- 聞如是：
一時，佛在舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園。
Thus have I heard:
One time, the Budha was staying at Anaathapindidas Ashrama in Jetavana of Shraavastii.
2. 爾時，於舍衛城內，有一長者，適喪一子，甚愛敬念，未曾能捨。
彼見子死，便生狂惑，周旋往來，不停一處。
若見人時，便作是語：
頗有見我兒乎？
At that time, in the city of Shraavastii, there was an elder who had just lost his only son. He loved and cherished his son deeply and could not let go of his grief. When his son died, he became distraught and wandered around aimlessly, unable to stay in one place.
Whenever he saw someone, he would ask,
“Have you seen my son?”
3. 爾時，彼人漸漸往至祇洹精舍，到世尊所，在一面住。
爾時，彼人白世尊曰：
瞿曇沙門！頗見我兒乎？
Gradually, the man made his way to the Jetavana monastery, where he approached Bhagavaan and stood to one side. He said to Bhagavaan,
“Sramana Gautama, have you seen my son?”
4. 世尊告長者曰：
何故顏貌不悅，諸根錯亂？
Bhagavaan said to the elder,
“Why do you look so distressed, with your faculties in disarray?”
5. 爾時，長者報瞿曇曰：
「焉得不爾。所以然者，我今唯有一子，捨我無常。
甚愛敬念，未曾離目前；哀愍彼子，故令我生狂。
我今問沙門，見我兒耶？」
The elder replied to Gautama, “How could it be otherwise? I had only one son, and he has passed away. I loved and cherished him deeply, and he was always by my side. My grief for him has driven me to madness. Now I ask you, Sramana, have you seen my son?”
6. 世尊告曰：
「如是，長者！如汝所問，生、老、病、死，世之常法；
恩愛離苦、怨憎會苦，子捨汝無常，豈得不念乎。」
Bhagavaan said, “Indeed, elder, as you have asked, birth, old age, sickness, and death are the natural laws of the world. The pain of separation from loved ones and the pain of encountering the disliked are inevitable. How could you not grieve when your son has left you?”
7. 爾時，彼人聞世尊所說，不入其懷，便捨而退去。
前行見人，復作是語：「沙門瞿曇說言曰：
『恩愛分別，便有快樂。』如沙門所說，為審爾不？」
Hearing Bhagavaan’s words, the man was not comforted. He left and, as he walked, encountered someone and said,
“The Sramana Gautama said, ‘Separation from loved ones brings happiness.’ Is what the Sramana said true?”
8. 前人對曰：「恩愛別離，有何樂哉？」
The person replied, “How can separation from loved ones bring happiness?”
9. 當於爾時，去舍衛城不遠，有眾多人而共博戲。
爾時，彼人便作是念：
「此諸男子聰明智慧，無事不知，我今當以此義問彼諸人。」
爾時，即詣博戲所，問眾人曰：
「沙門瞿曇向我說曰：『恩愛別離苦、怨憎會苦，此者快樂。』
諸人等今於意云何？」
At that time, not far from Shraavastii, there was a group of people gambling. The man thought, “These men are wise and knowledgeable; they understand everything. I will ask them about this matter.” He went to the gambling site and asked the group, “The Sramana Gautama told me, ‘The pain of separation from loved ones and the pain of encountering the disliked bring happiness.’ What do you all think of this?”
10. 是時，諸博戲者報斯人曰：「恩愛別離，有何樂哉？言快樂者，此義不然。」
The gamblers replied to him, “How can separation from loved ones bring happiness? To say it brings happiness is not correct.”
11. 是時，彼人便作是念：「審如來言終不虛妄。云何恩愛別離，當有樂耶？此義不然。」
At that time, the man thought, “The Tathaagata’s words are indeed true and never false. How can separation from loved ones bring happiness? This cannot be.”
12. 爾時，彼人入舍衛城，至宮門外稱：「沙門瞿曇而作是教：『恩愛別離、怨憎之會，此者快樂。』」爾時，舍衛城及中宮內，普傳此語，靡不周遍。
At that time, the man entered Shraavastii and stood outside the palace gates, proclaiming, “The Sramana Gautama teaches that ‘separation from loved ones and encountering the disliked bring happiness.'” This statement spread throughout Shraavastii and even reached the inner palace.
13. 當於爾時，大王波斯匿及摩利夫人，共在高樓之上相娛樂戲。爾時，王波斯匿告摩利夫人曰：「沙門瞿曇審有斯語：『恩愛離別、怨憎之會，此皆快樂。』」
At that time, King Prasenajit and Queen Mallikaa were together in a high tower, enjoying themselves. King Prasenajit said to Queen Mallikaa, “The Sramana Gautama has indeed said, ‘Separation from loved ones and encountering the disliked bring happiness.’“
14. 夫人報曰：「吾不從如來聞此言教，設當如來有此教者，事亦不虛。」
The queen replied, “I have not heard such a teaching from the Tathaagata. But if the Tathaagata has taught this, it must be true.”
15. 王波斯匿告曰：「猶如師教弟子：『為是、捨是。』弟子報言：『如是，大師！』汝今摩利亦復如是，彼瞿曇沙門雖作是說，汝應作是言：『如是不異，無有虛妄。』然卿速去，不須在吾前立。」
King Prasenajit said, “Just as a teacher instructs a disciple, saying, ‘Do this, abandon that,’ and the disciple replies, ‘Yes, master,’ so too, Mallikaa, even though the Sramana Gautama has said this, you should say, ‘It is so, without error or falsehood.’ But now, leave quickly; there is no need to stand before me.”
16. 爾時，摩利夫人語竹膊婆羅門曰：「汝今往詣祇洹精舍，到如來所，持我名字，跪如來足，復以此義具白世尊云：『舍衛城內及中宮人有此言論，沙門瞿曇言恩愛別離、怨憎合會，此皆快樂。不審世尊有此教耶？』若世尊所有說者，汝善承受，還向我說。」
At that time, Queen Mallikaa said to the Brahmin Jambuka, “Go now to the Jetavana monastery, approach the Tathaagata, and on my behalf, bow at his feet. Then explain this matter fully to Bhagavaan, saying, ‘In Shraavastii and the inner palace, there is a rumor that the Sramana Gautama teaches that separation from loved ones and encountering the disliked bring happiness. Does Bhagavaan truly teach this?’ If Bhagavaan has said this, listen carefully and report back to me.”
17. 是時，竹膊婆羅門受夫人教勅，尋往至祇洹精舍。到世尊所，共相問訊。共相問訊已，在一面坐。
At that time, the Brahmin Jambuka, following the queen’s instructions, went to the Jetavana monastery. He approached Bhagavaan, exchanged greetings, and sat to one side.
18. 時，彼梵志白世尊曰：「摩利夫人禮世尊足，問訊如來興居輕利，遊步康強乎？訓化盲冥，得無勞耶？」復作是語：「此舍衛城內普傳此言：『沙門瞿曇而作是教：「恩愛別離、怨憎之會，此樂快哉！」』不審世尊有是言教耶？」
The Brahmin said to Bhagavaan, “Queen Mallikaa bows at your feet and inquires whether the Tathaagata is in good health, strong, and free from fatigue as he guides the blind and deluded.” He continued, “In Shraavastii, there is a widespread rumor that the Sramana Gautama teaches, ‘Separation from loved ones and encountering the disliked bring happiness.’ Does Bhagavaan truly teach this?”
19. 爾時，世尊告竹膊婆羅門曰：
「於此舍衛城內，有一長者喪失一子，彼念此子，狂惑失性，東西馳走，見人便問：『誰見我子？』然，婆羅門！恩愛別離苦、怨憎會苦，此皆無有歡樂。
昔日此舍衛城中，復有一老母無常，亦復狂惑不識東西；復有一老父無常；亦復有兄弟姊妹皆悉無常。彼見此無常之變，生狂失性不識東西。婆羅門！昔日此舍衛城中有一人，新迎婦，端正無雙。爾時，彼人未經幾時，便自貧窮。時，彼婦父母見此人貧，便生此念：『吾當奪女更嫁與餘人。』彼人竊聞婦家父母欲奪吾婦，更嫁與餘家。爾時，彼人衣裏帶利刀，便往至婦家，當於爾時，彼婦在牆外紡作。是時，彼人往至婦父母家問曰：『我婦今為所在？』婦母報言：『卿婦在牆外陰中紡作。』爾時，彼人便往至婦所。到已，問婦曰：『云卿父母欲奪汝更餘嫁耶？』婦報言：『信有此語，然我不樂聞此言耶。』爾時，彼人即拔利劍，取婦刺殺，復取利劍，自刺其腹，並復作是語：『我二人俱取死。』婆羅門！當以此方便，知恩愛別離、怨憎會苦，此皆愁憂，實不可言。」
Bhagavaan said to the Brahmin Jambuka, “In Shraavastii, there was an elder who lost his only son. Grieving for his son, he became deranged, wandering aimlessly and asking everyone, ‘Have you seen my son?’
Brahmin, the pain of separation from loved ones and the pain of encountering the disliked bring no happiness. In the past, in Shraavastii, there was an old woman who died, and her family became deranged, unable to recognize directions. There was also an old man who died, and his siblings also passed away. Seeing these changes, they became deranged and lost their senses.
Brahmin, in the past, there was a man in Shraavastii who had just married a woman of unparalleled beauty. Not long after, he fell into poverty. Seeing this, the woman’s parents thought, ‘We will take our daughter back and marry her to someone else.’ The man overheard this and, hiding a sharp knife in his clothes, went to the woman’s home.
At that time, the woman was spinning outside the wall. The man went to her parents’ house and asked, ‘Where is my wife?’ Her mother replied, ‘Your wife is spinning in the shade outside the wall.’ The man went to his wife and asked, ‘Is it true that your parents want to take you away and marry you to someone else?’ She replied, ‘It is true, but I do not wish to hear such words.’ The man then drew his knife, killed his wife, and stabbed himself in the stomach, saying, ‘We will both die together.’
Brahmin, from this example, you should understand that the pain of separation from loved ones and the pain of encountering the disliked bring only sorrow and cannot be described as happiness.”
20. 爾時，竹膊婆羅門白世尊曰：「如是。世尊！有此諸惱，實苦不樂。所以然者，昔我有一子，捨我無常。晝夜追憶，不離心懷。時我念兒，心意狂惑，馳走東西，見人便問：『誰見我兒？』沙門瞿曇今所說者，誠如所言。國事煩多，欲還所止。」
The Brahmin Jambuka said to Bhagavaan, “Indeed, Bhagavaan, these afflictions are truly painful and bring no happiness. In the past, I too lost a son, and day and night I grieved, unable to let go. I became deranged, wandering aimlessly and asking everyone, ‘Have you seen my son?’ What the Sramana Gautama has said is true. I have many state affairs to attend to and must now take my leave.”
21. 世尊告曰：「今正是時。」
Bhagavaan said, “Now is the time.”
22. 竹膊婆羅門即從坐起，遶佛三匝而去。往來至摩利夫人所，以此因緣具白夫人。
The Brahmin Jambuka rose from his seat, circumambulated Bhagavaan three times, and left. He returned to Queen Mallikaa and reported the entire matter to her.
23. 時，摩利夫人復至波斯匿王所，到已，白大王曰：「今欲有所問，唯願大王事事見報！云何，大王！為念琉璃王子不？」
At that time, Queen Mallikaa went to King Prasenajit and said, “I wish to ask you something, and I hope you will answer truthfully. Tell me, my king, do you think of Prince Viruudhaka?”
24. 王報言：「甚念！愛愍不去心首。」
The king replied, “I think of him often. My love and concern for him never leave my mind.”
25. 夫人問曰：「若當王子有遷變者，大王！為有憂也？」
The queen asked, “If something were to happen to the prince, my king, would you feel sorrow?”
26. 王復報言：「如是，夫人！如汝所言。」
The king replied, “Yes, my queen, as you have said.”
27. 夫人問曰：「大王當知，恩愛別離，皆興愁想。云何，大王！為念伊羅王子乎？」
The queen said, “My king, you should know that separation from loved ones brings sorrow. Tell me, do you think of Prince Ilaa?”
28. 王報言：「我甚愛敬。」
The king replied, “I love and respect him deeply.”
29. 夫人問曰：「大王！若當王子有遷變者，有愁憂耶？」
The queen asked, “My king, if something were to happen to the prince, would you feel sorrow?”
30. 王報言：「甚有愁憂。」
The king replied, “I would feel great sorrow.”
31. 夫人報言：「當以此方便知，恩愛別離，無有歡樂。云何，大王！念薩羅陀剎利種不？」
The queen said, “From this, you should understand that separation from loved ones brings no happiness. Tell me, my king, do you think of the noble lady Saaradhaa?”
32. 王報言：「甚愛敬念。」
The king replied, “I love and respect her deeply.”
33. 夫人言：「云何，大王！若使薩羅陀夫人有變易者，大王為有憂耶？」
The queen asked, “My king, if something were to happen to Lady Saaradhaa, would you feel sorrow?”
34. 王報言：「吾有愁憂。」
The king replied, “I would feel great sorrow.”
35. 夫人言：「大王！當知恩愛別離，此皆是苦。」
The queen said, “My king, you should know that separation from loved ones is suffering.”
36. 夫人言：「王念我不？」
The queen asked, “Do you think of me?”
37. 王言：「我愛念汝。」
The king replied, “I love and think of you.”
38. 夫人言：「設當我身有變易者，大王有愁憂乎？」
The queen asked, “If something were to happen to me, would you feel sorrow?”
39. 王言：「設汝身有變易，便有愁憂。」
The king replied, “If something were to happen to you, I would feel sorrow.”
40.「大王！當以此方便知，恩愛別離、怨憎合會，無歡樂心。」
The queen said, “My king, from this, you should understand that separation from loved ones and encountering the disliked bring no happiness.”
41. 夫人言：「云何，大王！念迦尸、拘薩羅人民乎？」
The queen said, “Tell me, my king, do you think of the people of Kaashii and Koshala?”
42. 王言：「我甚愛念迦尸、拘薩羅人民。」
The king replied, “I care deeply for the people of Kaashii and Koshala.”
43. 夫人言：「迦尸、拘薩羅人民設當變易者，大王有愁憂乎？」
The queen asked, “If something were to happen to the people of Kaashii and Koshala, would you feel sorrow?”
44. 王言：「迦尸、拘薩羅人民當有變易者，我命不存，況言愁憂乎？所以然者，我因迦尸、拘薩羅國人民力，當得自存。以此方便，知命尚不存，何況不生愁憂乎？」
The king replied, “If something were to happen to the people of Kaashii and Koshala, I would not survive, let alone feel sorrow. This is because I depend on the strength of the people of Kaashii and Koshala to sustain myself. From this, you should understand that my very life would be at risk, so how could I not feel sorrow?”
45. 夫人言：「以此知之，恩愛別離，皆有此苦，無有歡樂。」
The queen said, “From this, you should understand that separation from loved ones brings suffering and no happiness.”
46. 爾時，王波斯匿右膝著地，叉手合掌而向世尊！作是說：「甚奇！甚奇！彼世尊而說此法。若當彼沙門瞿曇來者，爾乃可得共言論。」復語夫人：「自今以後，當更看汝勝於常日，所著服飾與吾無異。」
At that time, King Prasenajit knelt on his right knee, joined his palms, and faced Bhagavaan, saying, “How extraordinary! How extraordinary! The Bhagavaan teaches such a profound truth. If the Sramana Gautama were here, I could discuss this with him.” He then said to the queen, “From now on, I will regard you even more highly than before, and you shall wear garments equal to mine.”
47. 爾時，世尊聞摩利夫人與大王立此論本，告諸比丘：「摩利夫人甚大聰明，設當王波斯匿問我此語者，我亦當以此義向彼王說之，如夫人向王所說而無有異。」又告諸比丘：「我聲聞中第一得證優婆斯，篤信牢固，所謂摩利夫人是。」
At that time, Bhagavaan, hearing the discussion between Queen Mallikaa and the king, said to the Bhikshus, “Queen Mallikaa is exceedingly wise. If King Prasenajit were to ask me this question, I would answer him in the same way as the queen did.” Bhagavaan further said to the Bhikshus, “Among my female disciples, the foremost in firm faith and realization is Queen Mallikaa.”
48. 爾時，諸比丘聞佛所說，歡喜奉行。
When the bhikshus heard what the Budha said, they followed it with joy.