佛說文殊師利般涅槃經
Sutra on the Nirvana of Manjushri
西晉居士聶道真譯
Translated by Nie Daozhen, Layman of Western Jin
如是我聞：
Thus I have heard:
一時佛在舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園，與大比丘僧八千人俱，長老舍利弗、大目揵連、摩訶迦葉、摩訶迦旃延，如是等眾上首者也；復有菩薩摩訶薩十六人等，賢劫千菩薩彌勒為上首；復有他方菩薩千二百人，觀世音菩薩而為上首。
Once, the Buddha was staying in the garden of Jeta Grove, in the land of Shravasti, which had been gifted by Anathapindika. With him were eight thousand great monks, including the elders Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa, and Mahakatyayana—these were the foremost among them. There were also sixteen great bodhisattvas, with Maitreya as the foremost among the thousand bodhisattvas of the Fortunate Eon. In addition, there were twelve hundred bodhisattvas from other lands, with Guanyin as their foremost.
爾時，世尊於後夜分，入于三昧，其三昧名一切光。入三昧已，舉身皆放金色光明，其光大盛，照祇陀林猶若金色，迴旋宛轉照文殊房，化為七重金臺，一一臺上有五百化佛臺中經行。時，文殊師利房前，自然化生五百七寶蓮華，圓若車輪，白銀為莖，阿茂咤馬瑙以為其臺，雜色真珠以為花鬚，其花有光照佛精舍，從精舍出，還入文殊師利房。
At that time, in the last watch of the night, the World-Honored One entered a samadhi known as "All Light." Upon entering this state of meditation, his entire body radiated a golden light so brilliant that it turned the Jeta Grove entirely gold. The light moved in swirling patterns, reaching Manjushri’s dwelling, where it transformed into seven-tiered golden platforms. On each platform, five hundred transformation Buddhas were walking in meditation.
Meanwhile, right before Manjushri’s room, five hundred seven-treasure lotus blossoms naturally appeared. Each lotus was as round as a chariot wheel, with stems of pure silver, platforms of agate, and petals adorned with multi-colored pearls. The light from these lotuses shone upon the Buddha’s dwelling and then returned, entering Manjushri’s room.
爾時，會中有菩薩摩訶薩，名跋陀波羅，此瑞現時，跋陀波羅即從房出，禮佛精舍，到阿難房，告阿難言：「汝應知時，今夜世尊現神通相，為饒益眾生，故說妙法，汝鳴揵椎。」
At that time, among the assembly, there was a great bodhisattva named Bhadrapala. When the auspicious signs appeared, Bhadrapala immediately came out of his room, paid homage to the Buddha’s dwelling, and went to Ananda’s chamber. He addressed Ananda, saying: “You should recognize this moment. Tonight the World-Honored One displays the sign of his transcendent powers. To benefit all beings, he will proclaim the sublime Dharma. Please sound the signal for the assembly.”
爾時，阿難白言：「大士！世尊今者入深禪定，未被勅旨云何集眾？」
At that time, Ananda said, "Great Being! The World-Honored One has now entered profound meditative absorption. Without his command, how can we gather the assembly?"
作是語時，舍利弗至阿難所告言：「法弟！宜時集眾。」
After saying this, Shariputra went to Ananda and told him, "Dharma-brother, it is now time to gather the assembly."
爾時，阿難入佛精舍，為佛作禮，未舉頭頃，空中有聲告阿難言：「速集眾僧。」
At that time, Ananda entered the Buddha's dwelling and bowed to him. Before he even raised his head, a voice from the sky said to Ananda: "Quickly gather the monastic community."
阿難聞已，即大歡喜，鳴揵椎集眾，如此音聲遍舍衛國，上聞有頂，釋梵護世天王與無數天子，將天花香詣祇陀林。
After hearing this, Ananda was filled with great joy. He struck the bell to gather the assembly, and the sound of it spread throughout Shravasti, reaching even the highest heavens. The Heavenly King Indra, Brahma, and the Guardians of the World, accompanied by countless celestial beings, came to Jeta Grove bearing celestial flowers and incense.
爾時，世尊從三昧起，即便微笑，有五色光從佛口出，此光出時，祇洹精舍變成琉璃。
At that time, the World-Honored One arose from meditation and smiled. Then, five-colored light emitted from the Buddha's mouth. As this light shone, the Jeta Grove Monastery transformed into crystal-clear琉璃.
爾時，文殊師利法王子，入佛精舍為佛作禮，一一膝上生五蓮華，文殊佛前合指掌時，手十指端及手掌文，出十千金色蓮花以散佛上，化成七寶大蓋，懸諸幢幡，十方無量諸佛菩薩映現蓋中，繞佛三匝，却住一面。
At that time, Dharma Prince Manjushri entered the Buddha's sacred hall and paid homage to the Buddha. On each of his knees, five lotus flowers bloomed. As Manjushri pressed his palms together before the Buddha, from his ten fingertips and the lines of his palms emerged ten thousand golden lotuses, which scattered over the Buddha. These transformed into a great canopy of seven treasures, from which hung banners and streamers. Countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from the ten directions appeared reflected within this canopy. After circumambulating the Buddha three times, Manjushri stepped back and stood to one side.
爾時，跋陀波羅即從座起整衣服，為佛作禮，長跪合掌白佛言：「世尊！是文殊師利法王子，已曾親近百千諸佛，在此娑婆世界施作佛事，於十方面變現自在，却後久遠當般涅槃。」
At that time, Bhadrapala rose from his seat, adjusted his robes, bowed to the Buddha, and knelt with palms joined. He said, "World-Honored One, this Dharma Prince Manjushri has already drawn near to hundreds of thousands of Buddhas. In this Saha world, he carries out the deeds of a Buddha, freely manifesting in the ten directions. Yet in the distant future, he too will enter Parinirvana."
佛告跋陀波羅：「此文殊師利有大慈悲，生於此國多羅聚落梵德婆羅門家。其生之時，家內屋宅化如蓮華，從母右脇出，身紫金色，墮地能語如天童子，有七寶蓋隨覆其上。詣諸仙人求出家法，諸婆羅門九十五種、諸論議師無能酬對，唯於我所出家學道，住首楞嚴三昧，以此三昧力故，於十方面——或現初生、出家、滅度、入般涅槃、現分舍利——饒益眾生。如是大士久住首楞嚴，佛涅槃後四百五十歲，當至雪山，為五百仙人宣暢敷演十二部經，教化成熟五百仙人，令得不退轉，與諸神仙作比丘像，飛騰空中至本生地，於空野澤尼拘樓陀樹下，結加趺坐，入首楞嚴三昧，三昧力故，身諸毛孔出金色光，其光遍照十方世界度有緣者，五百仙人，各皆見火從身毛孔出。是時，文殊師利身如紫金山，正長丈六，圓光嚴顯，面各一尋，於圓光內有五百化佛，一一化佛有五化菩薩，以為侍者。其文殊冠毘楞伽寶之所嚴飾，有五百種色，一一色中，日月星辰諸天龍宮，世間眾生所希見事，皆於中現。眉間白毫右旋宛轉，流出化佛入光網中。舉身光明焰焰相次，一一焰中有五摩尼珠，一一摩尼珠各有異光，異色分明，其眾色中化佛菩薩不可具說。左手執鉢，右手擎持大乘經典，現此相已光火皆滅，化琉璃像。於左臂上有十佛印，一一印中有十佛像，說佛名字了了分明。於右臂上有七佛印，一一印中有七佛像，七佛名字了了分明。身內心處有真金像，結加趺坐，正長六尺在蓮華上，四方皆現。」
The Buddha told Bhadrapala: “This Manjushri possesses great compassion. He was born into this country, in the town of Talavana, into the family of a Brahmin named Brahmadatta. When he was born, the house transformed into a lotus. He emerged from his mother’s right side, his body the color of purple gold. As soon as he touched the ground, he could speak, like a heavenly child. A canopy of seven treasures appeared and hovered above him. He went to various sages seeking the way to leave home. None among the ninety-five schools of Brahmins or the various masters of debate could match his responses. Only under me did he leave home to study the Way, abiding in the Samadhi of the Heroic Advance (Śūraṅgama Samadhi). Through the power of this samadhi, he appears in the ten directions—sometimes manifesting his birth, his renunciation, his parinirvāṇa, or the distribution of his relics—all for the benefit of beings.
Such a great being, established for long in the Heroic Advance samadhi, will 450 years after my nirvāṇa go to the Snow Mountains. There, he will teach, proclaim, and elaborate the twelve divisions of the scriptures to five hundred sages, guiding and maturing them until they reach the stage of non-regression. Together with these immortals, taking the form of monks, they will fly through the sky back to his native home. Beneath a nyagrodha tree in a desolate marsh, he will sit in lotus posture, entering the Heroic Advance samadhi. Through the power of that samadhi, golden light will stream from all the pores of his body, shining throughout the ten directions to liberate those with affinity. The five hundred sages will each see fire emerging from their own pores.
At that time, Manjushri’s body will be like a mountain of purple gold, standing exactly one zhang and six feet tall, with a full, splendid halo extending one xun in each direction. Within that halo will be five hundred transformation Buddhas, and accompanying each transformation Buddha as his attendants will be five transformation bodhisattvas. Manjushri’s crown, adorned with vaidūrya-gems, will display five hundred colors. In each color, sun, moon, stars, heavenly palaces, dragon palaces, and rare sights never witnessed by worldly beings will appear. A white hair-tuft between his eyebrows will coil rightward, emitting transformation Buddhas that all enter into the net of light. Flames of radiance will continuously emanate from his entire body, each flame containing five wish-fulfilling jewels (mani-gems). Each wish-fulfilling jewel will emit distinct and brilliantly clear lights of various colors. Within all these diverse colors, transformation Buddhas and bodhisattvas will appear, too numerous to fully describe.
In his left hand, he will hold a begging bowl; in his right hand, he will hold a Mahāyāna scripture. After displaying this appearance, the radiant flames will all extinguish, transforming into a crystalline image. On his left arm will appear ten Buddha-seals. Within each seal, there will be ten Buddha-images, and each Buddha’s name will be proclaimed with complete clarity. On his right arm, there will be seven Buddha-seals. Within each seal, there will be seven Buddha-images, and the names of those seven Buddhas will be proclaimed clearly. In the very center of his chest will be a pure gold image, sitting cross-legged full lotus, exactly six feet tall, upon a lotus flower—appearing in each of the four directions.”
佛告跋陀波羅：「是文殊師利，有無量神通、無量變現，不可具記，我今略說，為未來世盲瞑眾生，若有眾生但聞文殊師利名，除却十二億劫生死之罪；若禮拜供養者，生生之處恒生諸佛家，為文殊師利威神所護。是故眾生，當懃繫念念文殊像，念文殊像法，先念琉璃像，念琉璃像者如上所說，一一觀之皆令了了；若未得見，當誦持首楞嚴，稱文殊師利名一日至七日，文殊必來至其人所。若復有人宿業障者，夢中得見，夢中見者，於現在身若求聲聞，以見文殊師利故，得須陀洹乃至阿那含；若出家人見文殊師利者，已得見故，一日一夜成阿羅漢；若有深信方等經典，是法王子於禪定中，為說深法；亂心多者，於其夢中為說實義，令其堅固，於無上道得不退轉。」
The Buddha told Bhadrapala: "This Manjusri possesses countless spiritual powers and transformations beyond full description. I will now give a brief account for the sake of the blind and ignorant beings of future ages. If any being merely hears the name of Manjusri, they will erase the sins of twelve billion eons of birth and death. If they bow and make offerings to him, in every life they will be born into the family of the Buddhas, protected by the awesome power of Manjusri. Therefore, beings should diligently focus their minds on visualizing the image of Manjusri. The method for visualizing Manjusri's image is to first visualize a crystal image, as described above—contemplate every detail clearly. If one cannot see him yet, they should recite the Shurangama Sutra and call Manjusri's name for one to seven days. Manjusri will certainly come to that person. If someone is hindered by past karma, they will see him in a dream. Those who see him in a dream will, in their present life, attain Stream Entry up to Non-Return if they seek the state of a Hearer. If a monastic sees Manjusri, having seen him, they will attain Arhatship in a single day and night. If someone deeply believes in the Mahayana scriptures, this Dharma Prince will explain the profound teachings to them in meditation. For those with scattered minds, he will reveal the true meaning in their dreams, strengthening them so that they never regress from the supreme path."
佛告跋陀波羅：「此文殊師利法王子，若有人念，若欲供養修福業者，即自化身，作貧窮孤獨苦惱眾生，至行者前。若有人念文殊師利者，當行慈心，行慈心者即是得見文殊師利。是故智者當諦觀文殊師利三十二相、八十種好，作是觀者，首楞嚴力故，當得疾疾見文殊師利。作此觀者名為正觀，若他觀者名為邪觀。佛滅度後一切眾生，其有得聞文殊師利名者、見形像者，百千劫中不墮惡道；若有受持讀誦文殊師利名者，設有重障，不墮阿鼻極惡猛火，常生他方清淨國土，值佛聞法得無生忍。」
The Buddha told Bhadrapala: “This Manjushri, Prince of Dharma—if someone keeps him in mind or wishes to make offerings and cultivate merit, Manjushri will transform himself and appear as a poor, lonely, or suffering being before that practitioner.
If someone thinks of Manjushri, they should cultivate a compassionate mind. To cultivate a compassionate mind is to see Manjushri. Therefore, the wise should carefully contemplate Manjushri’s thirty-two marks and eighty excellent characteristics. Contemplating in this way, through the power of the Shurangama Samadhi, one will quickly see Manjushri.
This contemplation is called correct contemplation; any other is called incorrect contemplation. After the Buddha’s passing, if any being hears Manjushri’s name or sees his image, for hundreds of thousands of kalpas they will not fall into the lower realms. If anyone recites and upholds Manjushri’s name, even if they have heavy obstacles, they will not fall into the Avici Hell of raging fire but will be reborn in a pure land in another direction, meet a Buddha, hear the Dharma, and attain the realization of non-arising.
說是語時，五百比丘遠塵離垢成阿羅漢，無量諸天發菩提心，願常隨從文殊師利。
As these words were spoken, five hundred monks abandoned all defilements and became arhats, while countless heavenly beings awakened the mind of enlightenment, vowing to always follow and attend Manjushri.
爾時跋陀波羅白佛言：「世尊！是文殊舍利，誰當於上起七寶塔？」
At that time, Bhadrapala said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, concerning these relics of Manjushri, who should build a seven-jeweled stupa over them?"
佛告跋陀波羅：「香山有八大鬼神，自當擎去置香山中金剛山頂上，無量諸天龍神夜叉常來供養，大眾集時像恒放光，其光演說苦空、無常、無我等法。跋陀波羅！此法王子得不壞身，我今語汝，汝好受持廣為一切諸眾生說。」
The Buddha told Bhadrapala, "On Fragrant Mountain reside eight great spirits. They will naturally lift and place this image on the summit of Diamond Mountain at Fragrant Mountain Peak. Countless gods, dragons, spirits, and yakshas will constantly come to make offerings. Whenever the great assembly gathers, the image will forever emit light, and this light will proclaim teachings on suffering, emptiness, impermanence, and the absence of self. Bhadrapala, this Dharma Prince has attained an indestructible body. I now tell you this—receive it well and uphold it, widely proclaiming it for the benefit of all beings."
說是語時，跋陀波羅等諸大菩薩，舍利弗等諸大聲聞、天龍八部，聞佛所說皆大歡喜，禮佛而去。
As the Buddha spoke these words, the great bodhisattvas headed by Bhadrapāla, the great śrāvakas headed by Śāriputra, and the eight kinds of beings of the celestial realms all rejoiced greatly upon hearing the Buddha's teaching. They paid their respects to the Buddha and departed.
佛說文殊師利般涅槃經
Sutra on the Nirvana of Manjushri