中英對照｜八大人覺經-栴檀恭誦

Namo Fundamental Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha

SUTRA OF THE EIGHT REALIZATIONS OF GREAT BEINGS

Translated by Shramana An Shi Gao of Later Han, 2nd Century

為佛弟子，常於晝夜，至心誦念，八大人覺。

Day and night, at all times, Buddha’s disciples should mindfully recite and contemplate the eight realizations of Great Beings.

All that arise, change, and perish, are illusive, unreal, and without a master. Mind is the root of evil; body a reservoir of sin. Thus observing and contemplating, one gradually breaks free from birth and death.

The Second Realization: Excessive desire is suffering. Birth, death, and weariness in life, all originate from greed and desires. Desiring less, being empty of effort, body and mind are at ease and free.

The Third Realization: The mind is insatiable, always seeking, thirsty for more, thus increasing our sins.

Bodhisattvas renounce such conduct. Always remember to follow the Way, be content and at peace with poverty, with wisdom as the sole vocation.

The Fourth Realization: Indolence leads to degradation. Always practice with diligence, vanquish all vexations, subdue the four maras, and escape the prison of the skandhas and realms.

The Fifth Realization: Ignorance leads to birth and death.

Bodhisattvas are always mindful, to study and learn extensively, to increase their wisdom, and perfect their eloquence, so they can teach and enlighten all beings, and impart great joy to all.

The Sixth Realization: Poverty and hardship breed resentment, creating harm and discord. Bodhisattvas practice dana, beholding the friendly and hostile equally. They neither harbor grudges, nor despise malicious people.

The Seventh Realization: The five desires are perilous. Even as laity, be not sullied by worldly pleasures.

Think frequently of the three robes, the tiled bowl, and instruments of Dharma. Aspire to the monastic life, and cultivate the Way with purity. Let your actions be noble and sublime. Showering compassion on all.

The Eighth Realization: Birth and death are like a blazing fire, plagued with endless afflictions and suffering.

Vow to cultivate the Mahayana mind, to bring relief to all. To take on infinite sufferings for sentient beings, and lead all to supreme joy.

如此八事，乃是諸佛菩薩大人之所覺悟；

These are the eight realizations of Great Beings, Buddhas and bodhisattvas. They practice the Way with diligence.

Develop compassion, and cultivate wisdom. They sail the ship of dharmakaya to the shore of nirvana. Returning again to samsara to liberate sentient beings.

With these eight principles, they point out the Way, so that all beings may awaken to the sufferings of life and death, relinquish the five desires, and cultivate the mind on the noble path.

If Buddha’s disciples recite these eight realizations, in thought after thought, they will eradicate countless sins.

Advance on the bodhi path. Promptly attain enlightenment. Be forever freed from birth and death, and always abide in joy.

I take refuge in the Buddha, may all sentient beings understand the Great Way profoundly, and bring forth the bodhi mind.

I take refuge in the Dharma, may all sentient beings deeply enter the sutra treasury, and have wisdom vast as the sea.

眾生無邊誓願度

煩惱無盡誓願斷

法門無量誓願學

Countless are sentient beings, I vow to liberate; Endless are afflictions, I vow to eradicate; Measureless are the Dharmas, I vow to master; Supreme is the Buddha Way, I vow to attain.

一切罪障皆懺悔

願以此功德　普及於一切

May the merits of our deeds

Reach every part of the world;

Sentient beings large and small

摩訶般若波羅蜜

Maha-Prajna-Paramita