The Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma
世尊法久後，要當說真實。』
After the World-Honored One's Dharma has long been taught, he must speak the truth.'
告諸聲聞眾，及求緣覺乘：
He told the assembly of sravakas and those seeking the pratyekabuddha vehicle:
『我令脫苦縛，逮得涅槃者。』
'I have freed you from the bonds of suffering, and you have attained nirvana.'
佛以方便力，示以三乘教，
The Buddha, by the power of skillful means, showed the teaching of the Three Vehicles,
眾生處處著，引之令得出。」
as beings are attached everywhere, leading them so that they could emerge."
爾時大眾中，有諸聲聞漏盡阿羅漢，阿若憍陳如等千二百人，及發聲聞、辟支佛心比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，各作是念：「今者、世尊何故慇懃稱歎方便而作是言：『佛所得法甚深難解，有所言說意趣難知，一切聲聞、辟支佛所不能及。』佛說一解脫義，我等亦得此法到於涅槃，而今不知是義所趣？」
At that time, in the great assembly, there were sravaka arhats with outflows exhausted, Ajnata Kaundinya and the other twelve hundred, and the bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas and upasikas who had aroused the mind of sravakas and pratyekabuddhas, each of whom had this thought: "Why does the World-Honored One now earnestly praise skillful means and say: 'The Dharma attained by the Buddha is extremely profound and hard to understand, what he says is hard to know in intent, and it cannot be reached by any sravaka or pratyekabuddha.' The Buddha has spoken of one meaning of liberation, and we also attained this Dharma and have reached nirvana; yet now we do not know where this meaning is heading?"
爾時舍利弗知四眾心疑，自亦未了，而白佛言：「世尊！何因何緣慇懃稱歎諸佛第一方便、甚深微妙、難解之法？我自昔來，未曾從佛聞如是說；今者四眾鹹皆有疑。唯願世尊敷演斯事。世尊何故慇懃稱歎甚深微妙難解之法？」
At that time Shariputra, knowing the doubts in the minds of the four assemblies and not yet having understood himself, said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! For what cause and condition do you earnestly praise the foremost skillful means of the Buddhas, the profound, subtle and hard-to-understand Dharma? From the past until now I have never heard the Buddha speak like this; now the four assemblies all have doubts. I only wish that the World-Honored One would expound this matter. Why does the World-Honored One earnestly praise the profound, subtle and hard-to-understand Dharma?"
爾時舍利弗欲重宣此義，而說偈言：
At that time Shariputra, wishing to restate this meaning, spoke in verse:
「慧日大聖尊，久乃說是法，
"The great sage honored as the sun of wisdom, after a long time speaks this Dharma,
自說得如是，力無畏三昧、
saying that you have attained such things as powers, fearlessnesses, samadhis,
禪定解脫等，不可思議法。
meditations, liberations and other inconceivable Dharmas.
道場所得法，無能發問者；
The Dharma attained at the place of the Way, no one could ask about;
我意難可測，亦無能問者。
my intent is hard to fathom, and no one is able to ask either.
無問而自說，稱歎所行道，
Without being asked you speak of it yourself, praising the path you practiced,
智慧甚微妙，諸佛之所得。
wisdom so subtle and wondrous, attained by the Buddhas.
無漏諸羅漢，及求涅槃者，
The arhats without outflows, and those seeking nirvana,
今皆墮疑網，佛何故說是？
have now all fallen into a net of doubt; why does the Buddha speak this?
其求緣覺者，比丘比丘尼，
Those seeking the pratyekabuddha path, the bhiksus and bhiksunis,
諸天龍鬼神，及乾闥婆等，
the devas, nagas, spirits and gandharvas,
相視懷猶豫，瞻仰兩足尊，
look at one another with hesitation, gazing up at the Honored One of two feet:
是事為云何，願佛為解說。
What is this matter? We wish the Buddha would explain it.
於諸聲聞眾，佛說我第一。
Among the assembly of sravakas, the Buddha said I was the foremost.
我今自於智，疑惑不能了，
Yet now with my own wisdom I cannot dispel my doubts:
為是究竟法？為是所行道？
Is this the ultimate Dharma, or the path to be practiced?
佛口所生子，合掌瞻仰待，
The children born from the Buddha's mouth, with palms joined, look up and wait;
願出微妙音，時為如實說。
we wish you would utter the subtle voice and speak as it truly is.
諸天龍神等，其數如恆沙，
The devas, nagas and others, numerous as the sands of the Ganges,
求佛諸菩薩，大數有八萬，
bodhisattvas seeking Buddhahood, a great number of eighty thousand,
又諸萬億國，轉輪聖王至，
and the wheel-turning sage kings from tens of billions of lands,
合掌以敬心，欲聞具足道。」
with palms joined and respectful hearts, wish to hear the complete Way."
爾時佛告舍利弗：「止，止！不須復說。若說是事，一切世間諸天及人皆當驚疑。」
At that time the Buddha said to Shariputra: "Stop, stop! There is no need to say more. If this matter is spoken, all the devas and humans in the world will be astonished and doubtful."
舍利弗重白佛言：「世尊，唯願說之，唯願說之！所以者何？是會無數百千萬億阿僧祇眾生，曾見諸佛，諸根猛利，智慧明瞭，聞佛所說，則能敬信。」
Shariputra again said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, I only wish that you would speak it, I only wish that you would speak it! Why? In this assembly there are countless hundreds of thousands of billions of asamkhyeyas of beings who have seen Buddhas before, whose faculties are sharp and keen and whose wisdom is clear, and who, hearing what the Buddha says, will be able to revere and believe it."
爾時舍利弗欲重宣此義，而說偈言：
At that time Shariputra, wishing to restate this meaning, spoke in verse:
「法王無上尊，唯說願勿慮。
"King of the Dharma, unsurpassed honored one, only speak, and do not worry.
是會無量眾，有能敬信者。」
In this immeasurable assembly, there are those who can revere and believe."
佛復止舍利弗：「若說是事，一切世間天、人、阿修羅皆當驚疑，增上慢比丘將墜於大坑。」
The Buddha again stopped Shariputra: "If this matter is spoken, all the devas, humans and asuras in the world will be astonished and doubtful, and proud bhiksus will fall into a great pit."
爾時世尊重說偈言：
At that time the World-Honored One again spoke in verse:
「止止不須說，我法妙難思。
"Stop, stop, there is no need to speak; my Dharma is wondrous and hard to ponder.
諸增上慢者，聞必不敬信。」
The arrogant, on hearing it, will surely not revere or believe."
爾時舍利弗重白佛言：「世尊！唯願說之，唯願說之！今此會中，如我等比百千萬億，世世已曾從佛受化。如此人等，必能敬信，長夜安隱，多所饒益。」
At that time Shariputra again said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! I only wish that you would speak it, I only wish that you would speak it! In this assembly, there are hundreds of thousands of billions like me who have been taught and transformed by the Buddha in life after life. Such people will surely revere and believe, will be at peace through the long night, and will receive much benefit."
爾時舍利弗欲重宣此義，而說偈言：
At that time Shariputra, wishing to restate this meaning, spoke in verse:
「無上兩足尊，願說第一法，
"Unsurpassed honored one of two feet, I wish you would speak the foremost Dharma;
我為佛長子，唯垂分別說。
I am the Buddha's eldest son; I only ask that you explain it in detail.
是會無量眾，能敬信此法，
In this immeasurable assembly, those who can revere and believe this Dharma,
佛已曾世世，教化如是等，
the Buddha has taught and transformed such as these in life after life,
皆一心合掌，欲聽受佛語。
and all with one mind and palms joined wish to hear and receive the Buddha's words.
我等千二百，及餘求佛者，
We twelve hundred, and the others who seek Buddhahood,
願為此眾故，唯垂分別說。
for the sake of this assembly, I only ask that you explain it in detail.
是等聞此法，則生大歡喜。」
These, on hearing this Dharma, will give rise to great joy."
爾時世尊告舍利弗：「汝已慇懃三請，豈得不說。汝今諦聽，善思念之，吾當為汝分別解說。」說此語時，會中有比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷五千人等，即從座起，禮佛而退。所以者何？此輩罪根深重及增上慢，未得謂得、未證謂證，有如此失，是以不住。世尊默然而不制止。
At that time the World-Honored One said to Shariputra: "You have earnestly requested three times; how can I not speak? Now listen carefully, think well on it, and I will explain it in detail for you." As he spoke these words, five thousand bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas and upasikas in the assembly rose from their seats, bowed to the Buddha and withdrew. Why? These persons had deep-rooted offenses and were arrogant, thinking they had attained what they had not attained and realized what they had not realized; having such faults, they could not remain. The World-Honored One remained silent and did not stop them.
爾時佛告舍利弗：「我今此眾，無復枝葉，純有貞實。舍利弗！如是增上慢人，退亦佳矣。汝今善聽，當為汝說。」
At that time the Buddha said to Shariputra: "My present assembly no longer has branches and leaves, but only pure, true heartwood. Shariputra! Such arrogant people, it is good that they have withdrawn. Now listen well, and I will speak for you."
舍利弗言：「唯然，世尊！願樂欲聞。」
Shariputra said: "Yes, World-Honored One! I wish to hear it with joy."
佛告舍利弗：「如是妙法，諸佛如來時乃說之，如優曇缽華，時一現耳。舍利弗！汝等當信佛之所說，言不虛妄。舍利弗！諸佛隨宜說法，意趣難解。所以者何？我以無數方便，種種因緣、譬喻言辭，演說諸法。是法非思量分別之所能解，唯有諸佛乃能知之。所以者何？諸佛世尊唯以一大事因緣故出現於世。舍利弗！云何名諸佛世尊唯以一大事因緣故出現於世？諸佛世尊，欲令眾生開佛知見，使得清淨故，出現於世；欲示眾生佛之知見故，出現於世；欲令眾生悟佛知見故，出現於世；欲令眾生入佛知見道故，出現於世。舍利弗！是為諸佛以一大事因緣故出現於世。」
The Buddha told Shariputra: "Such a wondrous Dharma is spoken by Buddhas, Tathagatas only at the right time, like the udumbara flower, which appears only once in a long time. Shariputra! You should believe what the Buddha says; his words are not false. Shariputra! The Buddhas preach the Dharma according to what suits, and their intent is hard to understand. Why? With countless skillful means, various causes and conditions, parables and words, I expound all dharmas. This Dharma cannot be understood by thought and discrimination; only the Buddhas can know it. Why? The Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, appear in the world only for one great cause and condition. Shariputra! What is meant by saying that the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, appear in the world only for one great cause and condition? The Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, appear in the world because they wish to cause beings to open the Buddha's knowledge and vision so that they may attain purity; they appear in the world because they wish to show beings the Buddha's knowledge and vision; they appear in the world because they wish to cause beings to awaken to the Buddha's knowledge and vision; they appear in the world because they wish to cause beings to enter the path of the Buddha's knowledge and vision. Shariputra! This is how the Buddhas appear in the world for one great cause and condition."
佛告舍利弗：「諸佛如來但教化菩薩，諸有所作，常為一事，唯以佛之知見示悟眾生。舍利弗！如來但以一佛乘故，為眾生說法，無有餘乘，若二、若三。舍利弗！一切十方諸佛，法亦如是。
The Buddha told Shariputra: "The Buddhas and Tathagatas only teach and transform bodhisattvas; whatever they do is always for one purpose, only to show and awaken beings to the Buddha's knowledge and vision. Shariputra! The Tathagata, because of the One Buddha Vehicle alone, preaches the Dharma to beings; there is no other vehicle, whether two or three. Shariputra! The Dharma of all the Buddhas of the ten directions is also like this.
「舍利弗！過去諸佛，以無量無數方便，種種因緣、譬喻言辭，而為眾生演說諸法，是法皆為一佛乘故。是諸眾生從諸佛聞法，究竟皆得一切種智。
(The Buddha continued:) "Shariputra! The Buddhas of the past, with immeasurable, countless skillful means, various causes and conditions, parables and words, expounded all dharmas to beings, and all these dharmas were for the sake of the One Buddha Vehicle. These beings, hearing the Dharma from the Buddhas, all finally attained omniscience.
「舍利弗！未來諸佛當出於世，亦以無量無數方便，種種因緣、譬喻言辭，而為眾生演說諸法，是法皆為一佛乘故。是諸眾生從佛聞法，究竟皆得一切種智。
(The Buddha continued:) "Shariputra! The Buddhas of the future will appear in the world, and they too, with immeasurable, countless skillful means, various causes and conditions, parables and words, will expound all dharmas to beings, and all these dharmas will be for the sake of the One Buddha Vehicle. These beings, hearing the Dharma from the Buddhas, will all finally attain omniscience.
「舍利弗！現在十方無量百千萬億佛土中，諸佛世尊多所饒益安樂眾生，是諸佛亦以無量無數方便，種種因緣、譬喻言辭，而為眾生演說諸法，是法皆為一佛乘故。是諸眾生從佛聞法，究竟皆得一切種智。
(The Buddha continued:) "Shariputra! At present, in immeasurable hundreds of thousands of billions of Buddha-lands in the ten directions, the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, greatly benefit and bring peace and joy to beings, and these Buddhas also, with immeasurable, countless skillful means, various causes and conditions, parables and words, expound all dharmas to beings, and all these dharmas are for the sake of the One Buddha Vehicle. These beings, hearing the Dharma from the Buddhas, all finally attain omniscience.
「舍利弗！是諸佛但教化菩薩，欲以佛之知見示眾生故，欲以佛之知見悟眾生故，欲令眾生入佛之知見故。
(The Buddha continued:) "Shariputra! These Buddhas only teach and transform bodhisattvas, wishing to show beings the Buddha's knowledge and vision, wishing to awaken beings to the Buddha's knowledge and vision, wishing to cause beings to enter the Buddha's knowledge and vision.
「舍利弗！我今亦復如是，知諸眾生有種種欲，深心所著，隨其本性，以種種因緣、譬喻言辭，方便力而為說法。舍利弗！如此皆為得一佛乘、一切種智故。
(The Buddha continued:) "Shariputra! I too am now like this: knowing that beings have various desires, to which they are deeply attached, according to their original natures, with various causes and conditions, parables and words, and by the power of skillful means, I preach the Dharma for them. Shariputra! All this is to attain the One Buddha Vehicle and omniscience.
「舍利弗！十方世界中，尚無二乘，何況有三。舍利弗！諸佛出於五濁惡世，所謂劫濁、煩惱濁、眾生濁、見濁、命濁。如是，舍利弗！劫濁亂時，眾生垢重，慳貪嫉妬，成就諸不善根故，諸佛以方便力，於一佛乘分別說三。舍利弗！若我弟子，自謂阿羅漢、辟支佛者，不聞不知諸佛如來但教化菩薩事，此非佛弟子，非阿羅漢，非辟支佛。
(The Buddha continued:) "Shariputra! In the worlds of the ten directions there are not even two vehicles, let alone three. Shariputra! The Buddhas appear in the evil world of the five turbidities, namely the turbidity of the age, the turbidity of afflictions, the turbidity of beings, the turbidity of views and the turbidity of life. So, Shariputra! When the turbid age is in disorder, beings are heavily defiled, stingy, greedy and jealous, and accomplish all unwholesome roots; therefore the Buddhas, by the power of skillful means, divide the One Buddha Vehicle and speak of three. Shariputra! If any of my disciples call themselves arhats or pratyekabuddhas, and have not heard or known that the Buddhas and Tathagatas only teach bodhisattvas, they are not disciples of the Buddha, not arhats, not pratyekabuddhas.