佛說墮珠著海中經第八
Sutra of the Buddha Telling of the Pearl Fallen into the Sea, Chapter 8
聞如是：
Thus have I heard:
一時佛在王舍城靈鷲山，與大比丘眾五百人俱。一切大聖，神通已達。時諸比丘，於講堂上坐共議言：「我等！世尊從無數劫精進不懈，不拘生死五道之患，欲得佛道救濟一切；用精進故，超越九劫，自致無上正真之道，為最正覺。吾為蒙度，以為橋梁。」時佛遙聞比丘所議，起到講堂，問之：「何論？」比丘白曰：「我等共議，世尊功德，巍巍無量，從累劫來，精進無厭，不避諸難，勤苦求道，欲濟一切，不中墮落，自致得佛。我等蒙度。」
At one time, the Buddha was at Vulture Peak in Rajagaha, together with a great assembly of five hundred monks. All of them were great sages who had already attained supernatural powers. At that time, the monks were sitting together in the lecture hall, discussing among themselves: "We should know that the World-Honored One, through countless kalpas, practiced with unflagging diligence, unbound by the afflictions of birth and death across the five realms. He sought the Buddha's path to save all beings. Through diligence, he surpassed nine kalpas and attained the supreme, true path on his own, becoming the most perfectly enlightened one. We have been saved by him; he has been our bridge."
The Buddha heard from afar what the monks were discussing and came to the lecture hall, asking them: "What are you discussing?" The monks replied: "We were discussing together the World-Honored One's merit, which is vast and immeasurable. Through accumulated kalpas, he has practiced with tireless diligence, shrinking from no hardship, diligently seeking the path to rescue all beings, never falling back, and attaining Buddhahood on his own. We have been saved by him."
佛告比丘：「實如所言，誠無有異。吾從無數劫以來，精進求道，初無懈怠，愍傷眾生，欲度脫之，用精進故，自致得佛，超越九劫，出彌勒前。我念過去無數劫時，見國中人，多有貧窮，愍傷憐之。以何方便，而令豐饒？念當入海獲如意珠，乃有所救。撾鼓搖鈴，『誰欲入海採求珍寶？』眾人大會，臨當上船，更作教令：『欲捨父母，不惜妻子，投身沒命，當共入海。』所以者何？海有三難：一者大魚長二萬八千里、二者鬼神羅剎欲翻其船、三者掁山。故作此令得無怨。適更令已，眾人皆悔。時五百人，心獨堅固，便望風舉帆，乘船入海，詣海龍王，從求頭上如意之珠。龍王見之，用一切故，勤勞入海，欲濟窮士，即以珠與。時諸賈客，各各採寶，悉皆具足，乘船來還。海中諸龍及諸鬼神，悉共議言：『此如意珠，海中上寶，非世俗人所當獲者。云何損海益閻浮利？誠可惜之！當作方計還奪其珠，不可失之至於人間。』時龍鬼神，晝夜圍遶若干之匝，欲奪其珠。導師德尊，威神巍巍，諸鬼神龍，雖欲飜船奪如意珠，力所不任。
The Buddha told the monks: "It is exactly as you say, truly no different. For countless kalpas, I have practiced diligently seeking the Path, never once slackening. Out of compassion for living beings, I wished to liberate them. Through diligence, I attained Buddhahood myself, surpassing nine kalpas and appearing before Maitreya.
I recall that countless kalpas ago, I saw many people in that country suffering from poverty and felt deep compassion for them. By what means could I bring them abundance? I thought that only by going to sea and obtaining the wish-fulfilling jewel could I help them. I beat drums and rang bells, calling out: 'Who wishes to go to sea and seek treasures?' A great crowd gathered. As they were about to board the ship, I gave them this instruction: 'Those who wish to abandon parents and forsake wives and children, who are willing to risk their lives—let them come to sea with me.'
Why was this? The sea has three dangers: first, great fish two thousand eight hundred li long; second, spirits and demons who wish to capsize the ship; third, the moving mountains. So I gave this instruction so that none would later bear resentment. As soon as the instruction was given, all the people regretted it.
At that time, five hundred people alone remained firm in heart. They set sail with the wind and went to sea by ship, arriving before the sea dragon king to request the wish-fulfilling jewel from his head. The dragon king saw that for the sake of all beings, this man had labored to go to sea, wishing to relieve the poor, and so gave him the jewel.
Then the merchants each gathered treasures and all were fully satisfied. They set sail to return. But the dragons and spirits in the sea all discussed together: 'This wish-fulfilling jewel is the supreme treasure of the sea. It is not something worldly people should obtain. How can we let the sea lose it and the human world profit? Truly it is a pity! We must devise a plan to take back the jewel—it must not be lost to the human realm.'
Then the dragons, spirits, and demons surrounded them day and night in circles, many layers deep, seeking to take the jewel. But the guide's virtue was honored and his majestic power was towering. Though the spirits, demons, and dragons wished to overturn the ship and seize the wish-fulfilling jewel, their strength was not equal to it."
「於時導師及五百人，安隱渡海。菩薩踊躍，住於海邊，低頭下手，呪願海神，珠繫在頸。時海龍神，因緣得便，使珠墮海。導師感激：『吾行入海，乘船涉難，勤苦無量，乃得此寶，當救眾乏，於今海神，反令墮海。』勅邊侍人：『捉持器來，吾𢍶海水，至於底泥，不得珠者，終不休懈。』即器𢍶水，以精進力，不避苦難，不惜壽命，水自然趣，悉入器中。諸海龍神，見之如是，心即懷懼：『此人威勢精進之力，誠非世有。若今𢍶水，不久竭海。』即持珠來，辭謝還之：『吾等聊試，不圖精進力勢如是，天上天下，無能勝君導師者！』獲寶齎還，國中觀寶，求願使雨七寶，以供天下，莫不安隱。爾時導師，則我身是。五百賈客，諸弟子者是。我所將導即精進行，入於大海，還得寶珠，救諸貧窮，于今得佛。竭生死海，智慧無量，救濟群生，莫不得度。」
At that time, the guide and the five hundred people crossed the sea safely. The Bodhisattva was filled with joy. Standing on the shore, he bowed his head and lowered his hands, offering prayers and vows to the sea god, with the pearl tied around his neck. Then the sea dragon spirits, finding their opportunity, caused the pearl to fall into the sea. The guide was deeply dismayed: "I ventured into the sea, boarded a ship, and endured countless hardships. Only after such toil did I obtain this treasure, intending to relieve the poor. Now the sea god has made it fall into the sea instead."
He ordered his attendants on the shore: "Bring me vessels. I will bail out the seawater down to the very mud at the bottom. Until I find the pearl, I will never rest or give up." So he bailed the water with vessels. Through the power of diligence, shirking no hardship, sparing not even his life, the water drew itself toward him and all flowed into the vessels.
When the sea dragon spirits saw this, fear arose in their hearts: "The power of this man's diligence and resolve is truly unlike anything in the world. If he keeps bailing like this, the sea will soon run dry." So they brought the pearl and returned it with apologies: "We were only testing you. We never imagined the power of your diligence would be like this. In all the heavens above and the world below, no one can surpass you, great guide!"
He retrieved the treasure and brought it home. People throughout the land came to see the jewel. He made a vow that it would rain down the seven treasures to provide for all under heaven, and everyone lived in peace and security. That guide at that time was myself. The five hundred merchants were my disciples. The diligent practice I undertook — entering the great ocean, recovering the pearl, and relieving the poor — is how I have now attained Buddhahood. Having drained the ocean of birth and death, my wisdom is boundless, and I rescue all living beings, ensuring that none are left unsaved.
佛說如是，莫不歡喜。