Mahāyāna — Northern Canon · Linh Sơn Vietnamese Mahāyāna Canon

佛說須真天子經

Chinese title:佛說須真天子經

📖6,024 words · ~24 min read

Interpreted by Inti AI (English)

🪷 AI interpretation

Chapter 1: QUESTIONS CONCERNING FOUR MATTERS

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was traveling and teaching at the Jetavana Monastery in Anathapindika’s Park in the kingdom of Sravasti. He was accompanied by a complete assembly of one thousand two hundred and fifty bhiksus, ten thousand bodhisattvas, and devas from the Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm. Assemblies of bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas, and upasikas, together with countless hundreds of thousands of people, surrounded the Blessed One on every side to hear him teach the Dharma.

At that time, Bodhisattva Manjusri and Deva Su Zhen were also seated in the assembly. Deva Su Zhen observed that the great assembly was seated in silence. He then rose from his seat, adjusted his robes, knelt, joined his palms, and addressed the Buddha:

“Blessed One, I have certain matters that I wish to ask about. May the Blessed One distinguish and clearly explain them.”

The Buddha praised him:

“Excellent, excellent! Deva, for the sake of all worlds, you seek to realize the supreme meaning of all things, and thus you have conceived the intention to question the Tathagata. In accordance with what you ask, the Tathagata will explain clearly and dispel every doubt.”

Deva Su Zhen rejoiced exceedingly and then addressed the Buddha:

“Blessed One, how does a bodhisattva attain true faith in the Mahayana Dharma?

“How does a bodhisattva become steadfast in action and entirely fearless? How does a bodhisattva attain supreme merit unequaled by anyone? How does a bodhisattva clearly understand all conditioned activities without obstruction? How does a bodhisattva leave ignorance and afflictions far behind and attain wisdom? How does a bodhisattva enter courageous eloquence and become entirely fearless?

“How does a bodhisattva retain the meanings that have been comprehended?

“How does a bodhisattva rely upon the profound and wondrous Dharma that utterly transcends worldly conventions?

“How does a bodhisattva reverently practice according to the Blessed One’s teachings?

“How does a bodhisattva rely upon the Dharma to teach, guide, and benefit all beings?

“How does a bodhisattva attain unequaled wisdom and supernormal powers? How does a bodhisattva remain unmoved in mind when obstructed by Mara?

“How does a bodhisattva attain profound wisdom that none can equal?

“How does a bodhisattva remain undefiled by worldly dharmas?

“How does a bodhisattva alone enter profound and excellent practices? How does a bodhisattva skillfully employ expedient means to teach the Dharma according to the capacities of sentient beings?

“How does a bodhisattva enter the gateway of liberation and, while dwelling in samsara, remain unenticed by sensual desire?

“How does a bodhisattva attain exceptional expedient means and subdue arrogance?

“How does a bodhisattva acquire the expedient means of causes and conditions and understand deeds already performed?

“How does a bodhisattva acquire expedient means concerning moral discipline and leave all fixed views far behind?

“How does a bodhisattva acquire skillful means and teach all sentient beings?

“How does a bodhisattva attain wholesome aspirations and purity of body and mind?

“How does a bodhisattva attain the power of patience and remain free of anger?

“How does a bodhisattva attain the paramitas and reach the shore of awakening?

“How does a bodhisattva rescue the poor and needy and benefit everyone?

“How does a bodhisattva become loved and revered by people in the world?

“How does a bodhisattva possess lucid wisdom and receive everyone’s praise?

“How does a bodhisattva practice inexhaustible virtues?

“How does a bodhisattva establish steadfast vows and reach a Buddha-land?

“How does a bodhisattva remain constantly honored, master all dharmas, and attain sovereignty?

“How does a bodhisattva become honored by all as a teacher because of his conduct in teaching and transforming beings?

“How does a bodhisattva master all matters and comprehend everything?”

After Deva Su Zhen had asked these questions, he fell silent. The Buddha praised him:

“Excellent, excellent, Deva Su Zhen! Your questions are exceedingly profound. Your wisdom surpasses that of ordinary people, and thus you have conceived of these matters with which to question the Tathagata. You are a bodhisattva who has generated the resolve to help sentient beings escape samsara. Listen attentively and receive this teaching. The Tathagata will explain these meanings for you, going beyond what you have asked, so that you may swiftly attain all such qualities.”

The deva then listened attentively and received the teaching.

The Buddha told the deva:

“A bodhisattva has four practices through which he acquires steadfast faith in the Mahayana. What are the four?

1. Employing skillful means to enter immovable wisdom.

2. Standing firm in great compassion and abiding in limitless loving-kindness.

3. Answering whatever questions arise by means of the meaning of the teachings.

4. Becoming firmly established on the Path and swiftly realizing supernormal powers and the wisdom that understands all existing things.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain steadfast faith in the Mahayana.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Abiding in skillful expedient means,With wisdom comprehending without end,Vowing to practice vast great compassion,Giving joy and liberation to beings.

Through expedient means, clearly knowing Dharma’s meaning,
One attains results entirely unobstructed;
Realizing supernormal powers, one teaches beings,
And therefore cannot be destroyed.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which his deeds become steadfast and fearless. What are the four?

1. Diligence without retreat.

2. Purifying oneself and enabling others to become pure.

3. Making the mind completely quiescent and reaching the profound depths of the Path.

4. Never becoming weary of the Buddha-Dharma and thereby attaining every accomplishment.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate so that his deeds are always steadfast and fearless.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Abiding firmly in diligence,On the Middle Way, beyond both extremes;Pure and entirely free of defilement,So too are deeds of body, speech, and mind.

All one’s actions are ever quiescent,And therefore accord with the Buddha Vehicle’s meaning;Seeking beings’ benefit without weariness,One constantly recollects the Buddha-Dharma.

These four matters stated aboveAre wondrous and must be preserved.Whoever abides in these teachingsWill proceed directly to the fruit of the Path.

Comprehending everything within and without,One will soon realize the Path;Though presently dwelling in the three realms,Before long one will become a Dharma King.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains excellent, unequaled merit. What are the four?

1. Universally instructing bodhisattvas in prajnaparamita.

2. Encouraging those who have not generated bodhicitta to generate it.

3. Constantly practicing the three vowed dharmas: first, moral discipline; second, wisdom; and third, equality—creating merit in accordance with these matters and without anger.

4. Always keeping the Path in mind and never becoming heedless.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain excellent, unequaled merit.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Abiding in the perfection of wisdom,One instructs others to comprehend it;One brings sentient beings to abide on the Path,Always employing this mind of bodhicitta.

Encouraging others to exert themselves,One causes them to generate the resolve for the Path;They do not retreat from the three grades,If they accord with these matters.

Then they accord with the meaning of the Path;All the deeds they have performedHave accomplished merit,And gradually they draw near the Path.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he understands all conditioned activities without obstruction. What are the four?

1. Always acting with wisdom and never carelessly.

2. Knowing that all dharmas arise through causes and conditions, and therefore leaving self and possessions of self far behind, without anger.

3. Embracing everything by means of the Dharma of emptiness.

4. Leaving craving and desire far behind and clearly understanding the six sense objects.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to understand all conditioned activities without obstruction.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

In acting, always employ wisdom,Neither opposing nor acting carelessly;Always employ the power of skillful means,And cling to none of the views.

This Dharma is empty and quiescent,Yet one certainly does not abandon beings;Transcending the realms of desire,One is pure both within and without.

Such is the supreme Dharma;Having abided in these four matters,One immediately attains unobstructed wisdomAnd realizes prajnaparamita.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he leaves ignorance and afflictions far behind and attains wisdom. What are the four?

1. Never growing weary of what one learns.

2. Teaching the Dharma in accordance with what others seek, yet teaching without seeking anything oneself.

3. Regarding all activities as illusions, while one’s wisdom concerning the dharmadhatu remains indestructible.

4. Entering the citadel of the true Dharma at the very moment bodhicitta is generated.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to leave ignorance and afflictions far behind and attain wisdom.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Always seek extensive learning,Never weary or satisfied with hearing;Contemplate deeply the meaning of Dharma,And respond to what others seek.

Having attained dharani,One expounds it oneself,Not dependent upon others,And there are those who receive it.

Actions are like dreams,Like illusions and shimmering heat;One sees all dharmasAs obscure in just this way.

Provisionally establishing cultivation,One does not destroy the true Dharma;Generating a pure mind,One leaves painful feelings far behind.

Dharmas such as theseAre exceedingly excellent;This sutra is worthy of honorAnd should always be approached.

Abandoning ignorance,One attains luminous wisdom;Throughout the three times,One shines like the sun.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he enters courageous eloquence and becomes fearless. What are the four?

1. Attaining dharani and remembering without forgetting.

2. Being able to answer questions and dispel the questioners’ doubts.

3. Employing great compassion to teach all sentient beings and bring them into the Dharma of emptiness.

4. Keeping every action far removed from the works of Mara and thereby attaining the wisdom of supernormal powers.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to enter courageous eloquence and become fearless.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Having attained the Dharma of dharani,One does not forget what one has heard;Answering every question,One cuts off all doubts.

With great compassion, one teaches universallyIn each and every place;Having attained supernormal powers,One cannot be disturbed by Mara.

These four mattersA bodhisattva should practice;Thus, while among the assembly,One puts an end to every fear.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he receives and retains meanings that he has heard. What are the four?

1. Having received teachings, he can retain them all. Regarding what he has or has not comprehended, he clings neither to ability, nor to retention, nor to attainment.

2. He leaves far behind all sounds that are not right practice. All dharmas are equal and liberated. If he is praised for his understanding of meaning, he regards that praise as an echo.

3. If he hears that a profound and wondrous sutra is being taught in another region, he should personally travel there to seek to hear it.

4. Entering the meaning of quiescence and ending all agitation.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain and retain the meanings he has comprehended.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Though wishing to understand extensively,One does not cling to what is heard;One does not cling to one’s ability,And through meaning attains the Dharma’s essence.

Sounds throughout the three realmsAre not the practice of the true Path;Praise is like an echo—Know its meaning to be likewise.

Having understood in this manner,One contemplates and practices according to meaning;Practicing without carelessness,Those who hear the teaching rejoice.

That meaning is foremost;The Dharma-nature is undisturbed.One who practices this profound DharmaReverently follows such a person.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he relies upon the profound and wondrous Dharma and utterly transcends the world. What are the four?

1. Gathering people together to teach the Dharma.

2. Revealing impermanence in the midst of the great assembly.

3. Encouraging people to practice great sympathetic joy and equanimity so that they may attain awakening according to their aspirations.

4. Abandoning possessions and abiding only in secluded places.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to rely upon the profound and wondrous Dharma and utterly transcend worldly conventions.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Within a great city,One constantly dwells there;Through lucid wisdom,One teaches the Dharma.

While personally dwelling in the assembly,One guides all people;To those wanton in sensual desire,One reveals impermanence.

In matters of offerings,Self and others rely upon one another;One encourages and assists their practice,Through which they attain awakening.

Wherever one may be,One constantly recollects renunciation;The mind always aspiresTo dwell in secluded places.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains reverence and follows the Blessed One’s teachings.

“What are the four?

1. The mind always remains upon the Path and never departs from it.

2. Having heard the teachings, one wholeheartedly receives and retains them, never forgetting their meaning.

3. Following the teachings and always responding appropriately to what is sought.

4. Cultivating emptiness and nonexistence and entering all dharmas.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain reverence and follow the Blessed One’s teachings.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Though the body undergoes every suffering,The mind of bodhicitta does not turn away;One hears the wondrous Dharma—Such a one is a Guide.

Whatever the mind and mouth declare,The body acts accordingly;Cultivating the wisdom of emptiness,One clearly understands all dharmas.

Practicing the instructions received,One leaves greed, anger, and delusion behind;Neither negligent nor indolent,One is without anger and without seeking.

Buddhas throughout the ten directions praiseAnd extol such merit.If one follows these words,None can equal one’s Dharma-wisdom.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he relies upon the teachings to guide and benefit all sentient beings. What are the four?

1. Abiding personally in the Dharma of emptiness, he is able to teach the Mahayana Dharma to the assembly.

2. Having disciplined his own mind, left sensual desire far behind, and attained nirvana, he also enables the assembly to discipline their minds and teaches them the Dharma of liberation.

3. Having completed his own work and attained the fruit of the Path, he also causes all sentient beings to abide in the Mahayana Dharma.

4. Personally seeking the Dharma and clearly understanding profound and wondrous dharmas, he also instructs others to seek the Dharma.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to rely upon the teachings to guide and benefit all sentient beings.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Teaching all peopleTo receive the Dharma of emptiness,Disciplining the mind of craving,One attains abiding in nirvana.

With excellent virtueAnd great supernormal powers,One gives the Dharma as generosityAnd teaches others to awaken.

Having completed one’s work,One attains the mind of bodhicitta;Dwelling among all people,One causes them to reach the Mahayana.

Always seeking the teachings,One enters their wondrous power;One teaches them to the assemblyWithout increase or decrease.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains incomparable wisdom and supernormal powers. What are the four?

1. Constantly cultivating the four pure brahma-abodes.

2. Always dwelling in quiet places.

3. Entering profound acceptance of the Dharma.

4. Wholeheartedly uniting body and mind with wisdom.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain incomparable wisdom and supernormal powers.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Constantly cultivating pure conduct,One personally establishes vows;Always delighting in tranquility,One dwells in a pure place.

Entering the profound Dharma,One proceeds directly to the Path;With body and mind in equality,One attains wisdom.

According in this manner,One practices likewise;In the five supernormal powers,One has attained mastery.

Sovereign throughout the ten directions,In the presence of all Buddhas,One teaches and guidesAll sentient beings.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which his mind remains unmoved even when disturbed by Mara. What are the four?

1. Abiding in the fourth dhyana and thereby entering the Dharma of emptiness.

2. Constantly manifesting great compassion and rescuing all sentient beings.

3. Diligently making offerings to the Three Jewels without weariness or satisfaction.

4. Employing skillful expedient means to abide firmly in the six paramitas.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to counteract the strange phenomena manifested by Mara and remain unmoved in mind.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Abiding in the Dharma of emptiness, ending perception,One abides in the four dhyanas;With a vast mind of great compassion,One brings happiness to sentient beings.

Comprehending the jewel of Dharma,One neither severs nor interrupts it;Thus the paramitasAre expedient means that guide.

The mind cannot be destroyed;It abides firmly and remains unmoved.All four kinds of MaraCan thereby be subdued.

Seeing all peopleCaught within Mara’s net,One reveals the Path of nirvanaAnd causes them to generate bodhicitta.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains profound and incomparable wisdom. What are the four?

1. Constantly reflecting in order to enter the profound and wondrous Dharma.

2. Always avoiding evil deeds.

3. Constantly considering all sentient beings and causing them to accord with the meaning of the Dharma.

4. Subduing the obstinate and enlightening those in darkness so that they attain the Buddha’s unobstructed wisdom.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to realize profound and incomparable wisdom.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

The mind constantly reflectsAnd enters the Dharma of emptiness;Abandoning what is wrong,It accords with the true meaning.

Entering this mindfulness,One remains concerned for sentient beings;Attaining profound wisdom,One makes the mind supreme.

Subduing the obstinate,Enlightening those in darkness,One causes them to generate bodhicittaAnd abide in the Mahayana.

With wisdom and supernormal powers,One’s work is accomplished;One attains profound wisdomThat nowhere can be equaled.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he remains undefiled by worldly dharmas. What are the four?

1. If he receives gain, pleasure, fame, and praise, he does not delight in them.

2. If he lacks gain, undergoes pain, lacks fame, and receives blame, he likewise does not grieve.

3. Relying upon a body of the five skandhas to sustain and nurture all beings.

4. If he assumes a body of the five skandhas, he demonstrates nonaccumulation.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate so that worldly dharmas cannot defile him.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Though receiving gain and praise,And thus obtaining every pleasure,Though people praise one in this way,The mind does not rejoice.

Amid pain, loss, obscurity, and blame,The wise do not grieve;Like a lotus unstained by mud,So are their deeds within the world.

They may manifest a body of five skandhasAnd use that body to help everyone;When those skandhas have been extinguished,They regard the body as an illusion.

Practicing according to worldly dharmas,They are not mistakenly defiled by the world;They bring happiness to sentient beings,Using the virtue of discipline as fragrant ointment.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he alone enters profound and excellent conduct. What are the four?

1. This body is also not this body.

2. That person is also not that person.

3. All dharmas are quiescent.

4. Wisdom never clings.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to enter alone into profound and excellent conduct.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

This body is not a body;That person is not a person.Dharmas are quiescent likewise,And wisdom does not cling.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains wisdom in skillful means and teaches the Dharma according to sentient beings’ capacities. What are the four?

1. Realizing supernormal powers.

2. Attaining unobstructed wisdom.

3. Attaining the wisdom of eloquence.

4. Keeping one’s vows and practices constantly pure.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain wisdom in skillful means and teach the Dharma according to sentient beings’ capacities.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Having attained supernormal powersAnd wisdom without obstruction,With such wisdom of eloquence,One’s practices and vows are entirely pure.

Seeing and knowing people’s capacities,One teaches the Dharma accordingly;The hearers themselves receive it,Free from doubt, they attain liberation.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he enters the Dharma-gateway of liberation and, while dwelling in samsara, remains unenticed by sensual desire. What are the four?

1. Abiding in the Dharma of emptiness. If he sees people in bondage, he immediately liberates them.

2. He wholeheartedly helps people become liberated from their attachments to conditioned activities.

3. Having attained wishlessness, peace, and security, he resolutely teaches all sentient beings.

4. With skillful means, employing wisdom to reveal all dharmas.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to enter the path of liberation and, while dwelling in samsara, remain unenticed by sensual desire.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Having realized the Dharma of emptiness,One escapes from bondage;Signlessness is established,And one transcends every attachment.

Having realized wishlessness,One is joyful and resolute;Wherever sentient beings dwell,One teaches them all.

Using expedient wisdom to instruct beings,One brings them to abide in the gateway of liberation;Not remaining in the Formless Realm,One enters directly into nirvana.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains excellent expedient means and subdues arrogance. What are the four?

1. Universally seeing and knowing all dharmadhatus.

2. Understanding the source of samsara and using the Dharma to liberate all beings.

3. Knowing the body to be the source of craving and desire.

4. Cultivating until liberation is attained and having no doubts concerning any dharma.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain excellent expedient means and subdue arrogance.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Contemplating universally, one sees and knowsEach and every dharmadhatu;The mind has no limitation,For it has seen equality.

If, regarding the body’s root,One is sovereign amid desire,Then with excellent expedient means,One teaches the Dharma as appropriate.

Entirely without attachment,All dharmas are quiescent;Neither arising nor coming forth,All existence is extinguished.

Without pride or conceit,One subdues all arrogance;Using wisdom and expedient means,One causes beings to enter nirvana.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he acquires expedient knowledge of causes and conditions and understands deeds already performed. What are the four?

1. Through generosity, he attains the merit of wealth and nobility.

2. Through observing moral discipline, he is reborn in a heavenly realm.

3. Through extensive learning, he attains great wisdom.

4. Through cultivating serenity and insight, he leaves samsara far behind.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to acquire expedient knowledge of causes and conditions and understand deeds already performed.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Through generosity, one attains wealth;This indeed is a meritorious result.Through observing moral discipline, one is born in heaven;This indeed is a meritorious result.

Through extensive learning without craving,Great wisdom is a meritorious result.Through meditative concentration without attachment,This indeed is a meritorious result.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he acquires expedient means concerning moral discipline and leaves all views far behind. What are the four?

1. Regarding dharmas as permanent, the mind does not cling.

2. Regarding dharmas as impermanent, the intention does not waver.

3. He clearly sees that the arising of dharmas and the source of samsara both arise through the convergence of the twelve links of dependent origination. Having seen and known this, he no longer creates the causes of samsara.

4. He sees the arising and cessation of dharmas and the cessation of samsara, and clearly understands that these occur through the disintegration and cessation of the twelve links of dependent origination. Having seen and known this, he no longer creates destructive karma within the three realms.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to acquire expedient means concerning moral discipline and leave all views far behind.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

To those who cling to permanence,One clearly reveals impermanence;Within the path of impermanence,One reveals the true Dharma.

Or, for the sake of all people,One teaches the meaning of causes and conditions;Those who hear the twelve linksAll attain purity of mind.

Universally throughout the ten directions,The Blessed Ones all teach:Delusion is the root of samsara,From which it consequently arises.

Those arisen dharmasAlso are never utterly extinguished;When causes and conditions have completely ceased,The twelve links are no more.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains skillful means and rescues all beings. What are the four?

1. Regarding all sentient beings as his own relatives, in order to instruct them in the Path.

2. Always diligently carrying out the meritorious deeds he has undertaken.

3. Seeking to attain nirvana while dwelling in samsara.

4. Liberating sentient beings according to their inclinations, practicing with skillful means, and remaining undefiled by craving and desire.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain skillful means and rescue all sentient beings.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Causing all sentient beingsTo abide firmly on the bodhi path,One has no thought of ceasingThe meritorious deeds undertaken.

While dwelling in samsara,One seeks to attain nirvana;According to what beings desire,One thereby rescues them.

The mind constantly recollectsAnd draws near to this Dharma;Through skillful means,One clearly understands everything.

One’s resolve is always to rescueCountless multitudes of beings;Mastering omniscience,One swiftly realizes it.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains wholesome aspirations and constant purity of body and mind. What are the four?

1. Being neither greedy nor miserly.

2. Giving without selection or discrimination.

3. Steadfastly observing moral discipline.

4. Constantly aspiring for the actions of body and mind to accord with the Path.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain wholesome aspirations and constant purity of body and mind.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Sincere and without miserliness,Observing pure discipline without transgression,One abides firmly and remains unmoved,Like Mount Sumeru.

In the actions of body and mind,One always aspires to remain upon the Path;Thus one attains well-being,And before long will realize the goal.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains the wondrous power of patience and remains free from anger. What are the four?

1. Treating all people as parents love their children, and as no different from himself.

2. If beaten, cut, or stabbed, so that his body undergoes every kind of suffering, he regards himself as having no body and experiences no sorrow.

3. Having clearly understood the Dharma of emptiness, he leaves all views far behind.

4. Constantly repenting of his own bodily misdeeds. When seeing the faults of others, he does not discuss them.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain the wondrous power of patience and remain free from anger.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Regard sentient beings as oneself,As parents love their children;Always with a mind of great loving-kindness,Teach all beings everywhere.

If a thought of anger arises,Know how to extinguish it at once;Having clearly understood the Dharma of emptiness,One’s patience is foremost.

If one’s body mistakenly commits evil,One should always repent oneself;Seeing the faults of others,One never interferes.

All sentient beingsI shall liberate without exception;Even while dreaming,I have never given rise to anger.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains the paramitas and reaches the shore of liberation. What are the four?

1. Creating immeasurable merit.

2. Performing deeds of wisdom without end.

3. Employing one paramita to perfect all the other paramitas.

4. Generating the resolve to create merit without seeking anything else, seeking only to realize omniscience.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain the paramitas and reach the shore of liberation.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Creating merit without weariness or satisfaction,Like streams flowing into the sea,One cultivates wisdom without endAnd therefore abides in the Buddha Vehicle.

Merely employing a single paramita,One perfects all the paramitas;Generating the resolve to perform all deeds,One always seeks the true Path.

Having crossed to the shore of liberation,The paramitas are likewise fulfilled;One immediately enters the citadel of nirvana—Attaining this is not difficult.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he benefits all sentient beings who are in need. What are the four?

1. Possessing an inexhaustible treasury of jewels.

2. Possessing limitless teachings of Dharma.

3. Attaining supernormal powers.

4. Having a mind as impartial as the great earth.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to benefit all sentient beings who are in need.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

The treasury of merit is without end;
The Dharma for teaching beings is also inexhaustible.
One attains unobstructed wisdom and supernormal powers,
And the mind is impartial like the great earth.

This Dharma is truly difficult to fathom;Having attained abiding on the Path,That person brings manifold benefitsAnd swiftly realizes the Buddha Path.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he becomes revered by everyone in the world. What are the four?

1. Cultivating the four brahma-abodes.

2. Practicing the four means of embracing in order to rescue sentient beings.

3. Attaining wisdom concerning the Four Truths.

4. Attaining the four unobstructed eloquences: first, unobstructed eloquence in meaning; second, unobstructed eloquence in Dharma; third, unobstructed eloquence in language; and fourth, unobstructed eloquence in joyful exposition.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to become revered by everyone in the world.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Abiding in the four pure brahma-abodes,Always delighting in the four means of embracing,One attains wisdom concerning the Four TruthsAnd bestows it upon everyone.

Through these favors, beings attain liberation;Thus one proclaims and transmits the teaching.Because one practices these four means of embracing,One is revered by everyone.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains lucid wisdom and receives everyone’s praise. What are the four?

1. Understanding everything, not transgressing the precepts, and remaining free from doubt.

2. Attaining the joy of meditative concentration and remaining unharmed by afflictions.

3. Attaining meditative concentration, with the faculties quiescent.

4. Personally attaining peace and security without attachment, acting without harm, and realizing wisdom.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to possess lucid wisdom and receive everyone’s praise.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Having heard fully, one receives and retains;Through observing moral discipline, one attains liberation.Such a person is free from doubtAnd attains joy in meditative concentration.

Personally dwelling in a secluded place,One’s faculties become tranquil;The body is secure and free from craving,And one realizes harmless wisdom.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he attains inexhaustible merit. What are the four?

1. Perfecting faith.

2. Perfecting diligence.

3. Perfecting great compassion.

4. Dedicating all merit created solely to seeking the Mahayana.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to attain inexhaustible merit.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

With steadfast faith,Nothing can move one;Constantly practicing diligence,One attains great power.

Great loving-kindness is inexhaustible;Great compassion has no limit.Always for the sake of sentient beings,One practices the exalted Path.

Because of this,One attains inexhaustible merit;It gradually increasesUntil it becomes immeasurable.

Like the full moon,Radiant and without blemish,Though always amid the stars,Its moonlight remains unobscured.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he firmly maintains the fundamental Dharma and attains Buddhahood. What are the four?

1. His speech accords with his body and mind.

2. Receiving and retaining the essential Dharma.

3. Having a peaceful mind that abides upon the Path.

4. Having an intention as firm as vajra.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to firmly maintain the fundamental Dharma and attain Buddhahood.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

The words one speaksAccord with one’s deeds;One is loved and revered by allAnd reverently upholds the true Dharma.

The mind has come to abideUpon the bodhi path;The body becomes steadfast,Like vajra.

This is calledPracticing the four matters;Those of lucid wisdomConstantly cultivate this Dharma.

The mind does not hesitate,For it has attained concentration;Abiding firmly in the Dharma’s essence,One enters a Buddha-land.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he always becomes an honored one who masters all dharmas and attains sovereignty. What are the four?

1. Attaining the power of wisdom, which does not arise from brute force.

2. Attaining the wondrous power of lucid wisdom and abandoning foolishness and delusion.

3. Attaining sovereignty of mind and not being led by Mara.

4. Having attained all dharanis, teaching the Dharma according to what people delight in.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate to always become an honored one who masters all dharmas and attains sovereignty.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Attaining courageous wisdom,One is not governed by desire;Luminous wisdom destroys delusion,And one escapes from all views.

With the mind sovereign, all Maras submit;
One attains dharani and excels in questions and answers.
Teaching others without harming oneself,
One therefore swiftly attains the fruit of the Path.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which his conduct in teaching and transforming beings causes him to be honored as a teacher. What are the four?

1. Being free from anger.

2. Always respecting everyone.

3. Being free from lustful indulgence.

4. Having a mature and disciplined mind.

“These are the four practices a bodhisattva must cultivate so that his conduct in teaching and transforming beings causes him to be honored as a teacher.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

The mind harbors no angerAnd always maintains respect;Mature and disciplined, it reaches the Path—A teacher who bestows wisdom.

Skillfully revealing expedient means,Life after life one is honored;The world looks up to one,And everyone bows in reverence.

“Furthermore, Deva, a bodhisattva has four practices through which he masters all matters, with nothing that he does not clearly understand. What are the four?

1. Having comprehended wisdom, he is sovereign in wisdom and reaches every place without exception.

2. Every sound he utters is heard and praised by the Buddhas throughout the ten directions.

3. Leaving far behind all dharmas that possess no merit.

4. Receiving the Buddhas’ confirmation of all meritorious true dharmas he has attained.

“These are the four dharmas a bodhisattva must cultivate to master all matters, with nothing that he does not clearly understand.”

The Buddha spoke in verse:

Having attained supernormal powers,One is sovereign in every circumstance;One’s wisdom is truly vast,Pervading everywhere like space.

All the TathagatasHear that voice;Their responses reveal its completeness,For that voice lacks nothing.

All matters devoid of meritShould be left far behind;Joyfully attaining well-being,One creates every virtue.

A person who abides in this wayCauses the Buddha-Dharma to shine;Amid all such merit,One brings no harm upon oneself.

When the Buddha had finished teaching these fourfold dharmas, twelve thousand people generated the resolve to seek the fruit of unsurpassed bodhi, and five thousand bodhisattvas realized acceptance of the non-arising of dharmas. At that time, the entire trichiliocosm shook in six ways, and a great light illuminated everything everywhere.

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Translation source: Linh Sơn Pháp Bảo Đại Tạng KinhLicense: Linh Sơn Pháp Bảo Đại Tạng Kinh (Việt dịch) · nguồn: rongmotamhon.net (Liên Phật Hội) · EN: AI translation from Vietnamese source, awaiting source English

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