佛說菩薩修行四法經

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was dwelling in the Garden of Jeta and Anāthapiṇḍada

(Jeṭavaṇe'nāthapiṇḍadasyārāma) in the country of Śrāvastī (Śrāvastya), together with a great assembly of Bhikṣus

numbering one thousand two hundred and fifty who had come to attend.

At that time the World-Honored One addressed the Bhikṣus: "You have obtained immeasurable, skillful

benefit (wholesome benefit), so you should seek the Unsurpassed Great Bodhi of the Buddha (the Great Wisdom of the Unsurpassed

Enlightened One). Why is this? Because the Buddha's Bodhi (Buddha-bodhi: the Wisdom of the Buddha) is

that to which nothing in the Worldly or the World-Transcending realms can compare. If the sentient beings of

future ages give rise to the Intention to seek the Buddha's Bodhi, they should cultivate four Dharmas.

What are the four?

1_ One should give rise to the Great Bodhi Mind (Mahā-bodhi-citta); rather lose one's life

than turn back in retreat.

2_ One must draw near to good friends (wholesome companions); rather lose one's life

than part from them.

3_ One should cultivate patient endurance and gentle harmony; rather lose one's life

than give rise to anger and fury.

4_ One should rely upon places of stillness and quiet; rather lose one's life

than think of crowded, clamorous gatherings.

O you good sons (Kula-putra: Sons of Good Family)! The Bodhisattva Mahāsattva must

cultivate the four Dharmas in this way.

_ Then the World-Honored One forthwith spoke a Verse, saying:

"One who wishes to seek the Supreme Fruit

Should give rise to the Bodhi Mind (Bodhi-citta)

Diligently and with vigor practicing

Should follow the Wise and Virtuous Friend (Kalyāṇamitra: an upright person possessing Virtue, who

teaches the Right Path to others)

Patient Endurance (Kṣānti) the Buddha has praised

Calling such a one a person of strength

In Stillness and Quiet (Araṇya: a place distant from villages by 300 to 600 paces) where the Holy Ones

(Ārya: the Noble Ones) dwell

Without fear, like a Lion (Siṃha)"

_ When the World-Honored One had finished speaking this Verse, he further spoke these words: "Those who possess Wisdom and Great

Compassion are able to cultivate the four kinds of Dharma as above. Such a person is then able to escape from birth and death, to part far from the net

of Māra, to accomplish the Equal and Right Enlightenment (Samyaksaṃbuddha), and to attain the Great Nirvāṇa (Mahā-

nirvāṇa)."

When the World-Honored One had finished speaking this Sūtra, those Bhikṣus, together with the

Bodhisattvas, having heard what the Buddha had spoken, were all greatly delighted; they believed and accepted it, reverently upheld it, paid homage, and then withdrew.

THE BUDDHA SPEAKS THE SŪTRA OF THE BODHISATTVA'S CULTIVATION OF THE FOUR DHARMAS

The End