- 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：
猶如母人，心懷篤信，唯有一子，恒作是念：
『云何當教，使成為人？』
At that time, the Bhagavaan addressed the Bhikshus: “Just as a devout mother, with deep faith and only one son, constantly thinks: ‘How should I teach and guide him to become a true human being?'”
3. 爾時，諸比丘白世尊曰：
「我等，世尊！不解此義。
世尊是諸法之本，如來所陳，靡不承受。
唯願世尊與諸比丘說此深法，聞已奉行。」
At that time, the bhikshus addressed the Bhagavaan, saying::
“We, O Bhagavaan, do not fully understand this meaning. The Bhagavaan is the source of all Dharmas. Whatever the Tathaagata declares, we accept without doubt. We beseech the Bhagavaan to explain this profound teaching to us, so that having heard it, we may practice accordingly.”
4. 爾時，世尊告諸比丘：
「諦聽！諦聽！善思念之，吾當為汝分別其義。」
The Bhagavaan then said to the Bhikshus: “Listen attentively! Listen attentively! Reflect carefully upon this, for I shall now explain its meaning to you.”
5. 諸比丘對曰：「如是。
世尊！」爾時，諸比丘從佛受教。
The Bhikshus replied: “So be it, Bhagavaan!” And they listened attentively to the Budha’s teaching.
6. 世尊告曰：「猶彼優婆斯心懷篤信，作是教訓：
『汝今在家，當如質多長者，亦如象童子。
所以然者，此是其限，此是其量。
世尊受證弟子，所謂質多長者、象童子也。』
若童子意欲剃除鬚髮，著三法衣，出家學道，當如舍利弗、目犍連比丘。所以然者，此是其限，此是其量。
所謂舍利弗、目犍連比丘！好學正法，莫作邪業，興起非法；設汝生此染著之想，便當墜墮三惡趣中。
善念專心，不得者得，不獲者獲，未得證者，今當受證。
所以然者，諸比丘！信施之重，實不可消，令人不得至道。
是故，諸比丘！莫生染著之意，已生當滅。
如是，諸比丘！當作是學。」
The Bhagavaan said: “That devout mother should instruct her child thus: ‘If you remain a householder, you should emulate the householder Citta and Hastaka. For they represent the highest standard and measure of lay disciples who have attained realization under the Bhagavaan. But if you wish to shave your head and beard, don the threefold robes, and leave home to follow the path, then you must emulate the Bhikshus Shariputra and Maha-maudgal-yayana. For they represent the highest standard and measure of monastic disciples. Devote yourself to the true Dharma; do not engage in wrong livelihood or unwholesome deeds. If you give rise to clinging attachments, you will surely fall into the three woeful realms.
With wholesome thoughts and concentrated mind, you will attain what has not been attained, achieve what has not been achieved, and realize what has not yet been realized.
Know this, O Bhikshus: the karmic weight of faithful offerings (received) is truly difficult to exhaust and may obstruct one from reaching liberation.
Therefore, O Bhikshus, do not give rise to clinging attachments, and if they arise, abandon them. In this way, O Bhikshus, should you train yourselves.'”
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.
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