1. 聞如是：
一時，佛在摩竭國道場樹下。
Thus have I heard:
One time, Budha was staying in the country of Magadha, beneath the Bodhi tree at the place of practice.
2. 爾時，世尊得道未久，便生是念：「我今甚深之法難曉難了，難可覺知，不可思惟，休息微妙，智者所覺知，能分別義理，習之不厭，即得歡喜。設吾與人說妙法者，人不信受，亦不奉行者，唐有其勞，則有所損。我今宜可默然，何須說法！」
At that time, Budha, having attained enlightenment not long before, gave rise to this thought:
“The profound Dharma I have realized is difficult to understand, difficult to grasp, and hard to perceive. It is beyond conceptual thought, subtle and tranquil, and only the wise can comprehend it. Those who discern its meaning and practice it without weariness will attain joy.
However, if I were to teach this wondrous Dharma to people, and they neither believed nor practiced it, my effort would be in vain and bring harm. It is better for me to remain silent—why should I teach the Dharma?”
3. 爾時，梵天在梵天上，遙知如來所念，猶如士夫屈伸臂頃，從梵天上沒不現，來至世尊所，頭面禮足，在一面住。爾時，梵天白世尊曰：「此閻浮提必當壞敗，三界[A1]喪目。如來、至真、等正覺出現於世，應演法寶，然今復不暢演法味，唯願如來普為眾生廣說深法！又此眾生根[11]原易度。若不聞者，永失法眼。此應為法之遺子，猶如優鉢蓮華、拘牟頭華、分陀利華，雖出於地，未出水上，亦未開敷。是時，彼華漸漸欲生，故未出水，或時此華以出水上，或時此華不為水所著。此眾生類亦復如是，為生、老、病、死所見逼促，諸根應熟，然不聞法而便喪者，不亦苦哉！今正是時，唯願世尊當為說法。」
At that time, Brahma, dwelling in the Brahma Heaven, perceived the Tathaagata’s thoughts from afar. Just as a strong man might extend or contract his arm, Brahma instantly vanished from the Brahma Heaven and appeared before the Bhagavaan. He bowed with his head at the Bhagavaan’s feet and stood to one side.
Then, Brahma said to the Bhagavaan:
“If the Dharma is not expounded, this Jambudvipa will surely fall into ruin, and the beings of the Three Realms will be blinded. Since the Tathaagata, the Samyak Sambhudha, has appeared in the world, you should proclaim the precious Dharma. Yet now, you hesitate to reveal the flavour of the Dharma. I humbly request the Tathaagata to widely expound the profound teachings for the benefit of all beings!
Moreover, the roots of sentient beings are easily transformed. If they do not hear the Dharma, they will forever lose the eye of wisdom. These beings are like the Utpala flowers, Kumuda flowers, and Pundarika flowers—though they sprout from the earth, they have not yet risen above the water or bloomed. Some flowers gradually rise from the water, while others remain submerged and never blossom.
Likewise, these beings, oppressed by birth, aging, sickness, and death, are on the verge of ripening. If they lose the chance to hear the Dharma and perish, is it not truly sorrowful? Now is the right time—may the Bhagavaan expound the Dharma!”
4. 爾時，世尊知梵天心中所念，又慈愍一切眾生故，說此偈曰：
「梵天今來勸，
如來開法門；
聞者得篤信，
分別深法要。
猶[14]在高山頂，
普觀眾生類；
我今有此法，
昇堂現法眼。」
At that time, the Bhagavaan, knowing the thoughts in Brahma’s heart and out of great compassion for all beings, spoke this verse:
“Brahma has now come to urge me,
The Tathaagata shall open the gate of Dharma;
Those who hear will gain firm faith,
Penetrating the profound Dharma-essence.
Just as from the peak of a high mountain,
One can see all beings below;
So now, with this Dharma,
I shall enter the hall and reveal the Dharma-eye.”
5. 爾時，梵天便作是念：「如來必為眾生說深妙法。」歡喜踊躍，不能自勝，頭面禮足已，即還天上。
At that time, Brahma thought to himself:
“The Tathaagata will surely expound the profound and wondrous Dharma for the sake of all beings.”
Filled with joy and elation beyond measure, he bowed with his head at the Bhagavaan’s feet. After paying his respects, he returned to the Brahma Heaven.
6. 爾時，梵天聞佛所說，歡喜奉行。
When the Brahma heard what the Budha said, he followed it with joy.