- 聞如是：
一時，佛在羅閱城耆闍崛山中，與大比丘五百人俱。
Thus have I heard:
One time, Budha was staying on Mount Gridhrakuta in Raajagriha, accompanied by five hundred great Bhikshus.
2. 爾時，釋提桓因日時已過，向暮便往至世尊所，頭面禮足在一面坐。爾時，釋提桓因即以偈頌問如來義：
At that time, Shakra, the lord of devas, after the day had passed and evening approached, went to Bhagavaan. He bowed at Bhagavaan’s feet and sat to one side. Then Shakra, the lord of devas, asked Bhagavaan a question in verse:
「能說能宣布， 渡流成無漏；
以渡生死淵， 今問瞿曇義。
我觀此眾生， 所作福祐業；
造行若干種， 施誰福最尊。
尊今靈鷲山， 唯願演此義；
知釋意所趣， 亦為施者宣。
四趣造福無， 四果具足成；
諸學得跡人， 宜信奉其法。
無欲亦無恚， 愚盡成無漏；
盡度一切淵， 施彼成大果。
諸此眾生類， 所作福德業；
造行若干種， 施僧獲福多。
此眾度無量， 猶海出珍寶；
聖眾亦如是， 演慧光明法。
瞿曇彼善處， 能施眾僧者；
獲福不可計， 最勝之所說。」
“You who can proclaim and teach,
Who have crossed the stream and become free from defilements,
Who have crossed the deep ocean of birth and death—
I now ask you, Gautama, about this meaning.
I observe the beings of this world,
Who perform meritorious deeds of various kinds.
To whom should one give to attain the highest merit?
O Honored One on Vulture Peak,
Please explain this meaning to me,
So that I may understand your intention,
And so that donors may also hear.
Those who have not attained the four fruits,
But who have fulfilled the four stages of the path—
Those who follow the path of learning,
Should revere and practice their teachings.
Free from desire and anger,
With ignorance eradicated and defilements exhausted—
They have crossed all depths,
And giving to them yields great fruit.
Among all these beings,
Who perform meritorious deeds of various kinds,
Giving to the Sangha brings the most merit.
This Sangha is immeasurable,
Like the ocean that produces precious jewels.
The noble Sangha is like this,
Expounding the luminous Dharma of wisdom.
Gautama, those who give to the Sangha,
To this excellent field of merit,
Will attain immeasurable blessings—
This is the supreme teaching.”
3. 爾時，釋提桓因聞佛所說已，即禮佛足，便於彼退而去。爾時，釋提桓因聞佛所說，歡喜奉行。
At that time, Shakra, the lord of devas, having heard Bhagavaan’s words, bowed at his feet and departed. Shakra, the lord of devas, followed it with joy.