Lotus Sutra of the Wondrous Dharma, Volume Two

是諸沙彌等，知佛禪未出，

These shramaneras, knowing that the Buddha had not yet emerged from his dhyana,

為無量億眾，說佛無上慧。

preached the Buddha's supreme wisdom to immeasurable kotis of beings.

各各坐法座，說是大乘經，

Each sat on a Dharma seat and preached this Mahayana sutra,

於佛宴寂後，宣揚助法化。

and after the Buddha's rest in stillness, proclaimed and helped his Dharma transformation.

一一沙彌等，所度諸眾生，

The living beings that each of the shramaneras liberated

有六百萬億，恆河沙等眾。

numbered six hundred myriad kotis, a multitude equal to Ganges sands.

彼佛滅度後，是諸聞法者，

After that Buddha's extinction, those who had heard the Dharma

在在諸佛土，常與師俱生。

in every buddha land were constantly born together with their teachers.

是十六沙彌，具足行佛道，

These sixteen shramaneras, having fully practiced the Buddha Way,

今現在十方，各得成正覺。

are now in the ten directions, each having attained perfect enlightenment.

爾時聞法者，各在諸佛所，

Those who heard the Dharma at that time are now each at the places of the buddhas,

其有住聲聞，漸教以佛道。

and those who still dwell as shravakas are gradually taught the Buddha Way.

我在十六數，曾亦為汝說，

I was among the sixteen and once also preached to you,

是故以方便，引汝趣佛慧。

and so by expedient means I lead you toward the Buddha's wisdom.

以是本因緣，今說法華經，

By this original cause and condition, I now preach the Lotus Sutra,

令汝入佛道，慎勿懷驚懼。

to make you enter the Buddha Way; take care not to harbor fear.

譬如險惡道，逈絕多毒獸，

It is like a dangerous, evil road, remote and cut off, with many poisonous beasts,

又復無水草，人所怖畏處。

and again without water or grass, a place of dread for people.

無數千萬眾，欲過此險道，

Countless thousands of myriads of people wish to cross this dangerous road,

其路甚曠遠，經五百由旬。

the road is very long and distant, five hundred yojanas.

時有一導師，強識有智慧，

At that time there was a guide, of strong memory and wisdom,

明瞭心決定，在險濟眾難。

clear-minded and resolute, who rescues the multitude from difficulty in the danger.

眾人皆疲惓，而白導師言：

The people were all weary, and said to the guide:

『我等今頓乏，於此欲退還。』

'We are suddenly worn out; here we wish to turn back.'

導師作是念：『此輩甚可愍，

The guide thought: 'These people are most pitiable;

如何欲退還，而失大珍寶？』

how can they wish to turn back and lose the great treasure?'

尋時思方便，當設神通力，

Immediately he thought of an expedient, and would use the power of supernatural abilities,

化作大城郭，莊嚴諸舍宅，

to conjure up a great walled city, with its houses splendidly adorned,

周匝有園林，渠流及浴池，

with gardens and groves all around, canals and bathing pools,

重門高樓閣，男女皆充滿。

with multiple gates and high towers and pavilions, filled with men and women.

即作是化已，慰眾言勿懼：

Having made this conjuration, he comforted the people, saying not to fear:

『汝等入此城，各可隨所樂。』

'You may enter this city and each do as you wish.'

諸人既入城，心皆大歡喜，

When the people had entered the city, their hearts were all greatly delighted,

皆生安隱想，自謂已得度。

all felt secure, and said to themselves that they had been delivered.

導師知息已，集眾而告言：

The guide, knowing they had rested, gathered them and said:

『汝等當前進，此是化城耳。

'You should go forward; this is only a conjured city.

我見汝疲極，中路欲退還，

I saw that you were utterly exhausted and wished to turn back midway,

故以方便力，權化作此城。

and so by the power of expedient means I provisionally conjured up this city.

汝等勤精進，當共至寶所。』

Make diligent effort, and let us go together to the place of treasure.'

我亦復如是，為一切導師。

I too am like this, a guide for all.

見諸求道者，中路而懈廢，

Seeing those who seek the Way slacking and giving up midway,

不能度生死，煩惱諸險道。

unable to cross the dangerous roads of birth and death and affliction,

故以方便力，為息說涅槃。

therefore by the power of expedient means, to give them rest, I spoke of nirvana.

言：『汝等苦滅，所作皆已辦。』

I said: 'Your suffering is ended, and all you had to do is done.'

既知到涅槃，皆得阿羅漢，

Having known they had reached nirvana and all become arhats,

爾乃集大眾，為說真實法。

then I gathered the great assembly and preached the true dharma for them.

諸佛方便力，分別說三乘，

By the power of expedient means, the buddhas distinguish and speak of three vehicles,

唯有一佛乘，息處故說二。

there is only one Buddha Vehicle; the two are taught as a resting place.

『今為汝說實，汝所得非滅，

'Now I tell you the truth: what you have attained is not extinction;

為佛一切智，當發大精進。

for the Buddha's all-knowing wisdom, you should arouse great diligence.

汝證一切智，十力等佛法，

When you realize all-knowing wisdom, the ten powers and the other buddha dharmas,

具三十二相，乃是真實滅。』

and are endowed with the thirty-two marks, that is true extinction.'

諸佛之導師，為息說涅槃，

The guides of the buddhas, to give rest, speak of nirvana,

既知是息已，引入於佛慧。」

and having known that they have rested, lead them into the Buddha's wisdom."