Sutta 7: Overcoming Grief

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a02] Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha (佛 [fu]) was residing in the Jeta Grove Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park (祇樹給孤獨園 [qi shu gei gu du yuan]) in Śrāvastī (舍衛國 [she wei guo]).

[0638a02] wén rú shì:

yī shí, fú zài shě wèi guó qí shù gěi gū dú yuán.

[0638a02] wen ru shi:

yi shi, fu zai she wei guo qi shu gei gu du yuan.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a03] At that time, King Prasenajit (王波斯匿 [wang bo si ni]) commanded his ministers to prepare the jeweled chariot (寶羽之車 [bao yu zhi che]), intending to leave the city of Śrāvastī (舍衛城 [she wei cheng]) to observe the lecture hall (講堂 [jiang tang]). At that very time, King Prasenajit’s (波斯匿王 [bo si ni wang]) mother had passed away. She was extremely old, approaching one hundred years of age, and the King deeply respected her, never having her out of his sight. At that time, King Prasenajit (波斯匿王 [bo si ni wang]) had a minister named Puṣyamitra (不奢蜜 [bu she mi]), whose talent surpassed the world, and who was respected by all people. At that time, the minister thought: "This King Prasenajit’s (波斯匿王 [bo si ni wang]) mother is approaching one hundred years of age and has passed away today. If the King hears of it, he will be greatly grieved, unable to eat or drink, and will fall seriously ill. I shall now devise a skillful means to prevent the King from grieving and from becoming ill."

[0638a03] ěr shí, wáng bō sī nì jí chì chén zuǒ, yán bǎo yǔ zhī chē, yù chū shě wèi chéng guān de jiǎng táng. dāng yú ěr shí, bō sī nì wáng mǔ mìng guò, nián jí shuāi lǎo, chuí xiàng bǎi suì, wáng shén zūn jìng, niàn wèi céng lí mù. shì shí, bō sī nì wáng biān yǒu dà chén, míng bù shē mì, gāo cái gài shì, shì rén zūn zhòng. shí, dà chén biàn zuò shì niàn: “cǐ bō sī nì wáng mǔ nián xiàng bǎi suì, jīn rì mìng zhōng； shè dāng wén zhě, wáng shén chóu yōu, bù néng yǐn shí ér dé zhòng bìng. wǒ jīn dāng shè fāng biàn, shǐ wáng bù chóu yōu, yì shǐ bù bìng.”

[0638a03] er shi, wang bo si ni ji chi chen zuo, yan bao yu zhi che, yu chu she wei cheng guan de jiang tang. dang yu er shi, bo si ni wang mu ming guo, nian ji shuai lao, chui xiang bai sui, wang shen zun jing, nian wei ceng li mu. shi shi, bo si ni wang bian you da chen, ming bu she mi, gao cai gai shi, shi ren zun zhong. shi, da chen bian zuo shi nian: "ci bo si ni wang mu nian xiang bai sui, jin ri ming zhong; she dang wen zhe, wang shen chou you, bu neng yin shi er de zhong bing. wo jin dang she fang bian, shi wang bu chou you, yi shi bu bing."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a10] At that time, the minister immediately prepared five hundred white elephants (五百白象 [wu bai bai xiang]), also prepared five hundred horses (五百疋馬 [wu bai pi ma]), further prepared five hundred foot soldiers (五百步兵 [wu bai bu bing]), further prepared five hundred courtesans (五百妓女 [wu bai ji nu]), further prepared five hundred old women (五百老母 [wu bai lao mu]), further prepared five hundred Brāhmaṇas (五百婆羅門 [wu bai po luo men]), further five hundred Śramaṇas (五百沙門 [wu bai sha men]), further prepared five hundred garments (五百衣裳 [wu bai yi shang]), further prepared five hundred treasures (五百珍寶 [wu bai zhen bao]), and made a beautiful grand coffin (好大棺 [hao da guan]) for the deceased, painted and decorated to be extremely exquisite, hanging banners and canopies, and arranging immeasurable musical performances and dances, and exited the city of Śrāvastī (舍衛城 [she wei cheng]).

[0638a10] shì shí, dà chén jí yán jià wǔ bǎi bái xiàng, yì yán jià wǔ bǎi pǐ mǎ, fù yán wǔ bǎi bù bīng, fù yán jià wǔ bǎi jì nǚ, fù yán jià wǔ bǎi lǎo mǔ, fù yán jià wǔ bǎi pó luó mén, fù yǒu wǔ bǎi shā mén, fù yán jià wǔ bǎi yī shang, fù yán jià wǔ bǎi zhēn bǎo, yǔ wáng zhě zuò hǎo dà guān, cǎi huà jí lìng shǐ miào, xuán zēng fān gài, zuò chàng jì lè, bù kě chēng jì, chū shě wèi chéng.

[0638a10] shi shi, da chen ji yan jia wu bai bai xiang, yi yan jia wu bai pi ma, fu yan wu bai bu bing, fu yan jia wu bai ji nu, fu yan jia wu bai lao mu, fu yan jia wu bai po luo men, fu you wu bai sha men, fu yan jia wu bai yi shang, fu yan jia wu bai zhen bao, yu wang zhe zuo hao da guan, cai hua ji ling shi miao, xuan zeng fan gai, zuo chang ji le, bu ke cheng ji, chu she wei cheng.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a16] At that time, King Prasenajit (波斯匿王 [bo si ni wang]) returned to the city. At that time, King Prasenajit (波斯匿王 [bo si ni wang]) had a small matter to attend to. At that time, the King saw the deceased from afar and asked his attendants: "Who is this, being offered such elaborate funeral rites?"

[0638a16] shì shí, bō sī nì wáng hái lái rù chéng. shì shí, wáng bō sī nì yǒu shǎo shì, shì shí wáng yáo jiàn wáng zhě, wèn zuǒ yòu yuē: “cǐ shì hé rén, gōng yǎng nǎi zhì yú sī?”

[0638a16] shi shi, bo si ni wang hai lai ru cheng. shi shi, wang bo si ni you shao shi, shi shi wang yao jian wang zhe, wen zuo you yue: "ci shi he ren, gong yang nai zhi yu si?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a19] At that time, Puṣyamitra (不奢蜜 [bu she mi]) replied: "This is the mother of a householder in the city of Śrāvastī (舍衛城 [she wei cheng]) who has passed away. These are her funeral arrangements."

[0638a19] shí bù shē mì yuē: “cǐ shě wèi chéng zhōng yǒu zhǎng zhě mǔ wú cháng, shì bǐ zhī jù.”

[0638a19] shi bu she mi yue: "ci she wei cheng zhong you zhang zhe mu wu chang, shi bi zhi ju."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a20] At that time, the King further asked: "What are these elephants, horses, and chariots for?"

[0638a20] shí wáng fù gào yuē: “cǐ zhū xiàng mǎ chē chéng fù yòng wèi?”

[0638a20] shi wang fu gao yue: "ci zhu xiang ma che cheng fu yong wei?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a21] The minister replied: "These five hundred old women (五百老母 [wu bai lao mu]) are to be offered to Yama Rāja (閻羅王 [yan luo wang]), to redeem her life."

[0638a21] dà chén bào yuē: “cǐ wǔ bǎi lǎo mǔ zhě, yòng fèng shàng yán luó wáng, chí yòng shú mìng.”

[0638a21] da chen bao yue: "ci wu bai lao mu zhe, yong feng shang yan luo wang, chi yong shu ming."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a22] At that time, the King smiled and said: "This is the way of foolish people. Life is hard to preserve, what can be overcome? It is like someone falling into the mouth of a Makara fish (摩竭魚口 [mo jie yu kou]), desiring to escape, which is truly difficult to achieve. This is also true: falling into the domain of Yama Rāja (閻羅王 [yan luo wang]), desiring to escape, is truly difficult to achieve."

[0638a22] shí, wáng biàn xiào ér zuò shì shuō: “cǐ shì yú rén zhī fǎ, mìng yě nán bǎo, yǒu hé kě kè? rú yǒu rén duò mó jié yú kǒu, yù qiú chū zhě, shí fù nán dé. cǐ yì rú shì, duò yán luó wáng biān, yù qiú chū, shí nán kě dé.”

[0638a22] shi, wang bian xiao er zuo shi shuo: "ci shi yu ren zhi fa, ming ye nan bao, you he ke ke? ru you ren duo mo jie yu kou, yu qiu chu zhe, shi fu nan de. ci yi ru shi, duo yan luo wang bian, yu qiu chu, shi nan ke de."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a26] "These five hundred courtesans (五百妓女 [wu bai ji nu]) are also to be used to redeem her life."

The King replied: "This is also difficult to achieve."

[0638a26] “cǐ wǔ bǎi jì nǚ yì yòng shú mìng.”

wáng bào yuē: “cǐ yì nán dé.”

[0638a26] "ci wu bai ji nu yi yong shu ming."

wang bao yue: "ci yi nan de."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a27] At that time, the minister said: "If these courtesans (妓女 [ji nu]) cannot be used, then other things should be used to redeem her."

[0638a27] shí dà chén yuē: “ruò cǐ jì nǚ bù kě dé zhě, dāng yòng yú zhě shú zhī.”

[0638a27] shi da chen yue: "ruo ci ji nu bu ke de zhe, dang yong yu zhe shu zhi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a28] The King said: "This is also difficult to achieve."

The minister said: "If these cannot be used, then five hundred treasures (五百珍寶 [wu bai zhen bao]) should be used to redeem her."

[0638a28] wáng yuē: “cǐ yì nán dé.”

dà chén yuē: “ruò cǐ bù kě dé zhě, dāng yòng wǔ bǎi zhēn bǎo shú zhī.”

[0638a28] wang yue: "ci yi nan de."

da chen yue: "ruo ci bu ke de zhe, dang yong wu bai zhen bao shu zhi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638a29] The King replied: "This is also difficult to achieve."

[0638a29] wáng bào yuē: “cǐ yì nán dé.”

[0638a29] wang bao yue: "ci yi nan de."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b01] The minister said: "If these cannot be used, then five hundred garments (五百衣裳 [wu bai yi shang]) should be used to redeem her."

[0638b01] dà chén yuē: “cǐ bù kě dé zhě, yòng wǔ bǎi yī shang shú zhī.”

[0638b01] da chen yue: "ci bu ke de zhe, yong wu bai yi shang shu zhi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b02] The King said: "This is also difficult to achieve."

The minister said: "If these garments cannot be used, then the incantations of these five hundred Brahmins (五百梵志 [wu bai fan zhi]) should be used, obtained through incantations."

[0638b02] wáng yuē: “cǐ yì nán dé.”

chén yuē: “ruò cǐ yī shang bù kě dé zhě, dāng yòng cǐ wǔ bǎi fàn zhì zhòu shù, zhòu shù qǔ zhī.”

[0638b02] wang yue: "ci yi nan de."

chen yue: "ruo ci yi shang bu ke de zhe, dang yong ci wu bai fan zhi zhou shu, zhou shu qu zhi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b03] The King said: "This is also difficult to achieve."

[0638b03] wáng yuē: “cǐ yì nán dé.”

[0638b03] wang yue: "ci yi nan de."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b04] The minister said: "If these five hundred Brahmins (五百梵志 [wu bai fan zhi]) cannot be used, then the highly talented teachings of these Śramaṇas (沙門 [sha men]) should be used to redeem her."

[0638b04] dà chén yuē: “ruò cǐ wǔ bǎi fàn zhì bù kě dé zhě, fù dāng chí cǐ shā mén gāo cái shuō fǎ, chí yòng shú zhī.”

[0638b04] da chen yue: "ruo ci wu bai fan zhi bu ke de zhe, fu dang chi ci sha men gao cai shuo fa, chi yong shu zhi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b06] The King said: "This cannot be achieved."

The minister said: "If teachings cannot be used, then an army should be assembled, and a great battle should be fought to obtain it."

[0638b06] wáng yuē: “cǐ bù kě dé.”

dà chén yuē: “ruò shuō fǎ bù kě dé zhě, dāng jí bīng zhòng, gòng dà zhàn dòu ér qǔ zhī.”

[0638b06] wang yue: "ci bu ke de."

da chen yue: "ruo shuo fa bu ke de zhe, dang ji bing zhong, gong da zhan dou er qu zhi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b07] At that time, King Prasenajit (波斯匿王 [bo si ni wang]) laughed loudly and said: "This is the way of foolish people. Once fallen into the mouth of a Makara fish (摩竭魚口 [mo jie yu kou]), one can never escape."

[0638b07] shí, bō sī nì wáng dà xiào ér yuē: “cǐ shì yú rén zhī fǎ, yǐ duò mó jié yú kǒu, zhōng bù dé chū.”

[0638b07] shi, bo si ni wang da xiao er yue: "ci shi yu ren zhi fa, yi duo mo jie yu kou, zhong bu de chu."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b09] At that time, the King said: "You should know, is there anyone who is born and does not die?"

[0638b09] shí wáng yuē: “rǔ dāng zhī zhī, pō yǒu shēng ér bù sǐ hū?”

[0638b09] shi wang yue: "ru dang zhi zhi, po you sheng er bu si hu?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b10] At that time, the minister said: "This is truly impossible to achieve."

At that time, the great king replied: "It is truly impossible. The Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]) also say this: 'Birth has death, and life is difficult to preserve.'"

[0638b10] shí dà chén yuē: “cǐ shí bù kě dé yě.”

shí dà wáng bào yuē: “shí bù kě dé, zhū fú yì zuò shì shuō, fū shēng yǒu sǐ, mìng yì nán dé.”

[0638b10] shi da chen yue: "ci shi bu ke de ye."

shi da wang bao yue: "shi bu ke de, zhu fu yi zuo shi shuo, fu sheng you si, ming yi nan de."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b12] At that time, Puṣyamitra (不奢蜜 [bu she mi]) knelt and said to the King: "Therefore, Great King, do not grieve too much. All sentient beings (一切眾生 [yi qie zhong sheng]) return to death."

[0638b12] shì shí, bù shē mì guì bái wáng yuē: “shì gù, dà wáng! shén mò chóu yōu, yī qiè zhòng shēng jiē guī yú sǐ.”

[0638b12] shi shi, bu she mi gui bai wang yue: "shi gu, da wang! shen mo chou you, yi qie zhong sheng jie gui yu si."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b13] At that time, the King asked: "Why should I grieve?"

[0638b13] shí wáng wèn yuē: “wǒ hé gù chóu yōu?”

[0638b13] shi wang wen yue: "wo he gu chou you?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b14] At that time, the minister said to the King: "King, you should know, the Great King’s mother passed away today."

[0638b14] shí chén bái wáng: “wáng dāng zhī zhī, dà wáng mǔ zhě, jīn rì yǐ sǐ.”

[0638b14] shi chen bai wang: "wang dang zhi zhi, da wang mu zhe, jin ri yi si."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b15] At that time, King Prasenajit (波斯匿王 [bo si ni wang]), having heard these words, sighed repeatedly and said to the minister: "Excellent! As you say, you are indeed able to know skillful means (善權方便 [shan quan fang bian])."

[0638b15] shì shí, bō sī nì wáng wén cǐ yǔ yǐ, bā jiǔ tàn xī ér yǔ dà chén yuē: “shàn zāi! rú rǔ suǒ yán, nǎi néng zhī shàn quán fāng biàn.”

[0638b15] shi shi, bo si ni wang wen ci yu yi, ba jiu tan xi er yu da chen yue: "shan zai! ru ru suo yan, nai neng zhi shan quan fang bian."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b17] At that time, King Prasenajit (王波斯匿 [wang bo si ni]) returned to the city, prepared various incense and flowers, and made offerings to his deceased mother. After making offerings to his deceased mother, he then returned to his chariot and went to the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]). Having arrived, he prostrated himself at his feet and sat to one side.

[0638b17] shì shí, wáng bō sī nì hái rù chéng, bàn zhǒng zhǒng xiāng huá, gōng yǎng wáng mǔ. gōng yǎng wáng mǔ yǐ, biàn hái jià chéng zhì shì zūn suǒ. dào yǐ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn zuò.

[0638b17] shi shi, wang bo si ni hai ru cheng, ban zhong zhong xiang hua, gong yang wang mu. gong yang wang mu yi, bian hai jia cheng zhi shi zun suo. dao yi, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian zuo.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b19] At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) asked: "Great King! Why is your body covered in dust?"

[0638b19] shì shí, shì zūn wèn yuē: “dà wáng! hé gù chén tǔ bèn shēn?”

[0638b19] shi shi, shi zun wen yue: "da wang! he gu chen tu ben shen?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638b20] The King said to the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]): "My heavenly mother has passed away. I just escorted her outside the city. Now I have come to the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) to ask about the reason. When my heavenly mother was alive, she held the precepts strictly and diligently, constantly cultivated wholesome dharmas (善法 [shan fa]), and lived to almost one hundred years of age. She passed away today, so I have come to the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]). If I could redeem her life with elephants, I would do so; if I could redeem her life with horses, I would do so; if I could redeem her life with chariots, I would do so; if I could redeem her life with gold, silver, and precious jewels, I would do so; if I could redeem her life with servants, attendants, cities, and territories, I would do so; if I could redeem her life with the people of the country of Kāśī (加尸國界 [jia shi guo jie]), I would do so, so that my heavenly mother would not pass away."

[0638b20] wáng bái shì zūn: “tiān mǔ mìng zhōng, xiàng sòng zhì chéng wài. jīn lái yì shì zūn suǒ, wèn qí suǒ yóu. rán tiān mǔ zài shí, chí jiè jīng jìn, héng xiū shàn fǎ, nián xiàng bǎi suì, jīn rì yǐ mìng zhōng, gù lái zhì shì zūn suǒ ěr. ruò dāng wǒ chí xiàng shú mìng kě dé zhě, yì dāng yòng xiàng shú zhī； ruò dāng mǎ shú mìng kě dé zhě, dāng yòng mǎ shú zhī； ruò dāng chē chéng shú mìng kě dé zhě, biàn dāng yòng chē chéng shú zhī； ruò dāng jīn yín zhēn bǎo shú mìng kě dé zhě, dāng yòng jīn yín zhēn bǎo shú zhī； ruò dāng yǐ nú bì,, pú cóng,, chéng kuò,, guó jiè, shú mìng kě dé zhě, dāng yǐ chéng kuò,, guó jiè shú mìng； ruò yǐ jiā shī guó jiè rén mín shú mìng kě dé zhě, dāng yǐ jiā shī rén mín shú zhī, mò lìng wǒ tiān mǔ mìng zhōng.”

[0638b20] wang bai shi zun: "tian mu ming zhong, xiang song zhi cheng wai. jin lai yi shi zun suo, wen qi suo you. ran tian mu zai shi, chi jie jing jin, heng xiu shan fa, nian xiang bai sui, jin ri yi ming zhong, gu lai zhi shi zun suo er. ruo dang wo chi xiang shu ming ke de zhe, yi dang yong xiang shu zhi; ruo dang ma shu ming ke de zhe, dang yong ma shu zhi; ruo dang che cheng shu ming ke de zhe, bian dang yong che cheng shu zhi; ruo dang jin yin zhen bao shu ming ke de zhe, dang yong jin yin zhen bao shu zhi; ruo dang yi nu bi,, pu cong,, cheng kuo,, guo jie, shu ming ke de zhe, dang yi cheng kuo,, guo jie shu ming; ruo yi jia shi guo jie ren min shu ming ke de zhe, dang yi jia shi ren min shu zhi, mo ling wo tian mu ming zhong."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638c02] The World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) said: "Therefore, Great King, do not grieve too much. All sentient beings (一切眾生 [yi qie zhong sheng]) return to death. It is impossible for all things that change (變易之法 [bian yi zhi fa]) to remain unchanged. Great King, you should know that the human body (人身 [ren shen]) is like a snowball (雪揣 [xue chuai]); it must eventually perish. It is also like an earthen vessel (土坏 [tu huai]), which also perishes and cannot be preserved for long. It is also like the illusion of wild horses (野馬幻化 [ye ma huan hua]), empty and unreal. It is also like an empty fist (空拳 [kong quan]) used to deceive small children. Therefore, Great King, do not grieve or rely on this body. Great King, you should know that there are four great terrors (四大恐怖 [si da kong bu]) that come to this body, which cannot be prevented, and cannot be removed by words, incantations, medicines, or talismans. What are these four? The first is called old age (老 [lao]), which destroys youth and deprives one of color; the second is called the exhaustion of illness (病盡 [bing jin]), which destroys freedom from illness; the third is called the exhaustion of death (死盡 [si jin]), which destroys the root of life; the fourth is the impermanence of constant things (常之物歸於無常 [chang zhi wu gui yu wu chang]). These, Great King, are the four dharmas (四法 [si fa]) that cannot be prevented and cannot be overcome by force.

[0638c02] shì zūn gào yuē: “shì gù, dà wáng! shén mò chóu yōu, yī qiè zhòng shēng jiē guī yú sǐ. yī qiè biàn yì zhī fǎ, yù lìng bù biàn yì zhě, zhōng bù yǒu cǐ shì. dà wáng dāng zhī, rén shēn zhī fǎ yóu rú xuě chuāi, yào dāng guī huài； yì rú tǔ huài, tóng yì guī huài bù kě jiǔ bǎo； yì rú yě mǎ huàn huà, xū wěi bù zhēn； yì rú kōng quán, yǐ kuáng xiǎo ér. shì gù, dà wáng! mò huái chóu yōu, shì hù cǐ shēn. dà wáng dāng zhī, yǒu cǐ sì dà kǒng bù, lái zhì cǐ shēn, bù kě zhàng hù, yì bù kě yǐ yán yǔ,, zhòu shù,, yào cǎo,, fú shū, suǒ kě chú qù. yún hé wèi sì? yī zhě míng wèi lǎo, huài bài shǎo zhuàng, shǐ wú yán sè； èr zhě míng bìng jǐn, huài bài wú bìng； sān zhě míng wèi sǐ jǐn, huài bài mìng gēn； sì zhě yǒu cháng zhī wù guī yú wú cháng. shì wèi, dà wáng! yǒu cǐ sì fǎ bù kě zhàng hù, fēi lì suǒ néng fú yě.

[0638c02] shi zun gao yue: "shi gu, da wang! shen mo chou you, yi qie zhong sheng jie gui yu si. yi qie bian yi zhi fa, yu ling bu bian yi zhe, zhong bu you ci shi. da wang dang zhi, ren shen zhi fa you ru xue chuai, yao dang gui huai; yi ru tu huai, tong yi gui huai bu ke jiu bao; yi ru ye ma huan hua, xu wei bu zhen; yi ru kong quan, yi kuang xiao er. shi gu, da wang! mo huai chou you, shi hu ci shen. da wang dang zhi, you ci si da kong bu, lai zhi ci shen, bu ke zhang hu, yi bu ke yi yan yu,, zhou shu,, yao cao,, fu shu, suo ke chu qu. yun he wei si? yi zhe ming wei lao, huai bai shao zhuang, shi wu yan se; er zhe ming bing jin, huai bai wu bing; san zhe ming wei si jin, huai bai ming gen; si zhe you chang zhi wu gui yu wu chang. shi wei, da wang! you ci si fa bu ke zhang hu, fei li suo neng fu ye.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638c14] "Great King, you should know that just as there are four great mountains from the four directions that come and crush sentient beings (眾生 [zhong sheng]), and cannot be pushed back by force. Therefore, Great King, things that are not solid (非牢固物 [fei lao gu wu]) cannot be relied upon. Therefore, Great King, you should govern by dharma (法治化 [fa zhi hua]), not by non-dharma (非法 [fei fa]). The King will also not be long until he reaches the ocean of birth and death (生死之海 [sheng si zhi hai]). The King should also know that those who govern by dharma (法治化 [fa zhi hua]), when their body breaks up and their life ends, are reborn in a good realm in heaven (善處天上 [shan chu tian shang]); if they govern by non-dharma (非法治化者 [fei fa zhi hua zhe]), when their body breaks up and their life ends, they are reborn in hell (地獄中 [de yu zhong]). Therefore, Great King, you should govern by dharma (法治化 [fa zhi hua]), not by non-dharma (非法 [fei fa]). Thus, Great King, you should train yourselves in this way."

[0638c14] “dà wáng dāng zhī, yóu rú sì fāng yǒu sì dà shān, cóng sì fāng lái, shǐ yā zhòng shēng, fēi lì suǒ què. shì gù, dà wáng! fēi láo gù wù, bù kě shì hù. shì gù, dà wáng! dāng yǐ fǎ zhì huà, mò yǐ fēi fǎ. wáng yì bù jiǔ, dāng zhì shēng sǐ zhī hǎi. wáng yì dāng zhī, zhū yǐ fǎ zhì huà zhě, shēn huài mìng zhōng, shēng shàn chù tiān shàng； ruò fù yǐ fēi fǎ zhì huà zhě, shēn huài mìng zhōng, shēng de yù zhōng. shì gù, dà wáng! dāng yǐ fǎ zhì huà, mò yǐ fēi fǎ. rú shì, dà wáng! dāng zuò shì xué.”

[0638c14] "da wang dang zhi, you ru si fang you si da shan, cong si fang lai, shi ya zhong sheng, fei li suo que. shi gu, da wang! fei lao gu wu, bu ke shi hu. shi gu, da wang! dang yi fa zhi hua, mo yi fei fa. wang yi bu jiu, dang zhi sheng si zhi hai. wang yi dang zhi, zhu yi fa zhi hua zhe, shen huai ming zhong, sheng shan chu tian shang; ruo fu yi fei fa zhi hua zhe, shen huai ming zhong, sheng de yu zhong. shi gu, da wang! dang yi fa zhi hua, mo yi fei fa. ru shi, da wang! dang zuo shi xue."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638c22] At that time, King Prasenajit (波斯匿王 [bo si ni wang]) said to the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]): "What is the name of this dharma (法 [fa])? How should one practice it?"

[0638c22] ěr shí, bō sī nì wáng bái shì zūn yuē: “cǐ fǎ míng hé děng? dāng yún hé fèng xíng?”

[0638c22] er shi, bo si ni wang bai shi zun yue: "ci fa ming he deng? dang yun he feng xing?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638c23] The World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) said: "This dharma (法 [fa]) is called 'Removing the Thorn of Sorrow' (除愁憂之刺 [chu chou you zhi ci])."

[0638c23] shì zūn gào yuē: “cǐ fǎ míng chú chóu yōu zhī cì.”

[0638c23] shi zun gao yue: "ci fa ming chu chou you zhi ci."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638c24] The King said to the Buddha (佛 [fu]): "Indeed, World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun])! The reason is that, having heard this dharma (法 [fa]), all the thorns of sorrow (愁憂之刺 [chou you zhi ci]) that I had have now been removed. However, World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]), the affairs of the kingdom are pressing, and I wish to return to my place."

[0638c24] wáng bái fú yán: “shí ěr, shì zūn! suǒ yǐ rán zhě, wǒ wén cǐ fǎ yǐ, suǒ yǒu chóu yōu zhī cì, jīn rì yǐ chú. rán, shì zūn! guó jiè shì wěi, yù hái suǒ zài.”

[0638c24] wang bai fu yan: "shi er, shi zun! suo yi ran zhe, wo wen ci fa yi, suo you chou you zhi ci, jin ri yi chu. ran, shi zun! guo jie shi wei, yu hai suo zai."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638c26] The World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) said: "It is indeed the right time to do so." King Prasenajit (波斯匿王 [bo si ni wang]) then rose from his seat, prostrated himself at his feet, and then departed.

[0638c26] shì zūn gào yuē: “yí zhī shì shí.” bō sī nì wáng jí cóng zuò qǐ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, biàn tuì ér qù.

[0638c26] shi zun gao yue: "yi zhi shi shi." bo si ni wang ji cong zuo qi, tou mian li zu, bian tui er qu.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0638c28] At that time, King Prasenajit (波斯匿王 [bo si ni wang]), having heard what the Buddha (佛 [fu]) had said, rejoiced and respectfully put it into practice.

[0638c28] ěr shí, bō sī nì wáng wén fú suǒ shuō, huān xǐ fèng xíng.

[0638c28] er shi, bo si ni wang wen fu suo shuo, huan xi feng xing.