- 闻如是：
一时，佛在舍卫国祇树给孤独园。
Thus I have heard:
One time, the Budha was staying at Anaathapindidas Ashrama in Jetavana of Shraavasti.
2. 尔时，世尊告诸比丘：
「比丘当知，有此四鸟。
云何为四？
或有鸟声好而形丑，或有鸟形好而声丑，或有鸟声丑形亦丑，或有鸟形好声亦好。
Then the Bhagvaan addressed the bhikshus: “Bhikshus, know that there are these four kinds of birds.
What four?
Some birds have beautiful voices but ugly forms;
some have beautiful forms but ugly voices;
some have ugly voices and ugly forms;
some have beautiful forms and beautiful voices.
3. 「彼云何鸟声好而形丑？
拘翅罗鸟是也。
是谓此鸟声好而形丑。
彼云何鸟形好而声丑？
所谓鸷鸟是也。
是谓此鸟形好而声丑。
彼云何鸟声丑形亦丑？
所谓兔枭是也。
是谓此鸟声丑形亦丑。
复有何鸟声好形亦好？
所谓孔雀鸟是也。
是谓此鸟声好形亦好。
是谓，比丘！有此四鸟，当共觉知。
“Which bird has a beautiful voice but an ugly form?
The kokila bird (koel). This is a bird with a beautiful voice but an ugly form.
Which bird has a beautiful form but an ugly voice?
The hawk. This is a bird with a beautiful form but an ugly voice.
Which bird has an ugly voice and an ugly form?
The owl. This is a bird with an ugly voice and ugly form.
Which bird has a beautiful form and beautiful voice?
The peacock. This is a bird with both beautiful form and voice.
Thus, bhikshus, these are the four kinds of birds you should recognize.
4. 「此亦如是，世间亦有四人似鸟，当共觉知。
云何为四？
于是，或有比丘颜貌端正，出入行来，着衣持钵，屈申俯仰，威仪成就；
亦复不能有所讽诵诸所有法，初善、中善、竟善，不能承法之教，亦复不能善讽诵读。
是谓此人形好而声不好。
“Similarly, there are four kinds of people in the world comparable to these birds, whom you should recognize.
What four? There is a bhikshu with handsome features, perfect deportment in going out and coming in, in wearing his robes and carrying his bowl, in bending, stretching, and all postures; yet he cannot recite the Dharma teachings – neither the beginning, middle, nor end – he cannot uphold the teaching nor recite it well.
This is a person with a good form but not a good voice.”
5. 「复有何等人声好而形丑？
或有一比丘出入行来，屈申俯仰，著衣持钵，威仪不成就，恒好广说；
然复彼人精进持戒，闻法能知所学，多闻诸所有法，初善、中善、竟善，义理深邃，具足修梵行，然复彼法善持善诵。
是谓此人声好而形丑。
“And who is the person with a good voice but an ugly form?
A bhikshu whose deportment in going out and coming in, in bending, stretching, wearing robes and carrying bowl is imperfect, who is fond of talkative explanations;
yet he is diligent in moral discipline, understands what he learns from the Dharma, is learned in all teachings –
their beginning, middle and end – with profound penetration of their meaning, perfect in the noble life, and maintains and recites those teachings well.
This is a person with a good voice but an ugly form.
6. 「彼复有何等人声丑形亦丑？
或有一人犯戒、不精进、不多闻，所闻便失；
彼于此法，应具足行梵行，然不肯承受。
是谓此人声亦丑形亦丑。
“And who is the person with an ugly voice and an ugly form?
One who violates the shila, is lazy, not learned, forgetting what he has heard; who should practice the noble life in accordance with this Dharma but refuses to accept it.
This is a person with both an ugly voice and an ugly form.
7. 「彼何等人声亦好形亦好？
或有比丘颜貌端正，出入行来，著衣持钵，不左右顾视；
然复精进修行善法。
然戒律具足，见小非法，尚怀恐惧，何况大者！亦复多闻，所受不忘，诸所有法，初善、中善、竟善，修其善行，如此之法，善讽诵读。
是谓此人声好形亦好。
“And who is the person with both a good voice and a good form?
A bhikshu with handsome features, perfect in deportment when going out and coming in, wearing robes and carrying bowl without glancing around;
who is diligent in cultivating wholesome qualities, complete in moral discipline, trembling even at minor wrongdoings, let alone major ones;
who is learned and retains what he has heard; who is accomplished in all teachings – their beginning, middle and end – practicing the good way and reciting those teachings well.
This is a person with both a good voice and a good form.
8. 「是谓世间有此四人，在世间者，当共觉知。是故，诸比丘！当学声好形亦好。如是，诸比丘！当作是学。」
“These are the four kinds of people existing in the world that you should recognize.
Therefore, bhikshus, you should train yourselves to be those with both a good voice and a good form.
Thus, bhikshus, should you train yourselves.”
9. 尔时，诸比丘闻佛所说，欢喜奉行。
When the bhikshus heard what the Budha said, they followed it with joy.