- 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 Shraavasti.
2. 爾時，世尊告諸比丘：
「猶如山河、石壁、百草、五穀，皆依於地而得長大，
然復此地最尊、最上。
此亦如是，諸善道品之法，
住不放逸之地，
使諸善法而得長大。」
At that time, the Bhagavaan said to the bhikshus:
“Just as mountains, rivers, rocky cliffs, all kinds of grasses, and the five grains (pancha-dhaanya) all depend on the earth (prithivi) to grow and flourish,
so too, the earth is the most honoured and supreme among them.
In the same way, all wholesome qualities of the path (kushala-maargabhaaga-dharma),
abide on the ground of non-negligence (apramaada),
and from this, the wholesome dharmas (kushala-dharmaah) are able to grow and flourish.
3. 「無放逸比丘修四意斷，多修四意斷。
云何為四？
於是，比丘！未生弊惡法，求方便令不生，心不遠離，恒欲令滅；
已生弊惡法，求方便令不生，心不遠離，恒欲令滅；
未生善法，求方便令生；
已生善法，求方便令增多，不忘失，具足修行，心意不忘。
如是，比丘修四意斷。
是故，諸比丘！當求方便，修四意斷。
如是，諸比丘！當作是學。」
The bhikshu who is not negligent practices the Four Right Efforts (catur-samyak-prahaana), and cultivates the Four Right Efforts frequently.
What are the four?
1. Here, O bhikshus, for unwholesome (akushala) and evil dharmas that have not yet arisen, he seeks skillful means (upaaya) so that they do not arise, his mind does not turn away, and he constantly wishes to destroy them.
2. For those unwholesome dharmas that have already arisen, he seeks skillful means so that they may cease; his mind does not turn away and he constantly strives for their destruction.
3. For wholesome (kusala) dharmas that have not yet arisen, he seeks skillful means so that they may arise.
4. For wholesome dharmas that have already arisen, he seeks skillful means so that they increase further, are not forgotten, are fully practiced, and the mind remains mindful and does not lose them.
In this way, O bhikshus, one practices the Four Right Efforts.
Therefore, O bhikshus, you should seek skillful means and cultivate the Four Right Efforts.
Thus, O bhikshus, you should train yourselves in this way.
4. 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.