Sutta 11: On Disputes and the Essence of the Dharma

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

[0673b01] Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was staying in [Sravasti] 舍衛國 [she wei guo], at [Jetavana-Anathapindada-aram] 祇樹給孤獨園 [qi shu gei gu du yuan].

[0673b01] wén rú shì:

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

[0673b01] 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.]

[0673b02] At that time, two disciples, [Maudgalyayana's] 目連弟子 [mu lian di zi] and [Ananda's] 阿難弟子 [a nan di zi], were discussing with each other: "We two recite the [Sutras] 經 [jing] and chant, who is better?"

[0673b02] ěr shí, mù lián dì zi,, ā nán dì zi èr rén gòng tán: “wǒ děng èr rén tóng shēng jīng bei, shuí zhě wèi shèng?”

[0673b02] er shi, mu lian di zi,, a nan di zi er ren gong tan: "wo deng er ren tong sheng jing bei, shui zhe wei sheng?"

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

[0673b03] At that time, many [Bhikshus] 比丘 [bi qiu] heard these two discussing with each other. Having heard, they went to the [World Honored One's] 世尊 [shi zun] place, prostrated at his feet, and sat to one side. At that time, many [Bhikshus] 比丘 [bi qiu] said to the [World Honored One] 世尊 [shi zun], "Today, there are two people discussing: 'We two recite the [Sutras] 經 [jing] and chant, who is better?'"

[0673b03] shì shí, zhòng duō bǐ qiū wén cǐ èr rén gè gè gòng lùn, wén yǐ, biàn wǎng zhì shì zūn suǒ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn zuò. ěr shí, zhòng duō bǐ qiū bái shì zūn yán: “jīn yǒu èr rén gòng lùn: ‘wǒ děng èr rén gòng sòng jīng bei, hé zhě wèi miào?’ ”

[0673b03] shi shi, zhong duo bi qiu wen ci er ren ge ge gong lun, wen yi, bian wang zhi shi zun suo, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian zuo. er shi, zhong duo bi qiu bai shi zun yan: "jin you er ren gong lun: 'wo deng er ren gong song jing bei, he zhe wei miao?' "

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

[0673b07] At that time, the [World Honored One] 世尊 [shi zun] said to a [Bhikshu] 比丘 [bi qiu], "You go and call these two [Bhikshus] 比丘 [bi qiu] to come here."

[0673b07] ěr shí, shì zūn gào yī bǐ qiū: “rǔ wǎng hū cǐ èr bǐ qiū shǐ lái.”

[0673b07] er shi, shi zun gao yi bi qiu: "ru wang hu ci er bi qiu shi lai."

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

[0673b08] The [Bhikshu] 比丘 [bi qiu] replied, "Yes, [World Honored One] 世尊 [shi zun]!" The [Bhikshu] 比丘 [bi qiu] received the Buddha's instruction. He immediately went to the two people and said to them, "The [World Honored One] 世尊 [shi zun] has called you."

[0673b08] bǐ qiū duì yuē: “rú shì. shì zūn! ” bǐ qiū cóng fú shòu jiào. jí wǎng zhì bǐ èr rén suǒ, yǔ bǐ èr rén yuē: “shì zūn huàn qīng.”

[0673b08] bi qiu dui yue: "ru shi. shi zun! " bi qiu cong fu shou jiao. ji wang zhi bi er ren suo, yu bi er ren yue: "shi zun huan qing."

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

[0673b10] At that time, the two, having heard the [Bhikshu's] 比丘 [bi qiu] words, immediately went to the [World Honored One's] 世尊 [shi zun] place, prostrated at his feet, and stood to one side.

[0673b10] shì shí, èr rén wén bǐ qiū yǔ yǐ, jí zhì shì zūn suǒ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn zhù.

[0673b10] shi shi, er ren wen bi qiu yu yi, ji zhi shi zun suo, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian zhu.

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

[0673b11] At that time, the [World Honored One] 世尊 [shi zun] said to the two, "You foolish people truly said this: 'We two recite the [Sutras] 經 [jing] and chant, who is better?'"

[0673b11] ěr shí, shì zūn gào èr rén yuē: “rǔ děng yú rén shí yǒu cǐ yǔ: ‘wǒ děng gòng sòng jīng bei, hé zhě wèi miào?’ ”

[0673b11] er shi, shi zun gao er ren yue: "ru deng yu ren shi you ci yu: 'wo deng gong song jing bei, he zhe wei miao?' "

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

[0673b13] The two replied, "Yes, [World Honored One] 世尊 [shi zun]!"

The [World Honored One] 世尊 [shi zun] said, "Have you ever heard me say that this [Dharma] 法 [fa] should be contended over? How is this [Dharma] 法 [fa] different from the [Brahmin's] 梵志 [fan zhi]?"

[0673b13] èr rén duì yuē: “rú shì. shì zūn! ”

shì zūn gào yuē: “rǔ děng pō wén wǒ shuō cǐ fǎ gòng jìng zhèng hū? rú cǐ zhī fǎ, hé yì fàn zhì?”

[0673b13] er ren dui yue: "ru shi. shi zun! "

shi zun gao yue: "ru deng po wen wo shuo ci fa gong jing zheng hu? ru ci zhi fa, he yi fan zhi?"

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

[0673b15] The [Bhikshus] 諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu] replied, "We have never heard the [Tathagata] 如來 [ru lai] say this [Dharma] 法 [fa]."

The [World Honored One] 世尊 [shi zun] said, "I have never said this [Dharma] 法 [fa] to the [Bhikshus] 諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu] for the purpose of contention or winning. However, the [Dharma] 法 [fa] I speak today is for the purpose of subjugation and instruction. If a [Bhikshu] 比丘 [bi qiu] receives the [Dharma] 法 [fa], they should contemplate the [Dharma] 法 [fa] of the four conditions, and whether their intention is in accord with the [Sutras] 契經 [qi jing], the [Abhidharma] 阿毘曇 [a pi tan], and the Vinaya [Lu] 律 [lu]. If they are in accord, they should practice it."

[0673b15] zhū bǐ qiū duì yuē: “bù wén rú lái ér shuō cǐ fǎ.”

shì zūn gào yuē: “wǒ yóu lái bù yǔ zhū bǐ qiū ér shuō cǐ fǎ, dāng zhèng shèng fù yé? rán wǒ jīn rì suǒ shuō fǎ, yù yǒu jiàng fú, yǒu suǒ jiào huà. ruò yǒu bǐ qiū shòu fǎ zhī shí, dāng niàn sī wéi sì yuán zhī fǎ, yì yǔ qì jīng,, ā pí tán,, lǜ gòng xiāng yīng bù? shè gòng xiāng yīng zhě, dāng niàn fèng xíng.”

[0673b15] zhu bi qiu dui yue: "bu wen ru lai er shuo ci fa."

shi zun gao yue: "wo you lai bu yu zhu bi qiu er shuo ci fa, dang zheng sheng fu ye? ran wo jin ri suo shuo fa, yu you jiang fu, you suo jiao hua. ruo you bi qiu shou fa zhi shi, dang nian si wei si yuan zhi fa, yi yu qi jing,, a pi tan,, lu gong xiang ying bu? she gong xiang ying zhe, dang nian feng xing."

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

[0673b20] At that time, the [World Honored One] 世尊 [shi zun] spoke this verse:

"Reciting many useless things,
This [Dharma] 法 [fa] is not subtle.
It is like counting oxen's heads,
Not the essence of a [Shramana] 沙門 [sha men].
If one recites and practices a little,
And practices the [Dharma] 法 [fa] within the [Dharma] 法 [fa],
This [Dharma] 法 [fa] is extremely supreme,
It can be called the [Dharma] 法 [fa] of a [Shramana] 沙門 [sha men].
Though one recites a thousand chapters,
What benefit is there if it has no meaning?
Better than a single verse,
Hearing which one can attain the path.
Though one recites a thousand words,
What benefit is there if it has no meaning?
Better than a single meaning,
Hearing which one can attain the path.
Thousands against one enemy,
One hero defeats them,
But not as good as defeating oneself,
One who has endured is supreme."

[0673b20] ěr shí, shì zūn biàn shuō cǐ jì:

“duō sòng wú yì shì,　　cǐ fǎ fēi wèi miào,
　yóu suàn niú tóu shù,　　fēi cǐ shā mén yào.
　ruò shǎo duō sòng xí,　　yú fǎ ér xíng fǎ,
　cǐ fǎ jí wèi shàng,　　kě wèi shā mén fǎ.
　suī sòng qiān zhāng,　　bù yì hé yì?　　bù rú yī jù,
　wén kě dé dào.　　suī sòng qiān yán,　　bù yì hé yì?
　bù rú yī yì,　　wén kě dé dào.　　qiān qiān wèi dí,
　yī fū shèng zhī,　　wèi ruò zì shèng,　　yǐ rěn zhě shàng.

[0673b20] er shi, shi zun bian shuo ci ji:

"duo song wu yi shi, ci fa fei wei miao,
you suan niu tou shu, fei ci sha men yao.
ruo shao duo song xi, yu fa er xing fa,
ci fa ji wei shang, ke wei sha men fa.
sui song qian zhang, bu yi he yi? bu ru yi ju,
wen ke de dao. sui song qian yan, bu yi he yi?
bu ru yi yi, wen ke de dao. qian qian wei di,
yi fu sheng zhi, wei ruo zi sheng, yi ren zhe shang.

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

[0673c01] "Therefore, [Bhikshus] 諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu]! From now on, do not dispute with a mind of victory or defeat. The reason is that you should intend to subdue all people. If a [Bhikshu] 比丘 [bi qiu] has a mind of victory or defeat and disputes with contention, they should be disciplined according to the [Dharma] 法 [fa] and Vinaya [Lu] 律 [lu]. [Bhikshus] 比丘 [bi qiu]! For this reason, you should practice yourselves."

[0673c01] “shì gù, zhū bǐ qiū! zì jīn yǐ hòu, wèi fù zhèng sòng yǒu shèng fù xīn. suǒ yǐ rán zhě, niàn dāng jiàng fú yī qiè rén mín. ruò fù bǐ qiū yǒu shèng fù xīn, gòng zhèng sòng xīn ér gòng jìng zhě, jí yǐ fǎ,, lǜ zhì bǐ. bǐ qiū! yǐ shì zhī gù, dāng zì xiū xíng.”

[0673c01] "shi gu, zhu bi qiu! zi jin yi hou, wei fu zheng song you sheng fu xin. suo yi ran zhe, nian dang jiang fu yi qie ren min. ruo fu bi qiu you sheng fu xin, gong zheng song xin er gong jing zhe, ji yi fa,, lu zhi bi. bi qiu! yi shi zhi gu, dang zi xiu xing."

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

[0673c04] Therefore, the two [Bhikshus] 比丘 [bi qiu], having heard the Buddha's words, immediately rose from their seats, prostrated at the [World Honored One's] 世尊 [shi zun] feet, and sought repentance: "From now on, we will not do this again. We only wish the [World Honored One] 世尊 [shi zun] to accept our repentance."

[0673c04] shì gù, èr bǐ qiū wén fú cǐ yǔ yǐ, jí cóng zuò qǐ, lǐ shì zūn zú, ér qiú huǐ guò: “zì jīn yǐ hòu, gèng bù fù wèi, wéi yuàn shì zūn shòu qí huǐ guò.”

[0673c04] shi gu, er bi qiu wen fu ci yu yi, ji cong zuo qi, li shi zun zu, er qiu hui guo: "zi jin yi hou, geng bu fu wei, wei yuan shi zun shou qi hui guo."

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

[0673c07] The [World Honored One] 世尊 [shi zun] said, "It is good to rectify mistakes in the great [Dharma] 法 [fa]. I grant your repentance, knowing that you had a contentious mind. [Bhikshus] 諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu]! Do not do it again. Thus, [Bhikshus] 諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu]! You should train yourselves in this way."

[0673c07] shì zūn gào yuē: “dà fǎ zhī zhōng kuài dé gǎi guò, zì zhī yǒu zhèng jìng zhī xīn, tīng rǔ huǐ guò. zhū bǐ qiū! gèng mò fù ěr. rú shì, zhū bǐ qiū! dāng zuò shì xué.”

[0673c07] shi zun gao yue: "da fa zhi zhong kuai de gai guo, zi zhi you zheng jing zhi xin, ting ru hui guo. zhu bi qiu! geng mo fu er. ru shi, zhu bi qiu! dang zuo shi xue."

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

[0673c09] At that time, the [Bhikshus] 諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu], having heard what the Buddha said, rejoiced and practiced it.

On Excellence, Sitting, Practice Paths, Impermanence, Pleasure Gardens and Ponds, Defilement-free, Breathless, [Dhyana] 禪 [chan], Four Joys, Without Disputes.

Ekottara Agama, Volume 23

[0673c09] ěr shí, zhū bǐ qiū wén fú suǒ shuō, huān xǐ fèng xíng.

zēng shàng,, zuò,, xíng jī　　wú cháng,, yuán guān chí
　wú lòu,, wú xī,, chán　　sì lè,, wú zhèng sòng

zēng yī ā hán jīng juǎn dì èr shí sān

[0673c09] er shi, zhu bi qiu wen fu suo shuo, huan xi feng xing.

zeng shang,, zuo,, xing ji wu chang,, yuan guan chi
wu lou,, wu xi,, chan si le,, wu zheng song

zeng yi a han jing juan di er shi san