法華二十八品肝要
一名法華一部要文；一名傳教隨身抄
The Essentials of the Twenty-eight Chapters
of the Dharma Flower Sūtra
Also called: The Essential Passages of the Text of the Dharma Flower Sūtra.
Also called: The Extracts carried on Dengyō Daishi [Saichō]’s person.
(JPN: Hokke Nijuuhappin Ganyō)
ATTRIBUTION:
Translated into English by Rev. Jikai 慈海 Tyler Dehn
©Translation by Jikai Tyler Dehn @ The Saichō Repository 最澄典藏 Project, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Available at: [insert URL of specific text page].
You may share this work freely with attribution (as above), but no modifications or commercial use is allowed without express permission from Jikai Tyler Dehn. See USE/ATTRIBUTION for more information.
Text Overview:
A text overview will be added here shortly…
NOTA BENE: in the below translation, I have added the “FULL QUOTES” from the Lotus Sūtra in order to provide the context for those passages which when taken in isolation, lose their significance. Please note that these “FULL QUOTES” are not found in Saichō‘s text.
TEXT:
| ENGLISH | UNPUNCTUATED TEXT | PUNCTUATED TEXT |
|---|---|---|
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter One: | 序品十字決第一 | 序品十字決第一 |
| [In regards] to the True Characteristic which is without-outflow, He has already understood it in His own mind. | 於無漏實相 心已得通達 | 於無漏實相 心已得通達 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| When I [enter] the Liberation of Extinction, All of you be not afraid; For this Bodhisattva Śrīgarbha, [In regards] to the True Characteristic which is without-outflow, has already understood it in His own mind. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 1〈1 序品〉：「『我若滅度時， 汝等勿憂怖， 是德藏菩薩， 於無漏實相，心已得通達。 其次當作佛， 號曰為淨身，亦度無量眾。』」 (CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 5a17-20) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Two: | 方便品十字決第二 | 方便品十字決第二 |
| The dharmas abide in the dharma-position, [and] the world is characterised by eternal abiding. | 是法住法位 世間相常住 | 是法住法位 世間相常住 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| All the Buddha World Honoured Ones of the Two Perfections, know that dharmas are forever without substance, [and] that the Seeds of Buddhahood arise from conditions; Therefore they preach the One-vehicle. The dharmas abide in the dharma-position, [and] the world is characterised by eternal abiding. Having comprehended this at the Place of the Way, The Guiding Teacher expounds it with skilful means. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷1： 「諸佛兩足尊， 知法常無性， 佛種從緣起， 是故說一乘。 是法住法位，世間相常住， 於道場知已，導師方便說。」(CBETA 2022.Q3, T09, no. 262, p. 9b8-11) | |
| The Eight Characters Excerpted from Chapter Three: | 譬喻品八字決第三 | 譬喻品八字決第三 |
| …[they will] ride This Jeweled Cart and go directly to the Place of the Way. | 乘此寳乘 值至道場 | 乘此寳乘 值至道場 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| I cause all of these children, day and night over numerous aeons, to forever frolic; and together with all the Bodhisattvas and assembly of śrāvakas [they will] ride This Jeweled Cart and go directly to the Place of the Way. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 2〈3 譬喻品〉： 「令諸子等， 日夜劫數， 常得遊戲， 與諸菩薩， 及聲聞眾， 乘此寶乘，直至道場。」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 15a12-14) | |
| The Eight Characters Excerpted from Chapter Four: | 信解品八字決第四 | 信解品八字決第四 |
| …that we will ourselves attain that Unsurpassed Hoard of Jewels which we have never sought. | 無上寳聚 不求自得 | 無上寳聚 不求自得 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| Today we have heard the Buddha’s Discoursed Teachings, and leap with joy at attaining that which we have never had before. The Buddha has expounded that śrāvakas will attain Buddhahood; that we will ourselves attain that Unsurpassed Hoard of Jewels which we have never sought. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 2〈4 信解品〉： 「我等今日， 聞佛音教， 歡喜踊躍，得未曾有。 佛說聲聞， 當得作佛， 無上寶聚， 不求自得。」 (CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 17c11-13) | |
| The Sixteen Characters Excerpted from Chapter Five: | 藥草喻品十六字決第五 | 藥草喻品十六字決第五 |
| Furthermore, there are myriad sons of the Buddha who fix their minds upon the Path of the Buddhas, and by contantly cultivating compassion, they know that they themselves will become Buddhas… | 又諸佛子 專心佛道 常行慈悲 自知作佛 | 又諸佛子 專心佛道 常行慈悲 自知作佛 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| Furthermore, there are myriad sons of the Buddha who fix their minds upon the Path of the Buddhas, and by contantly cultivating compassion, they know that they themselves will become Buddhas, assuredly and without doubt; these are referred to as the ‘small trees’. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 3〈5 藥草喻品〉：「又諸佛子，專心佛道， 常行慈悲， 自知作佛， 決定無疑， 是名小樹。 」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 20a27-29) | |
| The Sixteen Characters Excerpted from Chapter Six: | 授記品十六字決第六 | 授記品十六字決第六 |
| …at the place of the Buddha he will constantly cultivate the Brahmacarya, and will respetfully uphold the Buddha-Dharma for infinite aeons. | 於諸佛所 常修梵行 於無量劫 奉持佛法 | 於諸佛所 常修梵行 於無量劫 奉持佛法 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| For the sake of the Path of the Buddhas he make offerings and pay obeisance; at the place of the Buddha he will constantly cultivate the Brahmacarya, and will respetfully uphold the Buddha-Dharma for infinite aeons. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 3〈6 授記品〉：「為佛道故， 供養恭敬， 於諸佛所， 常修梵行， 於無量劫， 奉持佛法。」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 22a3-4) | |
| The Eight Characters Excerpted from Chapter Seven: | 化城喻品八字決第七 | 化城喻品八字決第七 |
| …I observe that distant pass as if it were today! | 觀彼久遠 猶如今日 | 觀彼久遠 猶如今日 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| Because I make use of the power of the Tathāgata’s Knowledge and Insight, I observe that distant pass as if it were today! | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 3〈7 化城喻品〉：「我以如來知見力故，觀彼久遠，猶若今日。」」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 22b2-3) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Eight: | 五百品十字決第八 | 五百品十字決第八 |
| The destitute man on seeing this jewel, was overjoyed in his heart… | 貧人見此珠 其心大歡喜 | 貧人見此珠 其心大歡喜 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| The destitute man on seeing this jewel, was overjoyed in his heart, [for now] wealthy and with myriad possessions, his five desires were satiated accordingly. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 4〈8五百弟子受記品〉：「貧人見此珠，其心大歡喜， 富有諸財物，五欲而自恣。」 (CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 29b12-13) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Nine: | 人記品十字決第九 | 人記品十字決第九 |
| …[for] he firmly abides in the Buddha-Dharma and seeks the Unsurpassed Path. | 安住於佛法 以求無上道 | 安住於佛法 以求無上道 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| His infinite millions of hundreds of thousands of merits cannot be counted, [for] he firmly abides in the Buddha-Dharma and seeks the Unsurpassed Path. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 4〈9 授學無學人記品〉：「無量億千萬， 功德不可數， 安住於佛法， 以求無上道。」」 (CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 30b2-3) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Ten: | 法師品十字決第十 | 法師品十字決第十 |
| You ought to know that such individuals, having freedom to be reborn as they choose… | 當知如是人 自在所欲生 | 當知如是人 自在所欲生 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| All those who’re able to embrace and uphold this Sublime Dharma Flower Sūtra, will discard the Pure Land and out of pity for the multitudes be reborn here. You ought to know that such individuals, having freedom to be reborn as they choose, are able amidst this wicked world to extensively expound the Unsurpassed Dharma. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 4〈10 法師品〉：「諸有能受持， 妙法華經者， 捨於清淨土， 愍眾故生此。 當知如是人，自在所欲生， 能於此惡世， 廣說無上法。」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 31a19-22) | |
| The Eight Characters Excerpted from Chapter Eleven: | 寶塔品八字決第十一 | 寶塔品八字決第十一 |
| Thus they will speedily attain the Unsurpassed Path of the Buddhas. | 則為疾得 無上佛道 | 則為疾得 無上佛道 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| Such people as these are those who’re praised by all the Buddhas. These then are the courageous; these then are the diligent; these are referred to as the ‘keepers of the precepts’, and the cultivators of the austerities. Thus they will speedily attain the Unsurpassed Path of the Buddhas. They will in the future be able to read and uphold This Sūtra, [for] they are the True Sons of the Buddhas who abide in the stages of pure goodness. After the Buddha’s Extinction, they will be able to understand its means [and so] all of these gods and men will be the Eyes of the World. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 4〈11 見寶塔品〉：「如是之人， 諸佛所歎。 是則勇猛， 是則精進， 是名持戒， 行頭陀者， 則為疾得， 無上佛道。 能於來世， 讀持此經， 是真佛子， 住淳善地。 佛滅度後， 能解其義， 是諸天人， 世間之眼。 」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 34b16-22) | |
| The Sixteen Characters Excerpted from Chapter Twelve: | 提婆品十六字決第十二 | 提婆品十六字決第十二 |
| At that time the multitude of the assembly all say the Dragon Girl suddenly transform into a man… | 當時衆會 皆見龍女 忽然之間 變成男子 | 當時衆會 皆見龍女 忽然之間 變成男子 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| The [Dragon King’s] Daughter said: “with your supranormal powers observe me become a Buddha even faster than this!” At that time the multitude of the assembly all say the Dragon Girl suddenly transform into a man, complete the Bodhisattva practices, and heading south to the Unspoiled World sit upon a jeweled lotus flower and perfect Complete and Perfect Awakening, the Thirty-two Major-characteristics, the Eighty Minor-characteristics, and preach the Sublime Dharma to the sentient beings throughout the ten directions. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 4〈12 提婆達多品〉：「女言：「以汝神力，觀我成佛，復速於此。」當時眾會，皆見龍女忽然之間變成男子，具菩薩行，即往南方無垢世界，坐寶蓮華，成等正覺，三十二相、八十種好，普為十方一切眾生演說妙法。」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 35c15-19) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Thirteen: | 勸持品十字決第十三 | 勸持品十字決第十三 |
| We will not covet body or life, for we treasure only the Unsurpassed Path. | 我不愛身命 但惜無上道 | 我不愛身命 但惜無上道 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| We will not covet body or life, for we treasure only the Unsurpassed Path. In Future times we will maintain and uphold the Buddha’s Legacy, and this the World Honoured One himself knows! | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 4〈13 勸持品〉：「我不愛身命，但惜無上道， 我等於來世，護持佛所囑， 世尊自當知。」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 36c18-20) | |
| The Sixteen Characters Excerpted from Chapter Fourteen: | 安樂行品十六字決第十四 | 安樂行品十六字決第十四 |
| All of the various dharmas, are empty and without substance. Without substance they eternally abide, and neither arise nor cease… | 一切諸法 空無所有 無有常住 亦無起滅 | 一切諸法 空無所有 無有常住 亦無起滅 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| He does not grasp any dharmas, Neither does he apprehend or perceive them. These then are referred to as the Bodhisattva’s Domain of Practise. All of the various dharmas, are empty and without substance. Without substance they eternally abide, and neither arise nor cease. This is referred to as the wise man’s Domain of Intimate-association. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 5〈14 安樂行品〉：「不得諸法， 不知不見， 是則名為， 菩薩行處。 一切諸法， 空無所有， 無有常住， 亦無起滅， 是名智者， 所親近處。 」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 37c12-15) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Fifteen: | 涌出品十字決第十五 | 涌出品十字決第十五 |
| …will be ever diligent through day and night, in order to seek the Path of the Buddhas… | 晝夜常精進 為求佛道故 | 晝夜常精進 為求佛道故 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| All of these sons such as these, by studying and practising the dharmas of My Path, will be ever diligent through day and night in order to seek the Path of the Buddhas; they dwell in the space beneath this Sahā World; their powers of resolve are firm, for they always seek the wisdom to expound the Sublime Dharma in various ways; and their hearts are without fear. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 5〈15 從地踊出品〉：「如是諸子等， 學習我道法， 晝夜常精進，為求佛道故， 在娑婆世界，下方空中住。 志念力堅固， 常懃求智慧， 說種種妙法， 其心無所畏。」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 41b18-22) | |
| The Eighteen Characters Excerpted from Chapter Sixteen: | 壽量品十八字第十六 | 壽量品十八字第十六 |
| The Tathāgata’s Knowledge and Insight into the characteristics of the Three Spheres, accords with the Truth. There is no Birth-and-Death nor is there falling back or escaping… | 如來如實知見三界之相。無有生死若退若出 | 如來如實知見三界之相，無有生死、若退若出， |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| All that they say is true and not false. Wherefore? The Tathāgata’s Knowledge and Insight into the characteristics of the Three Spheres, accords with the Truth. There is no Birth-and-Death nor is there falling back or escaping; there is neither being in the world, nor those in the Liberation of Extinction; there is neither substantiality nor insubstantiality; there is neither similitude nor difference; this is not in accord with the way the Three Spheres observes the Three Spheres, but such qualities as these are within the Clear Perception of the Tathāgata, and are without error. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 5〈16 如來壽量品〉：「諸所言說，皆實不虛。所以者何？如來如實知見三界之相，無有生死、若退若出，亦無在世及滅度者，非實非虛，非如非異，不如三界見於三界，如斯之事，如來明見，無有錯謬。」 (CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 42c12-16) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Seventeen: | 分別功德品十字決第十七 | 分別功德品十字決第十七 |
| Maintaining this virtue of single-mindedness, and vowing to seek the Unsurpassed Path… | 持此一心福 願求無上道 | 持此一心福 願求無上道 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| Because of such causes and conditions as these, they’re able to give rise to the various Dhyāna-concentrations, and firmly abide undisturbed for eighty million scores of aeons. Maintaining this virtue of single-mindedness, and vowing to seek the Unsurpassed Path [they declare]: “I will attain The Knowledge of All, and exhaust the very limits of the Dhyāna-concentrations!” | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 5〈17 分別功德品〉：「以是因緣故， 能生諸禪定， 八十億萬劫、 安住心不亂。 持此一心福，願求無上道， 我得一切智， 盡諸禪定際。」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 45a19-22) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Eighteen: | 隨喜功德品十字決第十八 | 隨喜功德品十字決第十八 |
| …by saying: “This Sūtra is profoundly Sublime, and difficult to encounter in thousands or tens of thousands of aeons.” | 言此經深妙 千萬劫難遇 | 言此經深妙 千萬劫難遇 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| If there is one who exhorts one person and guides them to listen to the Dharma Flower [Sūtra], by saying: “This Sūtra is profoundly Sublime, and difficult to encounter in thousands or tens of thousands of aeons.” Upon which [the person] accepts the instruction and comes to listen for even an instant- I will now describe and expound the meritorious recompense for such persons as these. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 6〈18 隨喜功德品〉：「若有勸一人， 將引聽法華， 言此經深妙，千萬劫難遇， 即受教往聽， 乃至須臾聞， 斯人之福報， 今當分別說。」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 47b13-16) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Nineteen: | 法師功德品十字決第十九 | 法師功德品十字決第十九 |
| …they will smell and thereby be able to know all those who enter Dhyāna and those who exit Dhyāna. | 入禪出禪者 聞香悉能知 | 入禪出禪者 聞香悉能知 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| Cycling upwards like this until they reach the World of Brahmā, they will smell and thereby be able to know all those who enter Dhyāna and those who exit Dhyāna. Of the ābhāsvara and śuddhāvāsa heavens and on up to the bhavagra, they will smell and thereby be able to know all those who’ve been born and who’ve died. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 6〈19 法師功德品〉：「如是展轉上，乃至於梵世， 入禪出禪者， 聞香悉能知。 光音遍淨天， 乃至于有頂， 初生及退沒， 聞香悉能知。 」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 49a28-b6) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Twenty: | 不輕品十字決第二十 | 不輕品十字決第二十 |
| You must with single-mind, extensively expound This Sūtra, and age after age meeting with the Buddhas, quickly accomplish Buddhahood. | 應當一心 廣說此經 世世值佛 疾成佛道 | 應當一心 廣說此經 世世值佛 疾成佛道 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| Only after millions of millions of scores of aeons which cannot be expressed, do all Buddha World Honoured Ones, come to the time for expounding This Sūtra. Therefore, practitioners after the Buddha’s Extinction who hear such a Sūtra as this, do not give rise to doubts! You must with single-mind, extensively expound This Sūtra, and age after age meeting with the Buddhas, quickly accomplish Buddhahood. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 6〈20 常不輕菩薩品〉：「億億萬劫， 至不可議， 諸佛世尊、 時說是經。 是故行者， 於佛滅後， 聞如是經， 勿生疑惑。 應當一心、 廣說此經， 世世值佛， 疾成佛道。」」 (CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 51c1-7) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Twenty One: | 神力品十字決第二十一 | 神力品十字決第二十一 |
| …for these individuals are assuredly and without doubt on the Path of the Buddhas. | 是人於佛道 決定無有疑 | 是人於佛道 決定無有疑 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| Therefore if individuals in possession of wisdom hear of the benefit of this merit after My Extinction, then they must embrace and uphold This Sūtra, for these individuals are assuredly and without doubt on the Path of the Buddhas. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 6〈21 如來神力品〉：「是故有智者， 聞此功德利， 於我滅度後， 應受持斯經， 是人於佛道，決定無有疑。」」 (CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 52b29-c2) | |
| The Fourteen Characters Excerpted from Chapter Twenty Two: | 囑累品十四字決第二十二 | 囑累品十四字決第二十二 |
| …To those who believe in the Wisdom of the Tathāgata, you should propound this Dharma Flower Sūtra… | 信如來智慧者。當為演説此法華經 | 信如來智慧者，當為演說此法華經， |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| In future times if there are good sons and good daughters, who believe in the Wisdom of the Tathāgata, you should propound this Dharma Flower Sūtra, causing them to hear and attain understanding, in order that these individuals achieve the Wisdom of the Buddhas. If there are sentient beings who do not believe in it nor accept it, then you should demonstrate the teachings causing them benefit and joy, by means of other profound Dharmas of the Tathāgata. If you’re able to act in such a manner, then you will have repayed the generosity of the all the Buddhas! | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 6〈22 囑累品〉：「於未來世，若有善男子、善女人，信如來智慧者，當為演說此法華經，使得聞知，為令其人得佛慧故。若有眾生不信受者，當於如來餘深法中，示教利喜。汝等若能如是，則為已報諸佛之恩。」」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 52c16-21) | |
| The Twelve Characters Excerpted from Chapter Tweny Three: | 藥王品十二字決第二十三 | 藥王品十二字決第二十三 |
| This is true diligence! This is referred to as offering the True Dharma to the Tathāgatas! | 是真精進 是名真法 供養如來 | 是真精進，是名真法供養如來。 |
| FULL QUOTE: | ||
| [The Bodhisattva] wrapped his body in heavenly jewelled robes, and sprinkled the incenses and oils [over it]. With the power of his spiritual-penetrations he made a vow, and then ignited his own body, the radiant light of which pervasively illuminated the world-spheres [as numerous as] the sands of eighty million Gaṇgā rivers. Amidst this, all of the Buddhas at the same time praised him saying: “Excellent! Excellent! Good Son! This is true diligence! This is referred to as offering the True Dharma to the Tathāgatas! | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 6〈23 藥王菩薩本事品〉：「以天寶衣而自纏身，灌諸香油，以神通力願而自然身，光明遍照八十億恒河沙世界。其中諸佛同時讚言：『善哉，善哉！善男子！是真精進，是名真法供養如來。」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 53b8-12) | |
| The Eight Characters Excerpted from Chapter Twenty Four: | 妙音品八字決第二十四 | 妙音品八字決第二十四 |
| …nor did his body move; and yet, he entered samādhi… | 身不動搖 而入三昧 | 身不動搖 而入三昧 |
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| At this, the Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara did not rise from his seat, nor did his body move; and yet, he entered samādhi. As a result of the power of this samādhi, he went to a place not far from the Dharma Throne on Mount Gṛdhrakūṭa, and manifested eighty-four thousand bejewelled lotus flowers which had Jambūnada Gold for stems, white silver for leaves, diamonds for stamens and kiṃśuka for its bulbs. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷7〈24 妙音菩薩品〉：「於是妙音菩薩不起于座，身不動搖，而入三昧，以三昧力，於耆闍崛山，去法座不遠，化作八萬四千眾寶蓮華，閻浮檀金為莖，白銀為葉，金剛為鬚，甄叔迦寶以為其臺。」 (CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 55b17-21) | |
| The Ten Characters Excerpted from Chapter Twenty Five: | 普門品十字決第二十五 | 普門品十字決第二十五 |
| With the Eye of Compassion he beholds sentient beings, for his hoard of merit is infinite like the ocean. | 慈眼視眾生 福聚海無量 | 慈眼視眾生，福聚海無量， |
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| The pure sage Avalokiteśvara, is to those amidst the torments and misfortunes of death, capable of being a sanctuary (pratisaraṇa) for he is endowed with all virtues. With the Eye of Compassion he beholds sentient beings, for his hoard of merit is infinite like the ocean. And this is why we should bow our heads in obeisance [to him]. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 7〈25 觀世音菩薩普門品〉：「觀世音淨聖， 於苦惱死厄， 能為作依怙， 具一切功德， 慈眼視眾生， 福聚海無量， 是故應頂禮。』」」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 58a28-b2) | |
| The Nine Characters Excerpted from Chapter Twenty Six: | 陀羅尼品九字決第二十六 | 陀羅尼品九字決第二十六 |
| [Those who] cultivate the practices of this Sūtra; [will be] caused to attain peace… | 修行是經者 令得安穩 | 修行是經者,令得安穩 |
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| World Honoured One! We will also personally embrace and protect those who accept, uphold, read, recite, and cultivate the practices of this Sūtra; causing them to attain peace, separate from all troubles, and to dispel the myriad bitter medicines. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 7〈26 陀羅尼品〉：「「世尊！我等亦當身自擁護受持、讀誦、修行是經者，令得安隱，離諸衰患，消眾毒藥。」」 (CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 59b17-19) | |
| The Eight Characters Excerpted from Chapter Twenty Seven: | 嚴王品八字決第二十七 | 嚴王品八字決第二十七 |
| …our merit from former-lives being deep and substantial, we have given rise to [the opportunity] to encounter the Buddha-Dharma | 宿福深厚 生值佛法 | 宿福深厚，生值佛法， |
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| A Buddha is difficult to encounter, like the udumbara flower or like the one-eyed tortoise finding the hole in the floating log! And yet [due to] our merit from former-lives being deep and substantial, we have given rise to [the opportunity] to encounter the Buddha-Dharma. And therefore, father and mother, hearken [to what we have said] and allow us to leave home! | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 7〈27 妙莊嚴王本事品〉：「佛難得值，如優曇鉢羅華，又如一眼之龜，值浮木孔。而我等宿福深厚，生值佛法，是故父母當聽我等，令得出家。」 (CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 60a29-b2) | |
| The Seventeen Characters Excerpted from Chapter Twenty Eight: | 普賢品十七字決第二十八 | 普賢品十七字決第二十八 |
| …[then] at the end of the lives of these people, a thousand buddhas will offer their hands, causing them not to be afraid, nor fall into evil destinies. | 是人命終 為千佛授手 令不恐怖 不墮惡趣 | 是人命終, 為千佛授手,令不恐怖,不墮惡趣 |
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| If there are individuals who embrace, uphold, read, recite, and understand its meaning, [then] at the end of the lives of these people, a thousand buddhas will offer their hands, causing them not to be afraid, nor fall into evil destinies. Rather, they will go the the place of Maitreya in the Tuṣita Heaven. The Bodhisattva Maitreya is together with a myriad Great Bodhisattvas in possession of the Thirty-two Major-characteristics surrounding him, and accompanied by a retinue of thousands of millions of billions of goddesses. And therein [will such] individuals be born, with virtues and benefits like this! Therefore, the wise should with single-mind copy [this Sūtra] themselves, and cause others to copy, embrace, uphold, read, recite, memorise it correctly, and cultivate the practices as it expounds. | 《妙法蓮華經》卷 7〈28 普賢菩薩勸發品〉：「若有人受持、讀誦，解其義趣，是人命終，為千佛授手，令不恐怖，不墮惡趣，即往兜率天上彌勒菩薩所。彌勒菩薩，有三十二相大菩薩眾所共圍繞，有百千萬億天女眷屬，而於中生，有如是等功德利益。是故智者，應當一心自書、若使人書，受持、讀誦，正憶念，如說修行。」(CBETA 2024.R3, T09, no. 262, p. 61c8-14) | |
| [In regards to] these aforementioned essential passages, if a person reads and understands them, then it will be no different from being versed in the Sacred Teachings [of the Buddha’s] Entire Ministry. Though [such a] person passes through everlasting aeons, they will not fall into evil destinies, but rather will reach the Four Lands in a single-thought, and the Precious Kṣetra of [Eternally] Quiescent Light. Outside of the transmission from teacher to student, though one may have firm convictions, these should categorically not be transmitted to other people. Take heed, and [things will] be well; take heed, and [things will] be well! | 右此肝文。若讀若解人。則不異諳一代聖教。人雖經永劫。不墮惡趣。可至于四土一心寂光寶刹也。一概相承之外。縱有深志。更不可傳餘人。愼而容易愼而容易。 | （右此肝文，若讀若解人，則不異諳一代聖教。人雖經永劫，不墮惡趣，可至于四土一心寂光寳刹也。一概相承之外，縱有深志，更不可傳餘人。慎而容易,慎而容易。） |
| When Dengyō Daishi was in the world, [these verses were placed] within an embroidered pouch suspended from his kneck (lit. head), [and though] they did not leave his side, they were not known by others. After the Great Master had entered Extinction, Gishin and Enshō opened it up and discovered them. This is truly [like] gaining a jewel in the palm [of one’s very hand]! | 傳教大師。在世之間。入之錦袋懸頭。不離左右。無知之人。大師入滅之後。義眞。 圓澄。披錦嚢得之。實爲掌中至寶（云云）。 | （傳教大師，在世之間，入之錦袋懸頭，不離左右，無知之人。大師入滅之後，義真，圓證，披裏得之。實為掌中至寳。云云。） |
本云。右一帖於越州本妙泰寺。傳受之畢。寔是法天然之感應歟。幸哉幸哉。
天文六年丁酉歳正月二十四日（生年三十二）日廣判。
原本：身延山所藏古寫本全一卷詳于奧書也。