Sutta 2: The Buddha's Admonition and the Virtues of Bhikkhus

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

[0770c13] Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha (佛 [fu]) was in the Amrapali Grove (闇婆梨果園 [an po li guo yuan]) of Sakya (釋翅 [shi chi]), together with a great assembly of five hundred bhikkhus (大比丘眾 [da bi qiu zhong]).

[0770c13] wén rú shì:

yī shí, fú zài shì chì àn pó lí guǒ yuán, yǔ dà bǐ qiū zhòng wǔ bǎi rén jù.

[0770c13] wen ru shi:

yi shi, fu zai shi chi an po li guo yuan, yu da bi qiu zhong wu bai ren ju.

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

[0770c14] At that time, Venerable Shariputra (尊者舍利弗 [zun zhe she li fu]) and Venerable Maudgalyayana (尊者目乾連 [zun zhe mu gan lian]), having completed their summer retreat there, led five hundred bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) on a wandering tour among people, gradually arriving at the Sakya Village (釋翅村中 [shi chi cun zhong]). At that time, the traveling bhikkhus (行來比丘 [xing lai bi qiu]) and the resident bhikkhus (住比丘 [zhu bi qiu]) greeted each other, and their voices were loud. At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) heard the loud voices of the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) and immediately told Ananda (阿難 [a nan]): "Whose loud voices are these in this grove, sounding like breaking wood and stone?"

[0770c14] shì shí, zūn zhě shě lì fú,, zūn zhě mù gān lián yú bǐ xià zuò yǐ, jiāng wǔ bǎi bǐ qiū zài rén jiān yóu huà, jiàn jiàn lái zhì shì chì cūn zhōng. ěr shí, xíng lái bǐ qiū jí zhù bǐ qiū gè gè zì xiāng wèi yán, gòng xiāng wèn xùn, yòu qiě shēng yīn gāo dà. ěr shí, shì zūn wén zhū bǐ qiū yīn xiǎng gāo dà, jí gào ā nán yuē: “jīn cǐ yuán zhōng shì shuí yīn xiǎng, shēng dà nǎi ěr, rú shì pò mù shí zhī shēng.”

[0770c14] shi shi, zun zhe she li fu,, zun zhe mu gan lian yu bi xia zuo yi, jiang wu bai bi qiu zai ren jian you hua, jian jian lai zhi shi chi cun zhong. er shi, xing lai bi qiu ji zhu bi qiu ge ge zi xiang wei yan, gong xiang wen xun, you qie sheng yin gao da. er shi, shi zun wen zhu bi qiu yin xiang gao da, ji gao a nan yue: "jin ci yuan zhong shi shui yin xiang, sheng da nai er, ru shi po mu shi zhi sheng."

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

[0770c20] Ananda (阿難 [a nan]) replied to the Buddha (佛 [fu]): "Now Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) and Maudgalyayana (目連 [mu lian]) have come here with five hundred bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]). The traveling bhikkhus (行來比丘 [xing lai bi qiu]) and the long-resident bhikkhus (久住比丘 [jiu zhu bi qiu]) are greeting each other, hence this sound."

[0770c20] ā nán bái fú yán: “jīn shě lì fú jí mù lián jiāng wǔ bǎi bǐ qiū lái zài cǐ, xíng lái bǐ qiū,, jiǔ zhù bǐ qiū gòng xiāng wèn xùn, gù yǒu cǐ shēng ěr.”

[0770c20] a nan bai fu yan: "jin she li fu ji mu lian jiang wu bai bi qiu lai zai ci, xing lai bi qiu,, jiu zhu bi qiu gong xiang wen xun, gu you ci sheng er."

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

[0770c22] The Buddha (佛 [fu]) told Ananda (阿難 [a nan]): "You should quickly send away Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) and Maudgalyayana Bhikkhus (目乾連比丘 [mu gan lian bi qiu]). They should not stay here."

[0770c22] fú gào ā nán yuē: “rǔ sù qiǎn shě lì fú,, mù gān lián bǐ qiū, bù xū zhù cǐ.”

[0770c22] fu gao a nan yue: "ru su qian she li fu,, mu gan lian bi qiu, bu xu zhu ci."

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

[0770c24] At that time, Ananda (阿難 [a nan]), having received the instruction, immediately went to Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) and Maudgalyayana Bhikkhus (目乾連比丘 [mu gan lian bi qiu]) and told them: "The World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) has instructed you to leave quickly and not stay here."

[0770c24] shì shí, ā nán shòu jiào yǐ, jí wǎng zhì shě lì fú,, mù gān lián bǐ qiū suǒ, jí yǔ zhī yuē: “shì zūn yǒu jiào, sù lí cǐ qù, bù xū zhù cǐ.”

[0770c24] shi shi, a nan shou jiao yi, ji wang zhi she li fu,, mu gan lian bi qiu suo, ji yu zhi yue: "shi zun you jiao, su li ci qu, bu xu zhu ci."

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

[0770c26] Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) replied: "Yes, we accept the instruction."

At that time, Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) and Maudgalyayana (目乾連 [mu gan lian]) immediately left that grove and, with five hundred bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]), departed along the road.

[0770c26] shě lì fú bào yuē: “wéi rán shòu jiào.”

ěr shí, shě lì fú,, mù gān lián jí chū bǐ yuán zhōng, jiāng wǔ bǎi bǐ qiū shè dào ér qù.

[0770c26] she li fu bao yue: "wei ran shou jiao."

er shi, she li fu,, mu gan lian ji chu bi yuan zhong, jiang wu bai bi qiu she dao er qu.

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

[0770c28] At that time, the Sakya (諸釋 [zhu shi]), hearing that Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) and Maudgalyayana Bhikkhus (目乾連比丘 [mu gan lian bi qiu]) had been sent away by the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]), immediately went to Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) and Maudgalyayana Bhikkhus (目乾連比丘 [mu gan lian bi qiu]), prostrated at their feet, and said to Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]): "Venerables! Where are you going?"

[0770c28] ěr shí, zhū shì wén shě lì fú,, mù gān lián bǐ qiū wèi shì zūn suǒ qiǎn, jí wǎng zhì shě lì fú,, mù gān lián bǐ qiū suǒ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, bái shě lì fú yuē: “zhū xián! yù hé suǒ qù xiàng?”

[0770c28] er shi, zhu shi wen she li fu,, mu gan lian bi qiu wei shi zun suo qian, ji wang zhi she li fu,, mu gan lian bi qiu suo, tou mian li zu, bai she li fu yue: "zhu xian! yu he suo qu xiang?"

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

[0771a02] Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) replied: "We have been sent away by the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) and are each seeking a quiet place."

[0771a02] shě lì fú bào yuē: “wǒ děng wèi rú lái suǒ qiǎn, gè qiú ān chù.”

[0771a02] she li fu bao yue: "wo deng wei ru lai suo qian, ge qiu an chu."

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

[0771a03] At that time, the Sakya (諸釋 [zhu shi]) said to Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]): "Venerables! Please wait a moment. We will go and repent to the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai])."

[0771a03] shì shí, zhū shì bái shě lì fú yán: “zhū xián! xiǎo liú yì, wǒ děng dāng xiàng rú lái chàn huǐ.”

[0771a03] shi shi, zhu shi bai she li fu yan: "zhu xian! xiao liu yi, wo deng dang xiang ru lai chan hui."

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

[0771a04] At that time, the Sakya (諸釋 [zhu shi]) immediately went to the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun])'s abode, prostrated at his feet, and sat to one side. They said to the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]): "May the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) forgive the faults of the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) who have come from afar. May the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) instruct them in due course. Among them, those bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) who have come from afar are new to the Way, newly entered the Dharma (法 [fa]), and have not yet seen your revered countenance. They may have a change of heart and regret, just as flourishing seedlings that do not receive moisture do not ripen. These bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) are also like this. If they depart without seeing the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]), they may regret it."

[0771a04] shì shí, zhū shì jí wǎng zhì shì zūn suǒ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn zuò. bái shì zūn yán: “wéi yuàn shì zūn yuán shě yuǎn lái bǐ qiū guò jiù, wéi yuàn shì zūn yǐ shí jiào huì. qí zhōng yuǎn lái bǐ qiū chū xué dào zhě, xīn lái rù fǎ zhōng, wèi jìn zūn yán, bèi yǒu biàn huǐ zhī xīn, yóu rú mào miáo bù yù rùn zé, biàn bù chéng jiù. jīn cǐ bǐ qiū yì fù rú shì, bù jìn rú lái ér qù zhě, kǒng néng yǒu biàn huǐ zhī xīn.”

[0771a04] shi shi, zhu shi ji wang zhi shi zun suo, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian zuo. bai shi zun yan: "wei yuan shi zun yuan she yuan lai bi qiu guo jiu, wei yuan shi zun yi shi jiao hui. qi zhong yuan lai bi qiu chu xue dao zhe, xin lai ru fa zhong, wei jin zun yan, bei you bian hui zhi xin, you ru mao miao bu yu run ze, bian bu cheng jiu. jin ci bi qiu yi fu ru shi, bu jin ru lai er qu zhe, kong neng you bian hui zhi xin."

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

[0771a10] At that time, Brahma Devaraja (梵天王 [fan tian wang]), knowing what the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) was thinking, in an instant, like a strong man extending and contracting his arm, vanished from the Brahma Heaven (梵天 [fan tian]) and appeared before the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]). He prostrated at his feet and stood to one side. At that time, Brahma Devaraja (梵天王 [fan tian wang]) said to the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]): "May the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) forgive the transgressions of the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) who have come from afar and instruct them in due course! Among them, some bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) who have not yet reached completion may develop a change of heart and regret. These people, not having seen the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai])'s countenance, may change their minds and return to their former occupations. It is also like a newborn calf that loses its mother at birth and becomes sorrowful and does not eat. It is also like this: if new bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) do not see the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]), they may abandon this Right Dharma (正法 [zheng fa])."

[0771a10] shì shí, fàn tiān wáng zhī rú lái xīn zhōng suǒ niàn, yóu rú lì shì qū shēn bì qǐng, cóng fàn tiān méi, lái zhì rú lái suǒ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn lì. ěr shí, fàn tiān wáng bái shì zūn yán: “wéi yuàn shì zūn yuán shě yuǎn lái bǐ qiū suǒ zuò qiān guò, yǐ shí jiào huì! qí zhōng huò yǒu bǐ qiū wèi jiū jìng zhě, biàn huái biàn huǐ zhī xīn. bǐ rén bù dǔ rú lái yán xiàng, biàn yǒu biàn yì, hái jiù běn yè. yì rú xīn shēng dú zi, shēng shī qí mǔ, yōu chóu bù shí. cǐ yì rú shì, ruò xīn xué bǐ qiū bù dé dǔ rú lái zhě, biàn dāng yuǎn lí cǐ zhèng fǎ.”

[0771a10] shi shi, fan tian wang zhi ru lai xin zhong suo nian, you ru li shi qu shen bi qing, cong fan tian mei, lai zhi ru lai suo, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian li. er shi, fan tian wang bai shi zun yan: "wei yuan shi zun yuan she yuan lai bi qiu suo zuo qian guo, yi shi jiao hui! qi zhong huo you bi qiu wei jiu jing zhe, bian huai bian hui zhi xin. bi ren bu du ru lai yan xiang, bian you bian yi, hai jiu ben ye. yi ru xin sheng du zi, sheng shi qi mu, you chou bu shi. ci yi ru shi, ruo xin xue bi qiu bu de du ru lai zhe, bian dang yuan li ci zheng fa."

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

[0771a19] At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) accepted the advice of the Sakya Clan (釋種 [shi zhong]) and the analogy of the calf from Brahma Devaraja (梵天王 [fan tian wang]). At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) glanced, and Ananda (阿難 [a nan]) then thought: "The Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) has accepted the advice of all people and devas (天人 [tian ren])." At that time, Ananda (阿難 [a nan]) immediately went to Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) and Maudgalyayana Bhikkhus (目乾連比丘 [mu gan lian bi qiu]) and told them: "The Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) wishes to see the Sangha (眾僧 [zhong seng]). Devas (天 [tian]) and people have all expressed this reason."

[0771a19] ěr shí, shì zūn biàn shòu shì zhǒng zhī jiàn, jí fàn tiān wáng dú zi zhī yù. shì shí, shì zūn gù xì, ā nán biàn shēng sī niàn: “rú lái yǐ shòu zhū rén mín jí tiān rén zhī jiàn.” shì shí, ā nán jí wǎng zhì shě lì fú,, mù gān lián bǐ qiū suǒ, ér yǔ zhī yuē: “rú lái yù dé yǔ zhòng sēng xiāng jiàn, tiān jí rén mín jiē chén qǐ cǐ lǐ.”

[0771a19] er shi, shi zun bian shou shi zhong zhi jian, ji fan tian wang du zi zhi yu. shi shi, shi zun gu xi, a nan bian sheng si nian: "ru lai yi shou zhu ren min ji tian ren zhi jian." shi shi, a nan ji wang zhi she li fu,, mu gan lian bi qiu suo, er yu zhi yue: "ru lai yu de yu zhong seng xiang jian, tian ji ren min jie chen qi ci li."

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

[0771a24] At that time, Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) told the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]): "Each of you collect your robes and bowls, and together go to the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun])'s abode. The Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) has already accepted our repentance."

[0771a24] ěr shí, shě lì fú gào zhū bǐ qiū yuē: “rǔ děng gè shōu shè yī bō, gòng wǎng shì zūn suǒ, rán rú lái yǐ shòu wǒ děng chàn huǐ.”

[0771a24] er shi, she li fu gao zhu bi qiu yue: "ru deng ge shou she yi bo, gong wang shi zun suo, ran ru lai yi shou wo deng chan hui."

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

[0771a26] At that time, Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) and Maudgalyayana (目揵連 [mu qian lian]) led five hundred bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) to the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun])'s abode, prostrated at his feet, and sat to one side.

[0771a26] shì shí, shě lì fú,, mù qián lián jiāng wǔ bǎi bǐ qiū zhì shì zūn suǒ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn zuò.

[0771a26] shi shi, she li fu,, mu qian lian jiang wu bai bi qiu zhi shi zun suo, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian zuo.

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

[0771a27] At that time, the Buddha (佛 [fu]) asked Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]): "When I sent away the bhikkhu sangha (諸比丘僧 [zhu bi qiu seng]) just now, what did you think?"

[0771a27] shì shí, fú wèn shě lì fú yuē: “wú xiàng zhě qiǎn zhū bǐ qiū sēng, yú rǔ yì yún hé?”

[0771a27] shi shi, fu wen she li fu yue: "wu xiang zhe qian zhu bi qiu seng, yu ru yi yun he?"

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

[0771a29] Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) said: "When the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) sent away the Sangha (眾僧 [zhong seng]) just now, I thought: 'The Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) likes to dwell in quietude, in solitude, without activity, not enjoying noise, which is why he sent away the noble assembly (聖眾 [sheng zhong]).'"

[0771a29] shě lì fú yán: “xiàng zhě rú lái qiǎn zhū zhòng sēng, wǒ biàn zuò shì niàn: ‘rú lái hǎo yóu xián jìng, dú chù wú wèi, bù lè zài nào, shì gù qiǎn zhū shèng zhòng ěr.’ ”

[0771a29] she li fu yan: "xiang zhe ru lai qian zhu zhong seng, wo bian zuo shi nian: 'ru lai hao you xian jing, du chu wu wei, bu le zai nao, shi gu qian zhu sheng zhong er.' "

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

[0771b02] The Buddha (佛 [fu]) told Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]): "What did you think later? Who was the burden on the noble assembly (聖眾 [sheng zhong]) at that time?"

[0771b02] fú gào shě lì fú yuē: “rǔ hòu fù shēng hé niàn? shèng zhòng shì shí shuí zhī lèi?”

[0771b02] fu gao she li fu yue: "ru hou fu sheng he nian? sheng zhong shi shi shui zhi lei?"

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

[0771b03] Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) replied to the Buddha (佛 [fu]): "At that time, World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun])! I also thought: 'I should also dwell in quiet solitude, not in the bustling city.'"

[0771b03] shě lì fú bái fú yán: “shí wǒ, shì zūn! fù shēng cǐ niàn: ‘wǒ yì dāng zài xián jìng dú yóu, bù chù shì nào zhōng.’ ”

[0771b03] she li fu bai fu yan: "shi wo, shi zun! fu sheng ci nian: 'wo yi dang zai xian jing du you, bu chu shi nao zhong.' "

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

[0771b05] The Buddha (佛 [fu]) told Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]): "Do not say such words, nor think such thoughts, that you should dwell in a quiet place. Now, the burden of the noble assembly (聖眾 [sheng zhong]), is it not dependent on Shariputra (舍利弗 [she li fu]) and Maudgalyayana Bhikkhus (目乾連比丘 [mu gan lian bi qiu])?"

[0771b05] fú gào shě lì fú yuē: “wù zuò shì yǔ, yì mò shēng cǐ niàn, yún wǒ dāng zài xián jìng zhī chù yě. rú jīn shèng zhòng zhī lèi, qǐ fēi yī shě lì fú,, mù gān lián bǐ qiū hū?”

[0771b05] fu gao she li fu yue: "wu zuo shi yu, yi mo sheng ci nian, yun wo dang zai xian jing zhi chu ye. ru jin sheng zhong zhi lei, qi fei yi she li fu,, mu gan lian bi qiu hu?"

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

[0771b08] At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) told Maha Maudgalyayana (大目乾連 [da mu gan lian]): "When I sent away the Sangha (眾僧 [zhong seng]), what did you think?"

[0771b08] ěr shí, shì zūn gào dà mù gān lián yuē: “wǒ qiǎn zhū zhòng sēng, rǔ yǒu hé niàn?”

[0771b08] er shi, shi zun gao da mu gan lian yue: "wo qian zhu zhong seng, ru you he nian?"

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

[0771b09] Maudgalyayana (目乾連 [mu gan lian]) replied to the Buddha (佛 [fu]): "When the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) sent away the Sangha (眾僧 [zhong seng]), I thought: 'The Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) wishes to dwell in solitude, without activity, hence he sent away the noble assembly (聖眾 [sheng zhong]).'"

[0771b09] mù gān lián bái fú yán: “rú lái qiǎn zhòng sēng, wǒ biàn shēng sī niàn: ‘rú lái yù dé dú chù wú wèi, gù qiǎn shèng zhòng ěr.’ ”

[0771b09] mu gan lian bai fu yan: "ru lai qian zhong seng, wo bian sheng si nian: 'ru lai yu de du chu wu wei, gu qian sheng zhong er.' "

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

[0771b11] The Buddha (佛 [fu]) told Maudgalyayana (目乾連 [mu gan lian]): "What did you think later?"

[0771b11] fú gào mù gān lián: “rǔ hòu fù shēng hé niàn?”

[0771b11] fu gao mu gan lian: "ru hou fu sheng he nian?"

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

[0771b12] Maudgalyayana (目乾連 [mu gan lian]) replied to the Buddha (佛 [fu]): "Now that the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) has sent away the noble assembly (聖眾 [sheng zhong]), we should gather them back so they do not disperse."

[0771b12] mù gān lián bái fú yán: “rán jīn rú lái qiǎn zhū shèng zhòng, wǒ děng yí hái shōu jí zhī, lìng bù fēn sàn.”

[0771b12] mu gan lian bai fu yan: "ran jin ru lai qian zhu sheng zhong, wo deng yi hai shou ji zhi, ling bu fen san."

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

[0771b13] The Buddha (佛 [fu]) told Maudgalyayana (目乾連 [mu gan lian]): "Excellent! Maudgalyayana (目連 [mu lian])! As you have said, among the assembly, only you and I are the leaders. From now on, Maudgalyayana (目乾連 [mu gan lian]) should instruct the later bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]), so that throughout the long night, they may remain in a peaceful state, without falling back and being reborn in samsara (生死 [sheng si]). If there are bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) who achieve nine qualities, they will not grow in this present Dharma (法 [fa]). What are these nine? Associating with evil friends; constantly delighting in wandering in improper ways; constantly afflicted with long-term illness; delighting in accumulating wealth; greedy for robes and bowls; much falsehood, dryness, confused mind, and instability; lacking wisdom; not understanding the meaning; not accepting instruction in due course. This is it, Maudgalyayana (目連 [mu lian])! If a bhikkhu (比丘 [bi qiu]) achieves these nine, he will not grow or be moistened in this present Dharma (法 [fa]).

[0771b13] fú gào mù gān lián: “shàn zāi! mù lián! rú rǔ suǒ shuō, zhòng zhōng zhī biāo shǒu, wéi wú yǔ rǔ èr rén ěr. zì jīn yǐ wǎng, mù gān lián dāng jiào huì zhū hòu xué bǐ qiū, shǐ zhǎng yè zhī zhōng yǒng chù ān yǐn zhī chù, wú lìng zhōng tuì, duò luò shēng sǐ. ruò yǒu bǐ qiū chéng jiù jiǔ fǎ zhě, yú xiàn fǎ zhōng bù dé zhǎng dà. yún hé wèi jiǔ? yǔ è zhī shí cóng shì qīn jìn, fēi shì héng xǐ yóu xíng, héng bào zhǎng huàn, hǎo chù cái huò, tān zhe yī bō, duō xū gān wàng luàn yì fēi dìng, wú yǒu huì míng, bù jiě yì qù, bù suí shí shòu huì. shì wèi, mù lián! ruò bǐ qiū chéng jiù cǐ jiǔ zhě, yú xiàn fǎ zhōng bù dé zhǎng dà yǒu suǒ rùn jí.

[0771b13] fu gao mu gan lian: "shan zai! mu lian! ru ru suo shuo, zhong zhong zhi biao shou, wei wu yu ru er ren er. zi jin yi wang, mu gan lian dang jiao hui zhu hou xue bi qiu, shi zhang ye zhi zhong yong chu an yin zhi chu, wu ling zhong tui, duo luo sheng si. ruo you bi qiu cheng jiu jiu fa zhe, yu xian fa zhong bu de zhang da. yun he wei jiu? yu e zhi shi cong shi qin jin, fei shi heng xi you xing, heng bao zhang huan, hao chu cai huo, tan zhe yi bo, duo xu gan wang luan yi fei ding, wu you hui ming, bu jie yi qu, bu sui shi shou hui. shi wei, mu lian! ruo bi qiu cheng jiu ci jiu zhe, yu xian fa zhong bu de zhang da you suo run ji.

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

[0771b23] "If there is a bhikkhu (比丘 [bi qiu]) who can achieve nine qualities, he will accomplish something. What are these nine? Associating with good friends; practicing the Right Dharma (正法 [zheng fa]) without clinging to evil actions; constantly dwelling in solitude, not delighting in human society; having few illnesses and no afflictions; not accumulating much wealth; not greedy for robes and bowls; diligently practicing with a calm mind; understanding the meaning when heard, without needing further instruction; listening to the Dharma (法 [fa]) at appropriate times without satiety. This is it, Maudgalyayana (目連 [mu lian])! If there is a bhikkhu (比丘 [bi qiu]) who achieves these nine qualities, he will gain much benefit in this present Dharma (法 [fa]). Therefore, Maudgalyayana (目連 [mu lian]), remember to diligently instruct the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) so that they may attain the state of non-action throughout the long night."

[0771b23] “shè yǒu bǐ qiū néng chéng jiù jiǔ zhě biàn yǒu suǒ chéng bàn. yún hé wèi jiǔ? yǔ shàn zhī shí cóng shì, xiū xíng zhèng fǎ bù zhe xié yè, héng yóu dú chù bù lè rén jiān, shǎo bìng wú huàn, yì fù bù duō chù zhū cái bǎo, bù tān zhe yī bō, qín xíng jīng jìn wú yǒu luàn xīn, wén yì biàn jiě gèng bù zhōng shòu, suí shí tīng fǎ wú yǒu yàn zú. shì wèi, mù lián! ruò yǒu bǐ qiū chéng jiù cǐ jiǔ fǎ zhě, yú xiàn fǎ zhōng duō suǒ ráo yì. shì gù, mù lián, dāng niàn qín jiā wǎng huì zhū bǐ qiū, shǐ zhǎng yè zhī zhōng zhì wú wèi zhī chù.”

[0771b23] "she you bi qiu neng cheng jiu jiu zhe bian you suo cheng ban. yun he wei jiu? yu shan zhi shi cong shi, xiu xing zheng fa bu zhe xie ye, heng you du chu bu le ren jian, shao bing wu huan, yi fu bu duo chu zhu cai bao, bu tan zhe yi bo, qin xing jing jin wu you luan xin, wen yi bian jie geng bu zhong shou, sui shi ting fa wu you yan zu. shi wei, mu lian! ruo you bi qiu cheng jiu ci jiu fa zhe, yu xian fa zhong duo suo rao yi. shi gu, mu lian, dang nian qin jia wang hui zhu bi qiu, shi zhang ye zhi zhong zhi wu wei zhi chu."

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

[0771c02] At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) then spoke this verse:

"Constantly be mindful of self-awakening,
Do not cling to unrighteousness,
What is cultivated should be right conduct,
To cross the difficulties of samsara (生死 [sheng si]).
By doing this, one obtains this,
By acting thus, one obtains this blessing,
Living beings have long wandered,
Severing old age, sickness, and death.
Having accomplished it, one does not practice again,
Nor does one commit unrighteous acts again,
Such a negligent person,
Achieves defiled actions.
If there is a diligent mind,
Always foremost in the mind,
Teaching and admonishing each other,
One becomes an undefiled person."

[0771c02] ěr shí, shì zūn biàn shuō cǐ jì:

“cháng niàn zì jué wù,　　wù zhe yú fēi fǎ,
　suǒ xiū yīng zhèng xíng,　　dé dù shēng sǐ nán.
　zuò shì ér huò shì,　　zuò cǐ huò cǐ fú,
　zhòng shēng liú làng jiǔ,　　duàn yú lǎo bìng sǐ.
　yǐ bàn gèng bù xí,　　fù gèng zào fēi xíng,
　rú cǐ fàng yì rén,　　chéng yú yǒu lòu xíng.
　shè yǒu qín jiā xīn,　　héng zài xīn shǒu zhě,
　zhǎn zhuǎn xiāng jiào jiè,　　biàn chéng wú lòu rén.

[0771c02] er shi, shi zun bian shuo ci ji:

"chang nian zi jue wu, wu zhe yu fei fa,
suo xiu ying zheng xing, de du sheng si nan.
zuo shi er huo shi, zuo ci huo ci fu,
zhong sheng liu lang jiu, duan yu lao bing si.
yi ban geng bu xi, fu geng zao fei xing,
ru ci fang yi ren, cheng yu you lou xing.
she you qin jia xin, heng zai xin shou zhe,
zhan zhuan xiang jiao jie, bian cheng wu lou ren.

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

[0771c12] "Therefore, Maudgalyayana (目乾連 [mu gan lian])! You should instruct the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) thus. You should remember to learn thus."

[0771c12] “shì gù, mù gān lián! dāng yǔ zhū bǐ qiū ér zuò shì huì, dāng niàn zuò shì xué.”

[0771c12] "shi gu, mu gan lian! dang yu zhu bi qiu er zuo shi hui, dang nian zuo shi xue."

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

[0771c13] At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) spoke the most profound Dharma (法 [fa]) to the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]), causing them to rejoice. At that time, the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]), having heard the Dharma (法 [fa]), and from that assembly, sixty bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) attained the exhaustion of defilements and liberation of mind.

[0771c13] shì shí, shì zūn yǔ zhū bǐ qiū shuō jí miào zhī fǎ, lìng fā huān xǐ zhī xīn. shì shí, zhū bǐ qiū wén fǎ yǐ, yú bǐ zhòng zhōng liù shí yú bǐ qiū lòu jǐn yì jiě.

[0771c13] shi shi, shi zun yu zhu bi qiu shuo ji miao zhi fa, ling fa huan xi zhi xin. shi shi, zhu bi qiu wen fa yi, yu bi zhong zhong liu shi yu bi qiu lou jin yi jie.

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

[0771c15] At that time, the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]), having heard what the Buddha (佛 [fu]) said, rejoiced and put it into practice.

[0771c15] ěr shí, zhū bǐ qiū wén fú suǒ shuō, huān xǐ fèng xíng.

[0771c15] er shi, zhu bi qiu wen fu suo shuo, huan xi feng xing.