Chapter 44: The Dream of Yasodhara

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

[0723c26] "At that time, the son of the gods, Zuoping Tianzi (作瓶天子 [zuo ping tian zi]), saw that the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) had gone out to see a corpse and had turned back, feeling disgusted with the five kinds of sensory pleasures of the world. He had returned to the palace and sat there for six days, and then he once again thought in this way: 'This great being, Huming Pusa Dashi (護明菩薩大士 [hu ming pu sa da shi]), is attached to the five kinds of sensory pleasures, and his mind is confused and indulgent, unwilling to abandon them. The time has now come. Huming Pusa (護明菩薩 [hu ming pu sa]) should quickly renounce the world and leave home. I can now create a cause to encourage him.' At that time, the son of the gods, Zuoping Tianzi (作瓶天子 [zuo ping tian zi]), to make the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) develop the intention to renounce the world, and also because of the past blessings of the son of the gods, Zuoping Tianzi (作瓶天子 [zuo ping tian zi]), made the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) feel the urge to go to the garden to play.

[0723c26] “ěr shí, zuò píng tiān zi jiàn tài zi chū guān sǐ shī, huí yàn lí shì jiān wǔ yù zhī shì, hái gōng nèi zuò, jīng liù rì hòu, fù gèng rú shì. zhòng sī wéi yán: ‘cǐ zhī hù míng pú sà dà shì, yǐ zhe wǔ yù, xīn mí fàng yì, bù kěn qì juān. jīn shí yǐ zhì, hù míng pú sà yīng xū sù jí shě lí chū jiā, wǒ jīn kě wèi zuò quàn qǐng yuán.’ shí, zuò píng tiān zi wèi fā tài zi chū jiā xīn gù, yì shì zuò píng tiān zi sù fú yīn yuán gǎn dòng, zì lìng tài zi xìng yì, yù xiàng yuán lín nèi yóu.

[0723c26] "er shi, zuo ping tian zi jian tai zi chu guan si shi, hui yan li shi jian wu yu zhi shi, hai gong nei zuo, jing liu ri hou, fu geng ru shi. zhong si wei yan: 'ci zhi hu ming pu sa da shi, yi zhe wu yu, xin mi fang yi, bu ken qi juan. jin shi yi zhi, hu ming pu sa ying xu su ji she li chu jia, wo jin ke wei zuo quan qing yuan.' shi, zuo ping tian zi wei fa tai zi chu jia xin gu, yi shi zuo ping tian zi su fu yin yuan gan dong, zi ling tai zi xing yi, yu xiang yuan lin nei you.

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

[0724a05] "At that time, the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) summoned the charioteer and commanded him, saying, 'You, skillful charioteer! Quickly prepare the carriage. I want to go to the garden.' The charioteer, having received the command, immediately went to report to Jingfan Wang (淨飯王 [jing fan wang]), 'Great King! You must know that the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) now wants to go out to the garden to play and look around.' At that time, Jingfan Wang (淨飯王 [jing fan wang]) commanded that Jiabuluo Cheng (迦毘羅城 [jia pi luo cheng]) be cleaned and decorated in various ways, just as before. He even had bells rung, proclaiming in the city, 'Do not let a single inauspicious person, whether old, sick, or dead, or a person with incomplete six faculties, appear in front of the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) and cause him to develop a sense of disgust.' The charioteer, having received the command, presented the good and virtuous carriage. The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), knowing the time, got into the carriage. With his respected virtue, he drove out from the north gate of the city.

[0724a05] “ěr shí, tài zi zhào huàn yù zhě ér chì zhī yán: ‘wèi shàn yù zhě! jí yán jià chéng, wǒ yù rù yuán.’ yù zhě shòu mìng, jí wǎng qǐ zòu jìng fàn wáng yán: ‘dà wáng! dāng zhī tài zi jīn yù chū xiàng yuán lín yóu xì guān kàn.’ shí, jìng fàn wáng chì lìng qīng jìng zhǒng zhǒng zhuāng yán jiā pí luó chéng, rú qián bù yì, nǎi zhì zhèn duó, gào chéng nèi yán: ‘mò shǐ yī rén zài tài zi qián, lǎo bìng jí sǐ, liù gēn bù jù, lìng tài zi jiàn, shēng yàn lí xīn.’ yù zhě shòu jiào, jìn hǎo xián chē, tài zi zhī shí, jí zuò chē shàng, wēi dé zūn zhòng, cóng chéng běi mén yǐn jià ér qù.

[0724a05] "er shi, tai zi zhao huan yu zhe er chi zhi yan: 'wei shan yu zhe! ji yan jia cheng, wo yu ru yuan.' yu zhe shou ming, ji wang qi zou jing fan wang yan: 'da wang! dang zhi tai zi jin yu chu xiang yuan lin you xi guan kan.' shi, jing fan wang chi ling qing jing zhong zhong zhuang yan jia pi luo cheng, ru qian bu yi, nai zhi zhen duo, gao cheng nei yan: 'mo shi yi ren zai tai zi qian, lao bing ji si, liu gen bu ju, ling tai zi jian, sheng yan li xin.' yu zhe shou jiao, jin hao xian che, tai zi zhi shi, ji zuo che shang, wei de zun zhong, cong cheng bei men yin jia er qu.

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

[0724a13] "At that time, the son of the gods, Zuoping Tianzi (作瓶天子 [zuo ping tian zi]), used his divine power to transform himself into a person not far from the carriage, in front of the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]). He had shaved his beard and hair, was wearing a sengqali (僧伽梨 [seng jia li]) [outer robe], had his right shoulder bared, and was holding a xizhang (錫杖 [xi zhang]) [tin staff]. He held an alms bowl in his left hand and was walking on the road. The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), having seen him, asked the charioteer, 'You, skillful charioteer! Who is this person? He is in front of me, with a dignified demeanor. His walking is slow and steady. He looks straight ahead for a few feet and does not look left or right. He is firm in his practice and is not like other people. He has shaved his hair and trimmed his mustache. His clothes are purely red, dyed with tree bark, unlike those of lay people. The color of his alms bowl is a deep black, like a stone inkstone.' At that time, the son of the gods, Zuoping Tianzi (作瓶天子 [zuo ping tian zi]), used his divine power to make the charioteer reply to the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), 'Great holy Taizi (太子 [tai zi])! This person is called a chujia zhiren (出家之人 [chu jia zhi ren]) [renunciant].' The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) asked the charioteer again, 'What kind of practice does a person called a chujia (出家 [chu jia]) [renunciant] do?' The charioteer replied, 'Great holy Taizi (太子 [tai zi])! This person always practices good Fahang (法行 [fa xing]) [Dharma practice], stays away from unrighteous practices, practices good and equal practices, practices good giving, practices good control of his faculties, practices good subjugation of himself, practices good granting of fearlessness, is able to generate great compassion for all beings, is good at not frightening all beings, is good at not harming all beings, and is good at protecting all beings. Taizi (太子 [tai zi])! It is because of this that he is called a chujia (出家 [chu jia]) [renunciant].' The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) asked the charioteer again, 'You, skillful charioteer! This person is good at performing all these actions. Why? Because the Fahang (法行 [fa xing]) [Dharma practice] he speaks of is a good practice, and he is even good at not harming all beings. Therefore, you should now drive the carriage toward this chujiaren (出家人 [chu jia ren]) [renunciant].' The charioteer, having received the command, replied to the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), 'As the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) has commanded.' He then drove the carriage toward the chujiaren (出家人 [chu jia ren]) [renunciant]. At that time, the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), having arrived, asked the chujiaren (出家人 [chu jia ren]) [renunciant], saying, 'Venerable great being! Who are you?' At that time, the son of the gods, Zuoping Tianzi (作瓶天子 [zuo ping tian zi]), used his divine power to make the chujiaren (出家 [chu jia]) [renunciant] with shaved hair reply to the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), 'Taizi (太子 [tai zi])! I am now called a chujiaren (出家之人 [chu jia zhi ren]) [renunciant].' The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) asked again, 'Virtuous one! Why are you called a chujiaren (出家人 [chu jia ren])?' He replied again, 'Taizi (太子 [tai zi])! I see that all worldly actions are impermanent. Having observed this, I have abandoned all worldly matters, separated from my relatives, and in order to seek liberation, I have left home and renounced the world. I contemplate in this way, 'What skillful means can I use to save all lives? This is contentment, practicing good Fahang (法行 [fa xing]) [Dharma practice], and even being good at not killing all lives.' Taizi (太子 [tai zi])! It is because of this that I am called a chujia (出家 [chu jia]) [renunciant].' The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) said again, 'Virtuous one, this action you have performed is very good. If you are able to observe that all actions are impermanent, and you can know this, and you can even grant fearlessness to all beings, and your heart can even not generate the intention to kill all beings, and you can save lives and give them peace and stability.' There is a verse that says:

"'He observes the world as a decaying law,
And desires to seek the place of unending Niepan (涅槃 [nie pan]) [Nirvana].
He has developed a mind of equality toward enemies and relatives,
And does not perform acts of desire in the world.
He lives in mountains and forests, under trees,
Or in cemeteries and in the open air,
Abandoning all compounded things,
He contemplates zhenru (真如 [zhen ru]) [suchness] and lives on alms.'

[0724a13] “ěr shí, zuò píng tiān zi yǐ shén tōng lì, qù chē bù yuǎn, yú tài zi qián, huà zuò yī rén, tì chú xū fà, zhe sēng jiā lí, piān tǎn yòu jiān, shǒu zhí xī zhàng, zuǒ zhǎng qíng bō, zài lù ér xíng. tài zi jiàn yǐ, wèn yù zhě yán: ‘wèi shàn yù zhě! cǐ shì hé rén? zài yú wǒ qián, wēi yí zhěng sù, xíng bù xú xiáng, zhí shì yī xún, bù guān zuǒ yòu, zhí xīn chí xíng, bù shì yú rén； tì fà jiǎn zī, yī sè chún chì, yǐ shù pí rǎn, bù tóng bái yī, bō sè gàn guāng, yóu rú shí dài.’ shí, zuò píng tiān zi yǐ shén tōng lì, jiào bǐ yù zhě bái tài zi yán: ‘dà shèng tài zi! cǐ rén míng wèi chū jiā zhī rén.’ tài zi fù wèn bǐ yù zhě yán: ‘chēng chū jiā zhě, cǐ xíng hé xíng?’ yù zhě bào yán: ‘dà shèng tài zi! cǐ rén héng cháng xíng shàn fǎ xíng, yuǎn lí fēi xíng, shàn píng děng xíng, shàn bù shī xíng, shàn diào zhū gēn, shàn fú zì shēn, shàn yǔ wú wèi, néng yú yī qiè zhū zhòng shēng biān shēng dà cí bēi, shàn bù kǒng bù yú zhū zhòng shēng, shàn bù shā hài yú zhū zhòng shēng, shàn néng hù niàn yú zhū zhòng shēng. tài zi! yǐ rú shì gù, míng wèi chū jiā.’ tài zi fù wèn bǐ yù zhě yán: ‘rǔ shàn yù zhě! cǐ rén shàn néng zào zuò zhū yè. hé yǐ gù? yán fǎ xíng zhě, cǐ shì shàn xíng, nǎi zhì shàn néng bù hài zhòng shēng. shì gù rǔ jīn jiāng chē xiàng bǐ chū jiā rén biān.’ yù zhě chéng mìng, bái tài zi yán: ‘rú tài zi chì.’ jí yǐn chē xiàng chū jiā rén suǒ. shì shí tài zi zhì yǐ zī wèn bǐ chū jiā rén, zuò rú shì yán: ‘zūn zhě dà shì! rǔ shì hé rén?’ shí zuò píng tiān zi yǐ shén tōng lì, jiào bǐ chū jiā tì fà zhī rén, bào tài zi yán: ‘tài zi! wǒ jīn míng wèi chū jiā zhī rén.’ tài zi fù wèn: ‘rén zhě! hé gù míng chū jiā rén?’ bǐ fù bào yán: ‘tài zi! wǒ jiàn yī qiè shì jiān zhū xíng, jǐn shì wú cháng. guān rú shì yǐ, shě yú yī qiè shì sú zhòng shì, yuǎn lí qīn zú, qiú jiě tuō gù, shě jiā chū jiā, zuò shì sī wéi: “xíng hé fāng biàn, néng huó zhū mìng? cǐ shì zhī zú, shàn xíng fǎ xíng, nǎi zhì shàn néng bù xíng shā hài yī qiè zhū mìng.” tài zi! yǐ rú shì gù wǒ míng chū jiā.’ tài zi yòu yán: ‘rén zhě suǒ wèi cǐ yè dà shàn, rǔ ruò néng guān yī qiè zhū xíng shì wú cháng fǎ, néng zhī rú shì, nǎi zhì shàn yǔ yī qiè zhòng shēng wú bù wèi zhě, nǎi zhì xīn néng bù qǐ shā hài yú zhū zhòng shēng, yòu néng huó mìng shī qí ān yǐn.’ ér yǒu jì yán:

“ ‘guān jiàn shì jiān shì miè fǎ,　　yù qiú wú jǐn niè pán chù,
　　yuàn qīn yǐ zuò píng děng xīn,　　shì jiān bù xíng yù děng shì.
　　suí yī shān lín jí shù xià,　　huò fù zhǒng jiān lù de jū,
　　shě yú yī qiè zhū yǒu wèi,　　dì guān zhēn rú qǐ shí huó.’

[0724a13] "er shi, zuo ping tian zi yi shen tong li, qu che bu yuan, yu tai zi qian, hua zuo yi ren, ti chu xu fa, zhe seng jia li, pian tan you jian, shou zhi xi zhang, zuo zhang qing bo, zai lu er xing. tai zi jian yi, wen yu zhe yan: 'wei shan yu zhe! ci shi he ren? zai yu wo qian, wei yi zheng su, xing bu xu xiang, zhi shi yi xun, bu guan zuo you, zhi xin chi xing, bu shi yu ren; ti fa jian zi, yi se chun chi, yi shu pi ran, bu tong bai yi, bo se gan guang, you ru shi dai.' shi, zuo ping tian zi yi shen tong li, jiao bi yu zhe bai tai zi yan: 'da sheng tai zi! ci ren ming wei chu jia zhi ren.' tai zi fu wen bi yu zhe yan: 'cheng chu jia zhe, ci xing he xing?' yu zhe bao yan: 'da sheng tai zi! ci ren heng chang xing shan fa xing, yuan li fei xing, shan ping deng xing, shan bu shi xing, shan diao zhu gen, shan fu zi shen, shan yu wu wei, neng yu yi qie zhu zhong sheng bian sheng da ci bei, shan bu kong bu yu zhu zhong sheng, shan bu sha hai yu zhu zhong sheng, shan neng hu nian yu zhu zhong sheng. tai zi! yi ru shi gu, ming wei chu jia.' tai zi fu wen bi yu zhe yan: 'ru shan yu zhe! ci ren shan neng zao zuo zhu ye. he yi gu? yan fa xing zhe, ci shi shan xing, nai zhi shan neng bu hai zhong sheng. shi gu ru jin jiang che xiang bi chu jia ren bian.' yu zhe cheng ming, bai tai zi yan: 'ru tai zi chi.' ji yin che xiang chu jia ren suo. shi shi tai zi zhi yi zi wen bi chu jia ren, zuo ru shi yan: 'zun zhe da shi! ru shi he ren?' shi zuo ping tian zi yi shen tong li, jiao bi chu jia ti fa zhi ren, bao tai zi yan: 'tai zi! wo jin ming wei chu jia zhi ren.' tai zi fu wen: 'ren zhe! he gu ming chu jia ren?' bi fu bao yan: 'tai zi! wo jian yi qie shi jian zhu xing, jin shi wu chang. guan ru shi yi, she yu yi qie shi su zhong shi, yuan li qin zu, qiu jie tuo gu, she jia chu jia, zuo shi si wei: "xing he fang bian, neng huo zhu ming? ci shi zhi zu, shan xing fa xing, nai zhi shan neng bu xing sha hai yi qie zhu ming." tai zi! yi ru shi gu wo ming chu jia.' tai zi you yan: 'ren zhe suo wei ci ye da shan, ru ruo neng guan yi qie zhu xing shi wu chang fa, neng zhi ru shi, nai zhi shan yu yi qie zhong sheng wu bu wei zhe, nai zhi xin neng bu qi sha hai yu zhu zhong sheng, you neng huo ming shi qi an yin.' er you ji yan:

" 'guan jian shi jian shi mie fa, yu qiu wu jin nie pan chu,
yuan qin yi zuo ping deng xin, shi jian bu xing yu deng shi.
sui yi shan lin ji shu xia, huo fu zhong jian lu de ju,
she yu yi qie zhu you wei, di guan zhen ru qi shi huo.'

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

[0724b20] "At that time, the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), out of respect for the Dharma, got down from the carriage and walked toward the chujiaren (出家人 [chu jia ren]) [renunciant]. He prostrated himself, circumambulated him three times, and then returned to the carriage and sat down. He then commanded the charioteer to turn back and return to the palace. At that time, in the palace, there was a woman named Lunü (鹿女 [lu nu]) [Deer Woman] who saw the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) returning to the palace from a distance. Because of her desire, she spoke a verse:

"'Great King Jingfan (淨飯 [jing fan]) receives happiness,
Moke Bocha (摩訶波闍 [mo he bo du]) [Mahāprajāpatī] is without worry,
The palace maids are extremely beautiful,
Who can compare to the holy one?'

[0724b20] “ěr shí tài zi wèi jìng fǎ gù, cóng chē ér xià, tú bù xiàng bǐ chū jiā rén suǒ, tóu miàn dǐng lǐ bǐ chū jiā rén, sān zā wéi rào, hái shàng chē zuò, jí chì yù zhě, huí hái gōng zhōng. shì shí gōng nèi, yǒu yī fù rén, míng yuē lù nǚ, yáo jiàn tài zi guī lái rù gōng, yīn yú yù xīn ér shuō jì yán:

“ ‘jìng fàn dà wáng shòu kuài lè,　　mó hē bō dū wú yōu chóu,
　　gōng nèi cāi nǚ jí shū yán,　　shuí néng dāng cǐ shèng zi chù?’

[0724b20] "er shi tai zi wei jing fa gu, cong che er xia, tu bu xiang bi chu jia ren suo, tou mian ding li bi chu jia ren, san za wei rao, hai shang che zuo, ji chi yu zhe, hui hai gong zhong. shi shi gong nei, you yi fu ren, ming yue lu nu, yao jian tai zi gui lai ru gong, yin yu yu xin er shuo ji yan:

" 'jing fan da wang shou kuai le, mo he bo du wu you chou,
gong nei cai nu ji shu yan, shui neng dang ci sheng zi chu?'

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

[0724b27] "At that time, the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), having heard this verse, trembled all over, and tears fell like rain. His heart was filled with love for the state of Niepan (涅槃 [nie pan]) [Nirvana]. His faculties were purified and were heading toward Niepan (涅槃 [nie pan]). He said, 'I should now attain that Niepan (涅槃 [nie pan]), I should now prove that Niepan (涅槃 [nie pan]), I should now practice that Niepan (涅槃 [nie pan]), I should now abide in that Niepan (涅槃 [nie pan]).'

[0724b27] “ěr shí tài zi wén cǐ suǒ shuō jì sòng shēng yǐ, biàn tǐ zhàn lì, lèi xià rú yǔ, xīn nèi ài lè niè pán zhī chù, qīng jìng zhū gēn, qù xiàng niè pán, ér zuò shì yán: ‘wǒ jīn yīng dāng qǔ bǐ niè pán, wǒ jīn yīng dāng zhèng bǐ niè pán, wǒ jīn yīng dāng xíng bǐ niè pán, wǒ jīn yīng dāng zhù bǐ niè pán.’

[0724b27] "er shi tai zi wen ci suo shuo ji song sheng yi, bian ti zhan li, lei xia ru yu, xin nei ai le nie pan zhi chu, qing jing zhu gen, qu xiang nie pan, er zuo shi yan: 'wo jin ying dang qu bi nie pan, wo jin ying dang zheng bi nie pan, wo jin ying dang xing bi nie pan, wo jin ying dang zhu bi nie pan.'

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

[0724c03] "At that time, Jingfan Wang (淨飯王 [jing fan wang]) was in the palace, surrounded by his ministers and officials. The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) suddenly came to the king, placed his palms together, bowed, and said to his father, 'I hope, great king, that you will now allow me to renounce the world. I want to seek Niepan (涅槃 [nie pan]). Great King! You must know that all beings are subject to separation.' When Jingfan Wang (淨飯王 [jing fan wang]) heard his Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) say this, he trembled all over, like an elephant shaking a tree. His limbs became loose, and tears filled his eyes. His voice was choked with sobs as he replied to the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), 'My son, the Taizi (太子 [tai zi])! Please stop this thought for now. My son, this is not the time for you to renounce the world. I, too, was once young, and when my faculties were active, I did not see the various afflictions of the world and did not practice Fahang (法行 [fa xing]) [Dharma practice]. Nor did I see the various evil desires and perform ascetic practices. The thought that you have now is very unbearable. My young son! You are in the prime of your youth, your mind is not yet stable, and your faculties are not yet subdued. To live in the Aluanye (阿蘭若 [a lan ruo]) [forest] at this time is to endure unbearable ascetic practices. My young son! Wait until I am old. When my time comes and I want to practice Fahang (法行 [fa xing]) [Dharma practice], I will hand over the kingdom to you, my son, so that you can inherit the throne, and then I will go into seclusion to perform ascetic practices. My young son! If you go against me and do not follow my wishes and disobey my words by performing Fahang (法行 [fa xing]) [Dharma practice], you will obtain unwholesome karma in this world because you have disobeyed your elder's words. Therefore, my son! You must quickly abandon this intention to be diligent, stay in the palace, live in peace at home, and follow the worldly laws. My young son! Generally, people in the world must first enjoy the five kinds of sensory pleasures before they develop the intention to renounce the world.' The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) replied, 'Great King! You cannot obstruct your son's intention to renounce the world. Why? It is like a person who wants to run out of a blazing fire house. This is a brave person, and he should not be stopped. Great King! All who are born must be separated. If a person knows that there is separation in the world but cannot abandon the law of separation, this is not a good thing. It is also like a person who fails to accomplish something and whose time of death is approaching. If he does not act quickly, this is not good wisdom.' He then spoke a verse to his father, the king:

"'If one sees that everything is impermanent,
And that all conditioned phenomena will eventually fall apart,
It is better to endure the separation from one's relatives in the world,
When death is approaching, one must accomplish the task.'

[0724c03] “ěr shí jìng fàn wáng zài gōng diàn nèi, zhū chén bǎi guān zuǒ yòu wéi rào, tài zi hū rán rù dào wáng biān, hé shí zhǐ zhǎng, qū gōng ér lì, bái fù wáng yán: ‘wéi yuàn dà wáng! jīn kě tīng wǒ, wǒ yù chū jiā, zhì qiú niè pán. dà wáng! dāng zhī yī qiè zhòng shēng, jiē yǒu bié lí.’ shí, jìng fàn wáng wén qí tài zi zuò shì yán yǐ, rú xiàng yáo shù, biàn tǐ zhàn dòng, zhī jié yí jiě, lèi xià yíng mù, yǔ shēng wū yàn, bào tài zi yán: ‘wǒ zi tài zi! cǐ yì qiě tíng, zi jīn fēi shì cǐ chū jiā shí. wǒ yì céng jīng nián shǎo zhī shí, zhū gēn dòng shí, ér yì wèi jiàn shì jiān zhòng huàn, bù xíng fǎ xíng, yòu yì wèi céng jiàn zhū è yù, ér xíng kǔ xíng. zi qǐ shì xīn, shén bù kān rěn. wǒ zi tóng zi! nián shǎo zhī shí, xīn yì wèi dìng, zhū gēn wèi fú, ér yù zhù bǐ ā lán ruò shí, bù kān kǔ xíng. wǒ zi tóng zi! dài wǒ nián lǎo, wǒ ruò shí zhì, yù xíng fǎ xíng, wǒ dāng shě guó fù zi wáng wèi, ér rù kōng xián, xíng yú kǔ xíng. wǒ zi tóng zi! ruò zi fǎn nì, bù shùn wǒ xīn, wéi wǒ yǔ yán, xíng yú fǎ xíng； zi yú xiàn shì, dé bù shàn fǎ, yǐ wéi zūn yǔ. shì gù wǒ zi! cǐ jīng jìn xīn, qiě jí shě lí, zhù yú gōng zhōng, ān yì jiā nèi, xíng yú sú fǎ. wǒ zi tóng zi! fán shì jiān rén, xiān xū shòu yú wǔ yù zhī lè, rán hòu fā yì, xiàng chū jiā xīn.’ tài zi bào yán: ‘dà wáng! jīn zhě bù kě dé zhàng zi chū jiā xīn. hé yǐ gù? pì rú yǒu rén, cóng bǐ fén shāo chì rán měng yàn huǒ zhái zhī zhōng yù zǒu chū zhě, cǐ shì jiàn rén, bù kě zhē duàn. dà wáng! zhū yǒu shēng zhě, huì yǒu bié lí. ruò rén jué zhī shì jiān zhī zhōng, jiē yǒu bié lí ér bù néng juān bié lí fǎ zhě, cǐ fēi shàn lì. yòu rú yǒu rén, zuò shì bù chéng, sǐ shí jiāng zhì, ér bù jí wèi, cǐ fēi shàn zhì.’ jí wèi fù wáng, ér shuō jì yán:

“ ‘ruò dǔ yī qiè jué wú cháng,　　zhū yǒu zhī fǎ zhōng sàn huài,
　　níng rěn shì jiān zhū qīn bié,　　sǐ mìng yù zhì shì xū chéng.’

[0724c03] "er shi jing fan wang zai gong dian nei, zhu chen bai guan zuo you wei rao, tai zi hu ran ru dao wang bian, he shi zhi zhang, qu gong er li, bai fu wang yan: 'wei yuan da wang! jin ke ting wo, wo yu chu jia, zhi qiu nie pan. da wang! dang zhi yi qie zhong sheng, jie you bie li.' shi, jing fan wang wen qi tai zi zuo shi yan yi, ru xiang yao shu, bian ti zhan dong, zhi jie yi jie, lei xia ying mu, yu sheng wu yan, bao tai zi yan: 'wo zi tai zi! ci yi qie ting, zi jin fei shi ci chu jia shi. wo yi ceng jing nian shao zhi shi, zhu gen dong shi, er yi wei jian shi jian zhong huan, bu xing fa xing, you yi wei ceng jian zhu e yu, er xing ku xing. zi qi shi xin, shen bu kan ren. wo zi tong zi! nian shao zhi shi, xin yi wei ding, zhu gen wei fu, er yu zhu bi a lan ruo shi, bu kan ku xing. wo zi tong zi! dai wo nian lao, wo ruo shi zhi, yu xing fa xing, wo dang she guo fu zi wang wei, er ru kong xian, xing yu ku xing. wo zi tong zi! ruo zi fan ni, bu shun wo xin, wei wo yu yan, xing yu fa xing; zi yu xian shi, de bu shan fa, yi wei zun yu. shi gu wo zi! ci jing jin xin, qie ji she li, zhu yu gong zhong, an yi jia nei, xing yu su fa. wo zi tong zi! fan shi jian ren, xian xu shou yu wu yu zhi le, ran hou fa yi, xiang chu jia xin.' tai zi bao yan: 'da wang! jin zhe bu ke de zhang zi chu jia xin. he yi gu? pi ru you ren, cong bi fen shao chi ran meng yan huo zhai zhi zhong yu zou chu zhe, ci shi jian ren, bu ke zhe duan. da wang! zhu you sheng zhe, hui you bie li. ruo ren jue zhi shi jian zhi zhong, jie you bie li er bu neng juan bie li fa zhe, ci fei shan li. you ru you ren, zuo shi bu cheng, si shi jiang zhi, er bu ji wei, ci fei shan zhi.' ji wei fu wang, er shuo ji yan:

" 'ruo du yi qie jue wu chang, zhu you zhi fa zhong san huai,
ning ren shi jian zhu qin bie, si ming yu zhi shi xu cheng.'

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

[0725a01] "At that time, Jingfan Wang (淨飯王 [jing fan wang]) earnestly spoke to the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) again, 'My young son! You must not renounce the world and leave me.' The various ministers, according to the old worldly doctrines, each used their own views to admonish the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), 'Great holy Taizi (太子 [tai zi])! Have you not heard? From the beginning of the Jie (劫 [jie]) [kalpa], in the Weituolun (韋陀論 [wei tuo lun]) [Vedas], the kings of the past, when they were young, each governed their own territory according to the Dharma. When they became old, they would hand over the royal position to their Dizho (嫡胄 [di zhou]) [eldest son] so that he could inherit the throne, and then they would go to the mountains to practice Fahang (法行 [fa xing]) [Dharma practice]. Therefore, great holy Taizi (太子 [tai zi])! You must not violate the laws of the former kings by yourself.' At that time, Jingfan Wang (淨飯王 [jing fan wang]), having heard the ministers' words, shed tears like rain. He stared intently at the Taizi (太子 [tai zi])'s face, his eyes not blinking. At that time, the Taizi (太子 [tai zi])'s heart was filled with doubt, worry, and unhappiness, and he returned to the palace. When the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) arrived at the palace, the palace maids, seeing the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) returning from a distance, were all happy and got up from their seats. Some put their palms together, some put on a charming expression, some danced, some sang, and some served him with their bodies. Seeing the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) seated, they all, with a desireful heart, displayed a passionate demeanor. They surrounded the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) and enjoyed themselves together, just like the Zizaitian (自在天 [zi zai tian]) [God of Self-Mastery] in his palace. The Taizi (太子 [tai zi])'s divine and majestic appearance and excellent characteristics were so brilliant and magnificent that their joy was also great.

[0725a01] “shí jìng fàn wáng gèng fù yīn qín zhòng yǔ tài zi: ‘wǒ zi tóng zi! jué dìng bù dé shě wǒ chū jiā.’ yòu zhū dà chén, yī xī shì lùn, gè yǐ suǒ jiàn, jiàn tài zi yán: ‘dà shèng tài zi! kě bù wén hū? jié chū yǐ lái, wéi tuó lùn zhōng, xī zhū wáng bèi, nián shǎo zhī shí, gè zài zì jìng, rú fǎ zhì huà, zhì nián lǎo shí, dí zhòu xiāng chéng, gè jiāng shì zi, yǐ shào wáng wèi, rán hòu xiàng shān, xiū xíng fǎ xíng. yǐ shì yì gù, dà shèng tài zi! bù dé dú wéi xiān wáng zhī fǎ.’ shí, jìng fàn wáng wén zhū dà chén zuò shì yǔ yǐ, lèi xià rú yǔ, yī xīn dì guān tài zi zhī miàn, yǎn jīng bù shùn. shì shí tài zi, xīn nèi hú yí, yōu chóu bù lè, hái rù gōng zhōng. tài zi zhì gōng, zhū cāi nǚ děng, yáo jiàn tài zi, jiē xī huān xǐ, cóng zuò ér qǐ, huò shǒu hé zhǎng, huò miàn jiāo zī, huò wǔ huò gē, huò shēn chéng fèng. jiàn tài zi zuò, gè yǐ yù xīn, bá tài chì shèng, wéi rào tài zi, xiāng gòng yú lè, rú zì zài tiān zài yú gōng nèi, wēi dé wēi wēi, zhòng xiāng xiǎn hè, huān lè yì rán.

[0725a01] "shi jing fan wang geng fu yin qin zhong yu tai zi: 'wo zi tong zi! jue ding bu de she wo chu jia.' you zhu da chen, yi xi shi lun, ge yi suo jian, jian tai zi yan: 'da sheng tai zi! ke bu wen hu? jie chu yi lai, wei tuo lun zhong, xi zhu wang bei, nian shao zhi shi, ge zai zi jing, ru fa zhi hua, zhi nian lao shi, di zhou xiang cheng, ge jiang shi zi, yi shao wang wei, ran hou xiang shan, xiu xing fa xing. yi shi yi gu, da sheng tai zi! bu de du wei xian wang zhi fa.' shi, jing fan wang wen zhu da chen zuo shi yu yi, lei xia ru yu, yi xin di guan tai zi zhi mian, yan jing bu shun. shi shi tai zi, xin nei hu yi, you chou bu le, hai ru gong zhong. tai zi zhi gong, zhu cai nu deng, yao jian tai zi, jie xi huan xi, cong zuo er qi, huo shou he zhang, huo mian jiao zi, huo wu huo ge, huo shen cheng feng. jian tai zi zuo, ge yi yu xin, ba tai chi sheng, wei rao tai zi, xiang gong yu le, ru zi zai tian zai yu gong nei, wei de wei wei, zhong xiang xian he, huan le yi ran.

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

[0725a16] "At that time, the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), with the same auspicious and excellent characteristics as those born with him, was always adorned and enjoyed himself day and night. When they saw the Taizi (太子 [tai zi])'s characteristics were so brilliant and magnificent, their hearts generated a sense of wonder, thinking that this was the Yue Tian (月天 [yue tian]) [Moon God] himself who had descended to earth. Those palace maids, seeing the Taizi (太子 [tai zi])'s appearance, were filled with envy. Some raised their eyebrows, some looked at him with their eyes, some whispered, and some beckoned with their hands. Because of the Taizi (太子 [tai zi])'s divine power, their desire was not able to burn fiercely, and they were also not able to laugh. The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) also left his father, the king. At that time, Jingfan Wang (淨飯王 [jing fan wang]) summoned the charioteer and said to him, 'You, skillful charioteer! Did the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) not go to that garden?' The charioteer replied, 'Great King! You must know! The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) wanted to go to that garden, but halfway there, he saw a person who had shaved his beard and hair, was wearing a dyed robe, and was holding a staff and an alms bowl. Having seen that person, he turned the carriage around and returned to the palace, where he is now sitting upright and contemplating.'

[0725a16] “ěr shí, tài zi yǐ gòng tóng shēng zhū xiāng zhū hǎo, yī qí děng zhě, héng cháng zhuāng yán, rì yè yóu xì. yòu jiàn tài zi rú shì zhū xiāng xiǎn hè bǐng zhe, xīn shēng rú shì xī yǒu zhī xiǎng, cǐ shì yuè tiān zì xià yú de. bǐ děng cāi nǚ, jiàn yú tài zi rú shì xiāng mào, jí qǐ xiàn xīn, huò fù yáng méi, huò yǒu mù shì, huò kǒu chá yǔ, huò shǒu xiāng zhāo, yǐ shì tài zi wēi shén lì gù, lìng qí yù xīn bù néng chì shèng, fù bù néng xiào, tài zi yì cóng fù wáng biān chū. shí, jìng fàn wáng jí huàn yù zhě, ér gào zhī yán: ‘wèi shàn yù zhě! tài zi bù zhì bǐ yuán lín hū?’ yù zhě bào yán: ‘dà wáng! dāng zhī! tài zi yù xiàng bǐ yuán lín zhōng, yú qí bàn dào, jiàn yǒu yī rén, tì chú xū fà, shēn fú rǎn yī, zhí zhàng chí bō, jiàn bǐ rén yǐ, huí chē rù gōng, duān zuò sī wéi.’

[0725a16] "er shi, tai zi yi gong tong sheng zhu xiang zhu hao, yi qi deng zhe, heng chang zhuang yan, ri ye you xi. you jian tai zi ru shi zhu xiang xian he bing zhe, xin sheng ru shi xi you zhi xiang, ci shi yue tian zi xia yu de. bi deng cai nu, jian yu tai zi ru shi xiang mao, ji qi xian xin, huo fu yang mei, huo you mu shi, huo kou cha yu, huo shou xiang zhao, yi shi tai zi wei shen li gu, ling qi yu xin bu neng chi sheng, fu bu neng xiao, tai zi yi cong fu wang bian chu. shi, jing fan wang ji huan yu zhe, er gao zhi yan: 'wei shan yu zhe! tai zi bu zhi bi yuan lin hu?' yu zhe bao yan: 'da wang! dang zhi! tai zi yu xiang bi yuan lin zhong, yu qi ban dao, jian you yi ren, ti chu xu fa, shen fu ran yi, zhi zhang chi bo, jian bi ren yi, hui che ru gong, duan zuo si wei.'

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

[0725a28] "At that time, Jingfan Wang (淨飯王 [jing fan wang]), having heard this, thought, 'The great immortal Asituo Xian (阿私陀仙 [a si tuo xian])'s words were not false. I am definitely afraid that the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) will renounce the world and leave home. I should now provide him with more of the five kinds of sensory pleasures to make him attached to them and prevent him from renouncing the world.' At that time, Jingfan Wang (淨飯王 [jing fan wang]) increased the five kinds of sensory pleasures for the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]), teaching him to stay in the palace and enjoy happiness, and not allowing him to renounce the world. He spoke a verse again:

"'The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) saw a chujiaren (出家人 [chu jia ren]) [renunciant] on the road,
His body was wearing clothes dyed with tree bark.
Having seen him, he resolved to seek the supreme path,
And his heart deeply desired to renounce the world.
He contemplated the boundless suffering of aging, sickness, and death,
And also saw a chujiaren (出家人 [chu jia ren]) [renunciant] living on alms.
He was disgusted with the world and abandoned the three afflictions,
Longing for liberation and seeking the unconditioned.
The sores of birth, aging, sickness, and death,
The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) wanted to be free from these sufferings.
He saw that chujiaren (出家 [chu jia]) [renunciant] on the road,
And his heart was filled with great joy, thinking, 'This is the truth.'
He wanted to abandon greed and the roots of anger,
'I should shave my head and enter the mountain forests.'
The Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) wanted to seek the true Dharma,
And he was greatly joyful to see that shamen (沙門 [sha men]) [ascetic].
Riding on a good four-horse, well-controlled chariot,
He wanted to leave the three realms, so he went to see the garden,
But halfway there, he saw a person who had abandoned worldly clothes,
And his heart rejoiced, 'This is the supreme Puti (菩提 [pu ti]) [Bodhi].'

[0725a28] “ěr shí, jìng fàn wáng wén shì yǔ yǐ rú shì sī wéi: ‘dà xiān sī tuó yán bù xū wàng, dìng kǒng tài zi shě jiā chū jiā, wǒ jīn gèng kě zēng yì wǔ yù, lìng qí rǎn zhe wù shǐ chū jiā.’ shí, jìng fàn wáng gèng jiā wǔ yù, jiào zhù gōng nèi, xīn shòu kuài lè, bù xǔ chū jiā, zhòng shuō jì yán:

“ ‘tài zi dào jiàn chū jiā rén,　　shēn tǐ zhe yī shù pí rǎn,
　　dǔ yǐ zhì qiú wú shàng dào,　　shēn xīn wéi lè zài chū jiā.
　　guān lǎo bìng sǐ kǔ wú biān,　　yòu jiàn chū jiā qǐ shí huó,
　　yàn lí shì jiān shě sān huàn,　　mù lè jiě tuō qiú wú wèi.
　　shēng lǎo bìng sǐ zhū chuāng yóu,　　tài zi yù lí bǐ děng kǔ,
　　dào shàng jiàn bǐ chū jiā zhě,　　xīn shēng dà xǐ cǐ shì zhēn.
　　yù shě tān děng zhū huì gēn,　　wǒ yīng tì chú rù shān sǒu,
　　tài zi yù qiú zhì zhēn fǎ,　　jiàn bǐ shā mén dà xǐ huān.
　　chéng shàn sì mǎ diào yù chē,　　yù chū sān jiè gù guān yuàn,
　　bàn lù jiàn bǐ shě sú fú,　　xīn xǐ cǐ shì shàng pú tí.’

[0725a28] "er shi, jing fan wang wen shi yu yi ru shi si wei: 'da xian si tuo yan bu xu wang, ding kong tai zi she jia chu jia, wo jin geng ke zeng yi wu yu, ling qi ran zhe wu shi chu jia.' shi, jing fan wang geng jia wu yu, jiao zhu gong nei, xin shou kuai le, bu xu chu jia, zhong shuo ji yan:

" 'tai zi dao jian chu jia ren, shen ti zhe yi shu pi ran,
du yi zhi qiu wu shang dao, shen xin wei le zai chu jia.
guan lao bing si ku wu bian, you jian chu jia qi shi huo,
yan li shi jian she san huan, mu le jie tuo qiu wu wei.
sheng lao bing si zhu chuang you, tai zi yu li bi deng ku,
dao shang jian bi chu jia zhe, xin sheng da xi ci shi zhen.
yu she tan deng zhu hui gen, wo ying ti chu ru shan sou,
tai zi yu qiu zhi zhen fa, jian bi sha men da xi huan.
cheng shan si ma diao yu che, yu chu san jie gu guan yuan,
ban lu jian bi she su fu, xin xi ci shi shang pu ti.'

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

[0725b14] "At that time, Jingfan Wang (淨飯王 [jing fan wang]) furthermore provided the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) with abundant and increased merits of the five kinds of sensory pleasures. He also built tall and huge fortifications all around the old palace and city walls, surrounding the old palace. The moats were extremely deep, and on the battlements, various jewel nets were placed. Bells were hung from the knots of the nets. The palace gates were strictly guarded. When they opened or closed in the morning or evening, they would make a loud sound that could be heard far away. Outside the gates, countless chariots, elephants, horses, and teams of people were placed. They were all wearing armor and were well-equipped. Next, outside the palace, countless hundreds of thousands of strong and handsome men were placed. They were all able to defeat all enemies. They wore armor and held tridents, bows and arrows, long knives, halberds, spears, and large clubs. All these various weapons were used to protect the Taizi (太子 [tai zi]) and the inner and outer city gates. He also commanded and strictly instructed the palace maids to play various musical instruments and display all kinds of entertainment, day and night without stopping. All the seductive skills of the women were displayed to bind him with the shackles of desire, so that he would become attached to desire and not renounce the world.

The Fifteenth Scroll of the Sutra on the Deeds of the Buddha

[0725b14] “ěr shí, jìng fàn wáng, gèng wèi tài zi, guǎng shè wǔ yù suǒ yǒu gōng dé, shì shì jiā yì, xī shǐ zēng duō. fù yú jiù gōng chéng guō zhī wài, sì miàn zhōu zā, shǒu hù láo fáng, bié gèng zhú yú chóng jù gāo lěi, rào yú jiù yuàn, kēng qiàn jí shēn, qí yōng dié tóu, ān zhì zhǒng zhǒng qī bǎo luó wǎng, luó wǎng jié mù xī xuán míng líng, gōng gé mén fēi, yán jiā jìn wèi. chén xī chū rù kāi hé zhī shí, shǐ yǒu dà shēng, wén chè sì yuǎn mén wài. fù zhì wú liàng bīng chē xiàng mǎ, jí rén tuán duì xiāng zhuō, jiē bèi ān jiǎ, xī shǐ jīng láo. qí cì, fù yú gōng yuàn zhī wài, ān zhì wú liàng bǎi qiān zhuàng shì, xíng róng duān zhèng, kě xǐ wú shuāng, xī néng pò tā suǒ yǒu yuàn dí. shēn dài jiǎ zhòu, shǒu zhí sān chā gōng jiàn zhǎng dāo jǐ shuò cuān bàng, zhū rú shì děng zhǒng zhǒng wǔ zhàng, fáng hù tài zi, nèi wài chéng mén. fù jiào gōng nèi, yán jiā yuē chì, zhū cāi nǚ děng, zhòu yè mò tíng, zòu zhū yīn lè, xiǎn xiàn yī qiè yú lè zhī shì. suǒ yǒu nǚ rén huàn huò zhī néng, xī jiē xiǎn xiàn, yǐ yù jiā fù, shǐ zhe yù xīn, wù shě chū jiā.

fú běn xíng jí jīng juǎn dì shí wǔ

[0725b14] "er shi, jing fan wang, geng wei tai zi, guang she wu yu suo you gong de, shi shi jia yi, xi shi zeng duo. fu yu jiu gong cheng guo zhi wai, si mian zhou za, shou hu lao fang, bie geng zhu yu chong ju gao lei, rao yu jiu yuan, keng qian ji shen, qi yong die tou, an zhi zhong zhong qi bao luo wang, luo wang jie mu xi xuan ming ling, gong ge men fei, yan jia jin wei. chen xi chu ru kai he zhi shi, shi you da sheng, wen che si yuan men wai. fu zhi wu liang bing che xiang ma, ji ren tuan dui xiang zhuo, jie bei an jia, xi shi jing lao. qi ci, fu yu gong yuan zhi wai, an zhi wu liang bai qian zhuang shi, xing rong duan zheng, ke xi wu shuang, xi neng po ta suo you yuan di. shen dai jia zhou, shou zhi san cha gong jian zhang dao ji shuo cuan bang, zhu ru shi deng zhong zhong wu zhang, fang hu tai zi, nei wai cheng men. fu jiao gong nei, yan jia yue chi, zhu cai nu deng, zhou ye mo ting, zou zhu yin le, xian xian yi qie yu le zhi shi. suo you nu ren huan huo zhi neng, xi jie xian xian, yi yu jia fu, shi zhe yu xin, wu she chu jia.

fu ben xing ji jing juan di shi wu