The Sutra of Forty-two Chapters - 36
佛說四十二章經 第36章
後漢 西域沙門迦葉摩騰 竺法蘭 同譯
Translated jointly by Indian Sramana Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaraksa in the Later Han Dynasty
法师讲解 01:27 开始 单词 04:30 开始
第36章 展轉獲勝
Advancing to Perfection Progressively
佛言。人離惡道。得為人難。
The Buddha said: "Even if one escapes from the evil creations, it is one's rare fortune to be born as a human being.
既得為人。去女即男難。
Even if one be born as human, it is one's rare fortune to be born as a man and not a woman.
既得為男。六根完具難。
Even if one be born a man, it is one's rare fortune to be perfect in all the six senses.
六根既具。生中國難。
Even if he be perfect in all the six senses, it is his rare fortune to be born in the middle kingdom.
既生中國。值佛世難。
Even if he be born in the middle kingdom, it is his rare fortune to be born in the time of a Buddha.
既值佛世。遇道者難。
Even if he be born in the time of a Buddha, it is his rare fortune to see the enlightened.
既得遇道。興信心難。
Even if he be able to see the enlightened, it is his rare fortune to have his heart awakened in faith.
既興信心。發菩提心難。
Even if he have faith, it is his rare fortune to awaken the heart of intelligence.
既發菩提心。無修無證難。
Even if he awakens the heart of intelligence, it is his rare fortune to realize a spiritual state which is above discipline and attainment."
英文版经文转载自 菩提字幕屋,英译者 D.T. Suzuki
English version sourced from Bodhi Fansubs, translated by D.T. Suzuki
法师讲解:36-2 展轉獲勝
Commentary: Advancing to perfection progressively
Let's continue with the Ten Fulfilments. These are important conditions needed for Buddhism learning:
1. Being born as a human being, rather than other beings of the six paths;
2. Being born in the middle kingdom where Buddhism flourishes;
3. Being healthy without any physical or mental disability;
4. No adverse karmic influence to make a person evil;
5. Holding a faithful belief that Buddhism is the antidote to suffering. Note that these five are internal factors.
我们继续讲解十圆满,这些都是学佛所需要的重要条件:
1. 生而为人:即不生于其它的六道。
2. 生于中国:生于佛法兴盛的地方。
3. 诸根具足:身体没有残疾或智障。
4. 业未颠倒:不会因为过去的业力导致背离善道,为非作歹。
5. 正信:对佛法有信心,知道佛法是帮助我们脱离痛苦的妙药。
这前五个都是属于自身的条件。
6. Emergence of Buddhas: Buddhas only emerge in a certain designated time and space. That means those who were born before the Buddha or after the expiry of the Dharma would have no opportunity to encounter Buddhism. Also, there is no Buddha in the North Continent - Uttarakuru.
7. The true Dharma being taught: according to the Lalitavistara Sutra, after enlightenment Buddha Sakyamuni realized that secular people were too obstinate to convert, so he initially decided to enter into nirvana quickly. Fortunately, the Lord of the Mahabrahman Heaven made a plea for teaching the Dharma, so the Buddha agreed to stay on to preach.
8. Abidance of the Dharma: even though the Buddha had taught the Dharma, the existence of the Dharma has a time limit.
9. Dharma dissemination: one needs a virtuous mentor who can provide appropriate guidance according to one’s potential.
10. Benevolence from others: Gain support from wholesome benefactors. This is especially important to monastics.
The last five points above are external factors.
6. 佛出世:佛只会在某些时空出现,例如佛出世以前及佛法坏灭后的人都与佛无缘,北俱芦洲也没有佛出世。
7. 说正法:按《方广大庄严经》,释迦牟尼佛初证悟后因世人愚昧难化,本想速入涅槃,幸得大梵天祈请佛陀讲法,佛陀才住世宣讲佛法。
8. 教法住世:佛虽然已经讲法,但佛法住世的时间是有限的。
9. 住法随转:遇到善知识能随顺众生根器因机教化。
10. 有他悲悯:获得有善根的施主供养, 这对僧众来说特别重要。
后五个属于外界的条件。
According to the Samyuktagama Sutra, once the Buddha was preaching to his disciples. He pinched a little bit of dirt from the ground to make a metaphor; the population of human being is as minute as the amount of dirt in his finger nail whereas the population of the rest of the six paths is as massive as the amount of dirt on the ground. Similarly, the opportunity for being born in the middle kingdom where Buddhism flourishes is so rare. Therefore we can imagine how precious our opportunity for Buddhism learning is!
《杂阿含经》记载,佛陀一次教化弟子时,在地上抓了一点点尘土来作比喻。生于人道的众生就像指甲上的尘土那么少,六道的其它众生却好比大地的尘土那么多,得生佛法兴盛的中国这也同样稀有难得,可想我们现在能学习佛法的机会是多么珍贵!
讲解 | 释宏添 北京天开寺
By Bhiksu Hong Tian, Tiankai Temple