法句譬喻經多聞品第三
昔舍衛國有一貧家，夫婦慳惡不信道德，佛愍其愚，現為貧凡沙門詣門分衛。時夫不在，其婦罵詈無有道理。沙門語曰：「吾為道士乞匃自居，不惡罵詈，唯望一食耳。」主人婦曰：「若汝立死食尚叵得，況今平健欲望我食？但稽留時節，不如早去。」於是沙門住立其前，戴眼抒氣便現死相，身體膖脹鼻口蟲出，腹潰腸爛不淨流漫。其婦見此恐怖失聲，棄而捨走。於是道人忽然捨去，去舍數里坐樹下息。其夫來歸道中見婦，怪其驚怖。其婦語夫：「有一沙門見怖如此。」夫大瞋怒，問為所在？婦曰：「已去，想亦未遠。」夫即執弓帶刀，尋迹往逐，張弓拔刀奔走直前欲斫道人。道人即化作琉璃小城以自圍遶，其人繞城數匝不能得入，即問道人：「何不開門？」道人曰：「欲使開門，棄汝弓刀。」其人自念：「當隨其語，若當得入手拳加之。」尋棄弓刀。門故不開，復語道人：「已棄弓刀，門何不開？」道人曰：「吾使汝棄心中惡意弓刀耳，非謂手中弓刀也。」於是其人心驚體悸：「道人神聖乃知我心。」即便叩頭悔過，稽首道人曰：「我有弊妻不識真人，使我興惡，願小垂慈莫便見捨，今欲將來勸令修道。」即起還歸。其妻問曰：「沙門所在？」其夫具說神變之德，「今者在彼，卿宜自往改悔滅罪。」於是夫妻至道人所，五體悔過願為弟子，長跪問曰：「道人神變聖達乃爾，有琉璃城堅固難踰，志明意定，永無憂患，行何道德致此神妙？」道人答曰：「吾博學無厭奉法不懈，精進持戒慧不放逸，緣是得道自致泥洹。」
In the past, in the kingdom of Śrāvastī, there was a poor family. The husband and wife were stingy, harsh, and had no faith in the Dharma. The Buddha, taking pity on their ignorance, manifested as a poor, ordinary monk and went to their door to beg for alms. At that time, the husband was not home, and his wife hurled insults without reason. The monk said to her, "I am a monk who lives by begging. I do not return harsh words; I only hope for a little food." The mistress of the house said, "Even if you dropped dead right now, you wouldn't get any food, much less while you're standing here healthy and expecting a meal from me? You're just wasting time; you'd better leave now."
So the monk stood still in front of her. He rolled his eyes, let out a breath, and manifested the appearance of death: his body swelled up, worms crawled from his nose and mouth, his belly burst, his intestines spilled out, and filth flowed everywhere. The woman saw this, screamed in terror, and ran away, abandoning the scene.
Then the monk suddenly left. He went several miles away and sat down to rest under a tree. On his way home, the husband met his wife and was alarmed by her frightened state. His wife told him, "A monk frightened me like this!" The husband flew into a great rage and asked where the monk was. The wife said, "He's gone, but probably not far." The husband immediately took up his bow and knife, followed the trail, and rushed forward with bow drawn and knife ready, intending to cut down the monk.
The monk then transformed and created a small crystal city to surround himself. The man circled the city several times but could not enter. He asked the monk, "Why don't you open the gate?" The monk replied, "If you want the gate to open, discard your bow and knife." The man thought to himself, "I'll do as he says. Once I get my hands on him, I'll beat him." So he discarded his bow and knife. Yet the gate still did not open. He said again to the monk, "I've discarded my bow and knife. Why isn't the gate opening?" The monk said, "I meant for you to discard the bow and knife of malice in your heart, not the ones in your hands."
At this, the man was struck with awe and trembled. "This monk is holy and knows my very thoughts!" He immediately bowed his head, repented his errors, and prostrated himself before the monk. The monk said, "I have a foolish wife who did not recognize your true nature and incited me to this evil. I beg for a little of your compassion; do not abandon me. I wish to bring her here and urge her to practice the Dharma." He then got up and returned home.
His wife asked, "Where is the monk?" The husband fully described the monk's miraculous powers. "He is still there. You should go yourself, repent, and cleanse your sins." So husband and wife went to the monk, prostrated themselves in repentance, and asked to become his disciples. Kneeling respectfully, they asked, "Your miraculous transformations and holy wisdom are such that you have this crystal city,坚固难逾坚固难逾 (firm and hard to cross). Your will is clear, your mind steadfast, forever free from worry and distress. What practice of the Dharma led to such divine wonder?"
The monk answered, "I studied tirelessly, upheld the Dharma without slackening, was diligent, maintained precepts, cultivated wisdom without negligence. Through this, I attained the path and reached Nirvana."
於是道人因說偈言：
Then the monk spoke these verses:
「多聞能持故， 奉法為垣牆，
精進難踰毀， 從是戒慧成。
多聞令志明， 已明智慧增，
智則博解義， 見義行法安。
多聞能除憂， 能以定為歡，
善說甘露法， 自致得泥洹。
聞為知法律， 解疑亦見正，
從聞捨非法， 行到不死處。」
"Through much learning, one upholds the teachings, Taking the Dharma as a protective wall; With diligence that cannot be breached or destroyed, From this, discipline and wisdom are perfected.
Much learning clarifies one's purpose, And with clarity, wisdom grows; Wisdom then leads to understanding the meaning, Seeing the truth, one practices the Dharma with peace.
Much learning dispels sorrow, Bringing joy through meditative calm; Skillfully teaching the nectar of the Dharma, One attains Nirvana for oneself.
Learning leads to knowing the teachings, Resolving doubts and seeing what is right; Through learning, one abandons what is unwholesome, And walks the path to the deathless state."
道人說偈已，現佛光相，洪暉赫奕照曜天地。夫妻驚愕精神戰懼，改惡洗心頭腦打地，壞二十億惡，得須陀洹道。
The monk finished speaking his verse, and a Buddha's radiant form appeared, its brilliant light shining brightly, illuminating heaven and earth. The husband and wife were astonished and terrified, their spirits trembling with fear. They repented of their evil ways, washed their minds clean, and bowed their heads to the ground. They destroyed twenty billion evils and attained the path of Stream-Entry.
昔佛在拘睒尼國美音精舍，與諸四輩廣說大法。有一梵志道士，智博通達眾經備舉無事不貫，貢高自譽天下無比，求敵而行，無敢應者。晝日執炬行城市中，人問之曰：「何以晝日執炬而行？」梵志答曰：「世皆愚冥目無所見，是以執炬以照之耳。觀察世間，無敢言者。」佛知梵志宿福應度，而行貢高求勝名譽，不計無常自恃憍恣，如是當墮太山地獄，無央數劫求出甚難。佛即化作一賢者，居肆上坐，即呼梵志：「何為作此？」梵志答曰：「以眾人冥晝夜不見明，故執炬火而照之耳。」賢者重問梵志：「經中有四明法，為知之不？」對曰：「不審。何謂四明法？」「一者明於天文地理和調四時，二者明於星宿分別五行，三者明於治國綏化有方，四者明於將兵固而無失。卿為梵志，有此四明法以不？」梵志慚愧，棄炬叉手有不及心。佛知其意即還復身，光明炳然晃照天地，便持梵聲為梵志說偈言：
Once, the Buddha was at the Beautiful Sound Monastery in the land of Kaushambi, expounding the great Dharma to the assembly of fourfold disciples. There was a Brahmin ascetic, a man of vast learning who had mastered all the scriptures and was versed in every subject. Proud and self-praising, he considered himself unmatched in the world. He went about seeking rivals, but none dared to accept his challenge. In broad daylight, he walked through the city carrying a torch. People asked him, "Why do you carry a torch in the daytime?" The Brahmin replied, "The world is foolish and blind, their eyes see nothing. That is why I carry this torch to illuminate them. I observe the world, and no one dares to speak against me."
The Buddha knew that this Brahmin had accumulated merit from past lives and was ripe for liberation, yet he walked in pride, seeking fame and victory, heedless of impermanence, arrogant and self-indulgent. In this way, he would fall into the great hell of Mount Tai for countless eons, with little hope of escape. The Buddha then transformed into a wise man, seated in a marketplace stall, and called out to the Brahmin, "Why are you doing this?" The Brahmin answered, "Because people are blind, unable to see clearly day or night, so I carry this torch to illuminate them." The wise man pressed further, "In the scriptures, there are four kinds of wisdom. Do you know them?" The Brahmin replied, "I am not sure. What are these four wisdoms?" "First, wisdom in astronomy, geography, and harmonizing the four seasons. Second, wisdom in the constellations and distinguishing the five elements. Third, wisdom in governing the state and guiding transformation with skill. Fourth, wisdom in leading armies, ensuring stability without error. As a Brahmin, do you possess these four wisdoms?" The Brahmin felt ashamed, dropped his torch, and clasped his hands in humility, realizing his inadequacy.
Knowing his change of heart, the Buddha revealed his true form, his radiance shining brilliantly, illuminating heaven and earth. Then, with the voice of Brahma, he spoke a verse to the Brahmin:
「若多少有聞， 自大以憍人，
是如盲執燭， 照彼不自明。」
If you have learned a little and grow proud, looking down on others,
It is like a blind man holding a lamp—he lights the way for others, but not for himself.
佛說偈已告梵志曰：「冥中之甚無過於汝，而晝執炬行入大國，如卿所知何如一塵？」梵志聞之有慚愧色，即便叩頭願為弟子。佛即受之令作沙門，意解妄止即得應真。
After the Buddha finished speaking this verse, he said to the Brahmin, "No one in the world is more lost in darkness than you. Yet here you are, walking through a great kingdom in broad daylight, holding a torch. Compared to the dust of true wisdom, what does your knowledge amount to?"
Upon hearing this, the Brahmin felt ashamed. He immediately bowed his head and asked to become the Buddha's disciple. The Buddha accepted him and allowed him to become a monk. With his mind awakened and his delusions ceased, he attained the state of an Arhat.
昔舍衛國有大長者，名曰須達，得須陀洹。有親友長者名曰好施，不信佛道及諸醫術，時得重病痿頓著床。宗親知友皆就省問，勸令治病，至死不肯。答眾人言：「吾事日月忠孝君父，畢命於此終不改志。」須達語曰：「吾所事師號曰為佛，神德廣被見者得福，可試請來說經呪願，聽其所說言行進趣何如餘道，事之與不隨卿所志。以卿病久不時除差，勸卿請佛冀蒙其福。」好施曰：「佳。卿便為吾請佛及眾弟子。」須達即便請佛及僧，往詣其門。佛放光明內外通徹，長者見光欣然身輕。佛前就坐，慰問長者：「所病何如？昔事何神？作何療治？」長者白佛：「奉事日月君長先人，恭敬齋戒祈請萬端，得病經時未蒙恩祐，醫藥針灸居門所忌，經戒福德素所不知，先人以來守死於此。」佛告長者：「人生世間，橫死有三：有病不治為一橫死，治而不慎為二橫死，憍恣自用不達逆順為三橫死。如此病者，非日月天地先人君父所能除遣，當以明道隨時安濟。一者四大寒熱當須醫藥，二者眾邪惡鬼當須經戒，三者奉事賢聖矜濟窮厄。德感神祇福祐群生，以大智慧消去陰蓋，奉行如此現世安吉終無抂橫，戒慧清淨世世常安。」
Long ago in the city of Shravasti, there was a wealthy elder named Sudatta, who had attained the stage of Stream-Entry. He had a friend, also a wealthy elder, named "Giver of Gifts," who did not believe in the Buddha's path or any form of medicine. When this elder fell severely ill and was bedridden, his relatives and friends all came to visit him and urged him to seek treatment, but he refused until his dying breath. He said to them all, "I serve the sun and moon with loyalty and devotion, to my ruler and my parents, and I will end my life with this commitment, never changing my mind."
Sudatta said to him, "The teacher I follow is called the Buddha. His spiritual virtues shine far and wide, and all who see him receive blessings. You could try inviting him to come and give a teaching and recite blessings. Hear what he has to say; see how his conduct and purpose compare to other paths. Whether you choose to follow him or not is up to you. Since you’ve been sick for so long and haven’t recovered, I urge you to invite the Buddha, hoping to receive his blessings."
"Giver of Gifts" replied, "Good. Then please invite the Buddha and all his disciples on my behalf."
So Sudatta invited the Buddha and his community to come to the elder’s home. The Buddha emitted a light that shone through the entire house, inside and out. The elder saw the radiance and felt joyful, his body becoming light. The Buddha came forward and sat down, then asked the elder, "How is your illness? What spirits have you been serving? What treatments have you tried?"
The elder said to the Buddha, "I have served the sun and moon, my rulers, and my ancestors, upholding precepts and making offerings devoutly, praying for all kinds of help. But I have been sick for a long time and have received no blessings or aid. Medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion—I have always avoided them. The precepts, scriptures, and merits are things I have never known. My ancestors have held to this path until death, and so have I."
The Buddha told the elder, "In this world, there are three types of untimely death. One is dying from a treatable illness you refuse to treat. The second is dying because you receive treatment but act carelessly. The third is dying because of arrogance and stubbornness, not recognizing what is right and wrong. Such illnesses as yours cannot be dispelled by the sun, moon, heaven, earth, ancestors, rulers, or parents. They must be managed through wisdom and timely remedies. First, for imbalances of the four elements—heat and cold—you need medicine. Second, for evil spirits and harmful influences, you need the guidance of precepts and teachings. Third, you must serve the wise and holy, and show compassion in aiding the poor and distressed. When virtue moves the spirits and you bring blessings to all beings, when you use great wisdom to dissolve the shadows of ignorance, and when you practice in this way, you will have peace and safety in this life and ultimately avoid calamity. If your discipline and wisdom are pure, you will enjoy lasting peace in life after life."
於是世尊即說偈言：
Then the World-Honored One spoke these verses:
「事日為明故， 事父為恩故，
事君以力故， 聞故事道人。
人為命事毉， 欲勝依豪強，
法在智慧處， 福行世世明。
察友在為務， 別伴在急時，
觀妻在房樂， 欲知智在說。
為能師見道， 解疑令學明，
亦興清淨本， 能奉持法藏。
聞能今世利， 妻子昆弟友，
亦致後世福， 積聞成聖智。
能攝為解義， 解則戒不穿，
受法猗法者， 從是疾得安。
是能散憂恚， 亦除不祥衰，
欲得安隱吉， 當事多聞者。」
We serve the sun for its light, Our parents for their kindness, A ruler for power— For these reasons, we serve those who have learned the Way.
People serve doctors to preserve life, Seek the powerful to overcome their desires; The Dharma is found in wisdom, And the blessings of good deeds shine through every lifetime.
Observe a friend in their deeds, Know a companion in times of need, See a wife's true nature in the joys of home, And understand wisdom through speech.
One who is capable sees the path through a teacher, Resolves doubts and illuminates learning, Also fosters a foundation of purity, And is able to uphold the treasury of the Dharma.
Learning brings benefit in this life— To a wife, children, siblings, and friends— And also brings blessings in lives to come; Accumulated learning becomes holy wisdom.
One who can grasp the teachings understands their meaning; With understanding, precepts are not broken. Those who receive and rely on the Dharma Will swiftly find peace.
This wisdom dispels worry and anger, And removes misfortune and decline. Those who seek safety and good fortune Should serve those of great learning.
於是長者聞佛說法，心意疑結㸌然雲除，良毉進療委心道德，四大安靜眾患消除，如飲甘露，中外怡懌身安心定，得須陀洹道，宗室國人莫不敬奉。
Upon hearing the Buddha's teaching, the elder felt the knots of doubt in his mind dissolve like clouds scattering. As a skilled physician applies a remedy, he entrusted his heart to the Dharma. His body grew tranquil, all afflictions vanished. It was as if he had drunk sweet dew; within and without, he was filled with joy. His body was at ease, his mind was settled, and he attained the fruit of Stream-Entry. His family and all the people of the kingdom came to revere and serve him.
昔羅閱祇國南有大山，去城二百里，南土諸國路由此山。山道深邃，有五百賊依嶮劫人，後遂縱橫所害狼藉，眾賈被毒王路不通，國王追討不能擒獲。時佛在國哀愍群生，念彼賊輩不知罪福，世有如來而目不覩，法鼓日震而耳不聞。「吾不往度，如石沈淵。」化作一人著好衣服，乘馬帶劍手執弓矢，鞍勒嚴飾金銀莊校，以明月珠埀絡馬體，跨馬鳴絃往入山中。群賊見之以為成事，作賊積年未有此便，卵之投石與此何異？群賊齊頭住前圍繞，挽弓拔刀諍欲剝脫。於是化人舉弓一發，使五百賊各被一箭，以刀指擬各被一瘡，瘡重箭深即皆顛倒。五百群賊宛轉臥地叩頭歸降。「為是何神威力乃爾？乞蒙原赦以活微命，願時拔箭使瘡除愈，今者瘡痛不可堪忍。」化人答曰：「是瘡不痛、箭不為深，天下瘡重莫過於憂，殘害之甚莫過於愚。汝懷貪得之憂、殘殺之愚，刀瘡毒箭終不可愈。此二事者，根本深固，勇力壯士所不能拔。唯有經戒多聞慧義，以此明道療治心病，拔除憂愛愚癡貢高，制伏剛強豪富貪欲，積德學慧乃可得除，長獲安隱。」
Once, south of the city of Rājagṛha there was a great mountain. It lay two hundred li from the city, and all the southern kingdoms traveled by this road. The mountain path was deep and treacherous, and five hundred bandits used the dangerous terrain to rob travelers. Over time they grew bold, killing and plundering widely. Merchants were poisoned by their attacks, and the king's road was blocked. The king sent troops to hunt them down but could not capture them.
At that time, the Buddha was in that country. His heart was filled with compassion for all living beings. He thought of those bandits, who knew nothing of karmic merit and sin. "The Tathāgata is in the world, yet they do not see Him. The Dharma drum sounds every day, yet their ears do not hear it. If I do not go to save them, they will sink like a stone into the abyss."
So the Buddha transformed Himself into a man dressed in fine clothes, riding a horse, carrying a sword, and holding a bow and arrows. The saddle and bridle were splendidly decorated with gold and silver, and the horse was draped in strings of bright pearls. He rode the horse into the mountains, strumming his bowstring.
When the bandits saw him, they thought it was a lucky catch. After so many years as thieves, they had never had such an easy target. "Throwing an egg at a rock is no different!" With a single mind, they rushed forward, surrounding him, drawing their bows and unsheathing their swords, each striving to strip him of his belongings.
Then the transformed man raised his bow and shot a single arrow. The arrow struck every one of the five hundred bandits. He pointed his sword at them, and each was wounded. The wounds were deep, the arrows strong, and they all fell to the ground.
The five hundred bandits writhed and lay on the ground, knocking their heads in surrender. "What god is this, with such awesome power? We beg your pardon to keep our wretched lives. Please quickly remove the arrows and heal our wounds. This pain is unbearable!"
The transformed man replied, "These wounds do not hurt, nor are the arrows deep. The deepest wounds in the world are those of worry. The most destructive things are ignorance and foolishness. You harbor the worry of greed and the stupidity of killing. The wounds from your sword and poisoned arrows can never be healed. These two things have deep and firm roots that no strong warrior can pull out. Only with the precepts and teachings, much learning and wisdom, and the light of the Path can you heal the sickness of the mind, uproot worry, love, ignorance, and arrogance, restrain stubbornness, wealth, and greed, and accumulate virtue and wisdom. Only then can they be removed, and you may find lasting peace and safety."
於是化人即現佛身，相好挺特金顏英妙，即說偈言：
The magical being then manifested as a Buddha, with a majestic appearance, radiant golden features, and extraordinary grace. He immediately spoke this verse:
「斫瘡無過憂， 射箭無過愚，
是壯莫能拔， 唯從多聞除。
盲者從得眼， 闇者從得燭，
示導世間人， 如目將無目。
是故可捨癡， 離慢豪富樂，
務學事聞者， 是名積聚德。」
No wound is worse than worry, No arrow sharper than the fool. Strength alone cannot remove them— Only learning cuts them through.
The blind are given eyes, The dark are given light. Thus one who guides the world Is like eyes for the blind.
So give up ignorance, Set aside pride and love of wealth, Devote yourself to study and to learning— This is called the gathering of virtue.
於是五百人見佛光相，重聞此偈，叩頭歸命剋心悔過，刀瘡毒箭自然除愈，歡喜心開即受五戒，國界安寧莫不歡喜。
At that moment, the five hundred people saw the radiant appearance of the Buddha and heard this verse again. They bowed their heads, took refuge, and repented sincerely from the depths of their hearts. The wounds from their swords and the arrows of poison naturally healed. Their hearts opened with joy, and they received the Five Precepts. The entire kingdom became peaceful, and there was no one who was not filled with happiness.