佛說馬有三相經
Chinese title:佛說馬有三相經
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Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was dwelling in the country of Śrāvastī, in the Jeta Grove, the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍika.
The Buddha said to the bhikṣus: A fine horse possesses three good characteristics, by which it is fit for kings and ministers to ride and make use of. If it pleases the king, it is called a royal horse. What are these three good characteristics? The first characteristic: the horse has a good nature, easy to ride and easy to run; the second characteristic: it has strength; the third characteristic: it is dignified and of beautiful color. These are the three good characteristics of a horse. Such a fine horse is ranked among the horses of kings and ministers.
A virtuous person likewise possesses three good characteristics. Such a person has a good nature, is renowned and generous, ever ready to help others in their difficulties, is revered by all, is treated with courtesy by all, and brings blessings to the world. What are the three good characteristics of a virtuous person? The virtuous person who has attained resolve strives to run to aid the world, is full of vigor, and has an upright appearance.
What is meant by the virtuous person who has attained resolve striving to run to aid the world? The virtuous person who has attained resolve, with full earnestness of heart, seeks to know and seeks to learn; and because of seeking to know and seeking to learn, he endures many failures, all for the sake of seeking to know the Way in order to aid the world. Such are the virtuous people who, having attained resolve, strive to run to aid the world.
What is meant by the virtuous person who has attained resolve being full of vigor? When such a person perceives degenerate conduct, he exerts all his strength to cut it off. He aspires to diligence and abandons evil things, degenerate things. As for evil things that have not yet arisen, he does not allow them to arise. As for wholesome things that have not yet arisen, he causes them to arise. As for wholesome things that have already sprung forth, he does not let them be forgotten, but always makes them grow and increase. With all his strength and all his mind he makes his actions and his thoughts wholesome, restrains evil thoughts, and forsakes evil deeds. Such is the virtuous person who has vigor.
What is meant by the virtuous person who has attained resolve possessing an upright form? It is the virtuous person who strives to avoid the pleasures of the five desires of human beings, who avoids degenerate evils, and who keeps far from evil things that may lead to the four downfalls. Such is the virtuous person who has attained resolve possessing an upright form. These are the three causes and conditions of the ultimate truth concerning spiritual cultivation.
The virtuous person who has attained resolve has his renown handed down, is able to aid the difficulties of the world, and is held in esteem by all under heaven. Thus spoke the Buddha.
The Buddha expounded the Sūtra on the Three Characteristics of a Horse.
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