Taisho: Chinese Buddhist Canon

This is the Chinese Buddhist Canon known as the Taisho, or more specifically the “Taisho Revised Tripitaka” (Takakusu Junjiro 1988). The collection consists of thousands of scrolls including foundational texts such as Agamas, Mahayana Sutras, Vinaya, Abhidharma, Tantras, Jatakas and Avadanas (former birth stoeries), commentaries, histories, catalog...

Sutta 38: The story of Exhorting the Son

[full title]: Jataka stories (translated by Dharmaraksha), Scroll 4 (nr. 38)
[full title]: Jātaka stories; 生經 [shēng jīng] (sheng jing)
[parallels]: Date 285 from Lancaster (2004, 'K 799')
[parallels]: Campbell, Duncan 2014, “An Historical Anecdote, a Religious Parable, and a Novel,” In: Qian, Zhongshu id. Patchwork: Seven Essays on Art and Literature, pp. 247-268, Leiden: Brill. Partial.
[primary source]: Dharmarakṣa, translator, 《生經》 'Jātaka stories (Sheng Jing),' in Taishō shinshū Daizōkyō 《大正新脩大藏經》, in Takakusu Junjiro, ed., (Tokyo: Taishō Shinshū Daizōkyō Kankōkai, 1988), Vol. 3, No. 154
[colophon]: 生經 西晉 竺法護譯 共 5 卷 Jātaka stories (Sheng Jing), Translated by Dharmarakṣa in the Western Jin in 5 scrolls

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

[0097a19] In the past, there was a person whose father died early. He was orphaned and lived alone with his mother. He had not been taught or instructed, his comings and goings were unrestrained, he did not adhere to proper conduct, and he violated the teachings of the ancient sages (先聖典籍 [xian sheng dian ji]). He refused to study and inquire about the scriptures and Dharma (經法 [jing fa]), associating only with foolish and deluded companions. He indulged in alcohol and gambling, was extravagant and ostentatious, with outward appearance but no inner substance, indulging his desires, strutting about with arrogance. He did not cultivate filial piety and virtue in his heart, which should be used to establish oneself. He committed various evils, spoke roughly, and harbored poisonous thoughts in his mind. He did not remember the teachings left by his birth parents, but only engaged in unlawful and chaotic behavior. His mother was very troubled by this and wanted to teach and instruct him, showing him the most subtle dignified conduct (威儀法節 [wei yi fa jie]), causing him to change his ways, guard his body and mouth, uphold the ancient sagely scriptures (先聖典 [xian sheng dian]), cultivate the principles established by his ancestors, and respectfully receive the unsurpassed Dao (無極之道 [wu ji zhi dao]) of the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]). With compassionate intention, she spoke profound and subtle teachings, and addressed her son:

"Son, always act gently and harmoniously,
Associate with good friends,
Constantly proclaim joy and encourage others,
Long cultivate the transformation of the true Dharma (正法化 [zheng fa hua])."

[0097a19] 昔者有人,父早命過,少小孤寡,獨與母居.未被教勅,出入不節,不拘禮教,違失先聖典籍之誨.不肯學問諮受經法,唯以愚伴迷惑之眾,以為徒類.嗜酒博戲,高抗華飾,有表無裏,放恣情欲,噓天雅步.不以孝順修德經心,當用立身,身犯眾惡,口言麤[麩-夫+黃],心念毒害.不念所生親之遺教,唯以非法亂行為業.母甚患之,因欲教勅,示其至密威儀法節,令改心行,慎身護口,奉先聖典,修其祖父所生之則,敬受世尊無極之道.因以慈意演出妙誨,而告子曰:

“子常行柔和,  結伴從善友,
 恒宣喜勸助,  長修正法化.”

[0097a19] xī zhě yǒu rén, fù zǎo mìng guò, shǎo xiǎo gū guǎ, dú yǔ mǔ jū. wèi bèi jiào chì, chū rù bù jié, bù jū lǐ jiào, wéi shī xiān shèng diǎn jí zhī huì. bù kěn xué wèn zī shòu jīng fǎ, wéi yǐ yú bàn mí huò zhī zhòng, yǐ wèi tú lèi. shì jiǔ bó xì, gāo kàng huá shì, yǒu biǎo wú lǐ, fàng zì qíng yù, xū tiān yǎ bù. bù yǐ xiào shùn xiū dé jīng xīn, dāng yòng lì shēn, shēn fàn zhòng è, kǒu yán cū [fū-fū+huáng], xīn niàn dú hài. bù niàn suǒ shēng qīn zhī yí jiào, wéi yǐ fēi fǎ luàn xíng wèi yè. mǔ shén huàn zhī, yīn yù jiào chì, shì qí zhì mì wēi yí fǎ jié, lìng gǎi xīn xíng, shèn shēn hù kǒu, fèng xiān shèng diǎn, xiū qí zǔ fù suǒ shēng zhī zé, jìng shòu shì zūn wú jí zhī dào. yīn yǐ cí yì yǎn chū miào huì, ér gào zi yuē:

“zi cháng xíng róu hé,  jié bàn cóng shàn yǒu,
 héng xuān xǐ quàn zhù,  zhǎng xiū zhèng fǎ huà.”

[0097a19] xi zhe you ren, fu zao ming guo, shao xiao gu gua, du yu mu ju. wei bei jiao chi, chu ru bu jie, bu ju li jiao, wei shi xian sheng dian ji zhi hui. bu ken xue wen zi shou jing fa, wei yi yu ban mi huo zhi zhong, yi wei tu lei. shi jiu bo xi, gao kang hua shi, you biao wu li, fang zi qing yu, xu tian ya bu. bu yi xiao shun xiu de jing xin, dang yong li shen, shen fan zhong e, kou yan cu [fu-fu+huang], xin nian du hai. bu nian suo sheng qin zhi yi jiao, wei yi fei fa luan xing wei ye. mu shen huan zhi, yin yu jiao chi, shi qi zhi mi wei yi fa jie, ling gai xin xing, shen shen hu kou, feng xian sheng dian, xiu qi zu fu suo sheng zhi ze, jing shou shi zun wu ji zhi dao. yin yi ci yi yan chu miao hui, er gao zi yue:

"zi chang xing rou he, jie ban cong shan you,
heng xuan xi quan zhu, zhang xiu zheng fa hua."

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

[0097b04] The son then asked his mother:

"If I always act gently and harmoniously,
What will it be like?
If I associate with good friends,
What will be the increase?
If I constantly proclaim and encourage,
What is the purpose of cultivating this meaning?
If I long cultivate the transformation of the true Dharma (正法化 [zheng fa hua]),
What will be gained?"

[0097b04] 子又問母曰:

“若常行柔和,  以何為爾乎?
 設結善友者,  何用為增益?
 假恒宣勸助,  何為修此義?
 長修正法化,  何所有加施?”

[0097b04] zi yòu wèn mǔ yuē:

“ruò cháng xíng róu hé,  yǐ hé wèi ěr hū?
 shè jié shàn yǒu zhě,  hé yòng wèi zēng yì?
 jiǎ héng xuān quàn zhù,  hé wèi xiū cǐ yì?
 zhǎng xiū zhèng fǎ huà,  hé suǒ yǒu jiā shī?”

[0097b04] zi you wen mu yue:

"ruo chang xing rou he, yi he wei er hu?
she jie shan you zhe, he yong wei zeng yi?
jia heng xuan quan zhu, he wei xiu ci yi?
zhang xiu zheng fa hua, he suo you jia shi?"

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

[0097b09] The mother told her son:

"If you always act gently and harmoniously,
People will love and respect you.
If you associate with good friends,
You will be firmly established and unshakeable.
If you constantly proclaim and encourage,
You will attain great wealth.
If you long cultivate the transformation of the true Dharma (正法化 [zheng fa hua]),
At the end of your life, you will be reborn in heaven."

[0097b09] 母告子曰:

“若常行柔和,  眾人所愛敬.
 設結善友者,  堅住無能動.
 恒宣勸助者,  致獲大財富.
 長修正法化,  壽終生天上.”

[0097b09] mǔ gào zi yuē:

“ruò cháng xíng róu hé,  zhòng rén suǒ ài jìng.
 shè jié shàn yǒu zhě,  jiān zhù wú néng dòng.
 héng xuān quàn zhù zhě,  zhì huò dà cái fù.
 zhǎng xiū zhèng fǎ huà,  shòu zhōng shēng tiān shàng.”

[0097b09] mu gao zi yue:

"ruo chang xing rou he, zhong ren suo ai jing.
she jie shan you zhe, jian zhu wu neng dong.
heng xuan quan zhu zhe, zhi huo da cai fu.
zhang xiu zheng fa hua, shou zhong sheng tian shang."

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

[0097b14] The son said to his mother: "Excellent, dear mother's teaching! Its instruction is unsurpassed, its Dharma (法 [fa]) boundless, vast and immeasurable, inexpressible. My ignorance has been for a long time! I have turned my back on grace and embraced falsehood, not recognizing the ultimate truth, deluded by appearance, confused by lineage. I considered myself talented and intelligent, calling darkness light, and unenlightened enlightened, not distinguishing between superior and inferior, or the clear teachings of my parents, valuing evil and despising good, not contemplating the virtue of filial piety and caring for my kind mother, abandoning the substantial for the superficial, taking foolish companions as friends, which led to this increasing delusion and confusion. Thanks to my mother's transformation, manifesting compassion and kindness, pouring down merciful grace, the foundation of nurturing has been revived and extended to all ten directions. I receive and cherish it with utmost respect, daring not to forget. Your son bows in gratitude, and will practice my mother's command, without violation from beginning to end."

[0097b14] 子白母曰: “善哉親教,其誨無上,其法無限,巍巍難量,不可稱載.吾之愚冥,其日久矣! 背恩向偽,不識至真,迷於容色,惑于種姓.自謂才智,不明謂明,, 不達謂達,不別尊卑,, 親之明誨,賤善貴惡,不惟孝養慈親之德,捨厚就薄,愚伴為侶,遂使致是癡惑日甚.賴蒙親化,顯以慈仁,垂流愍澤,乳養之本,轉令興隆,通于十方.啟受頂奉,不敢遺忘,子稽首謝,修行親命,終始無違.”

[0097b14] zi bái mǔ yuē: “shàn zāi qīn jiào, qí huì wú shàng, qí fǎ wú xiàn, wēi wēi nán liàng, bù kě chēng zài. wú zhī yú míng, qí rì jiǔ yǐ! bèi ēn xiàng wěi, bù shí zhì zhēn, mí yú róng sè, huò yú zhǒng xìng. zì wèi cái zhì, bù míng wèi míng,, bù dá wèi dá, bù bié zūn bēi,, qīn zhī míng huì, jiàn shàn guì è, bù wéi xiào yǎng cí qīn zhī dé, shě hòu jiù báo, yú bàn wèi lǚ, suì shǐ zhì shì chī huò rì shén. lài méng qīn huà, xiǎn yǐ cí rén, chuí liú mǐn zé, rǔ yǎng zhī běn, zhuǎn lìng xìng lóng, tōng yú shí fāng. qǐ shòu dǐng fèng, bù gǎn yí wàng, zi jī shǒu xiè, xiū xíng qīn mìng, zhōng shǐ wú wéi.”

[0097b14] zi bai mu yue: "shan zai qin jiao, qi hui wu shang, qi fa wu xian, wei wei nan liang, bu ke cheng zai. wu zhi yu ming, qi ri jiu yi! bei en xiang wei, bu shi zhi zhen, mi yu rong se, huo yu zhong xing. zi wei cai zhi, bu ming wei ming,, bu da wei da, bu bie zun bei,, qin zhi ming hui, jian shan gui e, bu wei xiao yang ci qin zhi de, she hou jiu bao, yu ban wei lu, sui shi zhi shi chi huo ri shen. lai meng qin hua, xian yi ci ren, chui liu min ze, ru yang zhi ben, zhuan ling xing long, tong yu shi fang. qi shou ding feng, bu gan yi wang, zi ji shou xie, xiu xing qin ming, zhong shi wu wei."

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

[0097b23] The son advanced according to the Dharma (法 [fa]), always acting gently and harmoniously, and the whole country respected him. He chose good as friends, and none could infringe upon him. He constantly encouraged and helped, reconciling those who were separated, harmonizing disputes, and gained great offerings and immeasurable wealth. He bowed and took refuge in the Buddha, accepted the Five Precepts (五戒 [wu jie]), practiced the Ten Good Deeds (十善 [shi shan]), and was protected by the Devas (諸天 [zhu tian]).

[0097b23] 子如法進,常行柔和,一國宗焉.擇善為友,無能侵焉.恒行勸助,合偶離別,和合鬪諍,大得供遺,財寶無量.稽首歸佛,奉受五戒,修行十善,諸天衛護.

[0097b23] zi rú fǎ jìn, cháng xíng róu hé, yī guó zōng yān. zé shàn wèi yǒu, wú néng qīn yān. héng xíng quàn zhù, hé ǒu lí bié, hé hé dòu zhèng, dà dé gōng yí, cái bǎo wú liàng. jī shǒu guī fú, fèng shòu wǔ jiè, xiū xíng shí shàn, zhū tiān wèi hù.

[0097b23] zi ru fa jin, chang xing rou he, yi guo zong yan. ze shan wei you, wu neng qin yan. heng xing quan zhu, he ou li bie, he he dou zheng, da de gong yi, cai bao wu liang. ji shou gui fu, feng shou wu jie, xiu xing shi shan, zhu tian wei hu.

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

[0097b26] The King (國主 [guo zhu]) heard of him and summoned him to be a minister (大臣 [da chen]). The King (王 [wang]) told him: "I have heard of your virtuous conduct, which pleases the entire country, and therefore I have summoned you. The country lacks a good minister (良臣 [liang chen]). Be my good assistant, so that the land may be peaceful, and the four countries may return to virtue. Then you shall be honored." That person said: "Yes, I dare not disobey Your Majesty. I only fear my meager virtue may not match your commands and teachings, and I would be ashamed! If I fail Your Majesty's teachings, the common people will resent it, which is why I hesitate to obey your command!" The King (王 [wang]) said: "I observe your words, actions, movements, and demeanor. You are indeed capable of handling this, that is why I summoned you." That person remained silent and was appointed minister (大臣 [da chen]).

[0097b26] 國主聞之,召為大臣.王告之曰: “朕聞德行一國悅之,故以相命.國無良臣,唯為良輔,使土清寧,四國歸德,爾乃顯榮.” 其人曰: “諾,不敢違聖.唯恐薄德不副功教,為慚愧耳! 違負聖教,黎庶怨望,所以自難不敢順命! ” 王曰: “觀仁言行舉動進止,果能辦之,故相召耳.其人默然,立為大臣.”

[0097b26] guó zhǔ wén zhī, zhào wèi dà chén. wáng gào zhī yuē: “zhèn wén dé xíng yī guó yuè zhī, gù yǐ xiāng mìng. guó wú liáng chén, wéi wèi liáng fǔ, shǐ tǔ qīng níng, sì guó guī dé, ěr nǎi xiǎn róng.” qí rén yuē: “nuò, bù gǎn wéi shèng. wéi kǒng báo dé bù fù gōng jiào, wèi cán kuì ěr! wéi fù shèng jiào, lí shù yuàn wàng, suǒ yǐ zì nán bù gǎn shùn mìng! ” wáng yuē: “guān rén yán xíng jǔ dòng jìn zhǐ, guǒ néng bàn zhī, gù xiāng zhào ěr. qí rén mò rán, lì wèi dà chén.”

[0097b26] guo zhu wen zhi, zhao wei da chen. wang gao zhi yue: "zhen wen de xing yi guo yue zhi, gu yi xiang ming. guo wu liang chen, wei wei liang fu, shi tu qing ning, si guo gui de, er nai xian rong." qi ren yue: "nuo, bu gan wei sheng. wei kong bao de bu fu gong jiao, wei can kui er! wei fu sheng jiao, li shu yuan wang, suo yi zi nan bu gan shun ming! " wang yue: "guan ren yan xing ju dong jin zhi, guo neng ban zhi, gu xiang zhao er. qi ren mo ran, li wei da chen."

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

[0097c04] The King (王 [wang]) then said: "A certain King (國王 [guo wang]) promised me in the past that he and I were as close as family, like one body. But there were those who spread rumors, causing us to fight and lose each other, and over the years, we became estranged, with no one able to resolve it. I want you to personally go and reconcile us, and I will reward you with great wealth and a high position." That person said: "Yes." He then took his family's wealth, prepared fine delicacies, and also brought treasures to that country. He knelt and apologized, saying: "I have always been ignorant, but I have been blessed by heaven's grace, sent by my King (王 [wang]) with these foods, gold, silver, and precious treasures to offer to Your Majesty. My previous mistakes and inappropriate actions caused Your Majesty's displeasure, and we have been separated for so long, accumulating years of shame and embarrassment, leaving me without face. Therefore, I send these offerings, hoping you will forgive the offenses and pardon the transgressions." When that King (其王 [qi wang]) heard this, he was joyful in his heart and also reproached himself: "I have long wished to reconcile, but no one could initiate it. That he should take the initiative and come to apologize first is due to my own shortcomings!" He then took a brush and wrote a letter in reply: "We have been separated for years, unable to meet face to face. I constantly recall our old friendship, when will it ever leave my mind? The separation in between was not my intention. You have sent a worthy minister (賢臣 [xian chen]) with beautiful offerings and rarities to apologize! I will always cherish this intention you have brought, and will never forget it. I wish to meet together and resolve this long estrangement. Now I send these precious rarities, all that I possess. I value expressing my humble heart. We can truly express ourselves when we meet face to face."

[0097c04] 王復告曰: “某許國王,本時與吾親親無二,猶如一體.有傳口者,兩頭相鬪,令身相失,年月時久,各爾廢礙,無能解者.欲卿身躬自往和使如故,當重相賜財寶重位.” 其人曰: “諾” 因取家財,供作美饌,又齎寶物,往詣彼國.跪拜陳謝: “素自闇塞,被蒙天潤,為王所使,遣此飲食金銀珍寶,以貢大王.前者謬誤,舉動不當,相失聖意,從來闊別,積累年載,慚愧羞耻,踧踖無顏.故遣貢遺,願恕殃舋,原其罪過.” 其王聞之,心中欣然,亦返責己: “吾久有意,欲得和解,無能發者.使彼興意,先來相謝,是吾不逮之所致也! ” 便手執筆,作書報之: “惟別歷載,不得言面,每思舊好,何日捨懷?中間隔絕,不及所致,不見忽捐,復遣賢臣,美供瑰琦,以相謝矣! 剋抱來意,終始不忘,願一同會,及散久逈.今寄珍琦,是身所有,貴致微心,言面乃敘.”

[0097c04] wáng fù gào yuē: “mǒu xǔ guó wáng, běn shí yǔ wú qīn qīn wú èr, yóu rú yī tǐ. yǒu chuán kǒu zhě, liǎng tóu xiāng dòu, lìng shēn xiāng shī, nián yuè shí jiǔ, gè ěr fèi ài, wú néng jiě zhě. yù qīng shēn gōng zì wǎng hé shǐ rú gù, dāng zhòng xiāng cì cái bǎo zhòng wèi.” qí rén yuē: “nuò” yīn qǔ jiā cái, gōng zuò měi zhuàn, yòu jī bǎo wù, wǎng yì bǐ guó. guì bài chén xiè: “sù zì àn sāi, bèi méng tiān rùn, wèi wáng suǒ shǐ, qiǎn cǐ yǐn shí jīn yín zhēn bǎo, yǐ gòng dà wáng. qián zhě miù wù, jǔ dòng bù dāng, xiāng shī shèng yì, cóng lái kuò bié, jī lèi nián zài, cán kuì xiū chǐ, cù jí wú yán. gù qiǎn gòng yí, yuàn shù yāng xìn, yuán qí zuì guò.” qí wáng wén zhī, xīn zhōng xīn rán, yì fǎn zé jǐ: “wú jiǔ yǒu yì, yù dé hé jiě, wú néng fā zhě. shǐ bǐ xìng yì, xiān lái xiāng xiè, shì wú bù dǎi zhī suǒ zhì yě! ” biàn shǒu zhí bǐ, zuò shū bào zhī: “wéi bié lì zài, bù dé yán miàn, měi sī jiù hǎo, hé rì shě huái? zhōng jiān gé jué, bù jí suǒ zhì, bù jiàn hū juān, fù qiǎn xián chén, měi gōng guī qí, yǐ xiāng xiè yǐ! kè bào lái yì, zhōng shǐ bù wàng, yuàn yī tóng huì, jí sàn jiǔ jiǒng. jīn jì zhēn qí, shì shēn suǒ yǒu, guì zhì wēi xīn, yán miàn nǎi xù.”

[0097c04] wang fu gao yue: "mou xu guo wang, ben shi yu wu qin qin wu er, you ru yi ti. you chuan kou zhe, liang tou xiang dou, ling shen xiang shi, nian yue shi jiu, ge er fei ai, wu neng jie zhe. yu qing shen gong zi wang he shi ru gu, dang zhong xiang ci cai bao zhong wei." qi ren yue: "nuo" yin qu jia cai, gong zuo mei zhuan, you ji bao wu, wang yi bi guo. gui bai chen xie: "su zi an sai, bei meng tian run, wei wang suo shi, qian ci yin shi jin yin zhen bao, yi gong da wang. qian zhe miu wu, ju dong bu dang, xiang shi sheng yi, cong lai kuo bie, ji lei nian zai, can kui xiu chi, cu ji wu yan. gu qian gong yi, yuan shu yang xin, yuan qi zui guo." qi wang wen zhi, xin zhong xin ran, yi fan ze ji: "wu jiu you yi, yu de he jie, wu neng fa zhe. shi bi xing yi, xian lai xiang xie, shi wu bu dai zhi suo zhi ye! " bian shou zhi bi, zuo shu bao zhi: "wei bie li zai, bu de yan mian, mei si jiu hao, he ri she huai? zhong jian ge jue, bu ji suo zhi, bu jian hu juan, fu qian xian chen, mei gong gui qi, yi xiang xie yi! ke bao lai yi, zhong shi bu wang, yuan yi tong hui, ji san jiu jiong. jin ji zhen qi, shi shen suo you, gui zhi wei xin, yan mian nai xu."

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

[0097c21] When that King (彼王 [bi wang]) received it, he was immensely joyful. They set a date for their meeting and happily enjoyed each other's company. They realized that their previous misunderstanding was insignificant, and that the spreaders of rumors had caused such trouble. They became like neighboring countries, with deep friendship and affection, helping each other in times of urgency and leisure. The minister (大臣 [da chen]) whom he sent was immeasurable in renown, and his position was further elevated by the treasures.

[0097c21] 彼王得之,歡然無量,剋期會日,快共相娛.察本所失,蓋不足言,傳者過差乃至此患,以為比國,友親意厚,急緩相救,自遣大臣,名不可計,寶增益其位.

[0097c21] bǐ wáng dé zhī, huān rán wú liàng, kè qī huì rì, kuài gòng xiāng yú. chá běn suǒ shī, gài bù zú yán, chuán zhě guò chà nǎi zhì cǐ huàn, yǐ wèi bǐ guó, yǒu qīn yì hòu, jí huǎn xiāng jiù, zì qiǎn dà chén, míng bù kě jì, bǎo zēng yì qí wèi.

[0097c21] bi wang de zhi, huan ran wu liang, ke qi hui ri, kuai gong xiang yu. cha ben suo shi, gai bu zu yan, chuan zhe guo cha nai zhi ci huan, yi wei bi guo, you qin yi hou, ji huan xiang jiu, zi qian da chen, ming bu ke ji, bao zeng yi qi wei.

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

[0097c25] Ānanda (阿難 [a nan]) said to the Buddha: "There is no teaching greater than that of a mother!" The Buddha said: "Indeed!"

[0097c25] 阿難白佛言: “母之至教,莫能大焉! ” 佛言: “至哉! ”

[0097c25] ā nán bái fú yán: “mǔ zhī zhì jiào, mò néng dà yān! ” fú yán: “zhì zāi! ”

[0097c25] a nan bai fu yan: "mu zhi zhi jiao, mo neng da yan! " fu yan: "zhi zai! "

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

[0097c26] He then asked the Buddha again: "In future ages, will all uphold this teaching?" The Buddha said: "Some will follow, some will not. Why? In future ages, people will be perverse and chaotic, valuing evil and despising good, indulging their emotions and desires. Ministers will want to harm their rulers, sons will kill their parents, and disciples will endanger their teachers, not remembering the profound virtue and nurturing grace, wishing to see them perish, wishing to be served alone, envying their teachers as if they were enemies. There is no greater sin! Why? In later generations, disciples will offer external service, but secretly wish to attack. Their hearts will not be in accord. Teachers will travel throughout the world, proclaiming the Dharma (道化 [dao hua]) and delivering all beings; but they will be hated and reviled. This is the sin of sins, beyond comparison. In later generations, virtuous people will be rare. There are many trees in the world, but fragrant trees are rare. Fragrant grasses grow rarely. Only a few mountain lands yield gold and precious jewels. Good people practicing virtue are also like this! When evil people act, their companions follow them, and few recognize the truth. In the time of Maitreya Buddha (彌勒佛 [mi lei fu]), there will be many virtuous people, valuing good and despising evil, without partiality. Virtue will be abundant and immeasurable. Those who cultivate virtue will be unsurpassed and will not suffer the calamities of sin. They will be filial to their parents, respectful to their rulers, and devoted to their teachers and elders. They will take refuge in the Three Jewels (三寶 [san bao]), the three vehicles (三乘 [san cheng]) will flourish, the three poisons (三毒 [san du]) will be extinguished, and countless beings will be delivered, all attaining the Dao (道 [dao])."

[0097c26] 復問佛言: “將來之世,皆承此教乎?” 佛言: “有從不從.所以者何?將來之世,人民悖亂,貴惡賤善,放逸情意,臣欲害君,子殺二親,弟子危師,不念弘德乳養之恩,欲令其沒,獨見奉事,嫉妬其師,猶如怨家,罪莫大焉! 所以者何?弟子後世,在前陽供,在後欲攻,心不與同.師出天下,宣傳道化,度脫一切;反憎惡之,罪中之罪,不可為喻.後世德人,時時有耳.天下樹多,香樹希有,香草尠生,少少山地,出金寶耳;好人行德,亦復如是! 惡人行時,伴黨相隨,識真者少.彌勒佛時,德人乃多,貴善賤惡,無有偏黨,道德盈盈,不可稱量.修德無上,不為罪殃,孝親敬君,奉承師長,歸命三寶,三乘興隆,三毒消索,所度無量,皆使得道.”

[0097c26] fù wèn fú yán: “jiāng lái zhī shì, jiē chéng cǐ jiào hū?” fú yán: “yǒu cóng bù cóng. suǒ yǐ zhě hé? jiāng lái zhī shì, rén mín bèi luàn, guì è jiàn shàn, fàng yì qíng yì, chén yù hài jūn, zi shā èr qīn, dì zi wēi shī, bù niàn hóng dé rǔ yǎng zhī ēn, yù lìng qí méi, dú jiàn fèng shì, jí dù qí shī, yóu rú yuàn jiā, zuì mò dà yān! suǒ yǐ zhě hé? dì zi hòu shì, zài qián yáng gōng, zài hòu yù gōng, xīn bù yǔ tóng. shī chū tiān xià, xuān chuán dào huà, dù tuō yī qiè; fǎn zēng è zhī, zuì zhōng zhī zuì, bù kě wèi yù. hòu shì dé rén, shí shí yǒu ěr. tiān xià shù duō, xiāng shù xī yǒu, xiāng cǎo xiǎn shēng, shǎo shǎo shān de, chū jīn bǎo ěr; hǎo rén xíng dé, yì fù rú shì! è rén xíng shí, bàn dǎng xiāng suí, shí zhēn zhě shǎo. mí lēi fú shí, dé rén nǎi duō, guì shàn jiàn è, wú yǒu piān dǎng, dào dé yíng yíng, bù kě chēng liàng. xiū dé wú shàng, bù wèi zuì yāng, xiào qīn jìng jūn, fèng chéng shī zhǎng, guī mìng sān bǎo, sān chéng xìng lóng, sān dú xiāo suǒ, suǒ dù wú liàng, jiē shǐ dé dào.”

[0097c26] fu wen fu yan: "jiang lai zhi shi, jie cheng ci jiao hu?" fu yan: "you cong bu cong. suo yi zhe he? jiang lai zhi shi, ren min bei luan, gui e jian shan, fang yi qing yi, chen yu hai jun, zi sha er qin, di zi wei shi, bu nian hong de ru yang zhi en, yu ling qi mei, du jian feng shi, ji du qi shi, you ru yuan jia, zui mo da yan! suo yi zhe he? di zi hou shi, zai qian yang gong, zai hou yu gong, xin bu yu tong. shi chu tian xia, xuan chuan dao hua, du tuo yi qie; fan zeng e zhi, zui zhong zhi zui, bu ke wei yu. hou shi de ren, shi shi you er. tian xia shu duo, xiang shu xi you, xiang cao xian sheng, shao shao shan de, chu jin bao er; hao ren xing de, yi fu ru shi! e ren xing shi, ban dang xiang sui, shi zhen zhe shao. mi lei fu shi, de ren nai duo, gui shan jian e, wu you pian dang, dao de ying ying, bu ke cheng liang. xiu de wu shang, bu wei zui yang, xiao qin jing jun, feng cheng shi zhang, gui ming san bao, san cheng xing long, san du xiao suo, suo du wu liang, jie shi de dao."

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

[0098a12] When Ānanda (阿難 [a nan]) heard this, he was filled with mixed emotions of sorrow and joy: "In the future degenerate age, there will be such suffering. It is better to be ignorant people in the mountains and wilderness, for they are superior to such people, being able to discern what to accept and reject, what to advance and retreat from." He bowed and withdrew.

[0098a12] 阿難聞之,悲喜交集: “將來末世乃有此患,不如山野愚民癡人,勝此輩者,能知去就進退之宜.” 稽首而退.

佛說負為牛者經第三十九

[0098a12] ā nán wén zhī, bēi xǐ jiāo jí: “jiāng lái mò shì nǎi yǒu cǐ huàn, bù rú shān yě yú mín chī rén, shèng cǐ bèi zhě, néng zhī qù jiù jìn tuì zhī yí.” jī shǒu ér tuì.

fú shuō fù wèi niú zhě jīng dì sān shí jiǔ

[0098a12] a nan wen zhi, bei xi jiao ji: "jiang lai mo shi nai you ci huan, bu ru shan ye yu min chi ren, sheng ci bei zhe, neng zhi qu jiu jin tui zhi yi." ji shou er tui.

fu shuo fu wei niu zhe jing di san shi jiu

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