11. Becoming an Upholder of the Sūtra
爾時，世尊與諸比丘前後圍遶往詣月光童子住處，坐所敷坐，諸比丘僧次第而坐。
At that time, the Bhagavān, surrounded by bhikṣus in the front and back, went to the dwelling place of the Youth Candraprabha and sat down in the seat prepared for him. The assembly of bhikṣus sat in order.
爾時，月光童子知佛、菩薩比丘坐已，自手齎持多種美食——所謂佉禪尼、蒲禪尼、梨呵那諸沙尼等——又持漿飲，以百味食充足如來及以大眾。既充足已，歡喜踊躍，深自慶遇。佛及大眾飯食訖已，却鉢澡手，以萬億價寶衣奉上如來；比丘眾隨上、中、下次第，各以上、中、下三衣次第施之。
At that time, the Youth Candraprabha, knowing that the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and bhikṣus were seated, personally brought various kinds of fine food, such as khādanīya (edible), bhojanīya (enjoyable), and svādanīya (delicious), and also brought beverages, providing the Tathāgata and the great assembly with food of a hundred flavours. After they had been sufficiently served, he rejoiced greatly, feeling deeply honoured. When the Buddha and the great assembly had finished eating, they put away their bowls and washed their hands. The Youth Candraprabha then offered the Tathāgata robes worth a koṭī of jewels; the assembly of bhikṣus, according to their rank, were offered upper, middle, and lower garments in order.
爾時，月光童子於佛及僧施衣物已，偏袒右肩，右膝著地，合掌作禮，住於佛前默念說偈而問世尊：
At that time, after the Youth Candraprabha had offered robes to the Buddha and the saṅgha, he bore his right shoulder, placed his right knee on the ground, joined his palms in reverence, stood before the Buddha, and silently recited a gāthā, asking the Bhagavān:
「菩薩智者行何行，
常能解知諸法性？
云何能入所作業？
惟願導師為我說。
"How does a bodhisattva with wisdom practise
So they can constantly comprehend and know the nature of all dharmas?
How can they enter the field of action?
I pray that the Guide will explain this to me.
云何能得於宿命？
云何不復處胞胎？
云何能得不壞眾？
何故而得無量辯？
How can one obtain knowledge of past lives?
How can one avoid rebirth in the womb?
How can one attain the indestructible assembly?
Why do they gain boundless eloquence?
無上定慧兩足尊，
如我所問願記說，
知諸眾生心所行，
於一切法無有疑。
O Supreme One with unparalleled samādhi and wisdom,
Please answer my questions as I have asked,
You who know the actions of all sentient beings' minds,
Having no doubt in any dharma.
佛知一切法體性，
離言語法以言說，
如師子吼摧野干，
佛降異道亦如是。
The Buddha knows the nature of all dharmas,
Expounding the dharma that transcends speech;
Like a lion's roar that scares off jackals,
The Buddha subdues heterodox paths in the same way.
知諸眾生之所行，
通達諸法到彼岸，
無礙智慧淨境界，
惟願法王為我說。
Knowing the actions of all sentient beings,
Penetrating all dharmas to reach the other shore,
With unobstructed wisdom and a pure realm,
I pray that the Dharma King will explain to me.
知於過去、未來世，
及今現在亦悉了，
三世無礙智堪能，
是故我問釋師子；
Knowing the past, future,
And present, completely understanding
These three times, possessing unobstructed wisdom and capabilities,
Therefore, I ask you, the Lion of the Śākyas;
一切三世諸佛法，
法王世尊悉能知，
於法體性善覺悟，
是故我問大智海。
All the dharmas of the Buddhas of the three times,
The Dharma King, the Bhagavān, knows entirely,
Fully aware of the nature of the dharma,
Therefore, I ask you, the Great Ocean of Wisdom.
能離一切諸法過，
已能斷於心穢故，
剪除一切癡穢結，
願佛為說菩提行。
Being able to remove all faults of dharmas,
Having already cut off the impurities of the mind,
Eradicating all bonds of ignorance,
I pray that the Buddha will explain the practice of bodhi.
而佛所得諸法相，
如所得相為我說；
我聞如是法相已，
依所聞相行菩提。
As the Buddha has realised the characteristics of all dharmas,
Please explain to me the characteristics you have realised;
When I have heard these characteristics of the dharma,
I will practise bodhi according to the characteristics I have heard.
眾生行相多差別，
我作何行能解入？
願為我說入行法，
我得聞已則能知。
The actions of sentient beings are many and varied,
What practice should I undertake to understand and enter?
Please explain to me the practice for entering,
When I have heard, I will be able to know.
一切諸法各差別，
其體空寂性遠離，
菩薩云何能現證？
願為我說是法母。
All dharmas have their own distinctions,
They are empty, tranquil, and far removed from inherent existence.
How does a bodhisattva realise this directly?
Please explain to me this mother of the dharma.
於一切法到彼岸，
言說法句已修學，
己自無疑除他疑，
為我顯示佛菩薩。」
Having reached the other shore of all dharmas,
Having practised the verses of the Dharma,
Being free of doubt themselves, removing others' doubts,
Reveal to me the Buddha and the bodhisattva."
爾時，世尊知月光童子心所默念而作偈問，告月光童子言：
At that time, the Bhagavān, knowing the silent thoughts of the Youth Candraprabha and his gāthā questions, addressed the Youth Candraprabha, saying:
「若菩薩與一法相應，皆悉能獲最勝功德，速成阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。何謂一法？童子！若菩薩於一切法體性如實了知。童子！云何於一切法體性如實了知？所謂一切法遠離於名、離於音聲、離於語言、離於文字，離於生滅因相、緣相、攀緣相——所謂無相遠離於相，非心遠離於心——而知諸法。」
"O Youth! If a bodhisattva is in accord with one dharma, they can all attain the highest merits and swiftly achieve anuttarā samyaksaṃbodhi. What is this one dharma? O Youth! It is for the bodhisattva to truly know the nature of all dharmas. O Youth! How does one truly know the nature of all dharmas? It is by understanding that all dharmas are devoid of names, devoid of sounds, devoid of language, devoid of letters, devoid of the causes and conditions of arising and ceasing, devoid of the characteristics of attachment—that is, the so-called non-characteristic that is far removed from characteristics, and the non-mind that is far removed from the mind—and this is knowing all dharmas."
爾時，世尊即說偈曰：
At that time, the Bhagavān then spoke the following gāthā:
「諸法但說一，
所謂法無相，
是智者所說，
如實而了知。
"All dharmas speak of only one,
That is, the dharma of non-characteristic,
Which is spoken of by the wise,
Truly and completely understood.
若說如是法，
菩薩了知者，
彼得無礙辯，
說億修多羅。
If one speaks of such a dharma,
A bodhisattva who understands it,
Attains unobstructed eloquence,
Able to expound countless sūtras.
導師所加護，
顯示於實際，
不分別假名，
曾無有所說。
Protected by the Guide,
Revealing the reality limit,
Not discriminating false names,
Never having anything to say.
以一知一切，
以一切知一，
雖有種種說，
而不起於慢。
By knowing one, all is known,
By knowing all, one is known,
Though there are many kinds of speech,
No arrogance arises.
其心能了知，
一切法無名，
隨順學諸名，
而演說真實。
Their mind can understand,
That all dharmas have no names,
Following the study of names,
They explain the truth.
諸所聞音聲，
了知其聲本；
了知聲本已，
不為聲所染。
All sounds they hear,
They understand the source of the sound;
Having understood the source of sound,
They are not stained by sound.
知音聲本際，
諸法相亦然，
若能解一法，
不復處胞胎。
Knowing the source and limit of sound,
So it is with the characteristics of all dharmas,
If one can understand one dharma,
They will no longer be reborn in the womb.
一切法無生，
能了此無生，
知生說生者，
則能知宿命。
All dharmas are without birth,
Understanding this non-birth,
Knowing birth and speaking of birth,
They can know past lives.
若得於宿命，
能知所作業；
若常知作業，
得堅固眷屬。
If they obtain knowledge of past lives,
They can know the deeds done;
If they constantly know the deeds done,
They gain a steadfast retinue.
若於是空法，
菩薩能解了，
無有不知者，
此非煩惱際。
If of these empty dharmas,
A bodhisattva can understand,
There is nothing they do not know,
This is not the realm of afflictions.
於非煩惱際，
凡愚妄分別，
是故於億劫，
數流轉生死，
Not in the realm of afflictions,
The foolish discriminate wrongly,
Therefore, through countless kalpas,
They repeatedly cycle through birth and death,
不能知妄想。
猶如大導師，
彼不作惡業，
又不墮惡道；
Unable to know their delusions.
Like the great Guide,
Who neither performs evil deeds,
Nor fall into evil paths;
是諸凡夫等，
不能知此義，
便起誹謗心。
如是滅苦法，
These ordinary beings,
Cannot understand this meaning,
And thus give rise to slanderous thoughts.
Such is the path to extinguish suffering,
諸法不可得，
非無諸法想；
若能如是知，
彼想亦不見。
All dharmas are unobtainable,
Yet they are not without the perception of dharmas;
If one can understand this,
Even those perceptions will not be seen.
我知如是想，
凡夫妄分別，
於離分別法，
知者不迷惑。
I know such perceptions,
Ordinary people discriminate wrongly,
Regarding the dharma free from discrimination,
The wise do not become confused.
此為智者地，
非是愚境界，
是菩薩所行，
謂空無分別；
This is the realm of the wise,
Not the realm of the foolish,
It is the practice of the bodhisattva,
Called emptiness without discrimination;
此是菩薩地，
佛子之所行，
佛法妙莊嚴，
謂說寂滅空。
This is the stage of the bodhisattva,
The practice of the Buddha's children;
The wondrous adornment of the Buddha-Dharma,
Is called the serene extinction of emptiness.
是諸菩薩等，
斷除諸有習，
不為色所壞，
安住於佛性。
These bodhisattvas,
Cut off all habitual existence;
Not destroyed by form,
Abiding in the Buddha nature.
一切法無住，
以無住處故，
若能如是知，
得菩提不難。
All dharmas are without abiding,
Because of their non-abiding nature,
If one can understand this,
Attaining bodhi is not difficult.
修施、戒、聞忍、
習近善知識，
若能知是業，
速證菩提道。
Practising generosity, morality, listening, patience,
Associating with good friends:
If one can understand these deeds,
They will swiftly attain the path of bodhi.
是人常為諸天敬，
乾闥、夜叉、摩睺等，
龍、鬼、羅剎、緊那羅，
是等常來供菩薩。
These beings are always revered by the devas,
Gandharvas, yakṣas, mahoragas,
Nāgas, spirits, rākṣasas, and kiṃnaras,
These beings always come to offer to the bodhisattvas.
恒為諸佛所稱歎，
與諸世間興利益，
智慧相續樂寂滅，
勝妙菩薩悲愍身。
They are always praised by the buddhas,
Bringing benefit to all worlds,
Their wisdom continually delights in tranquility,
The compassionate bodhisattva's body.
若有菩薩能知空，
利益無量億眾生，
柔和處眾演說法，
聞者欣樂而愛敬。
If there is a bodhisattva who can understand emptiness,
They benefit innumerable sentient beings,
Gently teaching the Dharma in assemblies,
Those who hear it rejoice and love and respect it.
廣大智慧轉增明，
以是智慧能見佛，
亦覩莊嚴淨妙剎，
聽受諸佛所說法。
Their vast wisdom continually increases in clarity,
With this wisdom, they can see the Buddha,
And also perceive the pure and adorned lands,
Hearing and receiving the Dharma taught by the Buddhas.
知一切法如幻化，
猶如虛空自性空，
能知體性是空無，
能如是行無所染。
Knowing all dharmas as illusions,
Like the nature of space, inherently empty,
They can understand their nature as empty,
Practising in this way, unstained.
其有修行菩提行，
於諸事中不生著，
知一切法如變化，
而於諸剎示變化。
Those who practise the bodhi path,
Do not become attached to anything,
Knowing all dharmas as transformations,
And manifesting transformations in the realms.
能為諸佛所作事，
幻法體性無去來，
隨前所求得利益，
謂能安住菩提者。
They can perform the deeds of the Buddhas,
The nature of illusory dharmas has no coming or going,
Benefiting according to their previous vows,
Thus they can abide in bodhi.
恒念一切如來恩，
願紹佛種不斷絕，
能得光耀精妙身，
成就三十二種相。
Always mindful of the grace of all Tathāgatas,
Vowing to continue the Buddha lineage without end,
They can attain a radiant and refined body,
Accomplishing the thirty-two marks.
其餘無量種利益，
行勝菩提當能得，
成就大力不可動，
威德諸王無堪抗。
All other immeasurable benefits,
Will be attained by those practising supreme bodhi,
Accomplishing great, immovable strength,
Whose authoritative power no kings can resist.
具足福德甚端嚴，
福與功德威光耀，
諸天覩威不面對，
謂行佛法智慧者。
Endowed with immense merit, supremely adorned,
Their merit and virtue radiate with authoritative power,
Devas, seeing this power, do not turn away,
This is the wisdom of those practising the Buddha's Dharma.
住於堅固菩提心，
與諸眾生為善友，
是人無復諸闇冥，
顯示勝妙菩提道。
Abiding in the steadfast bodhicitta,
Being a good friend to all sentient beings,
These beings have no more darkness,
Revealing the supreme and wondrous path to bodhi.
離語言道無所欲，
諸法寂滅如虛空，
其有能知如是業，
成就無量勝辯才。
Free from the path of language and devoid of desires,
All dharmas are tranquil and like empty space,
Those who can understand such practices,
Accomplish immeasurable supreme eloquence.
演說百千修多羅，
能示彼法微細義，
智者恒成無礙慧，
能知微細法體性。
Expounding hundreds and thousands of sūtras,
Able to reveal the subtle meanings of those dharmas,
The wise always attain unobstructed wisdom,
And are able to know the subtle nature of dharmas.
常善知彼眾生信，
學習一切語言音，
為人顯示因果理，
能獲如上勝妙事。
Always skilfully understanding the faith of sentient beings,
Learning all languages and sounds,
They reveal the principles of cause and effect to people,
Attaining such supreme and wondrous results.
具持力能無減少，
入眾無畏梵行者，
恒憶念持不忘失，
善能悟解法性故。
Endowed with power that never diminishes,
Entering assemblies fearlessly, as practitioners of Brahma conduct,
Always mindful and never forgetful,
They skilfully comprehend the nature of dharma.
耳初不聞非愛語，
恒常聽覽可樂音，
口常宣說悅意言，
是人善知法性故。
Their ears never hear unpleasant speech,
Always listening to delightful sounds,
Their mouths always speak pleasing words,
These beings skilfully understand the nature of dharma.
念慧法智悉成就，
其心清淨無穢濁，
說百千經無滯著，
若有所演不虛設。
Mindfulness, wisdom, and dharma knowledge are all accomplished,
Their minds are pure and free from defilement,
They expound hundreds of thousands of sūtras without attachment,
Whatever they expound is not in vain.
字句差別已修學，
善解千億諸語言，
名味、義趣皆善解，
由悟法性有斯德。
Having studied the distinctions of words and phrases,
They skilfully understand countless languages,
They understand the names, flavours, and meanings,
This virtue comes from comprehending the nature of dharma.
夜叉、羅剎、天、修羅、
迦樓、緊那、摩睺、茶，
為彼八部常愛敬，
斯由悟解法性故。
Yakṣas, rākṣasas, devas, asuras,
Garuḍas, kiṃnaras, mahoragas, and [nāgas],
These eight groups always love and respect them,
Because they understand the nature of dharma.
惡心神眾、毘舍闍，
飲血食肉極毒害，
其有持是寂定者，
是等常能作衛護。
Malevolent spirits, piśācas,
Blood-drinking, flesh-eating, extremely harmful ones,
Those who uphold this serene Concentration,
Are always protected by these beings.
聞於智者廣大言，
心喜踊悅身毛竪，
於彼菩提深愛樂，
能獲廣大難思福。
Hearing the vast words of the wise,
Their hearts rejoice, hairs standing on end,
Deeply loving and delighting in bodhi,
They can attain vast and inconceivable merit.
如是福報難可知，
於百千劫說不盡，
護持善逝法寶藏，
無量無邊無限數。
Such meritorious rewards are hard to comprehend,
Even over hundreds of thousands of kalpas, they cannot be fully expressed,
Protecting and upholding the Dharma treasure of the Sugata,
Boundless, limitless, and infinite in number.
便為已供一切佛，
過去、未來諸世尊，
及住現在十方者，
以能宣說寂定故。
It is as if they have already made offerings to all Buddhas,
Of the past and future Bhagavāns,
And all present in the ten directions,
Because they can expound serene concentration.
若人為樂福德故，
供養十力大悲者，
無量無數億諸佛，
時逕大海諸沙數；
If one seeks to enjoy merit and virtue,
And makes offerings to the greatly compassionate ones with ten powers,
To innumerable Buddhas
As numerous as the sands of the great ocean;
更有餘人樂福者，
於此勝義持一偈，
於彼劫盡惡世時，
如是福德最為勝。
If another person, desiring merit,
Upholds one gāthā of this supreme meaning,
In the evil age at the end of this kalpa,
The merit and virtue of that [latter one] are supreme.
若有能聽一偈者，
是人便供一切佛，
於此末代惡世時，
斯為最勝上供養；
If one can hear just one gāthā,
It is as if they have made offerings to all Buddhas;
In the evil age at the end-time,
This will be the most supreme offering;
是人便得最大利，
堪受世間所奉敬，
諸十力生最上子，
於其長夜已供養。
This person attains the greatest benefit,
Worthy of being honoured by the world;
The foremost children born of the ten powered one,
Have made offerings throughout the long night.
彼見我在耆闍山，
我即為授菩提記；
我已付囑彌勒尊，
彼佛亦為授記莂。
They see me at Gṛdhrakūṭa Mountain,
And I immediately bestow a prophecy of their bodhi;
I have entrusted this to the Venerable Maitreya,
And that Buddha will also bestows a prophecy.
是人復為彌陀佛，
為說無量勝利益；
或復往詣安樂國，
又欲樂見阿閦佛；
This person will be addressed by Amitābha,
Who will speak of countless supreme benefits;
And whether they go to the Land of Bliss,
Or desire to see Akṣobhya Buddha,
無量無邊百千劫，
是人不墮諸惡道，
於此菩提行勝行，
成就無量諸快樂。
Through innumerable and boundless hundreds of thousands of kalpas,
Sucha person does not fall into the evil realms;
In this supreme practice of bodhi,
They achieve immeasurable joys.
無量功德勝利益，
如是我今已宣說，
若欲如我功德者，
應末世中正持經。
Countless merits and supreme benefits,
I have now proclaimed,
If one wishes to have merits like mine,
They should uphold this sūtra at the end of the [Dharma] age."