，生人天中受勝妙樂；諸在會眾悉不唐捐，無有一人而空過者。
When the Buddha spoke this Dharma of the Universal Illumination of the Radiant Treasury of Wordlessness, countless bodhisattvas as numerous as dust motes attained the Tenth Ground. Moreover, innumerable bodhisattvas abided in the various grounds. Also, countless bodhisattvas realized hundreds of thousands of great samadhis. Furthermore, beings as numerous as dust motes gave rise to the mind of supreme, perfect enlightenment. In addition, immeasurable and boundless beings attained the fruit of arhatship. And immeasurable, boundless beings were liberated from the various sufferings of hell, hungry ghosts, and animals, being reborn among humans and gods to experience sublime bliss. All those present in the assembly received benefit; not a single person departed empty-handed.
爾時佛告羅睺羅言：「善男子！我此法要，汝當受持。」
At that time, the Buddha said to Rahula, "Good man, you should receive and uphold this essential teaching of mine."
時彼會中有九十億菩薩摩訶薩聞是語已，承佛神力，白佛言：「世尊！我等誓於娑婆世界後時後分，見有堪能為法器者，我當為彼宣說是經，惟願世尊不以為慮。」
At that moment, in the assembly, nine billion great bodhisattvas, having heard these words and empowered by the Buddha's spiritual force, addressed the Buddha, saying: "World-Honored One! We vow that in the later times, in the latter age of this Saha World, whenever we encounter those capable of receiving this teaching, we will proclaim this sutra for them. We only beseech the World-Honored One not to be concerned."
爾時四天王復白佛言：「世尊！若當來世有善男子及善女人，能有受持此經典者，我當擁護，諸有願求皆令滿足。何以故？此善男子及善女人，能持此經，是法器故。」
Then the Four Heavenly Kings addressed the Buddha once more, saying: "World-Honored One! In the future, if there are good men and good women who can accept and uphold this sutra, we will protect them and fulfill all their wishes. Why is this? Because these good men and good women who uphold this sutra are vessels of the Dharma."
爾時世尊，見九十億諸菩薩等，及四天王如是請已，便作是言：「善男子！我此所說遍照光明藏無字法門，我得佛來未曾演說，今為汝等而演說之。善男子！彼未來世諸眾生等，若得聞此希有法門，當知是人久已成就無量福慧；當知是人則為承事供養於我；當知是人則為荷擔佛大菩提；當知是人決定當得成就辯才；當知是人決定當得清淨佛土；當知是人臨命終時定當得見阿彌陀佛，菩薩大眾之所圍繞；當知是人常見我身在靈鷲山，及見此等諸菩薩眾；當知是人則為已得無盡法藏；當知是人得宿命智；當知是人不墮惡道。
At that time, the World-Honored One, seeing the ninety billion bodhisattvas and the Four Heavenly Kings making such a request, spoke thus: "Good sons! This teaching I am about to speak—the Illuminating Treasury of Universal Light, the Wordless Dharma Gate—I have not expounded since attaining Buddhahood. Now, for your sake, I shall proclaim it.
"Good sons! If beings in the future world hear this rare Dharma Gate, know this: such a person has long cultivated immeasurable merit and wisdom. Know this: such a person serves and makes offerings to me. Know this: such a person upholds the great enlightenment of the Buddha. Know this: such a person will certainly attain eloquence. Know this: such a person will certainly attain a pure Buddha-land. Know this: at the end of life, such a person will surely see Amitabha Buddha surrounded by a great assembly of bodhisattvas. Know this: such a person will always see me present on Vulture Peak, and see this assembly of bodhisattvas. Know this: such a person has already obtained the inexhaustible treasury of the Dharma. Know this: such a person gains the wisdom of past lives. Know this: such a person will not fall into the evil paths."
「復次善男子！今我說是未曾有法，若當來世有善男子及善女人，設有已作五逆等罪，聞此法門，若能書、持、讀誦、解說，或勸他人書、持、讀誦及以解說，我見是人不墮惡道，其人所有諸煩惱障、業障、報障，皆得清淨，其人來世具得五眼，其人則為一切諸佛所共灌頂，其人則為諸佛世尊及諸菩薩之所護念，其人來世在在所生，具足諸根無有缺減。」
Furthermore, noble one! I now proclaim this unprecedented teaching. If, in the future, there are virtuous men or women who have committed grave offenses such as the five heinous crimes, yet upon hearing this Dharma-gate, they are able to copy, uphold, recite, or explain it, or encourage others to copy, uphold, recite, or explain it—I see that such a person will not fall into the evil realms. All their afflictive hindrances, karmic hindrances, and retributive hindrances will be purified. In their future lives, they will fully attain the five eyes. They will be consecrated by all Buddhas, and they will be protected and remembered by the World-Honored Buddhas and all Bodhisattvas. Wherever they are reborn in future lives, they will possess all faculties complete and unimpaired.
佛說是經已，勝思惟菩薩摩訶薩等，及諸比丘，天龍八部，聞佛所說，皆大歡喜，信受奉行。
When the Buddha had finished speaking this sutra, the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Superior Thought, along with all the bhikkhus, the eightfold assembly of gods and dragons, and all who heard the Buddha's teaching, rejoiced greatly, accepted it with faith, and undertook to practice it accordingly.
大乘遍照光明藏無字法門經
Mahayana Sutra of the Illuminating, Wordless Dharma Gate