贤护菩萨请问品 | The Inquiry of Bodhisattva Bhadrapāla

尔时，大德贤护菩萨从座而起，偏袒右肩，右膝着地，合掌恭敬，白佛言：
At that time, the Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Bhadrapāla rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, knelt on his right knee, pressed his palms together, and addressed the Buddha, saying:

“世尊，我今欲向如来、应供、正等觉有所咨请，心怀疑滞，惟愿世尊垂慈听许。”
“World-Honored One, I now wish to inquire of the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One. I have doubts in my mind. I wonder whether the World-Honored One will graciously permit me to ask.”

佛告贤护菩萨：“贤护，如来世尊随汝所疑，任意发问，我当为汝分别开解，令汝心悦。”
Thereupon, the World-Honored One addressed the Bodhisattva Bhadrapāla, saying: “Bhadrapāla, the Tathāgata, the World-Honored One, accords with whatever doubts you have. Ask whatever you wish, and I shall explain and clarify them for you, bringing you joy.”

贤护菩萨既蒙听许，复白佛言：
Then that Bodhisattva Bhadrapāla, having received permission, again addressed the Buddha, saying:

世尊，诸大菩萨当圆满何等三昧，方能成就无量功德之聚？
World-Honored One, what samādhi should a Bodhisattva Mahāsattva fully accomplish in order to obtain that great mass of merit?

云何得入大法大海，摄受智慧宝藏，断除一切疑惑？
How does one enter the ocean of great learning and acquire the treasury of wisdom, so as to be free from doubt?

云何得持清净无毁之戒蕴，于无上正等菩提永不退转？
How does one also attain the undefiled aggregate of precepts without failure, accomplished in Anuttara Samyaksaṃbodhi without regression?

云何不起愚痴、邪见与空执之障？
Furthermore, how does one not give rise to foolishness, the condition of wrong views and emptiness?

云何证得宿命通，彻晓过去未来诸事？
How does one attain the knowledge of past lives, thoroughly knowing the past and future?

云何恒常亲近奉见一切诸佛世尊，乃至梦中亦得听闻正法？
How does one attain never departing from serving and seeing all Buddha World-Honored Ones, hearing the true Dharma even in dreams?

云何成就胜妙端严、清净细腻之身相，举止威仪，令一切众生见而生喜？
How does one attain a specially excellent, upright, fine, and subtle form body, fully possessed of dignified deportment, which all beings delight to see?

云何常生尊贵大族，身居高位，为人所敬？
How does one attain constant birth into great families, in positions of honor and nobility, respected by all who see them?

云何常与父母兄弟、宗亲眷属朝夕相守，永不别离？
How does one also attain being surrounded by father, mother, brothers, kinsmen, relatives, and acquaintances, constantly without separation?

云何博闻强识、超凡卓尔，无上菩提之心究竟无缺无损？
How does one attain broad understanding and extensive knowledge, being uniquely extraordinary, and also ultimately without deficiency or diminution in the mind of Anuttara Samyaksaṃbodhi?

云何得正念正行、身心调伏、心意不动、常怀知足？
How does one attain right mindfulness and right practice, with regulated conduct, unmoving mind, and contentment?

云何恒生惭愧羞耻之心，远离一切秽恶过咎？
How does one attain constantly giving rise to shame and remorse, far removed from disgrace?

云何成就正智谦德，降伏贡高我慢？
How does one attain right wisdom, humility, and respect, subduing pride and self-conceit?

云何精进勇猛，永离懈怠放逸？
How does one attain vigorous diligence, far removed from laziness?

云何具足大慈、大悲、大喜、大舍，平等施予众生安乐？
How does one attain great kindness, great compassion, great joy, and great equanimity, impartially bestowing happiness?

云何听闻甚深真如空性、无相无愿之法，心无惊怖、不退不怯？
How does one attain, upon hearing the teaching of profound true emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness, a state entirely free from fear, panic, or retreat?

云何不乐怠惰，恒常受持护念正法？
How does one attain not taking pleasure in laziness, but embracing and upholding the true Dharma?

云何得通达妙慧，洞彻万法、无与等匹？
How does one attain penetrating wisdom, clearly understanding all things without equal?

云何能随愿往生一切诸佛国土？
How does one attain birth at will in all Buddha-lands?

云何不为一切外道邪论之所摧伏？
How does one attain not being overcome by any external paths?

云何如大海，容纳一切问难，排解众生疑结而不竭不减？
How does one attain being like the ocean, able to receive and contain all questions, resolving difficulties without diminution or exhaustion?

云何如圆满皓月，具足一切清净白法？
How does one attain being like the full moon, complete in pure white dharmas?

云何如初升旭日，破除一切无明黑暗？
How does one attain being like the newly risen sun, breaking through all darkness?

云何如灯炬明光，普照十方？
How does one attain being like a lamp or torch, radiating bright illumination?

云何同虚空自性，通达无碍？
How does one attain being like the nature of empty space, without hindrance?

云何心无所住，心如虚空之体？
How does one attain abiding nowhere, with a mind like empty space?

云何如金刚真性，彻照洞晓一切诸法？
How does one attain being like a diamond, penetrating and thoroughly understanding all dharmas?

云何如须弥山王，安住不动、坚定不移？
How does one attain being like Mount Sumeru, unshakable?

云何如门阈之德，令万法各安其位？
How does one attain being like a threshold, where all abide properly?

云何能如猫狗禽兽，圆满心念业行之本？
How does one attain being like a cat, a dog, or a beast, having accomplished the mind’s karmic deeds?

云何于一切诸法之中，证得无为之性？
How does one attain unconditionedness within all dharmas?

云何如飞鸟自在，随心所向、任意游行？
How does one attain being like a flying bird, going wherever one wishes?

云何摧破骄慢矜恃，心同旃陀罗卑贱之行？
How does one attain crushing pride and arrogance, like one of the Caṇḍāla caste?

云何栖止山林阿兰若处，如猿鹿野兽不乐城邑聚落，不与在家、出家众滥相交杂？
How does one attain dwelling in an araṇya, like various beasts and monkeys who do not delight in cities, towns, or settlements, never mingling indiscriminately with all householders or monastics?

云何统领大众，宣演教法、开导群迷？
How does one attain leading the great assembly, teaching, directing, and instructing?

云何于一切众生不起贪染爱乐，处众而心不为所动？
How does one attain not taking pleasure in any living being, being unmoved amidst all living beings?

云何不为外道邪说、天魔众之所惑乱侵扰？
How does one attain not being confused or disrupted by any external paths or by Māra the heavenly demon?

云何得无碍辩才，决了通达一切法义？
How does one attain great eloquence, decisively knowing all dharmas?

云何于诸佛正法，不随他人邪行沾染？
How does one attain, regarding all Buddha-dharmas, not following the practices of others?

云何成就坚固信心，一切外缘不可毁坏？
How does one attain greatly firm faith, indestructible?

云何具足大悲之力信根，安住而不动摇？
How does one attain the faith of great compassionate power, immovable?

云何深入实信，寂灭一切有为修执？
How does one attain deeply entering faith, having nothing to practice?

云何得润泽深信，于诸法中生大欢喜？
How does one attain moistening faith, greatly rejoicing in all dharmas?

云何成就最胜净信，供养承事一切诸佛永不疲厌？
How does one attain supreme faith, serving and making offerings to all Buddhas without weariness or satiation?

云何具足万行入道之信，广植一切善根种子？
How does one attain faith of various entries, planting all good roots?

云何得真实微妙之信，日日增长，远离虚伪矫饰之行？
How does one attain truly wondrous faith, increasing without false or hypocritical conduct?

云何成就清净喜乐之信，断除一切嫉妒嗔嫌？
How does one attain pure joyful faith, eliminating all envy and jealousy?

云何得澄明净信，圆满一切种智光明？
How does one attain pure clear faith, attaining the brilliance of all-knowledge?

云何得悦乐正信，遣除一切无明盖障？
How does one attain joyful delight faith, eliminating all obscuring hindrances?

云何成就慧乐之信，含容摄受一切诸佛国土？
How does one attain wisdom-delight faith, embracing all Buddha-realms?

云何具足庄严行持之信，超胜世间一切珍宝璎珞，成就佛土清净？
How does one attain adorned practice faith, surpassing all worldly jeweled ornaments, accomplishing the purity of Buddha-lands?

云何戒行纯净，永灭声闻、缘觉二乘之心？
How does one attain pure conduct of precepts, forever extinguishing the minds of all Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas?

云何发广大弘深誓愿，令一切所愿究竟圆满？
How does one attain magnificent great vows, bringing all undertakings to ultimate completion?

云何超拔一切众生之上，恒愿修行一切善法？
How does one attain being foremost among all living beings, wishing to practice all good dharmas?

云何于教化菩萨、修习六度万行之中，恒无疲倦？
How does one attain freedom from weariness, for the sake of teaching all Bodhisattvas the various Pāramitās they must learn?

云何修行不退，勤求一切如来正法？
How does one attain non-regression, diligently seeking all Buddha-dharmas?

云何体性坚牢，不为外道邪师之所破坏？
How does one attain indestructibility, not being broken by any external path or heterodox teacher?

云何深心笃信诸佛，恒守正念不舍，常得亲见十方诸佛？
How does one attain deep faith in all Buddhas, never abandoning this mindfulness so as to constantly see all Buddhas?

云何如慈父之心，延续住持一切诸佛正法？
How does one attain being like a father, extending and perpetuating all Buddha-dharmas?

云何蒙诸佛威神加持，安住于一切佛法光明之中？
How does one attain the empowerment of Buddha-power, being born within the light of all Buddha-dharmas?

云何通达无碍，一切诸法悉皆现前显现？
How does one attain unobstructedness, with all Buddha-dharmas fully manifesting before one?

云何如幻化之人，于一切诸法不起分别妄思？
How does one attain being like a phantom person, without discursive thought regarding any dharma?

云何如幻化之身，观万法本无生灭之相？
How does one attain being like a conjured being, observing all dharmas as unarisen and unceasing?

云何如梦境所见，观过去、现在、未来三际不来不去？
How does one attain being like a dream, observing the three times as neither coming nor going?

云何如镜中影像，一切世界悉皆显发于自身之中？
How does one attain being like a reflected image, with all worlds manifesting within one’s own body?

云何如山谷回响，了知诸法因缘和合、本无自性造作？
How does one attain being like an echo, with all dharmas uncreated and arisen due to causes and conditions?

云何如形影相随，于一切现起之法不取不舍、心无滞着？
How does one attain being like a form and its shadow, with the mind having no grasping or rejecting of any arisen dharma?

云何身心空寂、一无所有，远离一切执佛之相？
How does one attain being empty and without anything at all, far removed from all conceptions of Buddha?

云何安住无相之境，照见万法无二无别？
How does one attain signlessness, observing all dharmas as non-dual?

云何契入法界边际，菩提之心广大无边？
How does one attain the boundary of the Dharma-realm, with the Bodhi-mind without limit?

云何不生贪着妄念，通达一切世间本性平等无差？
How does one attain non-arising of attachment, with the nature of all worlds undifferentiated?

云何修行通达自在，随意游历一切诸佛国土？
How does one attain unimpeded practice, roaming freely through all Buddha-lands?

云何总持一切陀罗尼，闻一知万，善解一切文字义趣？
How does one attain all dhāraṇīs, hearing one and knowing ten thousand, skillfully comprehending the distinct explanations of all written characters?

云何成就大法师德，通晓一切如来正法？
How does one attain being like a Dharma-master, skillfully knowing all Buddha-dharmas?

云何常蒙诸佛护念加持，恒得如来威神之力摄受？
How does one attain the protective mindfulness of all Buddhas, with the majestic power of all Buddhas bestowing empowerment?

云何声气雄猛无畏，犹如大牛之王、狮子奋迅之威？
How does one attain heroic and unflinching voice, like the great bull king or the stride of the great lion king?

云何具足无所畏惧之心，令十方世界普得安乐？
How does one attain fearlessness, bringing joy to all worlds?

云何荡尽一切疑惑，观一切诸佛平等无二？
How does one attain freedom from doubt, regarding all Buddhas as equal and non-dual?

云何彻入真如实相，遣除诸见、不执一法？
How does one attain penetrating Suchness, eliminating doubt and not attaching to any dharma?

云何悟入甚深法界，善能开解一切问难义理？
How does one attain realizing the profound Dharma-realm, skillfully able to explain the meanings of questions asked?

云何成为利他良师，圆满具足广大悲心？
How does one attain being a teacher who benefits others, fully possessed of great compassion?

云何断除懈怠之心，恒乐宣演无上正法？
How does one attain eliminating laziness, constantly delighting in expounding the Dharma?

云何恒顺正法而行，永不舍弃任一众生？
How does one attain abiding in accordance with the Dharma, never abandoning any living being?

云何远离谄谀邪曲，心性质朴正直？
How does one attain freedom from flattery and crookedness, with a nature that is simple and straightforward?

云何如世间慧眼，为三界长夜明灯？
How does one attain being like an eye, serving as a bright lamp for all worlds?

云何德望超绝，不为一切众生轻贱，超脱三界之上？
How does one attain not being belittled, surpassing all the three realms?

云何息灭一切诤论纷争，言行合一、解行相应？
How does one attain freedom from disputation, practicing as one teaches?

云何修行无诸劳苦，处世度生而无所住着？
How does one attain freedom from hardship, practicing without abiding?

云何了达诸法实相，不于万法妄起分别？
How does one attain knowing reality, not differentiating between dharmas?

云何成就无尽语智，能以种种言音开导众生，令其安住大乘正道？
How does one attain the wisdom to speak all languages, enabling all beings to abide in the Great Vehicle?

云何抵达无畏境地，远离一切惊惶恐怖，永绝毛骨悚然等一切忧惧之相？
How does one attain arriving at the place of fearlessness, far removed from terror, forever free from all such things as hair standing on end?

云何通达如来方便教化，深彻悟解一切经典义趣？
How does one attain knowing the Buddha's skillful means in teaching, skillfully penetrating all sutras and so forth?

云何降生世间不虚此生，恒常深入
How does one attain not being born in vain in the world, constantly entering into