Lotus Sutra of the Wondrous Dharma, Fascicle 3

作色而罵佛，獲無量重罪。

and with angry face reviles the Buddha, one incurs immeasurable grave offenses.

其有讀誦持，是法華經者，

Yet if one adds even a moment of evil words to those who read, recite and uphold

須臾加惡言，其罪復過彼。

this Lotus Sutra, that offense exceeds the former.

有人求佛道，而於一劫中，

If someone who seeks the Buddha Way, for one kalpa,

合掌在我前，以無數偈讚。

stands with joined palms before me and praises me with countless verses,

由是讚佛故，得無量功德，

because of praising the Buddha, he gains immeasurable merit;

歎美持經者，其福復過彼。

yet one who praises those who uphold the sutra has a blessing that exceeds that.

於八十億劫，以最妙色聲，

For eighty billion kalpas, with the finest forms and sounds,

及與香味觸，供養持經者。

fragrances, tastes and touches, one makes offerings to the sutra-holder.

如是供養已，若得須臾聞，

Having made such offerings, if one can hear it even for a moment,

則應自欣慶，我今獲大利。

one should rejoice for oneself: I have now gained great benefit.

藥王今告汝，我所說諸經，

Bhaishajyaraja, I now tell you that among all the sutras I have taught,

而於此經中，法華最第一。」

in this sutra, the Lotus is the foremost."

爾時佛復告藥王菩薩摩訶薩：「我所說經典無量千萬億，已說、今說、當說，而於其中，此法華經最為難信難解。

At that time the Buddha again said to Bhaishajyaraja Bodhisattva-Mahasattva: "Of the sutras I have taught, immeasurable thousands of ten thousand billions, already taught, now being taught and to be taught, among them this Lotus Sutra is the hardest to believe and the hardest to understand.

「藥王！此經是諸佛秘要之藏，不可分佈妄授與人；諸佛世尊之所守護，從昔已來，未曾顯說。而此經者，如來現在，猶多怨嫉，況滅度後？

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! This sutra is the treasury of the Buddhas' secret essence, which must not be distributed or carelessly given to anyone; it is what the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, guard, and from of old it has never been openly taught. Even now when the Tathagata is present, this sutra meets with much hatred and jealousy; how much more after his extinction?

「藥王！當知如來滅後，其能書、持、讀、誦、供養、為他人說者，如來則為以衣覆之，又為他方現在諸佛之所護念。是人有大信力，及志願力、諸善根力。當知是人與如來共宿，則為如來手摩其頭。

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! Know that after the Tathagata's extinction, those who can copy, uphold, read, recite, make offerings to, and expound it to others, the Tathagata will cover with his robe, and they will also be protected and cared for by the Buddhas present in other regions. These people have great power of faith, power of vow, and power of good roots. Know that these people dwell together with the Tathagata, and the Tathagata strokes their heads with his hand.

「藥王！在在處處，若說、若讀、若誦、若書，若經卷所住處，皆應起七寶塔，極令高廣嚴飾，不須復安舍利。所以者何？此中已有如來全身。此塔，應以一切華、香、瓔珞，繒蓋、幢幡，伎樂、歌頌，供養恭敬，尊重讚歎。若有人得見此塔，禮拜、供養，當知是等皆近阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! Wherever it is expounded, read, recited, or copied, or wherever the scrolls of the sutra are kept, a stupa of the seven treasures should be built, made very high, broad and adorned, and there is no need to enshrine relics there. Why? Because the whole body of the Tathagata is already within it. This stupa should be offered to with all flowers, incense, garlands, silk canopies, banners, music and songs, with reverence, honor and praise. If anyone sees this stupa, bows to it and makes offerings, know that these people are all near to unsurpassed, perfect and universal enlightenment.

「藥王！多有人在家、出家行菩薩道，若不能得見聞、讀誦、書持、供養是法華經者，當知是人未善行菩薩道；若有得聞是經典者，乃能善行菩薩之道。其有眾生求佛道者，若見、若聞是法華經，聞已信解受持者，當知是人得近阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! There are many people, lay or ordained, who practice the Bodhisattva Way but cannot see, hear, read, recite, copy, uphold, or make offerings to this Lotus Sutra; know that these people have not yet practiced the Bodhisattva Way well; if they come to hear this sutra, they can then practice the Bodhisattva Way well. Beings who seek the Buddha Way, who see or hear this Lotus Sutra, and after hearing it believe, understand, receive and uphold it, know that these people have come near to unsurpassed, perfect and universal enlightenment.

「藥王！譬如有人渴乏須水，於彼高原穿鑿求之，猶見乾土，知水尚遠；施功不已，轉見濕土，遂漸至泥，其心決定、知水必近。菩薩亦復如是，若未聞、未解、未能修習是法華經者，當知是人去阿耨多羅三藐三菩提尚遠；若得聞解、思惟、修習，必知得近阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。所以者何？一切菩薩阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，皆屬此經——此經開方便門，示真實相。是法華經藏，深固幽遠，無人能到，今佛教化成就菩薩而為開示。

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! It is like a person who is thirsty and needs water, and digs for it on a high plateau; seeing only dry earth, he knows water is still far away; but if he does not stop working, he sees damp earth, then gradually reaches mud, and his mind is certain that water must be near. Bodhisattvas are also like this. If they have not heard, not understood, and not been able to practice this Lotus Sutra, know that these people are still far from unsurpassed, perfect and universal enlightenment; if they come to hear, understand, contemplate and practice it, they will surely know they are near to unsurpassed, perfect and universal enlightenment. Why? Because the unsurpassed, perfect and universal enlightenment of all Bodhisattvas belongs to this sutra, for this sutra opens the door of skillful means and reveals the true aspect. This Lotus Sutra treasury is deep, firm, hidden and far, and no one can reach it; now the Buddha, teaching and perfecting Bodhisattvas, reveals it for them.

「藥王！若有菩薩聞是法華經，驚疑、怖畏，當知是為新發意菩薩；若聲聞人聞是經，驚疑、怖畏，當知是為增上慢者。

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! If a Bodhisattva hears this Lotus Sutra and is alarmed, doubtful or afraid, know that this is a newly aspiring Bodhisattva; if a shravaka hears this sutra and is alarmed, doubtful or afraid, know that this is one of overweening pride.

「藥王！若有善男子、善女人，如來滅後，欲為四眾說是法華經者，云何應說？是善男子、善女人，入如來室，著如來衣，坐如來座，爾乃應為四眾廣說斯經。如來室者，一切眾生中大慈悲心是；如來衣者，柔和忍辱心是；如來座者，一切法空是。安住是中，然後以不懈怠心，為諸菩薩及四眾廣說是法華經。

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! If a good man or good woman, after the Tathagata's extinction, wishes to expound this Lotus Sutra to the four assemblies, how should he expound it? This good man or good woman should enter the Tathagata's room, wear the Tathagata's robe, and sit on the Tathagata's seat, and only then should he widely expound this sutra to the four assemblies. The Tathagata's room is the mind of great compassion toward all beings; the Tathagata's robe is the mind of gentleness and patience; the Tathagata's seat is the emptiness of all dharmas. Abiding securely in these, then with an untiring mind he should widely expound this Lotus Sutra to the Bodhisattvas and the four assemblies.

「藥王！我於餘國遣化人為其集聽法眾，亦遣化比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷聽其說法。是諸化人聞法信受，隨順不逆。若說法者在空閑處，我時廣遣天、龍、鬼神、乾闥婆、阿修羅等，聽其說法。我雖在異國，時時令說法者得見我身。若於此經忘失句逗，我還為說，令得具足。」

(The Buddha continued:) "Bhaishajyaraja! In other lands I send transformation beings to gather an assembly to hear his Dharma, and I also send transformed bhikshus, bhikshunis, upasakas and upasikas to hear his teaching. These transformed beings hear the Dharma and receive it in faith, following without opposition. If the teacher is in a secluded place, I will then widely send devas, dragons, spirits, gandharvas, asuras and others to hear him. Though I am in another land, from time to time I let the teacher see my body. If he forgets the punctuation or phrases of this sutra, I will again teach it to him so that he may have it complete."

爾時世尊欲重宣此義，而說偈言：

At that time the World-Honored One, wishing to restate this meaning, spoke in verse:

「欲捨諸懈怠，應當聽此經，

"If you wish to cast off all laziness, you should listen to this sutra;

是經難得聞，信受者亦難。

this sutra is hard to hear, and hard to believe and receive.

如人渴須水，穿鑿於高原，

As a thirsty person who needs water digs on a high plateau,

猶見乾燥土，知去水尚遠；

still seeing dry earth, he knows water is far away;

漸見濕土泥，決定知近水。

gradually he sees damp earth and mud, and knows for certain that water is near.

藥王汝當知！如是諸人等，

Bhaishajyaraja, you should know! These people

不聞法華經，去佛智甚遠，

who have not heard the Lotus Sutra are very far from the Buddha's wisdom,

若聞是深經，決了聲聞法。

but if they hear this profound sutra, they settle the shravaka Dharma.

是諸經之王，聞已諦思惟，

This is the king of all sutras; after hearing it, contemplate it carefully,

當知此人等，近於佛智慧。

and know that such people are near the Buddha's wisdom.

若人說此經，應入如來室，

If someone expounds this sutra, he should enter the Tathagata's room,

著於如來衣，而坐如來座，

wear the Tathagata's robe, and sit on the Tathagata's seat,

處眾無所畏，廣為分別說。

and before the assembly, without fear, widely explain and distinguish it.

大慈悲為室，柔和忍辱衣，

Great compassion is the room, gentleness and patience the robe,

諸法空為座，處此為說法。

the emptiness of all dharmas the seat; abiding here, he teaches the Dharma.

若說此經時，有人惡口罵，

If while expounding this sutra someone scolds him with evil words,

加刀杖瓦石，念佛故應忍。

or attacks with swords, staffs, tiles and stones, he should be patient, mindful of the Buddha.

我千萬億土，現淨堅固身，

In my thousands of ten thousands of billions of lands, I manifest a pure, firm body,

於無量億劫，為眾生說法。

and for immeasurable billions of kalpas I teach the Dharma for living beings.

若我滅度後，能說此經者，

If after my extinction there is one who can expound this sutra,

我遣化四眾，比丘比丘尼，

I will send transformed four assemblies, bhikshus and bhikshunis,

及清信士女，供養於法師，

and pure laymen and laywomen, to make offerings to the Dharma teacher,

引導諸眾生，集之令聽法。

and lead the beings and gather them to hear the Dharma.

若人慾加惡，刀杖及瓦石，

If anyone wishes to do him harm with swords, staffs, tiles or stones,

則遣變化人，為之作衛護。

I will send transformation beings to be his guards.

若說法之人，獨在空閑處，

If the Dharma teacher is alone in a secluded place,

寂寞無人聲，讀誦此經典，

in silence with no human voice, reading and reciting this sutra,

我爾時為現，清淨光明身。

at that time I will manifest for him a body of pure, bright light.

若忘失章句，為說令通利。

If he forgets passages or phrases, I will teach him so that he understands.

若人具是德，或為四眾說，

If a person has these virtues, whether teaching the four assemblies

空處讀誦經，皆得見我身。

or reciting the sutra in a secluded place, he will see my body.

若人在空閑，我遣天龍王，

If someone is in a secluded place, I will send devas and dragon kings,

夜叉鬼神等，為作聽法眾。

yakshas, spirits and others to be an assembly listening to the Dharma.

是人樂說法，分別無罣礙，

This person delights in expounding the Dharma, distinguishing without hindrance;

諸佛護念故，能令大眾喜。

because the Buddhas protect and remember him, he can make the great assembly rejoice.

若親近法師，速得菩薩道，

If one draws near to the Dharma teacher, one will quickly attain the Bodhisattva Way;

隨順是師學，得見恆沙佛。」

following this teacher in learning, one will see Buddhas as many as the Ganges sands."