園生樹經

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Buddha was dwelling in the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍika, in the Jeta Grove, in the country of Śrāvastī, together with a full assembly of bhikṣus. At that time the Buddha addressed the bhikṣus:

"You should know that in the Heaven of the Thirty-three there is a great tree named Pāriyātraka. The roots of this tree spread out for five yojanas, it rises to a height of one hundred yojanas, and its branches and leaves cover fifty yojanas. The host of devas, in due season, come beneath this tree to enjoy themselves.

When the leaves of the Pāriyātraka tree turn yellow and withered, the devas, seeing this, then give rise to joy and delight. Before long, the leaves of the Pāriyātraka tree fall, and the host of devas, in due season, come beneath the tree to enjoy themselves, increasing further in joy and delight. Again, before long the leaves grow back, spreading above to adorn the tree, and the host of devas, in due season, stroll beneath the tree to enjoy themselves, increasing all the more in joy and delight.

Again, before long the tree forms a network, and the host of devas, in due season, come beneath the tree to enjoy themselves, and seeing this they increase all the more in joy and delight. Again, before long the tree puts forth buds like a bird's beak, and the host of devas, in due season, go to enjoy themselves, increasing all the more in joy and delight. Again, before long the tree opens flowers like a bowl, and the host of devas, in due season, come beneath the tree to enjoy themselves, increasing all the more in joy and delight.

Again, before long the tree opens its flowers fully rounded; these flowers are pure, truly beautiful, with a fragrance beyond the ordinary. When a gentle breeze blows upon the flowers, the fragrance perfumes the air for fifty yojanas. When a strong wind blows, the fragrance perfumes the air for a hundred yojanas.

These flowers also have a marvelous radiance shining forth for eighty yojanas. When this tree has come into bloom, the host of devas, seeing the tree in flower, increase in joy and delight even more than before. During the four months of summer, they dwell beneath the tree, enjoying happiness and bliss."

The Buddha addressed the bhikṣus:

"You should know that the Pāriyātraka tree has such qualities as these: beautiful flowers, fragrance beyond the ordinary, beloved by all. You, the assembly of śrāvakas, are likewise just so. When the tree first has yellow withered leaves, know that this is like the śrāvaka who first gives rise to faith and leaves home to follow the Path. Again, when the tree's leaves begin to fall, this is like the śrāvaka who shaves off his hair and beard, dons the kāṣāya robe, and takes on the form of a śrāvaka. Again, when the tree's leaves grow back, this is like the śrāvaka who, wearied of the desires, abandons unwholesome dharmas, departs from the various kinds of discursive thought and discrimination, attains the First Dhyāna, and gains the concentration of joy and bliss born of seclusion.

"Again, when the tree forms a network, this is like the śrāvaka whose outward appearance is still and quiet, whose inner mind abides in tranquil stillness, who departs from the various thoughts and settles the mind upon a single mark, attaining the Second Dhyāna: the concentration of joy and bliss born of concentration.

"Again, when the tree puts forth buds like a bird's beak, this is like the śrāvaka who departs from the various joys and attachments, whose body becomes light, pleasant, and sublimely blissful, attaining the Third Dhyāna: the concentration of sublime bliss apart from joy.

"Again, when the tree opens flowers like a bowl, this is like the śrāvaka who casts off all sorrow, suffering, joy, and bliss, abiding with a mind of equanimity, attaining the Fourth Dhyāna: the concentration of the purity of equanimity and mindfulness.

"Again, when the tree opens its flowers fully rounded and sublime, with an extraordinary fragrance that wafts everywhere, beloved by all, this is like the śrāvaka who has exhausted the defilements, whose freedom from defilement grows, who realizes the fruit of the Aśaikṣa, no longer takes rebirth, is gazed upon and revered by devas and humans, and receives great offerings—just as when the flowers of the Pāriyātraka tree are in bloom."

The Buddha addressed the bhikṣus:

"You should know that the host of devas in the Heaven of the Thirty-three each possess majestic, excellent, and distinctive bodily forms, adorned in many ways. They gather in the Hall of the Good Dharma, assembled and surrounding to listen to the lord of devas, Śakra, proclaim the Wondrous Dharma.

"Bhikṣus, you have all gained the pure and perfectly complete fruit of realization, fully accomplished in the holy life, revered by all who behold you, surrounding the World-Honored One to hear and uphold the wondrous Dharma—just like that host of devas, no different."

At that time, when the bhikṣus had heard the Buddha proclaim the discourse on the Pāriyātraka tree, each of them was joyful and exhilarated in heart, and with faith received it and reverently put it into practice.