Sutta 6: Eight Thoughts of a Great Person

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

[0754a12] Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Venerable Aniruddha (尊者阿那律 [zun zhe a na lu]) was dwelling in the abode of the four Buddhas (四佛 [si fu]).

[0754a12] wén rú shì:

yī shí, zūn zhě ā nà lǜ yóu zài sì fú suǒ jū zhī chù.

[0754a12] wen ru shi:

yi shi, zun zhe a na lu you zai si fu suo ju zhi chu.

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

[0754a13] At that time, Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) was in a quiet place and thought: "Among the disciples of Śākyamuni Buddha (釋迦文佛 [shi jia wen fu]), those who have achieved precepts (戒德 [jie de]) and wisdom (智慧 [zhi hui]) are all nourished by the precepts (戒律 [jie lu]) in this Dharma (正法 [zheng fa]); those among the śrāvakas (聲聞 [sheng wen]) who do not have complete precepts (戒律 [jie lu]) are all far from the Dharma (正法 [zheng fa]) and are not in accordance with the precepts (戒律 [jie lu]). Now, of these two Dharmas (法 [fa]), precepts (戒 [jie]) and learning (聞 [wen]), which is superior? I can now use this fundamental cause to go and ask the Tathāgata (如來 [ru lai]) about this matter." Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) further thought: "This Dharma (法 [fa]) is practiced by those who are contented, not by those who are insatiable; it is practiced by those with few desires, not by those with many desires; this Dharma (法 [fa]) should be practiced by those who dwell in quietude, not by those in noisy places; this Dharma (法 [fa]) is practiced by those who uphold the precepts (持戒人 [chi jie ren]), not by those who transgress them; it is practiced by those who have samādhi (三昧 [san mei]), not by those who are disturbed; it is practiced by the wise, not by the foolish; it is practiced by the learned, not by the unlearned." At that time, Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) contemplated these Eight Thoughts of a Great Person (八大人念 [ba da ren nian]): "Now I can go to the World Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) and ask about this meaning."

[0754a13] shì shí, ā nà lǜ zài xián jìng zhī chù, biàn zuò shì niàn: “zhū shì jiā wén fú dì zi zhī zhōng, jiè dé,, zhì huì chéng jiù zhě jiē yī jiè lǜ, yú cǐ zhèng fǎ zhōng ér dé zhǎng yǎng； zhū shēng wén zhī zhōng bù jù zú jiè lǜ zhě, sī děng zhī lèi jiē lí zhèng fǎ, bù yǔ jiè lǜ xiāng yīng. rú jīn cǐ èr fǎ, jiè yǔ wén hé zhě wèi shèng? wǒ jīn kě yǐ cǐ yīn yuán zhī běn, wǎng wèn rú lái shì shì rú hé?” ā nà lǜ fù zuò shì niàn: “cǐ fǎ, zhī zú zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi wú yàn zhě zhī suǒ xíng； shǎo yù zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi wèi duō yù zhě zhī suǒ xíng； cǐ fǎ, yīng xián jū zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi zài kuì nào zhī suǒ xíng； cǐ fǎ, chí jiè rén zhī suǒ xíng, fēi fàn jiè zhě zhī suǒ xíng； sān mèi zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi luàn zhě zhī suǒ xíng； zhì huì zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi yú zhě zhī suǒ xíng； duō wén zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi shǎo wén zhě zhī suǒ xíng.” shì shí, ā nà lǜ sī wéi cǐ bā dà rén niàn: “jīn wǒ kě wǎng zhì shì zūn suǒ, ér wèn cǐ yì.”

[0754a13] shi shi, a na lu zai xian jing zhi chu, bian zuo shi nian: "zhu shi jia wen fu di zi zhi zhong, jie de,, zhi hui cheng jiu zhe jie yi jie lu, yu ci zheng fa zhong er de zhang yang; zhu sheng wen zhi zhong bu ju zu jie lu zhe, si deng zhi lei jie li zheng fa, bu yu jie lu xiang ying. ru jin ci er fa, jie yu wen he zhe wei sheng? wo jin ke yi ci yin yuan zhi ben, wang wen ru lai shi shi ru he?" a na lu fu zuo shi nian: "ci fa, zhi zu zhe zhi suo xing, fei wu yan zhe zhi suo xing; shao yu zhe zhi suo xing, fei wei duo yu zhe zhi suo xing; ci fa, ying xian ju zhe zhi suo xing, fei zai kui nao zhi suo xing; ci fa, chi jie ren zhi suo xing, fei fan jie zhe zhi suo xing; san mei zhe zhi suo xing, fei luan zhe zhi suo xing; zhi hui zhe zhi suo xing, fei yu zhe zhi suo xing; duo wen zhe zhi suo xing, fei shao wen zhe zhi suo xing." shi shi, a na lu si wei ci ba da ren nian: "jin wo ke wang zhi shi zun suo, er wen ci yi."

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

[0754a26] At that time, the World Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) was in Jetavana-Anāthapiṇḍada-ārāma (祇樹給孤獨園 [qi shu gei gu du yuan]) in Śrāvastī (舍衛城 [she wei cheng]). At that time, King Prasenajit (王波斯匿 [wang bo si ni]) invited the Tathāgata (如來 [ru lai]) and the bhikkhu saṅgha (比丘僧 [bi qiu seng]) for the rainy season retreat (夏坐 [xia zuo]) of ninety days. At that time, Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]), gradually traveling among humans, led five hundred bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) on a tour, arriving in Śrāvastī (舍衛國 [she wei guo]) and reaching the Tathāgata (如來 [ru lai]). He prostrated at his feet and sat to one side. Then Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) said to the World Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]): "While I was in a quiet place, I contemplated this meaning: 'Between precepts (戒 [jie]) and learning (聞 [wen]), which of these two Dharmas (法 [fa]) is superior?'"

[0754a26] ěr shí, shì zūn zài shě wèi chéng qí shù gěi gū dú yuán. shì shí, wáng bō sī nì qǐng rú lái jí bǐ qiū sēng, xià zuò jiǔ shí rì. shì shí, ā nà lǜ jiàn jiàn rén jiān, jiāng wǔ bǎi bǐ qiū yóu huà, zhuǎn zhì shě wèi guó, dào rú lái suǒ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn zuò. shí, ā nà lǜ bái shì zūn yán: “wǒ zài xián jìng zhī chù, sī wéi cǐ yì: ‘jiè yǔ wén, cǐ èr fǎ hé zhě zuì shèng hū?’ ”

[0754a26] er shi, shi zun zai she wei cheng qi shu gei gu du yuan. shi shi, wang bo si ni qing ru lai ji bi qiu seng, xia zuo jiu shi ri. shi shi, a na lu jian jian ren jian, jiang wu bai bi qiu you hua, zhuan zhi she wei guo, dao ru lai suo, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian zuo. shi, a na lu bai shi zun yan: "wo zai xian jing zhi chu, si wei ci yi: 'jie yu wen, ci er fa he zhe zui sheng hu?' "

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

[0754b03] At that time, the World Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) then spoke this verse to Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]):

"Are precepts (戒 [jie]) superior, or learning (聞 [wen])? You now have doubts.
How can there be doubt that precepts (戒 [jie]) are superior to learning (聞 [wen])?

[0754b03] shì shí, shì zūn yǔ ā nà lǜ biàn shuō cǐ jì:

“jiè shèng wén shèng yé?　　rǔ jīn qǐ hú yí.
　jiè shèng yú wén zhě,　　yú zhōng hé hú yí?

[0754b03] shi shi, shi zun yu a na lu bian shuo ci ji:

"jie sheng wen sheng ye? ru jin qi hu yi.
jie sheng yu wen zhe, yu zhong he hu yi?

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

[0754b07] "Why is that? Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]), you should know that if a bhikkhu's (比丘 [bi qiu]) precepts (戒 [jie]) are perfected, he attains samādhi (定意 [ding yi]); having attained samādhi (定意 [ding yi]), he gains wisdom (智慧 [zhi hui]); having gained wisdom (智慧 [zhi hui]), he gains much learning (多聞 [duo wen]); having gained much learning (多聞 [duo wen]), he gains liberation (解脫 [jie tuo]); having gained liberation (解脫 [jie tuo]), he attains parinirvāṇa (滅度 [mie du]) in the nirvāṇa-without-remainder (無餘涅槃 [wu yu nie pan]). Based on this, precepts (戒 [jie]) are the most superior."

[0754b07] “suǒ yǐ rán zhě, ā nà lǜ dāng zhī, ruò bǐ qiū jiè chéng jiù zhě, biàn dé dìng yì； yǐ dé dìng yì, biàn huò zhì huì； yǐ dé zhì huì, biàn dé duō wén； yǐ dé duō wén, biàn dé jiě tuō； yǐ dé jiě tuō, yú wú yú niè pán ér qǔ miè dù. yǐ cǐ míng zhī, jiè wèi zuì shèng.”

[0754b07] "suo yi ran zhe, a na lu dang zhi, ruo bi qiu jie cheng jiu zhe, bian de ding yi; yi de ding yi, bian huo zhi hui; yi de zhi hui, bian de duo wen; yi de duo wen, bian de jie tuo; yi de jie tuo, yu wu yu nie pan er qu mie du. yi ci ming zhi, jie wei zui sheng."

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

[0754b11] At that time, Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) spoke to the World Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) about these Eight Thoughts of a Great Person (八大人念 [ba da ren nian]). The Buddha (佛 [fu]) said to Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]): "Excellent! Excellent! Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu])! What you are contemplating now is precisely what a great person (大人 [da ren]) contemplates: having few desires and being contented, dwelling in quiet places, having perfected precepts (戒成就 [jie cheng jiu]), perfected samādhi (三昧成就 [san mei cheng jiu]), perfected wisdom (智慧成就 [zhi hui cheng jiu]), perfected liberation (解脫成就 [jie tuo cheng jiu]), and much learning (多聞成就 [duo wen cheng jiu]). Now, Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]), you should establish this intention and contemplate the Eight Thoughts of a Great Person (八大人念 [ba da ren nian]). What are these eight? This Dharma (法 [fa]) is practiced by the diligent, not by the lazy. Why is that? Bodhisattva Maitreya (彌勒菩薩 [mi lei pu sa]) should attain unsurpassed perfectly complete enlightenment (無上正真等正覺 [wu shang zheng zhen deng zheng jue]) in thirty kalpas, but I, by the power of diligence, surpassed him and attained Buddhahood.

[0754b11] shì shí, ā nà lǜ xiàng shì zūn shuō cǐ bā dà rén niàn. fú gào ā nà lǜ yuē: “shàn zāi! shàn zāi! ā nà lǜ! rǔ jīn suǒ niàn zhě, zhèng shì dà rén zhī suǒ sī wéi yě. shǎo yù zhī zú,, zài xián jū zhī chù,, jiè chéng jiù,, sān mèi chéng jiù,, zhì huì chéng jiù,, jiě tuō chéng jiù,, duō wén chéng jiù. rǔ jīn, ā nà lǜ! dāng jiàn shì yì, sī wéi bā dà rén niàn. yún hé wèi bā? cǐ fǎ jīng jìn zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi xiè dài zhě zhī suǒ xíng. suǒ yǐ rán zhě, mí lēi pú sà yīng sān shí jié dāng chéng wú shàng zhèng zhēn děng zhèng jué, wǒ yǐ jīng jìn zhī lì chāo yuè chéng fú.

[0754b11] shi shi, a na lu xiang shi zun shuo ci ba da ren nian. fu gao a na lu yue: "shan zai! shan zai! a na lu! ru jin suo nian zhe, zheng shi da ren zhi suo si wei ye. shao yu zhi zu,, zai xian ju zhi chu,, jie cheng jiu,, san mei cheng jiu,, zhi hui cheng jiu,, jie tuo cheng jiu,, duo wen cheng jiu. ru jin, a na lu! dang jian shi yi, si wei ba da ren nian. yun he wei ba? ci fa jing jin zhe zhi suo xing, fei xie dai zhe zhi suo xing. suo yi ran zhe, mi lei pu sa ying san shi jie dang cheng wu shang zheng zhen deng zheng jue, wo yi jing jin zhi li chao yue cheng fu.

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

[0754b19] "Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]), know this: the Buddhas, World Honored Ones (諸佛世尊 [zhu fu shi zun]) are all of the same kind, identical in their precepts (戒律 [jie lu]), liberation (解脫 [jie tuo]), and wisdom (智慧 [zhi hui]), without difference. They are also identical in emptiness (空 [kong]), signlessness (無相 [wu xiang]), and wishlessness (願 [yuan]), possessing the thirty-two marks (三十二相 [san shi er xiang]) and eighty minor characteristics (八十種好 [ba shi zhong hao]), adorning their bodies, providing endless vision, and no one can see their crown; all are identical. The only difference is in diligence. Among the Buddhas, World Honored Ones (諸佛世尊 [zhu fu shi zun]) of the past and future, in terms of diligence, I am the most superior. Therefore, Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu])! This eighth thought of a great person (大人之念 [da ren zhi nian]) is the most supreme, most venerable, most noble, and incomparable. It is like how from milk comes curds, from curds comes butter, from butter comes ghee, and yet ghee is the most supreme and incomparable. It is likewise that the thought of diligence (精進之念 [jing jin zhi nian]) is the most supreme among the Eight Thoughts of a Great Person (八大人念 [ba da ren nian]), truly incomparable!

[0754b19] “ā nà lǜ zhī zhī, zhū fú shì zūn jiē tóng yī lèi, tóng qí jiè lǜ,, jiě tuō,, zhì huì ér wú yǒu yì, yì fù tóng kōng, wú xiāng,, yuàn, yǒu sān shí èr xiāng,, bā shí zhǒng hǎo, ér zhuāng yán qí shēn, shì wú yàn zú, wú néng jiàn dǐng zhě, jiē xī bù yì. wéi yǒu jīng jìn bù tóng, yú guò qù dāng lái zhū fú shì zūn, jīng jìn zhě, wú zuì wèi shèng. shì gù, ā nà lǜ! cǐ dì bā dà rén zhī niàn, cǐ wèi zuì wèi shàng, wèi zūn wèi guì, wèi wú yǒu yù. yóu rú yóu rǔ yǒu lào, yóu lào yǒu sū, yóu sū yǒu tí hú, rán fù tí hú yú zhōng zuì shàng, wèi wú yǒu bǐ. cǐ yì rú shì, jīng jìn zhī niàn, yú bā dà rén niàn zhōng zuì shàng, shí wú yǒu bǐ!

[0754b19] "a na lu zhi zhi, zhu fu shi zun jie tong yi lei, tong qi jie lu,, jie tuo,, zhi hui er wu you yi, yi fu tong kong, wu xiang,, yuan, you san shi er xiang,, ba shi zhong hao, er zhuang yan qi shen, shi wu yan zu, wu neng jian ding zhe, jie xi bu yi. wei you jing jin bu tong, yu guo qu dang lai zhu fu shi zun, jing jin zhe, wu zui wei sheng. shi gu, a na lu! ci di ba da ren zhi nian, ci wei zui wei shang, wei zun wei gui, wei wu you yu. you ru you ru you lao, you lao you su, you su you ti hu, ran fu ti hu yu zhong zui shang, wei wu you bi. ci yi ru shi, jing jin zhi nian, yu ba da ren nian zhong zui shang, shi wu you bi!

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

[0754b28] "Therefore, Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu])! You should uphold the Eight Thoughts of a Great Person (八大人念 [ba da ren nian]) and also differentiate their meanings with the four assemblies (四部眾 [si bu zhong]). If the Eight Thoughts of a Great Person (八大人念 [ba da ren nian]) circulate in the world, my disciples will all attain the stream-enterer path (須陀洹道 [xu tuo huan dao]), the once-returner path (斯陀含道 [si tuo han dao]), the non-returner path (阿那含道 [a na han dao]), and the arahant path (阿羅漢道 [a luo han dao]). Why is that? My Dharma (法 [fa]) is practiced by those with few desires, not by those with many desires; my Dharma (法 [fa]) is practiced by the contented, not by the insatiable; my Dharma (法 [fa]) is practiced by those in quietude, not by those in crowds; my Dharma (法 [fa]) is practiced by those who uphold the precepts (持戒者 [chi jie zhe]), not by those who transgress them. My Dharma (法 [fa]) is practiced by the composed, not by the disturbed; my Dharma (法 [fa]) is practiced by the wise, not by the foolish; my Dharma (法 [fa]) is practiced by the learned, not by the unlearned; my Dharma (法 [fa]) is practiced by the diligent, not by the lazy. Therefore, Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu])! The four assemblies (四部之眾 [si bu zhi zhong]) should seek expedient means to practice these Eight Thoughts of a Great Person (八大人念 [ba da ren nian]). Thus, Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu])! You should learn this way."

[0754b28] “shì gù, ā nà lǜ! dāng fèng bā dà rén niàn, yì dāng yǔ sì bù zhòng fēn bié qí yì. shè dāng bā dà rén niàn liú bù zài shì zhě, lìng wǒ dì zi jiē dāng chéng xū tuó huán dào,, sī tuó hán dào,, ā nà hán dào,, ā luó hàn dào. suǒ yǐ rán zhě, wǒ fǎ, shǎo yù zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi duō yù zhě suǒ xíng yě； wǒ fǎ, zhī zú zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi wú yàn zhě zhī suǒ xíng yě； wǒ fǎ, xián jū zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi zhòng zhōng zhě zhī suǒ xíng yě； wǒ fǎ, chí jiè zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi fàn jiè zhě zhī suǒ xíng yě. wǒ fǎ, dìng zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi luàn zhě suǒ xíng yě； wǒ fǎ, zhì zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi yú zhě zhī suǒ xíng yě； wǒ fǎ, duō wén zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi shǎo wén zhě suǒ xíng yě； wǒ fǎ, jīng jìn zhě zhī suǒ xíng, fēi xiè dài zhě suǒ xíng yě. shì gù, ā nà lǜ! sì bù zhī zhòng dāng qiú fāng biàn, xíng cǐ bā dà rén niàn. rú shì, ā nà lǜ! dāng zuò shì xué.”

[0754b28] "shi gu, a na lu! dang feng ba da ren nian, yi dang yu si bu zhong fen bie qi yi. she dang ba da ren nian liu bu zai shi zhe, ling wo di zi jie dang cheng xu tuo huan dao,, si tuo han dao,, a na han dao,, a luo han dao. suo yi ran zhe, wo fa, shao yu zhe zhi suo xing, fei duo yu zhe suo xing ye; wo fa, zhi zu zhe zhi suo xing, fei wu yan zhe zhi suo xing ye; wo fa, xian ju zhe zhi suo xing, fei zhong zhong zhe zhi suo xing ye; wo fa, chi jie zhe zhi suo xing, fei fan jie zhe zhi suo xing ye. wo fa, ding zhe zhi suo xing, fei luan zhe suo xing ye; wo fa, zhi zhe zhi suo xing, fei yu zhe zhi suo xing ye; wo fa, duo wen zhe zhi suo xing, fei shao wen zhe suo xing ye; wo fa, jing jin zhe zhi suo xing, fei xie dai zhe suo xing ye. shi gu, a na lu! si bu zhi zhong dang qiu fang bian, xing ci ba da ren nian. ru shi, a na lu! dang zuo shi xue."

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

[0754c12] At that time, Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) heard what the Buddha (佛 [fu]) said, rejoiced, and practiced it.

[0754c12] ěr shí, ā nà lǜ wén fú suǒ shuō, huān xǐ fèng xíng.

[0754c12] er shi, a na lu wen fu suo shuo, huan xi feng xing.