1. 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，世尊告諸比丘：「有三自歸之德。云何為三？所謂歸佛第一之德，歸法第二之德，歸僧第三之德。
At that time, Budha addressed the bhikshus, saying, “There are three virtues of taking refuge. What are the three?
They are: the first virtue of taking refuge in Budha, the second virtue of taking refuge in the Dharma, and the third virtue of taking refuge in the Sangha.”
3.「彼云何名為歸佛之德？諸有眾生，二足、四足、眾多足者，有色、無色，有想、無想，至尼維先天上，如來於中，最尊、最上，無能及者。由牛得乳，由乳得酪，由酪得酥，由酥得醍醐；然復醍醐於中，最尊、最上，無能及者。此亦如是，諸有眾生，二足、四足、眾多足者，有色、無色，有想、無想，至尼維先天上，如來於中，最尊、最上，無能及者。諸有眾生承事佛者，是謂承事第一之德。以獲第一之德，便受天上、人中之福，此名第一之德。
“What is called the virtue of taking refuge in Budha?
Among all beings—whether two-legged, four-legged, many-legged, with form or without form, with perception or without perception, up to the highest realms of existence—Tathaagata is the most supreme and unequaled.
Just as milk comes from a cow, curd from milk, butter from curd, and ghee from butter, yet ghee is the most supreme and unequaled among them, so too among all beings—whether two-legged, four-legged, many-legged, with form or without form, with perception or without perception, up to the highest realms of existence—Tathaagata is the most supreme and unequaled. Those beings who serve Budha are said to serve the highest virtue. By attaining this highest virtue, they receive blessings in heaven and among humans. This is called the first virtue.”
4. 「云何名為自歸法者？所謂諸法：有漏、無漏，有為、無為，無欲、無染，滅盡、涅槃；然涅槃法於諸法中，最尊、最上，無能及者。由牛得乳，由乳得酪，由酪得酥，由酥得醍醐；然復醍醐於中，最尊、最上，無能及者。此亦如是，所謂諸法：有漏、無漏，有為、無為，無欲、無染，滅盡、涅槃；然涅槃法，於諸法中，最尊、最上，無能及者。諸有眾生承事法者，是謂承事第一之德，以獲第一之德，便受天上、人中之福，此名第一之德。
“What is called the virtue of taking refuge in the Dharma?
It refers to all dharmas—whether conditioned or unconditioned, with outflows or without outflows, free from desire and defilement, leading to cessation and Nirvana. Among all dharmas, Nirvana is the most supreme and unequaled.
Just as milk comes from a cow, curd from milk, butter from curd, and ghee from butter, yet ghee is the most supreme and unequaled among them, so too among all dharmas—whether conditioned or unconditioned, with outflows or without outflows, free from desire and defilement, leading to cessation and Nirvana—Nirvana is the most supreme and unequaled.
Those beings who serve the Dharma are said to serve the highest virtue. By attaining this highest virtue, they receive blessings in heaven and among humans. This is called the first virtue.”
5. 「云何名為自歸聖眾？所謂聖眾者，大眾大聚有形之類。眾生之中，如來眾僧於此眾中，最尊、最上，無能及者。由牛得乳，由乳得酪，由酪得酥，由酥得醍醐；然復醍醐於中，最尊、最上，無能及者。此亦如是，所謂聖眾者，大眾大聚者，有形之類眾生之中，如來眾僧於此眾中，最尊、最上，無能及者。是謂承事第一之德，以獲第一之德，便受天上、人中之福，此名第一之德。」
“What is called the virtue of taking refuge in the Sangha?
It refers to the noble Sangha, the great assembly of beings with form. Among all beings, the Sangha of Tathaagata is the most supreme and unequaled.
Just as milk comes from a cow, curd from milk, butter from curd, and ghee from butter, yet ghee is the most supreme and unequaled among them, so too among all beings, the Sangha of Tathaagata is the most supreme and unequaled.
Those who serve the Sangha are said to serve the highest virtue. By attaining this highest virtue, they receive blessings in heaven and among humans. This is called the first virtue.”
6. 爾時，世尊便說此偈：
「第一承事佛， 最尊無有上；
次復承事法， 無欲無所著；
敬奉賢聖眾， 最是良福田；
彼人第一智， 受福最在前。
若在天人中， 處眾為正導；
亦得最妙座， 自然食甘露。
身著七寶衣， 為人之所敬；
戒具最完全， 諸根不缺漏。
亦獲智慧海， 漸至涅槃界；
有此三歸者， 趣道亦不難。」
At that time, Bhagavaan spoke this verse:
“First, serving Budha, the most supreme and unequaled;
Next, serving the Dharma, free from desire and attachment;
Revering the noble Sangha, the most excellent field of merit;
Such a person, with the highest wisdom, receives blessings foremost.
Whether in heaven or among humans, they stand as a true guide;
They attain the most excellent seat and naturally partake of ambrosia.
Adorned with robes of seven jewels, they are revered by all;
Their precepts are perfectly upheld, and their faculties are complete.
They also attain the ocean of wisdom, gradually reaching the realm of Nirvana.
Those who have these three refuges find the path not difficult to follow.”
7. 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.