六度集經卷第二
Collection of the Six Perfections, Volume 2
吳康居國沙門康僧會譯
Translated by Kang Senghui, Shramana of the Kangju Kingdom, Wu Dynasty
布施度無極章(此有四章)
The Perfection of Giving Chapter(This chapter has four sections)
（一一）波耶王經
「昔者波羅㮈國王名波耶，治國以仁，干戈廢，杖楚滅，囹圄毀，路無呼嗟，群生得所，國豐民熾，諸天歎仁。王城廣長四百里，圍千六百里，王日飯此中人，皆從其願。鄰國聞其國豐熟，災害消滅，與臣謀曰：『彼國豐熟兆民富樂，吾欲得之，往必剋矣。』臣妾僉曰：『喜從王願。』即興師之仁國。
Once, in the kingdom of Varanasi, there was a king named Paya who ruled with compassion. He set aside all weapons of war, abolished harsh punishments, destroyed the prisons, and no cries of suffering were heard on the roads. All beings found their proper place, the land flourished, and the people prospered, and even the heavens praised his benevolence.
The royal city stretched four hundred li in length and sixteen hundred li around. Each day, the king provided for all who came within the city walls, granting them whatever they desired.
When neighboring kingdoms heard of his country's prosperity and the absence of calamities, they conspired with their ministers, saying, "That land is abundant, and its people live in joy. I desire to possess it. If we march, we will surely conquer it."
Their ministers and advisors all agreed, saying, "We joyfully follow your will." Thus, they raised an army and set out for the kingdom of benevolence.
「仁國群臣以聞，欲距之矣。仁王慘然而曰：『以吾一人之身，戮兆民身，愛吾一人命，杌兆民之命，一口再食、一身數衣，與時何諍？而去春天之德，取豺狼之殘乎？吾寧去一世之命，不去大志，恕己安群生，蓋天之仁也。』權謂臣曰：『各退，明日更議。』夜則踰城，遁邁入山坐一樹下。
When the ministers of the kingdom heard this, they wished to resist the invaders. The Benevolent King, with a sorrowful expression, said: "If, for the sake of my single life, I bring death to countless people—if I cherish my own life yet uproot the lives of millions—what does it matter if I eat twice from one mouthful or wear several garments? Why should I cast aside the virtue of spring and adopt the cruelty of wolves? I would rather give up my life in this world than abandon my great resolve. To forgive oneself and bring peace to all beings—this is the benevolence of heaven." Then he told his ministers, "Withdraw now; we shall discuss again tomorrow." That night, he climbed over the city wall, fled into the mountains, and sat beneath a tree.
「有梵志來，其年六十，問王曰：『彼仁國王萬福無恙乎？』答曰：『彼王已喪命矣。』梵志聞之頓地哀慟。王問之曰：『汝哀何甚重乎？』答曰：『吾聞彼王，仁逮群生潤如帝釋，故馳歸命；而彼凋喪，吾老窮矣。』王曰：『彼仁王者，我則是也。隣國王聞吾國豐熟，民熾寶多，命其武士曰：「得吾首者，賞男女之使各千人，馬千疋、牛千頭，金銀各千斤。」今子取吾首，金冠及劒為明證，之彼王，所賞重多，可為傳世之資。吾心欣然也。』答曰：『不仁逆道，寧死不為也。』王曰：『斯翁恃吾以活，而令窮哉？吾今以首惠汝，令汝無罪。』起稽首十方，流涕誓曰：『群生危者，吾當安之；背真向邪者，吾當令歸命三尊。今以首拔子之窮，令子無罪矣。』引劒自毀，以濟彼難。
A Brahmin came, aged sixty, and asked the king, "Does that benevolent ruler enjoy ten thousand blessings and freedom from illness?" The king replied, "That ruler has already passed away." Upon hearing this, the Brahmin collapsed to the ground in grief. The king asked him, "Why do you mourn so deeply?" The Brahmin answered, "I had heard that this king's kindness reached all beings, nurturing them like the god Indra himself, so I hastened to seek refuge with him. But now that he is gone, I am old and destitute."
The king said, "I am that benevolent ruler. The neighboring king, hearing that my kingdom was prosperous, with thriving people and abundant treasures, commanded his warriors: 'Whoever brings me the head of that king shall be rewarded with a thousand male and female servants each, a thousand horses, a thousand cattle, and a thousand pounds each of gold and silver.' Now, take my head, with this golden crown and sword as proof, and go to that king. The reward is substantial and will provide for your descendants. I offer this willingly."
The Brahmin replied, "To commit such an unkind and unrighteous act—I would rather die than do it."
The king said, "Does this elder depend on me for survival, only to face such hardship? I now give you my head as a gift, so that you may be blameless." He rose, bowed in reverence to the ten directions, and with tears flowing, made this vow: "For all beings in peril, I shall bring safety; for those who turn from truth to falsehood, I shall lead them to take refuge in the Three Treasures. Now I give my head to relieve your hardship and keep you blameless." With that, he drew his sword and took his own life, to free the Brahmin from his suffering.
「梵志以首冠劒詣彼王所，王問舊臣：『仁王力當千人，而為此子所獲乎？』舊臣頓首躃地，哀慟痛莫能對。更問梵志，梵志本末陳之。兆民路踊巷哭，或吐血者，或息絕而尸視者。彼王逮臣武士，巨細靡不噢咿。王仰天長嘆曰：『吾無道哉！殘天仁子矣。』取仁王尸及首，連之以金薄，其身坐著殿上，三十二年為天子，後乃立其子為王。隣國靡不子愛之也。仁王壽終即生天上。」
A Brahmin, carrying the severed head on his sword, went to the king's court. The king asked his old minister, "How could a king with strength to rival a thousand men be captured by this youth?" The old minister struck his head on the ground, overcome with grief and unable to speak. The king then questioned the Brahmin, who told the whole story from beginning to end. The people in the streets wept and wailed, some spat blood, and some collapsed as if dead. From the king and ministers to the soldiers and commoners, there was not one who did not cry out in sorrow. The king looked up to heaven and sighed deeply, saying, "I have acted without virtue! I have destroyed a compassionate son of heaven." He then took the body and head of the benevolent king, joined them with gold leaf, and seated the body on the throne. For thirty-two years he ruled as king, and afterward he installed the benevolent king's son as ruler. Neighboring kingdoms all came to love and respect him. The benevolent king, after living out his life, passed away and was reborn in heaven.
佛告諸比丘：「仁王者，我身是。隣國王者，目連是。其國群臣者，今諸比丘是。菩薩慈惠度無極行布施如是。」