- 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，舍衛城中婆提長者遇病命終，然彼長者無有子息，所有財寶盡沒入官。
爾時，王波斯匿塵土坌身來至世尊所，頭面禮足，在一面坐。
At that time, an elder named Bhavati in Shravasti fell ill and passed away. This elder had no children, so all his wealth and treasures were confiscated by the state. King Prasenajit, covered in dust, came to Bhagavaan, bowed his head at his feet, and sat to one side.
3. 是時，世尊問王曰：「大王！何故塵土坌身來至我所？」
Bhagavaan asked the king, “Great King, why have you come to me covered in dust?”
4. 波斯匿王白世尊曰：「此舍衛城內有長者名婆提，今日命終，彼無子姓，躬往收攝財寶，理使入官。純金八萬斤，況復餘雜物乎！然彼長者存在之日，所食如此之食，極為弊惡，不食精細，所著衣服垢坌不淨，所乘車騎極為瘦弱。」
King Prasenajit replied, “In Shravasti, there was an elder named Bhavati who passed away today. He had no heirs, so I personally went to collect his wealth and treasures, which were confiscated by the state. There were eighty thousand pounds of pure gold, not to mention other miscellaneous items! Yet, during his lifetime, this elder ate the coarsest food, refusing fine delicacies. He wore dirty, unclean clothes and rode in a old carriage.”
5. 世尊告曰：「如是，大王！如王來言：
『夫慳貪之人得此財貨，不能食噉，不與父母、妻子、僕從、奴婢，亦復不與朋友、知識，亦復不與沙門、婆羅門、諸尊長者。
若有智之士得此財寶，便能惠施廣濟，一切無所愛惜，供給沙門、婆羅門、諸高德者。』」
Bhagavaan said, “Indeed, Great King! As you have said, a stingy person who acquires such wealth cannot enjoy it. They do not share it with their parents, wife, children, servants, or slaves, nor with friends, acquaintances, or even shramanas, brahamanas, and respected elders. But a wise person who acquires such wealth will practice generosity widely, giving without attachment, and provide for shramanas, brahamanas, and virtuous elders.”
6. 時，王波斯匿說曰：「此婆提長者命終，為生何處？」
King Prasenajit asked, “Where has this elder Bhavati been reborn after his death?”
7. 世尊告曰：「此婆提長者命終，生涕哭大地獄中。
所以然者，此斷善根之人，身壞命終，生涕哭地獄中。」
Bhagavaan replied, “This elder Bhavati has been reborn in the Great Weeping Hell. Why is this? Because he severed his roots of goodness. When such a person dies, they are reborn in the maha-rudhir-naraka (Great Weeping Hell).”
8. 波斯匿王曰：「婆提長者斷善根耶？」
King Prasenajit asked, “Did Elder Bhavati sever his roots of goodness?”
9. 世尊告曰：「如是。大王！如王所說，彼長者斷於善根，然彼長者故福已盡，更不造新。」
Bhagavaan said, “Yes, Great King! As you have said, this elder severed his roots of goodness. His past merits have been exhausted, and he created no new ones.”
10. 王波斯匿曰：「彼長者頗有遺餘福乎？」
King Prasenajit asked, “Does this elder have any remaining merits?”
11. 世尊告曰：
「無也，大王！乃無毫釐之餘有存在者，如彼田家公，但收不種，後便窮困，漸以命終。
所以然者，但食故業，更不造新。
此長者亦復如是，但食故福，更不造新福，此長者今夜當在涕哭地獄中。」
Bhagavaan replied, “No, Great King! Not even a trace of merit remains. He is like a farmer who only reaps without sowing, eventually falling into poverty and dying. This is because he only consumed his past merits without creating new ones. This elder is the same. He only consumed his past merits without creating new ones. Tonight, he will be in the maha-rudhir-naraka (Great Weeping Hell).”
12. 爾時，波斯匿王便懷恐怖，收淚而曰：
「此長者昔日作何功德福業生在富家？復作何不善根本，不得食此極富之貨，不樂五樂之中？」
At that time, King Prasenajit, filled with fear and wiping away his tears, said, “What good deeds did this elder perform in the past to be born into a wealthy family? And what unwholesome actions did he commit that prevented him from enjoying his vast wealth and the pleasures of life?”
13. 爾時，世尊告波斯匿王曰：
「過去久遠迦葉佛時，此長者在此舍衛城中為田家子。
爾時，佛去世後，有辟支佛出世，往詣此長者家。
爾時，此長者見辟支佛在門外，見已，便生是念：
『如此尊者出世甚難，我今可以飲食往施此人。』
爾時，長者便施彼辟支佛食，辟支佛得食已，便飛在虛空而去。
時，彼長者見辟支佛作神足，作是誓願：
『持此善本之願，使世世所生之處，不墮三惡趣，常多財寶。』
後有悔心：『我向所有食，應與奴僕，不與此禿頭道人使食。』
Bhagavaan said, “Long ago, during the time of Kaashyapa Budha, this elder was a farmer’s son in Shraavastii. After the Budha’s passing, a Pratyekabudha appeared and went to the elder’s home. Seeing the Pratyekabudha outside his door, the elder thought, ‘Such a noble being is rare in the world. I should offer him food.’ He then offered food to the Pratyekabudha, who, after receiving it, flew into the sky and departed. Seeing the Pratyekabudha’s miraculous powers, the elder made this vow: ‘By this good deed, may I never fall into the three evil realms in future lives and always have abundant wealth.’ But later, he regretted his action, thinking, ‘I should have given that food to my servants instead of that bald shramana.’
14. 「爾時，田家長者豈異人乎？
莫作是觀。
所以然者，爾時田家長者，今此婆提長者是。
是時施已，發此誓願，持此功德，所生之處不墮惡趣，恒多財饒寶，生富貴之家，無所渴乏。
既復施已，後生悔心：『我寧與奴僕使食，不與此禿頭道人使食。』
以此因緣本末，不得食此極有之貨，亦復不樂五樂之中，不自供養；
復不與父母、兄弟、妻子、僕從、朋友、知識，不施沙門、婆羅門、諸尊長者，但食故業，不造新者。
是故，大王！
若有智之士得此財貨，當廣布施，莫有所惜，復當得無極之財。
如是，大王！當作是學。」
“Great King, do not think that the farmer’s son was someone else. It was this elder Bhavati. At that time, after making the offering, he made the vow, and through this merit, he was reborn in wealthy and noble families, free from poverty. But because he later regretted his generosity, he could not enjoy his vast wealth or the pleasures of life. He did not provide for himself, his parents, siblings, wife, children, servants, friends, or acquaintances, nor did he give to shramanas, brahamanas, or respected elders. He only consumed his past merits without creating new ones. Therefore, Great King, if a wise person acquires such wealth, they should practice generosity widely, without attachment, and they will attain immeasurable wealth. Thus, Great King, you should learn this.”
15. 爾時，波斯匿王白世尊曰：
「自今以後，當廣布施沙門、婆羅門四部之眾，諸外道、異學來乞求者，我不堪與。」
King Prasenajit said to Bhagavaan, “From now on, I will practice generosity widely, giving to shramanas, brahamanas, and the fourfold assembly. But I will not give to non-Budha’s shramanas or scholars who come begging.”
16. 世尊告曰：「大王！莫作是念。
所以然者，一切眾生皆由食得存，無食便喪。」
Bhagavaan said, “Great King, do not think this way. All beings depend on food to survive; without food, they perish.”
17. 爾時，世尊便說此偈：
「念當廣惠施， 終莫斷施心，
必當值賢聖， 度此生死源。」
At that time, Bhagavaan spoke this verse:
“Remember to practice generosity widely,
Never let the mind of giving cease.
You will surely meet noble beings,
And cross over the source of birth and death.”
18. 爾時，波斯匿王白世尊曰：
「我今倍復歡慶向於如來，所以然者，一切眾生皆由食得存，無食不存。」
爾時，波斯匿王曰：「自今以後，當廣惠施，無所悋惜。」
King Prasenajit said to Bhagavaan, “I am now doubly joyful toward the Tathaagata. All beings depend on food to survive; without food, they cannot exist.” He then said, “From now on, I will practice generosity widely, without any miserliness.”
19. 是時，世尊與王說微妙之法。
時，王即從坐起，頭面禮足，便退而去。
At that time, Bhagavaan expounded profound teachings to the king. The king then rose from his seat, bowed his head at Bhagavaan’s feet, and departed.
20. 爾時，王波斯匿聞佛所說，歡喜奉行。
King Prasenajit, having heard Bhagavaan’s words, followed it with joy.