Sutta 5: Cultivating Loving-Kindness and Its Unfathomable Virtues

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

[0772c13] Thus have I heard:

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

[0772c13] wén rú shì:

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

[0772c13] 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.]

[0772c14] At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) told the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]): "Cultivate loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]), widely spread loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]); by cultivating loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]), all thoughts of anger (瞋恚 [chen hui]) will naturally be eliminated. Why is that? Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]), you should know: In ancient times, there was an extremely vicious yakṣa (鬼 [gui]), who came and sat on Sakra Devānam Indra (釋提桓因 [shi ti huan yin])'s throne. At that time, the thirty-three devas (三十三天 [san shi san tian]) were extremely angry: 'How can this yakṣa (鬼 [gui]) sit on our lord's bed?' At that time, as soon as the devas (諸天 [zhu tian]) became angry, that yakṣa (鬼 [gui]) became even more beautiful, with an exceptionally charming appearance. At that time, Sakra Devānam Indra (釋提桓因 [shi ti huan yin]) was sitting in the Assembly Hall (普集講堂 [pu ji jiang tang]), enjoying himself with celestial maidens (玉女 [yu nu]). At that time, a deva (天子 [tian zi]) went to Sakra Devānam Indra (釋提桓因 [shi ti huan yin]) and said to Indra (帝釋 [di shi]): 'Know, Kausika (瞿翼 [qu yi]), that there is now a vicious yakṣa (惡鬼 [e gui]) sitting on your noble throne. Now the thirty-three devas (三十三天 [san shi san tian]) are extremely angry. As soon as the devas (諸天 [zhu tian]) became angry, that yakṣa (鬼 [gui]) became even more beautiful, with an appearance surpassing the usual.' At that time, Sakra Devānam Indra (釋提桓因 [shi ti huan yin]) thought: 'This yakṣa (鬼 [gui]) must be a wondrous yakṣa (神妙之鬼 [shen miao zhi gui]).'"

[0772c14] ěr shí, shì zūn gào zhū bǐ qiū: “dāng xíng cí xīn, guǎng bù cí xīn； yǐ xíng cí xīn, suǒ yǒu chēn huì zhī xīn, zì dāng xiāo chú. suǒ yǐ rán zhě, bǐ qiū dāng zhī； xī rì yǒu guǐ jí wèi bì bào, lái zài shì tí huán yīn zuò shàng ér zuò. shì shí, sān shí sān tiān jí wèi chēn huì: ‘yún hé cǐ guǐ zài wǒ zhǔ chuáng shàng zuò hū?’ shì shí, zhū tiān shì xìng huì xīn, bǐ guǐ suì zhuǎn duān zhèng, yán mào shū cháng. ěr shí, shì tí huán yīn zài pǔ jí jiǎng táng shàng zuò, yǔ yù nǚ gòng xiāng yú lè. shì shí, yǒu tiān zi wǎng zhì shì tí huán yīn suǒ, bái dì shì yán: ‘qú yì dāng zhī, jīn yǒu è guǐ zài zūn zuò shàng zuò, jīn sān shí sān tiān jí huái huì nù, zhū tiān shì xìng huì nù, bǐ guǐ suì zhuǎn duān zhèng, yán mào shèng cháng.’ shì shí, shì tí huán yīn biàn zuò shì niàn: ‘cǐ guǐ bì shì shén miào zhī guǐ.’

[0772c14] er shi, shi zun gao zhu bi qiu: "dang xing ci xin, guang bu ci xin; yi xing ci xin, suo you chen hui zhi xin, zi dang xiao chu. suo yi ran zhe, bi qiu dang zhi; xi ri you gui ji wei bi bao, lai zai shi ti huan yin zuo shang er zuo. shi shi, san shi san tian ji wei chen hui: 'yun he ci gui zai wo zhu chuang shang zuo hu?' shi shi, zhu tian shi xing hui xin, bi gui sui zhuan duan zheng, yan mao shu chang. er shi, shi ti huan yin zai pu ji jiang tang shang zuo, yu yu nu gong xiang yu le. shi shi, you tian zi wang zhi shi ti huan yin suo, bai di shi yan: 'qu yi dang zhi, jin you e gui zai zun zuo shang zuo, jin san shi san tian ji huai hui nu, zhu tian shi xing hui nu, bi gui sui zhuan duan zheng, yan mao sheng chang.' shi shi, shi ti huan yin bian zuo shi nian: 'ci gui bi shi shen miao zhi gui.'

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

[0772c25] "At that time, Sakra Devānam Indra (釋提桓因 [shi ti huan yin]) went to that yakṣa (鬼 [gui]). Not far away, he announced his name: 'I am Sakra Devānam Indra (釋提桓因 [shi ti huan yin]), the lord of the devas (諸天 [zhu tian]).' When Sakra Devānam Indra (釋提桓因 [shi ti huan yin]) announced his name, that evil yakṣa (惡鬼 [e gui]) transformed into an ugly form, with a repulsive appearance, and that evil yakṣa (惡鬼 [e gui]) immediately disappeared. Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! By this expedient, know that cultivating loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]) without abandoning it, its virtue is like this.

[0772c25] “shì shí, shì tí huán yīn wǎng zhì bǐ guǐ suǒ, xiāng qù bù yuǎn, zì chēng xìng míng: ‘wú shì shì tí huán yīn, zhū tiān zhī zhǔ.’ shí, shì tí huán yīn zì chēng xìng míng shí, bǐ è guǐ zhuǎn chéng chǒu xíng, yán mào kě è, shì bǐ è guǐ jí shí xiāo miè. bǐ qiū! dāng yǐ cǐ fāng biàn, zhī qí xíng cí xīn ér bù shě lí, qí dé rú shì.

[0772c25] "shi shi, shi ti huan yin wang zhi bi gui suo, xiang qu bu yuan, zi cheng xing ming: 'wu shi shi ti huan yin, zhu tian zhi zhu.' shi, shi ti huan yin zi cheng xing ming shi, bi e gui zhuan cheng chou xing, yan mao ke e, shi bi e gui ji shi xiao mie. bi qiu! dang yi ci fang bian, zhi qi xing ci xin er bu she li, qi de ru shi.

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

[0773a01] "Furthermore, bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! In my former time, for seven years I continuously cultivated loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]). I passed through seven kalpas (劫 [jie]) of formation and destruction, without coming and going in samsara (生死 [sheng si]). When a kalpa (劫 [jie]) was about to be destroyed, I was born in the Abhasvara Heaven (光音天 [guang yin tian]). When a kalpa (劫 [jie]) was about to be formed, I was born in the Anabhraka Heaven (無想天上 [wu xiang tian shang]), or became a Brahma-deva (梵天 [fan tian]), governing all devas (諸天 [zhu tian]), ruling ten thousand worlds. Furthermore, I transformed thirty-seven times into Sakra Devānam Indra (釋提桓因 [shi ti huan yin]), and countless times into a Chakravartin King (轉輪聖王 [zhuan lun sheng wang]). Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! By this expedient, know that cultivating loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]), its virtue is like this.

[0773a01] “yòu qiě, bǐ qiū! wú xī rì shí, qī suì zhī zhōng héng xiū cí xīn, jīng lì qī chéng jié,, bài jié, bù wǎng lái shēng sǐ, jié yù huài shí, biàn shēng guāng yīn tiān, jié yù chéng shí, biàn shēng wú xiǎng tiān shàng, huò zuò fàn tiān, tǒng lǐng zhū tiān, lǐng shí qiān shì jiè, yòu fù sān shí qī biàn wèi shì tí huán yīn, yòu wú shù biàn wèi zhuǎn lún shèng wáng. bǐ qiū! yǐ cǐ fāng biàn, zhī qí xíng cí xīn, qí dé rú shì.

[0773a01] "you qie, bi qiu! wu xi ri shi, qi sui zhi zhong heng xiu ci xin, jing li qi cheng jie,, bai jie, bu wang lai sheng si, jie yu huai shi, bian sheng guang yin tian, jie yu cheng shi, bian sheng wu xiang tian shang, huo zuo fan tian, tong ling zhu tian, ling shi qian shi jie, you fu san shi qi bian wei shi ti huan yin, you wu shu bian wei zhuan lun sheng wang. bi qiu! yi ci fang bian, zhi qi xing ci xin, qi de ru shi.

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

[0773a07] "Furthermore, those who cultivate loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]), upon the dissolution of their body and the end of their life, are born in the Brahma Heaven (梵天上 [fan tian shang]), away from the three evil destinies (三惡道 [san e dao]), and away from the eight difficult conditions (八難 [ba nan]). Furthermore, those who cultivate loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]) are born in a central and upright country. Furthermore, those who cultivate loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]) have an upright appearance, complete senses, and a perfect physique. Furthermore, those who cultivate loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]) personally see the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]), serve the Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]), do not delight in dwelling at home, and desire to leave home to practice the Way. They wear the three robes (三法衣 [san fa yi]), shave their hair and beard, cultivate the shramana's (沙門 [sha men]) practice, and cultivate the unsurpassed Brahmacariya (無上梵行 [wu shang fan xing]).

[0773a07] “fù cì, xíng cí xīn zhě, shēn huài mìng zhōng, shēng fàn tiān shàng, lí sān è dào, qù lí bā nán. fù cì, qí xíng cí zhě, shēng zhōng zhèng zhī guó. fù cì, xíng cí zhě, yán mào duān zhèng, zhū gēn bù quē, xíng tǐ wán jù. fù cì, qí xíng cí xīn zhě, gōng zì jiàn rú lái, chéng shì zhū fú, bù lè zài jiā, yù dé chū jiā xué dào zhě, zhe sān fǎ yī, tì chú xū fà, xiū shā mén zhī fǎ, xiū wú shàng fàn xíng.

[0773a07] "fu ci, xing ci xin zhe, shen huai ming zhong, sheng fan tian shang, li san e dao, qu li ba nan. fu ci, qi xing ci zhe, sheng zhong zheng zhi guo. fu ci, xing ci zhe, yan mao duan zheng, zhu gen bu que, xing ti wan ju. fu ci, qi xing ci xin zhe, gong zi jian ru lai, cheng shi zhu fu, bu le zai jia, yu de chu jia xue dao zhe, zhe san fa yi, ti chu xu fa, xiu sha men zhi fa, xiu wu shang fan xing.

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

[0773a13] "Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]), you should know, just as vajra (金剛 [jin gang]), if a person eats it, it will never be digested, but must pass through. Those who cultivate loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]) are also like this: if a Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) appears in the world, they will certainly achieve the Way, cultivate the unsurpassed Brahmacariya (無上梵行 [wu shang fan xing]); their samsara (生死 [sheng si]) is exhausted, the Brahmacariya (梵行 [fan xing]) is established, what needed to be done is done, and they will no longer take on existence, knowing this as it truly is."

[0773a13] “bǐ qiū dāng zhī, yóu rú jīn gāng, rén qǔ shí zhī, zhōng bù xiāo huà, yào dāng xià guò. qí xíng cí xīn zhī rén, yì fù rú shì, ruò rú lái chū shì, yào dāng zuò dào, xiū wú shàng fàn xíng； shēng sǐ yǐ jǐn, fàn xíng yǐ lì, suǒ zuò yǐ bàn, gèng bù fù shòu yǒu, rú shí zhī zhī.”

[0773a13] "bi qiu dang zhi, you ru jin gang, ren qu shi zhi, zhong bu xiao hua, yao dang xia guo. qi xing ci xin zhi ren, yi fu ru shi, ruo ru lai chu shi, yao dang zuo dao, xiu wu shang fan xing; sheng si yi jin, fan xing yi li, suo zuo yi ban, geng bu fu shou you, ru shi zhi zhi."

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

[0773a17] At that time, Venerable Ananda (尊者阿難 [zun zhe a nan]) said to the Buddha (佛 [fu]): "World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun])! If the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) does not appear in the world, where should good men who do not delight in dwelling at home go?"

[0773a17] shì shí, zūn zhě ā nán bái fú yán: “shì zūn! shè rú lái bù chū shì shí, bǐ shàn nán zi bù lè zài jiā, dāng hé suǒ qù xiàng?”

[0773a17] shi shi, zun zhe a nan bai fu yan: "shi zun! she ru lai bu chu shi shi, bi shan nan zi bu le zai jia, dang he suo qu xiang?"

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

[0773a19] The Buddha (佛 [fu]) told Ananda (阿難 [a nan]): "If the Tathagata (如來 [ru lai]) does not appear, but good men do not delight in dwelling at home, they should shave their hair and beard themselves, in a quiet place, discipline themselves, and right there, exhaust all defilements and achieve undefiled conduct."

[0773a19] fú gào ā nán yuē: “ruò rú lái bù chū shí, rán shàn nán zi bù lè zài jiā, zì tì xū fà, zài xián jìng zhī chù, kè jǐ zì xiū, jí yú bǐ chù, jǐn zhū yǒu lòu, chéng wú lòu xíng.”

[0773a19] fu gao a nan yue: "ruo ru lai bu chu shi, ran shan nan zi bu le zai jia, zi ti xu fa, zai xian jing zhi chu, ke ji zi xiu, ji yu bi chu, jin zhu you lou, cheng wu lou xing."

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

[0773a22] At that time, Ananda (阿難 [a nan]) said to the Buddha (佛 [fu]): "How, World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun])! That person cultivates Brahmacariya (梵行 [fan xing]) and the practice of the Three Vehicles (三乘 [san cheng]). Where does that person go?"

[0773a22] shì shí, ā nán bái fú yán: “yún hé, shì zūn! bǐ rén zì xiū fàn xíng,, sān chéng zhī xíng, bǐ rén hé suǒ qù xiàng?”

[0773a22] shi shi, a nan bai fu yan: "yun he, shi zun! bi ren zi xiu fan xing,, san cheng zhi xing, bi ren he suo qu xiang?"

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

[0773a24] The Buddha (佛 [fu]) told Ananda (阿難 [a nan]): "As you say, I constantly speak of the practice of the Three Vehicles (三乘 [san cheng]). The Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]) of the past, present, and future will all speak of the Dharma (法 [fa]) of the Three Vehicles (三乘 [san cheng]). Ananda (阿難 [a nan]), you should know, there may be a time when living beings' appearances and lifespans gradually decrease, their bodies become thin and weak, without divine power, filled with much anger, jealousy, hatred, ignorance, deceit, and delusion, and their actions are not genuine. Or there may be those with sharp faculties who quickly engage in strife and quarrels, harming each other with fists, tiles, stones, knives, and staffs. At that time, living beings will grasp grass and it will turn into swords, cutting off their life roots. Among these living beings, those who cultivate loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]) and are without anger, seeing these strange changes, will all be fearful and will all flee from these evil places, going into the mountains and wilderness. They will naturally shave their hair and beard, wear the three robes (三法衣 [san fa yi]), cultivate the unsurpassed Brahmacariya (無上梵行 [wu shang fan xing]), discipline themselves, exhaust their defiled minds, and attain liberation. They will enter the undefiled realm, and each will say to themselves: 'We have overcome our enemies.' Ananda (阿難 [a nan]), you should know, they are called the most victorious."

[0773a24] fú gào ā nán: “rú rǔ suǒ yán, wú héng shuō sān chéng zhī xíng. guò qù,, jiāng lái sān shì zhū fú, jǐn dāng shuō sān chéng zhī fǎ. ā nán dāng zhī, huò yǒu shì shí, zhòng shēng zhī lèi yán mào shòu mìng, zhuǎn zhuǎn jiǎn shǎo, xíng qì shòu ruò, wú fù wēi shén, duō zhū chēn nù,, jí dù,, huì chī,, jiān wěi,, huàn huò, suǒ xíng bù zhēn. huò fù yǒu lì gēn jié jí, zhǎn zhuǎn zhèng jìng, gòng xiāng dòu sòng； huò yǐ shǒu quán,, wǎ shí,, dāo zhàng, gòng xiāng shāng hài. shì shí, zhòng shēng zhī lèi zhí cǎo biàn chéng dāo jiàn, duàn sī mìng gēn. qí zhōng zhòng shēng, xíng cí xīn zhě wú yǒu chēn nù, jiàn cǐ biàn guài, jiē huái kǒng jù, xī gòng chí zǒu, lí cǐ è chù, zài shān yě zhī zhōng, zì rán tì chú xū fà, zhe sān fǎ yī, xiū wú shàng fàn xíng, kè jǐ zì xiū, jǐn yǒu lòu xīn ér dé jiě tuō, biàn rù wú lòu jìng, gè gè zì xiāng wèi yán: ‘wǒ děng yǐ shèng yuàn jiā.’ ā nán dāng zhī, bǐ míng wèi zuì shèng.”

[0773a24] fu gao a nan: "ru ru suo yan, wu heng shuo san cheng zhi xing. guo qu,, jiang lai san shi zhu fu, jin dang shuo san cheng zhi fa. a nan dang zhi, huo you shi shi, zhong sheng zhi lei yan mao shou ming, zhuan zhuan jian shao, xing qi shou ruo, wu fu wei shen, duo zhu chen nu,, ji du,, hui chi,, jian wei,, huan huo, suo xing bu zhen. huo fu you li gen jie ji, zhan zhuan zheng jing, gong xiang dou song; huo yi shou quan,, wa shi,, dao zhang, gong xiang shang hai. shi shi, zhong sheng zhi lei zhi cao bian cheng dao jian, duan si ming gen. qi zhong zhong sheng, xing ci xin zhe wu you chen nu, jian ci bian guai, jie huai kong ju, xi gong chi zou, li ci e chu, zai shan ye zhi zhong, zi ran ti chu xu fa, zhe san fa yi, xiu wu shang fan xing, ke ji zi xiu, jin you lou xin er de jie tuo, bian ru wu lou jing, ge ge zi xiang wei yan: 'wo deng yi sheng yuan jia.' a nan dang zhi, bi ming wei zui sheng."

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

[0773b08] At that time, Ananda (阿難 [a nan]) again said to the Buddha (佛 [fu]): "In which category is that person? The Shravaka Vehicle (聲聞部 [sheng wen bu]), the Pratyekabuddha Vehicle (辟支部 [pi zhi bu]), or the Buddha Vehicle (佛部 [fu bu])?"

[0773b08] shì shí, ā nán fù bái fú yán: “bǐ rén wèi zài hé bù? shēng wén bù, pì zhī bù, wèi fú bù yé?”

[0773b08] shi shi, a nan fu bai fu yan: "bi ren wei zai he bu? sheng wen bu, pi zhi bu, wei fu bu ye?"

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

[0773b09] The Buddha (佛 [fu]) told Ananda (阿難 [a nan]): "That person will be named as being precisely in the Pratyekabuddha Vehicle (辟支部 [pi zhi bu]). The reason for this is that these people have all created merits, performed good deeds, cultivated the pure Four Noble Truths (清淨四諦 [qing jing si di]), and distinguished all dharmas (諸法 [zhu fa]). Indeed, practicing wholesome dharmas (法 [fa]) is loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]). The reason for this is that practicing benevolence and loving-kindness (慈 [ci]) is a vast virtue. I formerly wore the armor of loving-kindness (慈仁之鎧 [ci ren zhi kai]), subjugated the retinue of Mara (魔官屬 [mo guan shu]), sat under the Bodhi Tree (樹王 [shu wang]), and attained the unsurpassed Way (無上道 [wu shang dao]). By this expedient, know that loving-kindness (慈 [ci]) is the foremost, and loving-kindness (慈者 [ci zhe]) is the most victorious dharma (法 [fa]). Ananda (阿難 [a nan]), you should know, it is therefore called the most victorious. Those who cultivate loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]), their virtue is like this, immeasurable. You should seek expedient means to cultivate loving-kindness (慈心 [ci xin]). Thus, Ananda (阿難 [a nan])! You should learn thus."

[0773b09] fú gào ā nán: “bǐ rén dāng míng zhèng zài pì zhī bù. suǒ yǐ rán zhě, cǐ rén jiē yóu zào zhū gōng dé, xíng zhòng shàn běn, xiū qīng jìng sì dì, fēn bié zhū fǎ. fū xíng shàn fǎ zhě, jí cí xīn shì yě. suǒ yǐ rán zhě, lǚ rén xíng cí, cǐ dé guǎng dà. wú xī zhe cǐ cí rén zhī kǎi, jiàng fú mó guān shǔ, zuò shù wáng xià, chéng wú shàng dào, yǐ cǐ fāng biàn, zhī cí zuì dì yī, cí zhě zuì shèng zhī fǎ yě. ā nán dāng zhī, gù míng wèi zuì shèng. xíng cí xīn zhě, qí dé rú shì, bù kě chēng jì. dāng qiú fāng biàn, xiū xíng cí xīn. rú shì, ā nán! dāng zuò shì xué.”

[0773b09] fu gao a nan: "bi ren dang ming zheng zai pi zhi bu. suo yi ran zhe, ci ren jie you zao zhu gong de, xing zhong shan ben, xiu qing jing si di, fen bie zhu fa. fu xing shan fa zhe, ji ci xin shi ye. suo yi ran zhe, lu ren xing ci, ci de guang da. wu xi zhe ci ci ren zhi kai, jiang fu mo guan shu, zuo shu wang xia, cheng wu shang dao, yi ci fang bian, zhi ci zui di yi, ci zhe zui sheng zhi fa ye. a nan dang zhi, gu ming wei zui sheng. xing ci xin zhe, qi de ru shi, bu ke cheng ji. dang qiu fang bian, xiu xing ci xin. ru shi, a nan! dang zuo shi xue."

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

[0773b18] At that time, Ananda (阿難 [a nan]), having heard what the Buddha (佛 [fu]) said, rejoiced and put it into practice.

[0773b18] ěr shí, ā nán wén fú suǒ shuō, huān xǐ fèng xíng.

[0773b18] er shi, a nan wen fu suo shuo, huan xi feng xing.