Chapter Ten: The Teacher of the Law
妙法莲华经法师品第十
At that time the World-Honored One addressed Bodhisattva Medicine King. And through him the eighty thousand great men, saying:
尔时世尊。因药王菩萨。告八万大士。
"Medicine King, do you see in this great assembly the immeasurable number of heavenly beings, dragons kings, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, mahoragas, human and nonhuman beings,
"药王。汝见是大众中无量诸天龙王夜叉乾闼婆阿修罗迦楼罗紧那罗摩睺罗伽人与非人。
"as well as monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen,
"及比丘比丘尼。优婆塞优婆夷。
"those who seek to become voice-hearers, who seek to become pratyekabuddhas, or those seek the Buddha way?
"求声闻者。求辟支佛者。求佛道者。
"Upon these various kinds of beings who in the presence of the Buddha listen to one verse or one phrase of the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law and for a moment think of it with joy I will bestow on all of them a prophecy that they will attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
"如是等类咸于佛前。闻妙法华经一偈一句。乃至一念随喜者。我皆与授记。当得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。"
The Buddha said to Medicine King: "In addition, if after the Thus Come One has passed into extinction there should be someone who listens to the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law, even one verse or one phrase, and for a moment thinks of it with joy,
佛告药王。"又如来灭度之后。若有人闻妙法华经乃至一偈一句一念随喜者。
"I will likewise bestow on him a prophesy that he will attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
"我亦与授阿耨多罗三藐三菩提记。
"Again if there are persons who embrace, read, recite, expound and copy the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law, even only one verse,
"若复有人。受持读诵解说书写妙法华经乃至一偈。
"and look upon this sutra with the same reverence as they would the Buddha,
"于此经卷敬视如佛。
"presenting various offerings of flowers, incense, necklaces, powdered incense, paste incense, incense for burning, silken canopies, streamers and banners, clothing and music,
"种种供养华香璎珞末香涂香烧香缯盖幢幡衣服伎乐。
"and pressing their palms together in reverence, then,
"乃至合掌恭敬。
" Medicine King, you should understand million Buddhas that such person have already offered alms to a hundred thousand million Buddhas and in the place of the Buddhas have fulfilled their great vow,
"药王当知。是诸人等。已曾供养十万亿佛。于诸佛所成就大愿。
"and because they take pity on living beings they have been born in this human world
"愍众生故生此人间。
"Medicine King, if someone should ask what living beings will be able to attain Buddhahood in a latter-day existence,
"药王。若有人问何等众生于未来世当得作佛。
"then you should show him all these people in a latter-day existence are certain to attain Buddhahood.
"应示是诸人等于未来世必得作佛。
"Why? Because if good men and good women embrace, read, recite, expound and copy the Lotus Sutra, even one phrase of it,
"何以故。若善男子善女人。于法华经乃至一句。受持读诵解说书写。
"offer various kinds of alms to the sutra, flowers, incense, necklaces, powdered incense, paste incense, incense for burning, silken canopies, streamers and banners, clothing and music,
"种种供养经卷。华香璎珞末香涂香烧香缯盖幢幡衣服伎乐。
"and press their hands together in reverence,
"合掌恭敬。
"then these persons will be looked up to and honored by all the world.
"是人一切世间所应瞻奉。
"Alms will be offered to them such as would be offered to the Thus Come One.
"应以如来供养而供养之。
"You should understand that these persons are great bodhisattvas who have succeeded in attaining anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
"当知此人是大菩萨。成就阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。
"Pitying living beings, they have vowed to be born among them where they may broadly expound and make distinctions regarding the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law.
"哀愍众生愿生此间。广演分别妙法华经。
"How much more so is this true, then, of those who embrace the entire sutra and offer various types of alms to it!
"何况尽能受持种种供养者。
"Medicine King, you should understand that these persons voluntarily relinquish the reward due for their pure deeds and, in the time after I have passed into extinction,
"药王当知。是人自舍清净业报。于我灭度后。
"because they pity living beings, they are born in this evil world so they may broadly expound this sutra.
"愍众生故。生于恶世广演此经。
"If one of these good men or good women in the time after I have passed into extinction is able to secretly expound the Lotus Sutra to one person, even one phrase of it,
"若是善男子善女人。我灭度后。能窃为一人说法华经乃至一句。
"then you should know that he or she is the envoy of the Thus Come One. He has been dispatched of the Thus Come One and carries out the Thus Come One's work.
"当知是人。则如来使如来所遣行如来事。
"And how much more so those who in the midst of the great assembly broadly expound the sutra for others!
"何况于大众中广为人说。
"Medicine King, if there should be an evil person who, his mind destitute of goodness, should for the space of a kalpa appear in the presence of the Buddha and constantly curse and revile the Buddha, that person's offense would still be rather light.
"药王。若有恶人以不善心。于一劫中现于佛前。常毁骂佛其罪尚轻。
"But if there were a person who spoke only one evil word to curse or defame the lay persons or monks or nuns who read and recite the Lotus Sutra, then his offense would be very grave.
"若人以一恶言。毁呰在家出家读诵法华经者。其罪甚重。
"Medicine King, these persons who read and recite the Lotus Sutra-you should understand that these persons adorn themselves with the adornments of the Buddhas they are borne upon the shoulders of the Thus Come One.
"药王。其有读诵法华经者。当知是人。以佛庄严而自庄严。则为如来肩所荷担。
"Wherever they may go, one should greet them with bows, with palms pressed single-mindedly together, with reverence and alms, with respect and praise,
"其所至方应随向礼。一心合掌恭敬供养尊重赞叹。
"flowers, incense, necklaces, powdered incense, paste incense, incense for burning, silken canopies, streamers and banners, clothing, delicacies and the making of music.
"华香璎珞末香涂香烧香缯盖幢幡衣服肴馔。作诸伎乐。
"The finest alms that can be offered to a person should be offered to them.
"人中上供而供养之。
"Heavenly treasures should be scattered over them,
"应持天宝而以散之。
"the treasure hoards of heaven should be given them as gifts.
"天上宝聚应以奉献。
"Why do I say this? Because these persons delight in expounding the Law. And if one listens to them for even a moment,
"所以者何。是人欢喜说法。须臾闻之。
"he will immediately attain the ultimate anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
"即得究竟阿耨多罗三藐三菩提故。
At that time the World-Honored One, wishing to state his meaning once more, spoke in verse form, saying:
尔时世尊。欲重宣此义。而说偈言
If you wish to abide in the Buddha way若欲住佛道
and successfully gain the wisdom that comes of itself, 成就自然智
you should be constantly diligent in offering alms常当勤供养
to those who embrace the Lotus Sutra. 受持法华者
If you have a wish to quickly obtain其有欲疾得
wisdom regarding all species of things, 一切种智慧
you should embrace this sutra当受持是经
and at the same time give alms to those who do so. 并供养持者
If one is capable of embracing若有能受持
the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law, 妙法华经者
know that such a person is an envoy of the Buddha 当知佛所使
who thinks wit pity of living beings. 愍念诸众生
Those who are capable of embracing诸有能受持
the Lotus of the Wonderful Law妙法华经者
relinquish their claim to the pure land舍于清净土
and out of pity for living beings are born here. 愍众故生此
Know that persons such as these当知如是人
freely choose where they will be born, 自在所欲生
and choose to be born in this evil world能于此恶世
so they may broadly expound the unsurpassed Law. 广说无上法
You should offer heavenly flowers and incense, 应以天华香
robes decked with heavenly treasures, 及天宝衣服
the wonderful treasure hoards of heaven天上妙宝聚
as alms to those who preach the Law. 供养说法者
In the evil world following my extinction吾灭后恶世
if there are those who can embrace this sutra, 能持是经者
you should press your palms together in reverence当合掌礼敬
and offer alms to them as you would to the
World-Honored One. 如供养世尊
The choicest delicacies, all that is sweet and tasty, 上馔众甘美
along with various types of clothing及种种衣服
you should offer as alms to these Buddha sons供养是佛子
in hopes you may hear a moment of their preaching. 冀得须臾闻
If there are those in a later age若能于后世
who can accept and embrace this sutra, 受持是经者
they are my envoys sent out among the people我遣在人中
to perform the Thus Come One's work. 行于如来事
If for the space of a kalpa若于一劫中
one should constantly harbor a mind destitute of good常怀不善心
and with angry looks should revile the Buddha, 作色而骂佛
he will be committing an offense of immeasurable gravity. 获无量重罪
But if toward those who read, recite and embrace其有读诵持
this Lotus Sutra是法华经者
one should even for a moment direct evil words, 须臾加恶言
his offense will be even greater. 其罪复过彼
If there is someone who seeks the Buddha way有人求佛道
and during a certain kalpa而于一劫中
presses palms together in my presence合掌在我前
and recites numberless verses of praise, 以无数偈赞
because of these praises of the Buddha由是赞佛故
he will gain immeasurable blessings. 得无量功德
And if one lauds and extols those who uphold this sutra, 叹美持经者
his good fortune will be even greater. 其福复过彼
For the space of eighty million kalpas, 于八十亿劫
with the most wonderful shapes and sounds, 以最妙色声
with that which is pleasing to smell, taste and touch, 及与香味触
offer alms to the upholders of this sutra! 供养持经者
If you have offered alms in this manner如是供养已
and have heard the teachings for even a moment, 若得须臾闻
then you will experience joy and good fortune, 则应自欣庆
saying, "I have gained great benefit!" 我今获大利
Medicine King, now I say to you, 药王今告汝
I have preached various sutras, 我所说诸经
and among those sutras而于此经中
the Lotus is foremost! 法华最第一
At that time the Buddha spoke once more to the bodhisattva and mahasattva Medicine King, saying:
尔时佛复告药王菩萨摩诃萨。
"The sutras I have preached number immeasurable thousands, ten thousands millions, among the sutras I have preached, now preach, and will preach, this Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand.
"我所说经典无量千万亿。已说今说当说。而于其中。此法华经最为难信难解。
"Medicine King, this sutra is the storehouse of the secret crux of the Buddhas, it must not be distributed recklessly transmitted to others.
"药王。此经是诸佛秘要之藏。不可分布妄授与人。
"It has been guarded by the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, and from times past until now has never been openly expounded,
"诸佛世尊之所守护。从昔已来未曾显说。
"and since hatred and jealousy toward this sutra abound even when the Thus Come One is in the world,
"而此经者。如来现在犹多怨嫉。
"how much more will this be so after his passing?
"况灭度后。
"Medicine King, you should know that after the Thus Come One has entered extinction,
"药王当知。如来灭后。
"if there are those who can copy, uphold, read and recite this sutra, offer alms to it and expound it for others,
"其能书持读诵供养为他人说者。
"then the Thus Come One will cover them with his robe,
"如来则为以衣覆之。
"and they will also be protected and kept in mind by the Buddhas who are now present in other regions.
"又为他方现在诸佛之所护念。
"Such persons possess the power of great faith, the power of aspiration, the power of good roots,
"是人有大信力及志愿力诸善根力。
"you should know that such persons lodge in the same place as the Thus Come One, and the Thus Come One pats them on the head with his hand.
"当知是人与如来共宿。则为如来手摩其头。
"Medicine King, in any place whatsoever where this sutra is preached, where it is read, where it is recited, where it is copied, or where a roll of it exists,
"药王。在在处处。若说若读若诵若书。若经卷所住处。
"in all such places there should be erected towers made of the seven kinds of gems, and they should be made very high and broad and well adorned.
"皆应起七宝塔极令高广严饰。
"There is no need to enshrine the relics of the Buddha there.
"不须复安舍利。
"Why? Because in such towers the entire body of the Thus Come One is already present.
"所以者何。此中已有如来全身。
"All kinds of flowers, incense, necklaces, silken canopies. Streamers and banners, music and hymns should be offered as alms to these towers.
"此塔应以一切华香璎珞缯盖幢幡伎乐歌颂。
"And they should be accorded reverence, honor and praise.
"供养恭敬尊重赞叹。
"If when people see these towers they bow in obeisance and offer alms,
"若有人得见此塔礼拜供养。
"then you should know that such persons have all drawn near to anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
"当知是等皆近阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。
药王。多有人在家出家行菩萨道。若不能得见闻读诵书持供养是法华经者。当知是人未善行菩萨道。若有得闻是经典者。乃能善行菩萨之道。其有众生求佛道者。若见若闻是法华经。闻已信解受持者。当知是人得近阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。
"Medicine King, suppose there is a man who is parched with thirst and in need of water.
"药王。譬如有人渴乏须水。
"On an upland plateau he begins digging a hole in search of water, but he sees that the soil is dry and knows that water is still far away.
"于彼高原穿凿求之。犹见干土知水尚远。
"He does not cease his efforts, however, and bit by bit he sees the soil becoming damper, until gradually he has worked his way into mud.
"施功不已转见湿土遂渐至泥。
"Now he is determined in his mind to go on, for he knows that he is bound to be nearing water.
"其心决定知水必近。
"The way of the bodhisattva is the same as this.
"菩萨亦复如是。
" As long as a person has not yet heard.Not yet understood. And not yet been able to practice this Lotus Sutra, then you should know that person is still far away from anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.
"若未闻未解未能修习是法华经者。当知是人去阿耨多罗三藐三菩提尚远。
"若得闻解思惟修习。必知得近阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。
"Why? Because all bodhisattvas who attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in all cases do so through this sutra.
"所以者何。一切菩萨阿耨多罗三藐三菩提皆属此经。
"This sutra opens the gate of expedient means and shows the form of true reality.
"此经开方便门示真实相。
"This storehouse of the Lotus Sutra is hidden deep and far away where no person can reach it.
"是法华经藏深固幽远。无人能到。
"But the Buddha, teaching, converting and leading to success the bodhisattvas, opens it up for them.
"今佛教化成就菩萨。而为开示。
"Medicine King, if there are bodhisattvas who, on hearing this Lotus Sutra, respond with surprise, doubt and fear,
"药王。若有菩萨。闻是法华经惊疑怖畏。
"then you should know that they are bodhisattvas who have only newly embarked on their course.
"当知是为新发意菩萨。
"And if there are voice-hearers who, on hearing this sutra, respond with surprise, doubt, and fear, then you should know that they are persons of overbearing arrogance.
"若声闻人。闻是经惊疑怖畏。当知是为增上慢者。
"Medicine King, if there are good men and good women who, after the Thus Come One has entered extinction,
"药王。若有善男子善女人。如来灭后。
"wish to expound this Lotus Sutra for the four kinds of believers, how should they expound it?
"欲为四众说是法华经者。云何应说。
"These good men and good women should enter the Thus Come One's room put on the Thus Come One's robe, sit in the Thus Come One's seat,
"是善男子善女人。入如来室。着如来衣。坐如来座。
"and then for the sake of the four kinds of believers broadly expound this sutra.
"尔乃应为四众广说斯经。
"The 'Thus Come One's room' is the state of mind that shows great pity and compassion toward all living beings.
"如来室者。一切众生中大慈悲心是。
"The Thus Come One's robe is the mind that is gentle and forbearing.
"如来衣者。柔和忍辱心是。
"The 'Thus Come One's seat is the emptiness of all phenomena.
"如来座者。一切法空是。
"One should seat oneself comfortably therein and after that, with a mind never lazy or remiss,
"安住是中。然后以不懈怠心。
"should for the sake of the bodhisattvas and the four kinds of believers broadly expound this Lotus Sutra.
"为诸菩萨及四众广说是法华经。
"Medicine King, I will send persons conjured up by magic to other lands to gather together assemblies to listen to the Law,
"药王。我于余国遣化人为其集听法众。
"and I will also send monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen conjured up by magic to listen to the preaching of the Law, believe and accept it, and abide by it without violation.
"亦遣化比丘比丘尼优婆塞优婆夷听其说法。是诸化人。闻法信受随顺不逆。
"If the preachers of the Law are in an empty and silent place,
"若说法者在空闲处。
"I will at that time send large numbers of heavenly beings, dragons, spirits, gandharvas, asuras, and others to listen to their preaching of the law.
"我时广遣天龙鬼神乾闼婆阿修罗等听其说法。
"Though I should be in another land, from time to time I will make it possible for the preachers of the Law to see my body.
"我虽在异国。时时令说法者得见我身。
"If they should forget a phrase of this sutra, I will appear and prompt them so that they are able to recite the text correctly and in full.
" 若于此经忘失句逗。我还为说令得具足。"
At that time the World-Honored One, wishing to state his meaning once more, spoke in verse form, saying:
尔时世尊。欲重宣此义。而说偈言
If you wish to put aside all sloth and remissness, 欲舍诸懈怠
you must listen to this sutra, 应当听此经
It is hard to get a chance to hear this sutra, 是经难得闻
and believing and accepting it too is hard. 信受者亦难
If a person is thirsty and wants water如人渴须水
he may dig a hole in the high plateau, 穿凿于高原
but as long as he sees the soil dry犹见干燥土
he knows the water is still far away. 知去水尚远
But bit by bit he sees the soil grow damp and muddy渐见湿土泥
and then he knows for certain he is nearing water. 决定知近水
Medicine King, you should understand药王汝当知
that people are like this-如是诸人等
if they do not hear the Lotus Sutra, 不闻法华经
they will be far removed from the Buddha's wisdom, 去佛智甚远
But if they hear this profound sutra若闻是深经
which defines the Law of the voice-hearer, 决了声闻法
if they hear this king of the sutras是诸经之王
and afterward carefully ponder it, 闻已谛思惟
then you should know such persons当知此人等
are close to the wisdom of the Buddha. 近于佛智慧
If a person expounds this sutra, 若人说此经
he should enter the Thus Come One's room, 应入如来室
put on the Thus Come One's robe, 着于如来衣
sit in the Thus Come One's seat, 而坐如来座
confront the assembly without fear处众无所畏
and broadly expand it for them, making distinctions. 广为分别说
Great pity and compassion are the room. 大慈悲为室
Gentleness and patience are the robe. 柔和忍辱衣
The emptiness of all phenomena is the seat, 诸法空为座
and from that the position one should expound the Law for them.
处此为说法
If when a person expounds this sutra若说此经时
there is someone who speaks ill and reviles him有人恶口骂
or attacks him with swords and staves, tiles and stones, 加刀杖瓦石
he should think of the Buddha and for that reason be patient.
念佛故应忍
In a thousand, ten thousand, million lands 我千万亿土
I will manifest my pure and durable body现净坚固身
and for immeasurable millions of kalpas于无量亿劫
will expound the Law for living beings, 为众生说法
If after I have entered extinction若我灭度后
there are those who can expound this sutra, 能说此经者
I will send the four kinds of believers, magically conjured,
我遣化四众
monks and nuns比丘比丘尼
and men and women of pure faith, 及清信士女
to offer alms and cause them to listen to the Law; 供养于法师
they will lead and guide living beings, 引导诸众生
assemble them and cause them to listen to the Law. 集之令听法
If someone thinks to do evil to the preachers若人欲加恶
with swords and staves or with tiles and stones, 刀杖及瓦石
I will dispatch persons magically conjured则遣变化人
who will act to guard and protect them. 为之作卫护
If those who expound the Law若说法之人
are alone in an empty and silent place, 独在空闲处
and in that stillness where no human voice sounds寂寞无人声
they read and recite this sutra读诵此经典
at that time I will manifest我尔时为现
my pure and radiant body for them. 清净光明身
If they forget a passage or a phrase若忘失章句
I will prompt them so they will be thorough and effective,为说令通利
If persons endowed with these virtues若人具是德
should expound to the four kinds of believers或为四众说
and read and recite the sutra in an empty place, 空处读诵经
I will enable all of them to see my body. 皆得见我身
And if the expounders are in an empty and silent place若人在空闲
I will send heavenly beings, dragon kings, 我遣天龙王
yakshas, spirits and others夜叉鬼神等
to be an assembly and listen to the Law. 为作听法众
Persons such as this will delight in expounding the Law, 是人乐说法
making distinctions and encountering no hindrance. 分别无罣碍
Because the Buddhas guard and keep them in mind. 诸佛护念故
They will be able to bring joy to the great assembly. 能令大众喜
If one stays close to the teachers of the Law若亲近法师
he will speedily gain the bodhisattva way. 速得菩萨道
By following and learning from these teachers随顺是师学
he will see Buddhas as numerous as the Ganges sands. 得见恒沙佛
