A Translation As It Is

EA 17.9 Good and Bad Friendship

0:00

1.  聞如是: 一時,佛在舍衛國、祇樹、給孤獨園。  

Thus I have heard: One time, the Budha was staying at

Anaathapindidas Ashrama in Jetavana of Shraavastii.

2.  爾時,世尊告諸比丘:「我今當說善知識法,亦當說惡知識法,諦聽!諦聽!善思念之。

At that time, the Bhagavaan said to the bhikshus:

“I will now speak about the ways of a good friend and the ways of a bad friend.

Listen carefully, listen carefully, and think deeply.”

3.  諸比丘對曰:「如是。世尊!」爾時,諸比丘從佛受教。


The bhikshus replied: “Yes, Bhagavaan!

At that time, the bhikshus received the Budha’s teachings.

4.  世尊告曰:「彼云何名為惡知識法?於是,比丘!惡知識人便生此念:『我於豪族出家學道,餘比丘者卑賤家出家。』依己姓望,毀訾餘人,是謂名為惡知識法。


The Bhagavaan said: “How should one understand the ways of a bad friend?

At that time, the bad friend has the thought:

‘I have ordained from a noble family, while the other bhikshus have come from lowly families.’

They rely on their family name and status, defaming and slandering others.

This is what is called the way of a bad friend.”

5.「復次,惡知識人便生此念:『我極精進奉諸正法,餘比丘者不精進持戒。』復以此義,毀呰他人,而自貢高,是謂為惡知識法。


“Furthermore, the bad friend has this thought:

‘I am very diligent in practicing the proper teachings, while the other bhikshus do not diligently keep the precepts.’

With this reasoning, they slander others and become arrogant.

This is what is called the way of a bad friend.”

6.「復次,惡知識者復作是念:『我三昧成就,餘比丘者無有三昧,心意錯亂,而不一定。』彼依此三昧,常自貢高,毀呰他人,是謂名為惡知識法。


“Furthermore, the bad friend has this thought:

‘I have achieved deep concentration (samadhi), while the other bhikshus do not have this concentration and their minds are disturbed and unstable.’

They rely on their concentration, always becoming arrogant and slandering others.

This is what is called the way of a bad friend.”

7.「復次,惡知識復作是念:『我智慧第一,此餘比丘無有智慧。』彼依此智慧,而自貢高,毀呰他人,是謂名為惡知識法。


“Furthermore, the bad friend has this thought:

‘I am the most wise, while the other bhikshus have no wisdom.’

They rely on their wisdom, always becoming arrogant and slandering others.

This is what is called the way of a bad friend.”

8.「復次,惡知識人復作是念:『我今常得飯食、床褥、臥具、病瘦醫藥,此餘比丘不能得此供養之具。』彼依此利養之物,而自貢高,毀呰他人,是謂名為惡知識法。


“Furthermore, the bad friend has this thought:

‘I always receive food, bedding, blankets, and medical supplies, while the other bhikshus are unable to receive such provisions.’

They rely on these material comforts, always becoming arrogant and slandering others.

This is what is called the way of a bad friend.

Such is the way of a bad friend.”

9.「彼云何為善知識之法?於是,比丘!善知識人不作是念:『我豪族家生,此餘比丘不是豪族家。』己身與彼而無有異,是謂名為善知識法。


“How should one understand the ways of a good friend?

At that time, the good friend does not have the thought:

‘I was born in a noble family, while the other Bhikshus were not born in a noble family.’

They are the same as others in all respects.

This is what is called the way of a good friend.”

10.「復次,善知識人不作是念:『我今持戒,此餘比丘不持戒行。』己身與彼無有增減,彼依此戒,不自貢高,不毀他人,是謂,比丘!名為善知識法。


“Furthermore, the good friend does not have the thought:

‘I now keep the precepts, while the other bhikshus do not keep the precepts.’

They are the same as others in all respects, and they follow the precepts without becoming arrogant or slandering others.

This is what is called the way of a good friend.”

11.「復次,比丘!善知識人復不作是念:『我三昧成就,此餘比丘意亂不定。』己身與彼亦無增減,彼依此三昧,不自貢高,亦不毀呰他人,是謂,比丘!名為善知識法。


“Furthermore, the good friend does not have the thought:

‘I have achieved deep concentration (samadhi), while the other bhikshus’ minds are disturbed and unsettled.’

They are the same as others in all respects, and they follow their concentration without becoming arrogant or slandering others.

This is what is called the way of a good friend.”

12.「復次,比丘!善知識人不作是念:『我智慧成就,此餘比丘無有智慧。』己身與彼亦無增減,彼依此智慧,不自貢高,亦不毀他人,是謂,比丘!名為善知識法。


“Furthermore, the good friend does not have the thought:

‘I have achieved wisdom, while the other bhikshus have no wisdom.’

They are the same as others in all respects, and they follow their wisdom without becoming arrogant or slandering others.

This is what is called the way of a good friend.”

13.「復次,比丘!善知識人不作是念:『我能得衣被、飯食、床褥、臥具、疾病醫藥,此餘比丘不能得衣被、飯食、床褥、臥具、疾病醫藥。』己身與彼亦無增減,彼依此利養,不自貢高,亦不毀他人,是謂,比丘!名為善知識法。」


“Furthermore, the good friend does not have the thought:

‘I am able to receive clothes, food, bedding, blankets, and medical supplies, while the other bhikshus cannot receive such provisions.’

They are the same as others in all respects, and they rely on their material needs without becoming arrogant or slandering others.

This is what is called the way of a good friend.”

14. 爾時,世尊告諸比丘:「我今與汝分別惡知識法,亦復與汝說善知識法。是故,諸比丘!惡知識法當共遠離,善知識法念共修行。如是,諸比丘!當作是學。」


At that time, the Bhagavaan said to the bhikshus:

“I have now explained to you the ways of a bad friend and the ways of a good friend.

Therefore, bhikshus, you should all avoid the ways of a bad friend and practice the ways of a good friend.

Thus, bhikshus, you should learn in this manner.”

15. 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.