01.如是我聞。
- Thus have I heard.
02.一時，佛在舍衛國，祇樹給孤獨園。
02. At one time the [buddha] was dwelling at [śrāvastī], in the [jeta] forest at [anāthapiṇḍada] park.
03.爾時，毘沙門天王，與百、千、無數藥叉眷屬，於初夜分，俱來佛所，放大光明，照祇陀園一切境界。五體投地，禮世尊足，住立一面，合掌向佛，以偈讚曰：
03. At that time, [deva] king [vaiśravaṇa], along with hundreds, thousands, innumerable companions, came together to where the [bhagavān] resided at the first watch of the night. He radiated a brilliant light that illuminated the entire [jeta] forest, and proceeded to bow to the [buddha]’s feet, standing at one side, facing the [buddha], and praising him with a [gāthā]:
「歸命大無畏 正覺二足尊
諸天以天眼 觀義無所見
過現未來佛 三世慈悲主
一一正遍知 我今歸命禮」
“I pay great respect to the [mahāvīra],
[sambuddha] among [deva]s and men,
Of whom among the [deva]s who, even with their divine eyes,
Are unable to see the meaning of [dharma] as you see it.
To [buddha]s of the past, present, and future,
The supreme guide of all three ages,
Undoubtedly, to the [samyaksaṃbuddha]s, one by one-
-I now worship and go to for refuge."
04.爾時，毘沙門天王說此偈已，白佛言：「世尊。有諸聲聞苾芻、苾芻尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，或於曠野、林間、樹下，經行坐臥。我此藥叉、非人之類，有信佛言者、有少信之者。復有無數諸惡藥叉不信佛言，惱亂有情，令不安隱。善哉！世尊。所有《阿吒曩胝經》能為明護。若有苾芻、苾芻尼、優婆塞、優婆夷、及諸天人，受持、讀誦、禮敬、供養、廣為人說，皆能衛護，為作吉祥。」
04. After [deva] king [vaiśravaṇa] recited this [gāthā], he then said to the [buddha] : “Indeed, [bhagavān], there are [śrāvaka] [bhikṣu]s, [bhikṣuṇī]s, [upāsaka]s, and [upāsikā]s who may walk, sit, or lie in the wilderness, in the forest, or under a tree. Among us non-human beings, while there are some of whom do believe in the words spoken by the [buddha], there are ultimately few who are convinced. There are countless beings with evil intent, they do not believe the word of the [bhagavān], disturb other beings and cause them to lose their peace. It is wonderful! [bhagavān]. The existence of this [āṭānāṭīya] [sūtra] is capable of bestowing knowledge and protection. Whenever there are [bhikṣu]s, [bhikṣuṇī]s, [upāsaka]s, and [upāsikā]s, or any [deva] or human at all, who would receive, hold, read, recite, honor, worship, and pass it on to others, this would bring awakening and great benefit to many.”
05.爾時，會中有諸正信藥叉之眾，合掌白言：「唯願！天王。說此經典，我等樂聞。」
05. At that moment, in the middle of the congregation, a group of faithful [yakṣa]s came forward and said: "We ask you, [deva] king! Please speak it, as we wish to hear it. "
06.時，毘沙門天王默然受請，即向佛前，頭面禮足。承佛威神，告藥叉言：「今此經典，若有所得宣布流通，能除眾生一切煩惱。是故！我今歸依頂禮。
06. Thereupon, [deva] king [vaiśravaṇa] merely kept silent upon hearing their wishes. He instead approached the [buddha] and worshiped him. With the [buddhānubhāva], he told them: “This [sūtra], if anyone can distribute it, will be able to get rid of the various troubles of living beings. Therefore, worship it and go to it for refuge!
-
「東方世界，有乾闥婆主，名曰持國。
具大威德，身放光明，譬如日出普照世間。
統領眷屬乾闥婆眾，恭敬圍繞，歌舞作唱，而受快樂。
有九十一子，同名帝釋，有大勢力，勇猛暴惡。
見佛世尊，歸依、頂禮、尊重、恭敬。
觀此非人而能禮敬，彼持國天王守護東方。
如佛行，行如是護世。
“是故！我今稽首歸命正遍知、明行足、無上寂靜。”
07.
“In the east of this world is the [gandharva] leader named [dhṛtarāṣṭra].
Great in authority, his body emits light, like a rising sun illuminating the whole world.
The company of [gandharva]s, of whom he commands, constantly applaud, dance and sing in his honor, and he thereby receives great happiness.
He has ninety-one sons, all of whom are named [indra], powerful, mighty, fierce and powerful men.
Seeing the [buddha], the [bhagavān], they then and there seek refuge, worship, honor, and esteem him.
Overseeing all these non-human beings, allowing them to pay homage, is [deva] king [dhṛtarāṣṭra] of the eastern realm.
The path of the [buddha] was undertaken by the beings of this entire realm.
"'Now, let us honor and take refuge in the [samyaksaṃbuddha], the one worthy in knowledge and conduct, who has attained [nirvāṇa]!’”
-
「南方世界，有鳩槃拏主，名尾嚕茶迦。
具大威德，身有光明，如日照世；
亦如大海深廣無邊，彼諸凡夫不可測度。
統領眷屬鳩槃拏眾，恭敬圍繞，歌舞作唱，而受快樂。
有九十一子，同名帝釋，有大勢力，勇猛暴惡。
見佛世尊，歸依、頂禮、尊重、恭敬。
觀此非人而能禮敬，彼鳩槃拏主守護南方。
如佛行，行如是護世。
“是故！我今稽首歸命正遍知、明行足、無上寂靜。”
08.
“In the south of this world is the [kumbhāṇḍa] leader named virūḍhaka.
Great in authority, his body emits light, as the bright sun illuminates the whole world.
Incomprehensible to ordinary beings, as deep and as wide as the ocean.
The company of [kumbhāṇḍa]s, of whom he commands, constantly applaud, dance and sing in his honor, and he thereby receives great happiness.
He has ninety-one sons, all of whom are named [indra], powerful, mighty, fierce and powerful men.
Seeing the [buddha], the [bhagavān], they then and there seek refuge, worship, honor, and esteem him.
Overseeing all these non-human beings, allowing them to pay homage, is king [deva] [virūḍhaka] of the southern realm.
The path of the [buddha] was undertaken by the beings of this entire realm.
"'Now, let us honor and take refuge in the [samyaksaṃbuddha], the one worthy in knowledge and conduct, who has attained [nirvāṇa]!’”
-
「西方世界，有大龍主，名尾嚕博叉。
有大威德，光明遠照。
統領眷屬諸大龍眾，恭敬圍繞，歌舞作唱，而受快樂。
有九十一子，同名帝釋，有大勢力，勇猛暴惡。
見佛世尊，歸命、頂禮、尊重、恭敬。
觀此非人而能禮敬，彼大龍主守護西方。
如佛行，行如是護世。
“是故！我今稽首歸命正遍知、明行足、無上寂靜。”
09.
"In the west of this world is the [nāga] leader named [virūpākṣa].
Possessing an astounding charisma, his light shines bright and far.
The company of [nāga]s, of whom he commands, constantly applaud, dance and sing in his honor, and he thereby receives great happiness.
He has ninety-one sons, all of whom are named [indra], powerful, mighty, fierce and powerful men.
Seeing the [buddha], the [bhagavān], they then and there seek refuge, worship, honor, and esteem him.
Overseeing all these non-human beings, allowing them to pay homage, is [deva] king [virūpākṣa] of the western realm.
The path of the [bhagavān] was undertaken by the beings of this entire realm.
"'Now, let us honor and take refuge in the [samyaksaṃbuddha], the one worthy in knowledge and conduct, who has attained [nirvāṇa]!’”
-
「北方世界，有藥叉主，名俱吠囉。
有大威德，身光熾盛，如大火焰。
統領眷屬藥叉之眾，恭敬圍繞，歌舞作唱，而受快樂。
有九十一子，同名帝釋，有大勢力，勇猛暴惡。
見佛世尊，歸依、頂禮、尊重、恭敬。
觀此非人而能禮敬，彼藥叉主守護北方。
如佛行，行如是護世。
“是故！我今稽首歸命正遍知、明行足、無上寂靜。”
10.
"In the north of this world is the [yakṣa] leader named [kuvera].
Great in authority, his body lights up like a great fire.
The company of [yakṣa]s, of whom he commands, constantly applaud, dance and sing in his honor, and he thereby receives great happiness.
He has ninety-one sons, all of whom are named [indra], powerful, mighty, fierce and powerful men.
Seeing the [buddha], the [bhagavān], they then and there seek refuge, worship, honor, and esteem him.
Overseeing all these non-human beings, allowing them to pay homage, is [deva] king [kuvera] of the northern realm.
The path of the [bhagavān] was undertaken by the beings of this entire realm.
“'Now, let us honor and take refuge in the [samyaksaṃbuddha], the one worthy in knowledge and conduct, who has attained [nirvāṇa]!’”
11.「復次！北方世界，人壽千歲，命不中夭。地無耕種，人不執作。飲食自然，色香具足，資益諸根，身體光潤。處處皆有花果、樹木、流泉、池沼。隨意遊戲，如受天樂。如是東方持國、南方尾嚕茶迦、西方尾嚕博叉、北方俱吠囉，各以威德，護四大洲。
11. “Furthermore! In this realm of the world, beings live up to a thousand years old and no one dies young. The land need not be plowed or cultivated; people need not change the conditions. Food and drink appear naturally, perfectly in shape and aroma, nourish all the senses, and make the body glow. Everywhere there are fruit trees and flowers, streams, springs, and ponds. At the heart of the place, the people there play around and go about experiencing heavenly happiness. It is the same between [dhṛtarāṣṭra] of the east, [virūḍhaka] of the south, [virūpākṣa] of the west, and [kuvera] of the north, each with their respective authority over one of the four continents.
12.「復次！乾闥婆主有藥叉女眾，有乘象者、有乘馬者、有乘駝者、有乘水牛者、有乘羊者、有乘蛇者、有乘飛禽者、有乘童男者、有乘童女者。以象前引於虛空中，密詣諸方，種種變化，隨意自在。亦能守護，人不可見。若諸藥叉，形容醜惡，種種差異；亦如飛禽，往虛空中，自在遊行，亦密護人。其名曰：阿吒曩吒、俱曩吒、波里俱娑曩吒、曩拏、曩拏布里迦等，及藥叉女眾，皆住北方阿拏迦嚩帝大城。又此大城有一宮殿，於其四邊，有九十九池。水甚深廣，名曰地池，泉源通流，亦能降雨。復有多種花果樹木，所謂：供俱婆迦、俱囉囉、迦麼花等。果味甘美，眾所愛樂。頻伽、孔雀、種種諸鳥，常出妙音。彼有天子，名曰勇猛，并諸眷屬，亦住是宮，守護國界。」
12. "Furthermore! The [gandharva] leader possesses the [yakṣī] troupe: some ride elephants, some ride horses, some ride camels, some ride cattle, some ride goats, some ride snakes, some fly by air, some driven by a girl-drawn carriage, some driven by a boy-drawn carriage. Guided by an elephant appearing in the space before them, they visit various places in secret, in various transformations of the mind. They can do this without anyone knowing. The [yakṣa]s are unpleasing in appearance, and have a variety of different forms; just like birds that fly in the sky, they roam at will, and do all this in secret. They are [āṭānāṭa], [kunāṭa], [parikusanāṭa], [nāḍa], [nāḍapurika], along with a group of [yakṣī]s, all of whom live in the large city of [aḍakavatī] in the north. Also, this big city has a palace. On all four sides there are ninety-nine ponds. The water spans deep and wide, and its name is [dharaṇī] pond, flowing plentifully from its source, and it disperses rains from the clouds it forms. Furthermore, there are various types of fruit trees and flowers. They go by names such as [kaukumbhaka], [kurara], and the flower called [kama]. The taste of the fruit is sweet and delicious, loved by all. [viṅka], peacocks, and various kinds of birds always make sweet sounds. There is a [devaputra] named [śūra] and his retinue, also living in the palace guarding the territory of the land.”
