爾時文殊師利法王子菩薩摩訶薩白佛言： 「世尊！是諸菩薩，甚為難有，敬順佛 故，發大誓願，於後惡世，護持讀說是法 華經。世尊！菩薩摩訶薩於後惡世，云何能說是經？」
At that time, Dharma-Prince Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva turned to the Buddha and asked:
“World-Honoured One! These various Bodhisattvas are extremely rare. Because they respectfully obey the Buddha, they make this great vow, ‘In the evil world to come, I vow to uphold, recite and expound this Dharma Flower Sūtra.’ World-Honoured One! For Bodhisattvas within the evil world to come, how can they expound this sūtra?”
佛告文殊師利：「若菩薩摩訶薩，於後惡世欲說是經，當安住四法。一者、安住菩薩行處及親近處，能為眾生演說是經。
The Buddha replied to Mañjuśrī saying: “If a Bodhisattva in the evil world to come expounds this sūtra, [they should] accept the four dharmas of Abiding in Ease. The first is the ease of abiding in the Bodhisattva Practice of Dwelling and Intimate Dwelling, [thus] can they expound this sūtra to sentient beings [in the evil world to come].
「文殊師利！云何名菩薩摩訶薩行處？若菩薩摩訶薩住忍辱地，柔和善順而不卒暴，心亦不驚；又復於法無所行，而觀諸法如實相，亦不行不分別，是名菩薩摩訶薩行處。
“Mañjuśrī! Why is it named the Bodhisattva Practice of Dwelling? If a Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva abides in the Ground-of-Patience-toward-Insult1, is gentle, virtuous, restrained, not abruptly violent, their mind also fearless, and furthermore engage in non-practice while yet contemplate all dharmas as the True-Characteristic — neither practicing nor severing [practice] — this is the [meaning of the] name: the Bodhisattva Practice of Dwelling.
云何名菩薩摩訶薩親近處？菩薩摩訶薩不親近國王、王子、大臣、官長，不親近諸外道梵志、尼揵子等，及造世俗文筆、讚詠外書，及路伽耶陀、逆路伽耶陀者；亦不親近諸有兇戲、相相撲，及那羅等種種變現之戲；
Why is it named the Bodhisattva Practice of Intimate Dwelling? The Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva is not intimate with Monarchs, the children of Monarchs, Ministers, Officials; nor are they intimate with the various Tīrthika Bhramaṇas, Nirgranthas, or other such persons; nor with worldly writers, [those who] praise and chant non-Buddhist texts, as well as those who are Lokāyatas2 and those who are anti-Lokāyatas. Furthermore, they should not be intimate with those who do various violent performances, wrestling contests, performances with nāgas and other various illusionary performances;
又不親近旃陀羅，及畜猪羊鷄狗，畋獵漁捕諸惡律儀 如是人等，或時來者，則為說法，無所悕望。又不親近求聲聞比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，亦不問訊。若於房中，若經行處，若在講堂中，不共住止。或時來者， 隨宜說法，無所悕求。
Moreover, they should not be intimate with Caṇḍālas3, nor those who breed4 pigs, sheep, chickens, dogs; those who hunt and fish, or commit other various evil or immoral conduct, [such as] people who teach Dharma for personal gain. Furthermore they should not be intimate with those śrāvaka monks, nuns, laymen or laywomen, nor should do they pay attention to or inquire of them. Whether within a room, a walking place5, or a lecture hall, they do not live together with them. Should they [śrāvakas] at some time come, then one should expound Dharma to them as is fit, without any expectations or desires.
「文殊師利！又菩薩摩訶薩不應於女人身，取能生欲想相而為說法，亦不樂見。 若入他家，不與小女、處女、寡女等共語。亦復不近五種不男之人以為親厚，不獨入他家，若有因緣須獨入時，但一心念佛。
“Mañjuśrī! Furthermore a Bodhisattva should not, toward a woman’s body, obtain nor produce thirst and desire toward those characteristics [on a woman] — even while expounding the Dharma — nor should they delight in what they see. If they shall enter another’s home, they should not [inappropriately] engage with young girls, virgin girls, widows, and other such women — nor with the five types of paṇḍakas6 — in order to be intimate. They should not enter another’s home alone, [but] if the causes and conditions at that time require them to enter, they should with single-mind practise Buddhānusmṛti7.
若為女人說法，不露齒笑，不現胸臆，乃至為法猶不親厚，況復餘事。不樂畜年少弟子、沙彌、小兒，亦不樂與同師。常好坐禪，在於閑處，修攝其心。文殊師利！是名初親近處。」
If they expound the Dharma to a woman, they should not [inappropriately] grin or smile, reveal their chest or breast, even for the sake of the Dharma let alone [for] other affairs. They should not delight in taking young disciples, novice-monastics, and children, nor delight in engaging with the same teachers. They always enjoy dhyāna in quiet places, cultivating and absorbing their minds. Mañjuśrī! This is [the meaning of the] name: the First Bodhisattva Practice of Intimate Dwelling.”
「復次，菩薩摩訶薩觀一切法空，如實相，不顛倒、不動、不退、不轉，如虛空，無所有性。一切語言道斷，不生、不出、不起，無名、無相，實無所有，無量、無邊，無礙、無障，但以因緣有，從顛倒生故說。常樂觀如是法相，是名菩薩摩訶薩第二親近處。」
“Moreover, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva contemplates all dharmas as empty; as the True-Characteristic; they are unerring, motionless, non-regressing, unchanging, like empty space which has nowhere it abides. All ways of language are cut off, [and thus dharmas are:] unborn, non-emerging, non-arisen, nameless, without characteristic, truly non-existent; they are measureless, boundless, unobstructed, unhindered; [yet] nevertheless by causes and conditions do they exist, and of delusion are they spoken. [Bodhisattvas should] always delight in contemplating dharmas like this; this is the [meaning of the] name: the Second Bodhisattva Practice of Intimate Dwelling.”
爾時世尊欲重宣此義，而說偈言：
「若有菩薩， 於後惡世， 無怖畏心，
欲說是經， 應入行處， 及親近處。
常離國王， 及國王子、 大臣官長，
兇險戲者， 及旃陀羅、 外道梵志。
亦不親近， 增上慢人， 貪著小乘、
三藏學者， 破戒比丘， 名字羅漢，
及比丘尼， 好戲笑者， 深著五欲，
求現滅度， 諸優婆夷， 皆勿親近。
At that time the World-Honoured One desiring to reiterate this meaning thus spoke in verse:
“If a Bodhisattva,
In the evil world to come,
Without fear [in their] heart,
Desires to expound this sūtra,
[They should] enter the Practice of Dwelling,
And the Practice of Intimate Dwelling.
[They should] always part from Monarchs,
And the children of Monarchs,
Ministers and Officials,
Ones who do violent performances,
Caṇḍālas,
And Tīrthika Bhramaṇas.
Neither should they become intimate with those with spiritual pride,
[As well as those] attached to the Hīnayāna,
[Such as] the scholars of the [Hīnayāna] Tripiṭaka.
[As well as] Monks who break the precepts,
[Those] Arhats only-in-name,
As well as nuns.
[Neither] those who enjoy play and laughter,
Those who are deeply attached to the five sensual pleasures,
Those seeking self-liberation,
Or various laywomen.
[Bodhisattvas] should not be intimate with any of them.
若是人等， 以好心來， 到菩薩所，
為聞佛道。 菩薩則以， 無所畏心，
不懷悕望， 而為說法。 寡女處女，
及諸不男， 皆勿親近， 以為親厚。
亦莫親近， 屠兒魁膾， 畋獵漁捕，
為利殺害， 販肉自活， 衒賣女色，
如是之人 皆勿親近。
If [however] there are people [who]
With wholesome minds approach
Unto the Bodhisattva,
And [desire to] listen to the Buddha-Dharma,
[Then] the Bodhisattva with a fearless heart,
Without expectations or desire,
[Shall] expound the Dharma [to them].
[Furthermore, with] widows, virgins,
[Or even] the various Paṇḍakas,
[The Bodhisattva ought] not be close [with them];
[They should] not be intimate.
Moreover, [they are] not intimate [with],
Butchers or those who dismember flesh,
Hunters, fishers, trappers,
[Those who] kill for profit,
[Those who] make a living selling meat,
[Nor those who] flaunt and sell women’s beauty;
Such people as these,
Are all not to be [made as] intimate [relationships].
兇險相撲，
種種嬉戲， 諸婬女等， 盡勿親近。
莫獨屏處， 為女說法， 若說法時，
無得戲笑。 入里乞食， 將一比丘，
若無比丘， 一心念佛。 是則名為，
行處近處， 以此二處， 能安樂說。
又復不行， 上中下法， 有為無為，
實不實法， 亦不分別， 是男是女。
Dangerous wrestlers,
Various kinds of athletes,
Various licentious women,
[The Bodhisattva should] not be intimate with any.
Nor [should they] be in a private place to expound Dharma to women,
[But] if the time [requires that the Bodhisattva] expound the Dharma [there],
[They should] not smile-and-play [with the women].
[When they] enter a village to beg for alms,
[They should] bring one monastic,
[However] if there is no monastic,
[Then] with single-mind, [they should practice] Buddhānusmṛti.
These are thus called,
The Practice of Intimate Dwelling,
[And] by this second Practice of Dwelling,
Can [the Bodhisattva] joyfully expound the Dharma in ease.
Moreover, [they] do not practice [grading between] higher, middle and lower dharmas,
Existence and Non-existence [within dharmas],
True and false [within] dharmas,
And [they should] not delineate [between] male and female [within dharmas].
不得諸法， 不知不見， 是則名為，
菩薩行處。 一切諸法， 空無所有，
無有常住， 亦無起滅， 是名智者，
所親近處。 顛倒分別， 諸法有無，
是實非實， 是生非生。 在於閑處，
修攝其心， 安住不動， 如須彌山。
觀一切法， 皆無所有， 猶如虛空，
無有堅固。
[They] do not ascertain [any of the] various dharmas,
[And thus see them as] unknowable and invisible,
This is thusly named the Bodhisattva Practice of Dwellling.
All of the various dharmas are empty and exist nowhere,
Always abide nowhere,
And are also neither arising nor extinguishing;
This is the name of the Ārya’s ground of Intimate Dwelling.
The various dharmas are unerring and indivisible,
Real and unreal,
[And are also] produced and are unproduced.
[The Bodhisattva] dwelling in a quiet place,
Cultivates and absorbs their mind,
[which becomes] peaceful and motionless,
Like Mount Sumeru.
[The Bodhisattva thus] contemplates all dharmas,
[Seeing them] all as having non-existence,
Just like empty space,
[And also as] without permanence.
不生不出， 不動不退，
常住一相， 是名近處。 若有比丘，
於我滅後， 入是行處、 及親近處，
說斯經時， 無有怯弱。 菩薩有時，
入於靜室， 以正憶念， 隨義觀法。
從禪定起， 為諸國王、 王子臣民、
婆羅門等， 開化演暢， 說斯經典，
其心安隱， 無有怯弱。 文殊師利！
是名菩薩， 安住初法， 能於後世，
說法華經。
[The dharmas] are unproduced and are non-emerging,
Motionless and non-arising,
[The dharmas] always abide as the One-Characteristic;
This is the [meaning of the] name: Intimate Dwelling.
If a monastic after my parinirvāṇa,
Enters this Practice of Dwelling and Intimate Dwelling,
And at that time expounds this sūtra,
[Then they should] not be weak-willed.
The Bodhisattva at that time,
Enters a quiet room,
And by correctly setting the mind,
Follows the righteous contemplation of dharmas.
And [when] arising from dhyāna concentration,
Toward the various monarchs,
Children of monarchs and officials,
Bhramaṇas,
[They] civilise and develop [these people] unimpeded,
Expounding this Sūtra Canon,
[With their] heart deep-down [abiding at] ease,
Without [feeling] weak-of-will.
Mañjuśrī!
[This is the] name of the Bodhisattva [who] abides in ease [from] the [very] first dharma,
[Who] can in the coming generations,
Expound this Dharma Flower Sūtra.
「又，文殊師利！如來滅後，於末法中欲說是經，應住安樂行。若口宣說、若讀經時，不樂說人及經典過。亦不輕慢諸餘法師，不說他人好惡、長短。於聲聞人，亦不稱名說其過惡，亦不稱名讚歎其美，又亦不生怨嫌之心。善修如是安樂心故，諸有聽者不逆其意，有所難問，不以小乘法答，但以大乘而為解說，令得一切種智。」
“Furthermore, Mañjuśrī! After the Extinction of the Tathāgata, [those who] desire to expound this sūtra in the future ought to abide in peaceful and joyful practice. If [their] mouths recite and expound [this sūtra], [and] if when [they] write [down this] sūtra, [they ought] not delight in expounding the faults of people or even the Sūtra-Canon. [They should] also not treat without respect, the other Dharmabhānakas, nor speak about other people’s likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. With Śrāvakas, [Bodhisattvas do] not state the name of their faults nor state the name of their praiseworthy virtues, moreover [these Bodhisattvas] do not give rise to resentment [nor] the heart of enmity. Because they virtuously practice [with] such a mind of peace and joy, all those who listen do not [come to] oppose their ideas. Be there a difficult question, [these Bodhisattvas do] not reply by means of the Hīnayāna, but by means of the Mahāyāna so that [the Mahāyāna is] explained, [and that the listener is thus] caused to obtainSarvajñatā.
爾時世尊欲重宣此義，而說偈言：
At that time the World-Honoured One desiring to reiterate this meaning thus spoke in verse:
「菩薩常樂， 安隱說法， 於清淨地，
而施床座。 以油塗身， 澡浴塵穢，
著新淨衣， 內外俱淨， 安處法座，
隨問為說。 若有比丘， 及比丘尼，
諸優婆塞， 及優婆夷， 國王王子、
群臣士民， 以微妙義， 和顏為說。
若有難問， 隨義而答， 因緣譬喻，
敷演分別。 以是方便， 皆使發心，
漸漸增益， 入於佛道。
The Bodhisattva always joyful, at ease, and secure, expounds the Dharma in a quiet and pure place, [on] a prepared seated-platform.
By anointing their bodies with oil,
Bathing and washing [away any] dirt and grime,
Wearing fresh and clean garments — clean both inside and outside,
[They] peacefully sit atop [their] Dharma-Throne, adapting [their replies to any] questions that are asked.
If there are Monks, Nuns, various Laymen, Laywomen, Monarchs, Children of a Monarch, Groups of Officials, Soldiers, [or] Citizens,
[Then] through subtle meanings — and a gentle countenance — [they] expound [the Dharma to all].
If there are [any] difficult questions, [then] complying with [each one’s various] meanings, [they give an] answer [through the use of various] causes and conditions, similes, elaborations and distinctions.
Through these Skilful-Means, all [are then made to] generate the Bodhicitta[-resolve] and [thus] gradually gain entry into the Path of the Buddhas.
除嬾惰意，
及懈怠想， 離諸憂惱， 慈心說法。
晝夜常說， 無上道教， 以諸因緣、
無量譬喻， 開示眾生， 咸令歡喜。
衣服臥具， 飲食醫藥， 而於其中，
無所悕望。 但一心念， 說法因緣，
願成佛道， 令眾亦爾。 是則大利，
安樂供養。
[They then] discard thoughts of laziness and idle pondering, separate from all sorrow and worry, and [with] compassionate minds, expound the Dharma.
Day and Night, [they are] constantly expounding the teachings of the Unsurpassed Way, and with various causes and conditions, and countless parables, [they] open and reveal [the Dharma to] sentient beings, [causing] all to rejoice.
Clothes, bedding, food, drink, medicine, and [other] such things as these, are no longer woefully craven. But with One-Minded recollection [of the] causes and conditions of expounding the Dharma, [they] vow to accomplish the Buddha-Way, and cause sentient beings to also [do] the same.
This is the greatest [form of], benefit, peace, joy, and Dāna-Cultivation.
我滅度後， 若有比丘，
能演說斯， 妙法華經。 心無嫉恚，
諸惱障礙， 亦無憂愁， 及罵詈者，
又無怖畏 加刀杖等， 亦無擯出，
安住忍故。 智者如是， 善修其心，
能住安樂， 如我上說。 其人功德，
千萬億劫， 算數譬喻， 說不能盡。」
After my extinction, if there are any Monastics [who] can elaborate [on] and expound this Sublime Dharma Flower Sūtra
[With] a heart free of hate, anger, [or the] various kleśas and hindrances,
[Or] also without sorrow and grief toward those who abuse and curse [them],
[Or] again without fear toward knives, rods, and other such things,
[Or] also [toward being] cast out,
Because [they] peacefully abide [in] Kṣānti,
[Then] a Wise-One such as this well cultivates their mind,
[And] can abide in ease and joy as I have expounded above.
That person’s merit and virtue — [even after] koṭis of nayutas of kalpas [of] enumerations, metaphors, and explanations — cannot be exhausted.
- One of the Two forms of worldly Patience, the second being “distresses arising from natural causes such as heat, cold, old-age, sickness, etc.”; refer to the term: 二忍. ↩︎
- Materialists and/or Hedonists. ↩︎
- Butcher and/or Outcaste in Brahmanism but here referring to immoral people in Buddhism. ↩︎
- Presumably for slaughtering. ↩︎
- A place for walking meditation. ↩︎
- These include: Sexless (or Eunuch) by birth, Made Sexless, Sexless via Transformation, Voyeur Sexless, and a Sexless person who is Sexless for one half of the month and not for the other half. Refer to: (T2131.54.1083a9). ↩︎
- Contemplation of the Buddha. ↩︎
Saddharmatā 