英語訳
Why is abandoning the ten [unwholesome acts] considered good?
Answer: Life is the foundation of the body. Those who kill living bodies and extinguish life cut off the root of form and exhaust life and form. This is what living beings treasure and what spiritual beings value. Regarding one's own bodily life, there is endless greed and attachment, while toward others' lives and forms there is extreme contempt and scorn. Therefore this is now established for the first time. When a wheel-turning king appears in the world, he rules the four great continents and causes all lesser kings to practice the ten virtues. All lesser kings submit to his transformation and are able to practice the ten virtues. The ten virtues are: first, abandoning killing; second, abandoning stealing; third, abandoning sexual misconduct—these constitute the three of the body. Fourth, abandoning false speech; fifth, abandoning harsh speech; sixth, abandoning divisive speech; seventh, abandoning meaningless speech—these constitute the four of speech. Eighth, abandoning miserliness; ninth, abandoning hatred; tenth, abandoning wrong views—these constitute the three of mind. Though the words seem repetitive, they are not thorough enough, and because people of the degenerate age are far from progress, they are stated twice.
Question: By abandoning the evil of killing, what good is obtained?
Answer: One immediately achieves the ten dharmas of freedom from distress.
Question: What are the ten dharmas of freedom from distress?
Answer: First, universally granting fearlessness to all sentient beings; second, constantly arousing great compassion toward sentient beings; third, permanently abandoning all habitual tendencies of hatred; fourth, the body being constantly free from illness; fifth, long life; sixth, constant protection by non-human beings; seventh, constantly having no nightmares and receiving peaceful pleasure; eighth, eliminating grudges and enmities so that all enmities naturally resolve; ninth, having no fear of evil destinies; tenth, being reborn in heaven at death. If one can dedicate merit to unsurpassed bodhi, when one later becomes a Buddha, one obtains the Buddha's lifespan that follows the mind's freedom.
Question: By abandoning the evil of stealing, what good is obtained?
Answer: One immediately obtains ten kinds of trustworthy and reliable dharmas.
Question: What are the ten trustworthy and reliable dharmas?
Answer: The ten trustworthy and reliable dharmas are: first, wealth accumulates abundantly, and kings, thieves, water, fire, and unloved children cannot scatter or destroy it; second, being loved and cherished by others; third, not being deceived or oppressed by people; fourth, being praised in the ten directions; fifth, not worrying about harm; sixth, good reputation spreading; seventh, fearlessness in assemblies; eighth, wealth, life, appearance, strength, peace, eloquence being complete without deficiency; ninth, constantly harboring the intention to give; tenth, being reborn in heaven at death. If one can dedicate merit to unsurpassed bodhi, when one later becomes a Buddha, one realizes pure great bodhi wisdom.
Question: By abandoning sexual misconduct, what good arises?
Answer: One immediately obtains four kinds of dharmas praised by the wise.
Question: What are those four?
Answer: First, all faculties being harmonious; second, permanently abandoning restlessness and distraction; third, being praised by the world; fourth, one's wife being unable to transgress. If one can dedicate merit to unsurpassed bodhi, when one later becomes a Buddha, one obtains the Buddha's masculine hidden treasure marks. The above shows obtaining various goods by abandoning the three bodily evils.
Question: By abandoning false speech, what good is obtained?
Answer: One immediately obtains eight kinds of dharmas praised by gods.
Question: What are the eight dharmas praised by gods?
Answer: First, the mouth being constantly pure with the fragrance of blue lotus flowers; second, being trusted and revered by all worlds; third, one's words becoming testimony and being loved respectfully by humans and gods; fourth, constantly using loving speech to comfort sentient beings; fifth, obtaining supreme joy with the three actions being pure; sixth, speech having no errors and the mind being constantly joyful; seventh, one's words being revered and practiced by humans and gods; eighth, wisdom being supreme with none able to overcome it. If one can dedicate merit to unsurpassed bodhi, when one later becomes a Buddha, one obtains the Tathagata's truthful speech.
Question: By abandoning divisive speech, what good is obtained?
Answer: One obtains five kinds of indestructible dharmas.
Question: What are those five?
Answer: First, obtaining an indestructible body because none can harm it; second, obtaining indestructible retinue because none can break it; third, obtaining indestructible faith because it accords with original karma; fourth, obtaining indestructible dharma practice because what is cultivated is firm; fifth, obtaining indestructible spiritual friends because there is no deception. If one can dedicate merit to unsurpassed bodhi, when one later becomes a Buddha, one obtains correct retinue that demons and non-Buddhists cannot obstruct or destroy.
Question: By abandoning harsh speech, what good is obtained?
Answer: One immediately accomplishes eight kinds of pure karma.
Question: What are those eight?
Answer: First, speech not violating measure; second, speech all being beneficial; third, speech necessarily according with principle; fourth, speech being beautiful and wonderful; fifth, speech being acceptable; sixth, speech being timely and useful; seventh, speech having nothing to criticize; eighth, speech entirely bringing pleasure. If one can dedicate merit to unsurpassed bodhi, when one later becomes a Buddha, one perfects the Tathagata's Brahma voice marks.
Question: By abandoning frivolous speech, what good is obtained?
Answer: One immediately accomplishes three kinds of certainty.
Question: What are those three?
Answer: First, definitely being loved by wise people; second, definitely being able to use wisdom to answer questions in accordance with reality; third, definitely having supreme and unsurpassed威德 among humans and gods without any falsehood. If one can dedicate merit to unsurpassed bodhi, when one later becomes a Buddha, one obtains all the Tathagata's prophecies, all of which are not in vain. The above clarifies the four virtues of speech.
Question: By abandoning greed, what good is obtained?
Answer: One immediately accomplishes five kinds of freedom.
Question: What are those five?
Answer: First, freedom in the three actions because all faculties are complete; second, freedom in wealth because all enemies and thieves cannot rob it; third, freedom in merit because all things desired by the mind are provided; fourth, freedom in royal position because all rare and wonderful things are offered; fifth, the things obtained surpass what was originally sought by a hundred times in excellence, because one was not miserly or jealous in past times. If one can dedicate merit to unsurpassed bodhi, when one later becomes a Buddha, one is especially revered in the three realms and all together show respect and reverence.
Question: By abandoning hatred, what good is obtained?
Answer: One immediately obtains eight kinds of joyful mind dharmas.
Question: What are those eight?
Answer: First, a mind without harm or distress; second, a mind without hatred; third, a mind without disputes or litigation; fourth, a gentle and straightforward mind; fifth, obtaining the compassionate mind of sages; sixth, constantly creating benefit and comforting sentient beings' minds; seventh, bodily appearance being dignified and revered by all; eighth, through gentleness and patience, quickly being reborn in the Brahma world. If one can dedicate merit to unsurpassed bodhi, when one later becomes a Buddha, one obtains the Buddha's unobstructed mind that observers never tire of.
Question: By abandoning wrong views, what good is obtained?
Answer: One immediately accomplishes ten merit dharmas.
Question: What are those ten?
Answer: First, obtaining true good intention and true good protection; second, deeply believing in cause and effect, preferring to lose one's life rather than ever doing evil; third, taking refuge only in Buddha, not in other gods; fourth, having an upright mind and correct views, permanently abandoning all nets of doubt about fortune and misfortune; fifth, constantly being born among humans and gods, not receiving evil destinies; sixth, immeasurable merit and wisdom increasingly excelling; seventh, permanently abandoning wrong paths and practicing the noble path; eighth, not arising body-view and abandoning all evil karma; ninth, dwelling in unobstructed view; tenth, not falling into various difficulties. If one can dedicate merit to unsurpassed bodhi, when one later becomes a Buddha, one quickly realizes all Buddha dharmas, accomplishing sovereign spiritual powers. These ten virtuous karmas can even enable the ten powers, fearlessness, eighteen unique qualities, and all Buddha dharmas.