The Long Āgama Sūtra 12: 三聚經

12.1

佛說長阿含經卷第十

The Long Āgama Sūtra Expounded by the Buddha, Scroll Ten

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī. He was accompanied by a large group of 1,250 monks.

12.2

後秦弘始年佛陀耶舍共竺佛念譯

Translated in the Hongshi Era of the Later Qin by Buddhayaśas together with Zhu Fonian

12.3

（一二）第二分三聚經第八

(12) Section Two: Sūtra on the Three Aggregates, the Eighth

12.4

如是我聞：

Thus have I heard:

12.5

一時，佛在舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園，與大比丘眾千二百五十人俱。

At one time, the Buddha was staying in Śrāvastī at the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍada's Park, together with a great assembly of one thousand two hundred and fifty bhikṣus.

12.6

爾時，世尊告諸比丘：「我與汝等說微妙法，義味清淨，梵行具足，謂三聚法。汝等諦聽！思惟念之！當為汝說。」時，諸比丘受教而聽。

At that time, the Bhagavat said to the bhikṣus: "I shall expound for you the wondrous Dharma, pure in meaning and flavor, complete in the brahmacarya, namely the dharma of the three aggregates. Listen attentively! Ponder and reflect upon it! I shall expound it for you." Then the bhikṣus received the instruction and listened.

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “I will give all of you a discourse on the sublime teaching, the content and expression of which is pure and perfects the religious life. It’s the teaching in three categories. All of you, listen closely and consider it. I will teach this for you.”

The monks then accepted the teaching and listened.

12.7

佛告比丘：「三法聚者，一法趣惡趣。一法趣善趣。一法趣涅槃。云何一法趣于惡趣？謂無仁慈，懷毒害心，是謂一法將向惡趣。云何一法趣于善趣？謂不以惡心加於眾生，是為一法將向善趣。云何一法趣于涅槃？謂能精勤，修身念處，是為一法將向涅槃。

The Buddha told the bhikṣus: "As for the three aggregates of dharmas: one dharma leads to the bad destinies; one dharma leads to the good destinies; one dharma leads to nirvāṇa. What is the one dharma that leads to the bad destinies? It is having no benevolence or compassion, harboring a poisonous and harmful mind; this is called the one dharma that leads toward the bad destinies. What is the one dharma that leads to the good destinies? It is not inflicting harm upon sentient beings with an evil mind; this is called the one dharma that leads toward the good destinies. What is the one dharma that leads to nirvāṇa? It is being able to be energetic and diligent in cultivating mindfulness of the body; this is called the one dharma that leads toward nirvāṇa.

The Buddha addressed the monks, “These three categories are one thing that leads to bad destinies, one thing that leads to good destinies, and one thing that leads to Nirvāṇa.

“What’s one thing that leads to bad destinies? It’s the absence of kindness that harbors harmful thoughts. This is one thing that leads to bad destinies.

“What’s one thing that leads to good destinies? It’s not inflicting bad intent on sentient beings. This is one thing that leads to good destinies.

“What’s one thing that leads to Nirvāṇa? It’s making effort to cultivate the abodes of mindfulness. This is one thing that leads to Nirvāṇa.

12.8

「復有二法趣向惡趣，復有二法趣向善趣，復有二法趣向涅槃。云何二法趣向惡趣？一謂毀戒，二謂破見。云何二法趣向善趣？一謂戒具，二謂見具。云何二法趣向涅槃？一謂為止，二謂為觀。

"Furthermore, there are two dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies, two dharmas that lead toward the good destinies, and two dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa. What are the two dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies? The first is broken precepts; the second is corrupted view. What are the two dharmas that lead toward the good destinies? The first is complete precepts; the second is complete view. What are the two dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa? The first is śamatha; the second is vipaśyanā.

“Again, there are two things that lead to bad destinies, two things that lead to good destinies, and two things that lead to Nirvāṇa.

“What are two things that lead to bad destinies? One is violating the precepts, and the second is breaking [right] view.

“What are two things that lead to good destinies? One is perfecting the precepts, and the second is perfecting [right] view.

“What are the two things that lead to Nirvāṇa? One is calmness, and the second in contemplation.

12.9

「復有三法趣向惡趣，三法向善趣，三法向涅槃。云何三法向惡趣？謂三不善根：貪不善根、恚不善根、癡不善根。云何三法向善趣？謂三善根：無貪善根、無恚善根、無癡善根。云何三法趣向涅槃？謂三三昧：空三昧、無相三昧、無作三昧。

"Furthermore, there are three dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies, three dharmas that lead toward the good destinies, and three dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa. What are the three dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies? They are the three unwholesome roots: the unwholesome root of greed, the unwholesome root of hatred, and the unwholesome root of delusion. What are the three dharmas that lead toward the good destinies? They are the three wholesome roots: the wholesome root of non-greed, the wholesome root of non-hatred, and the wholesome root of non-delusion. What are the three dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa? They are the three samādhis: the samādhi of emptiness, the samādhi of signlessness, and the samādhi of wishlessness.

“Again, there are three things that lead to bad destinies, three things that lead to good destinies, and three things that lead to Nirvāṇa.

“What are three things that lead to bad destinies? They are the three unskillful roots: The unskillful root of greed, unskillful root of anger, and unskillful root of delusion.

“What are three things that lead to good destinies? They are the three skillful roots: The skillful root of having no greed, skillful root of having no anger, and skillful root of having no delusion.

“What are three things that lead to Nirvāṇa? They are the three samādhis: The samādhi of emptiness, the samādhi of no appearances, and the samādhi of no action.

12.10

「又有四法趣向惡趣，四法向善趣，四法向涅槃。云何四法向惡趣？謂愛語、恚語、怖語、癡語。云何四法向善趣？謂不愛語、不恚語、不怖語、不癡語。云何四法向涅槃？謂四念處：身念處、受念處、意念處、法念處。

"Furthermore, there are four dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies, four dharmas that lead toward the good destinies, and four dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa. What are the four dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies? They are speech influenced by craving, speech influenced by hatred, speech influenced by fear, and speech influenced by delusion. What are the four dharmas that lead toward the good destinies? They are speech not influenced by craving, speech not influenced by hatred, speech not influenced by fear, and speech not influenced by delusion. What are the four dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa? They are the four establishments of mindfulness: mindfulness of the body, mindfulness of feelings, mindfulness of the mind, and mindfulness of phenomena.

“Again, there are four things that lead to bad destinies, four things that lead to good destinies, and four things that lead to Nirvāṇa.

“What are four things that lead to bad destinies? They are lustful speech, angry speech, fearful speech, and deluded speech.

“What are four things that lead to good destinies? Speech without lust, speech without anger, speech without fear, and speech without delusion.

“What are four things that lead to Nirvāṇa? The mindful abode of body, mindful abode of feelings, mindful abode of mind, and mindful abode of teachings.

12.11

「復有五法向惡趣，五法向善趣，五法向涅槃。云何五法向惡趣？謂破五戒：殺、盜、婬逸、妄語、飲酒。云何五法向善趣？謂持五戒：不殺、不盜、不婬、不欺、不飲酒。云何五法趣向涅槃？謂五根：信根、精進根、念根、定根、慧根。

"Furthermore, there are five dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies, five dharmas that lead toward the good destinies, and five dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa. What are the five dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies? They are violating the five precepts: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and drinking intoxicants. What are the five dharmas that lead toward the good destinies? They are upholding the five precepts: not killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, not deceiving, and not drinking intoxicants. What are the five dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa? They are the five faculties: the faculty of faith, the faculty of energy, the faculty of mindfulness, the faculty of samādhi, and the faculty of wisdom.

“Again, there are five things that lead to bad destinies, five things that lead to good destinies, and five things that lead to Nirvāṇa.

“What are five things that lead to bad destinies? They are breaking the five precepts: killing, stealing, adultery, lying, and drinking alcohol.

“What are five things that lead to good destinies? They are observing the five precepts: Not killing, not stealing, not committing adultery, not being deceptive, and not drinking alcohol.

“What are five things that lead to Nirvāṇa? They are the five faculties: the faculty of faith, faculty of effort, faculty of mindfulness, faculty of samādhi, and faculty of wisdom.

12.12

「又有六法向惡趣，六法向善趣，六法向涅槃。云何六法向惡趣？謂六不敬：不敬佛、不敬法、不敬僧、不敬戒、不敬定、不敬父母。云何六法向善趣？謂六敬法：敬佛、敬法、敬僧、敬戒、敬定、敬父母。云何六法向涅槃？謂六思念：念佛、念法、念僧、念戒、念施、念天。

"Furthermore, there are six dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies, six dharmas that lead toward the good destinies, and six dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa. What are the six dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies? They are the six forms of disrespect: disrespect for the Buddha, disrespect for the Dharma, disrespect for the Saṅgha, disrespect for the precepts, disrespect for samādhi, and disrespect for one's parents. What are the six dharmas that lead toward the good destinies? They are the six respectful dharmas: respect for the Buddha, respect for the Dharma, respect for the Saṅgha, respect for the precepts, respect for samādhi, and respect for one's parents. What are the six dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa? They are the six recollections: recollection of the Buddha, recollection of the Dharma, recollection of the Saṅgha, recollection of the precepts, recollection of generosity, and recollection of the devas.

“Again, there are six things that lead to bad destinies, six things that lead to good destinies, and six things that lead to Nirvāṇa.

“What are six things that lead to bad destinies? They are the six disrespects: Disrespecting the Buddha, disrespecting the Dharma, disrespecting the Saṅgha, disrespecting the precepts, disrespecting samādhi, and disrespecting father and mother.

“What are six things that lead to good destinies? They are the six respects: Respecting the Buddha, respecting the Dharma, respecting the Saṅgha, respecting the precepts, respecting samādhi, and respecting father and mother.

“What are six things that lead to Nirvāṇa? They are the six recollections: Recollecting the Buddha, recollecting the Dharma, recollecting the Saṅgha, recollecting generosity, and recollecting the gods.

12.13

「又有七法向惡趣，七法向善趣，七法向涅槃。云何七法向惡趣？謂殺生、不與取、婬逸、妄語、兩舌、惡口、綺語。云何七法向善趣？謂不殺生、不盜、不婬、不欺、不兩舌、不惡口、不綺語。云何七法向涅槃？謂七覺意：念覺意、擇法覺意、精進覺意、猗覺意、定覺意、喜覺意、捨覺意。

"Furthermore, there are seven dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies, seven dharmas that lead toward the good destinies, and seven dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa. What are the seven dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies? They are taking life, taking what is not given, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive speech, harsh speech, and frivolous speech. What are the seven dharmas that lead toward the good destinies? They are not taking life, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, not deceiving, not engaging in divisive speech, not engaging in harsh speech, and not engaging in frivolous speech. What are the seven dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa? They are the seven factors of awakening: the factor of awakening of mindfulness, the factor of awakening of investigation of dharmas, the factor of awakening of energy, the factor of awakening of pliancy, the factor of awakening of samādhi, the factor of awakening of joy, and the factor of awakening of equanimity.

“Again, there are seven things that lead to bad destinies, seven things that lead to good destinies, and seven things that lead to Nirvāṇa.

“What are seven things that lead to bad destinies? They are killing beings, taking what’s not given, adultery, lying, divisiveness, harsh speech, and flattery.

“What are seven things that lead to good destinies? Not killing beings, not stealing, not committing adultery, not being deceptive, not being divisive, not speaking harshly, and not flattering.

“What are seven things that lead to Nirvāṇa? They are the seven awakenings: The awakening of mindfulness, awakening of discriminating teachings, awakening of effort, awakening of mildness, awakening of samādhi, awakening of joy, and awakening of equanimity.

12.14

「又有八法向惡趣，八法向善趣，八法向涅槃。云何八法向惡趣？謂八邪行：邪見、邪志、邪語、邪業、邪命、邪方便、邪念、邪定。云何八法向善趣？謂世正見：正志、正語、正業、正命、正方便、正念、正定。云何八法向涅槃？謂八賢聖道：正見、正志、正語、正業、正命、正方便、正念、正定。

"Furthermore, there are eight dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies, eight dharmas that lead toward the good destinies, and eight dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa. What are the eight dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies? They are the eight wrong practices: wrong view, wrong intention, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong samādhi. What are the eight dharmas that lead toward the good destinies? They are the mundane right view: right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samādhi. What are the eight dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa? They are the eightfold noble path: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samādhi.

“Again, there are eight things that lead to bad destinies, eight things that lead to good destinies, and eight things that lead to Nirvāṇa.

“What are eight things that lead to bad destinies? They are the eight wrong practices: wrong view, wrong intent, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong method, wrong mindfulness, and wrong samādhi.

“What are eight things that lead to good destinies? They are the mundane right practices: right view, right intent, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right method, right mindfulness, and right samādhi.

“What are eight things that lead to Nirvāṇa? They are the noble eightfold path: right view, right intent, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right method, right mindfulness, and right samādhi.

12.15

「又有九法向惡趣，九法向善趣，九法向涅槃。云何九法向惡趣？謂九惱：有人已侵惱我，今侵惱我，當侵惱我；我所愛者，已侵惱，今侵惱，當侵惱；我所憎者，已愛敬，今愛敬，當愛敬。云何九法向善趣？謂九無惱：彼已侵我，我惱何益？已不生惱，今不生惱，當不生惱；我所愛者，彼已侵惱，我惱何益？已不生惱，今不生惱，當不生惱；我所憎者，彼已愛敬，我惱何益？已不生惱，當不生惱，今不生惱。云何九法向涅槃？謂九善法，一喜，二愛，三悅，四樂，五定，六實知，七除捨，八無欲，九解脫。

"Furthermore, there are nine dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies, nine dharmas that lead toward the good destinies, and nine dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa. What are the nine dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies? They are the nine grounds for vexation: 'Someone has harassed me, is now harassing me, will harass me'; 'One whom I love has been harassed, is now harassed, will be harassed'; 'One whom I hate has been loved and respected, is now loved and respected, will be loved and respected.' What are the nine dharmas that lead toward the good destinies? They are the nine removals of vexation: 'He has harassed me, but what is the benefit of vexation?'—vexation did not arise in the past, does not arise now, and will not arise in the future; 'He has harassed one whom I love, but what is the benefit of vexation?'—vexation did not arise in the past, does not arise now, and will not arise in the future; 'He has loved and respected one whom I hate, but what is the benefit of vexation?'—vexation did not arise in the past, will not arise in the future, and does not arise now. What are the nine dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa? They are the nine wholesome dharmas: first, gladness; second, affection; third, delight; fourth, joy; fifth, samādhi; sixth, true knowledge; seventh, abandonment; eighth, desirelessness; and ninth, liberation.

“Again, there are nine things that lead to bad destinies, nine things that lead to good destinies, and nine things that lead to Nirvāṇa.

“What are nine things that lead to bad destinies? ‘Someone has harassed me, is harassing me, and will harass me.’ ‘My loved ones have been harassed, are being harassed, and will be harassed.’ ‘My enemies have been respected, are being respected, and will be respected.’

“What are nine things that lead to good destinies? ‘What good is there to my being troubled by others who harass me? The past won’t trouble me, the present won’t trouble me, and the future won’t trouble me.’ ‘What good is there to my being troubled about my loved ones being harassed? The past won’t trouble me, the present won’t trouble me, and the future won’t trouble me.’ ‘What good is there to my being troubled about my enemies being respected? The past won’t trouble me, the present won’t trouble me, and the future won’t trouble me.’

“What are nine things that lead to Nirvāṇa? They are the nine good qualities: 1) joy, 2) love, 3) delight, 4) pleasure, 5) samādhi, 6) real knowledge, 7) indifference, 8) being without desire, and 9) liberation.

12.16

「又有十法向惡趣，十法向善趣，十法向涅槃。云何十法向惡趣？謂十不善：身殺、盜、婬，口兩舌、惡罵、妄言、綺語，意貪取、嫉妬、邪見。云何十法向善趣？謂十善行：身不殺、盜、婬，口不兩舌、惡罵、妄言、綺語，意不貪取、嫉妬、邪見。云何十法向涅槃？謂十直道：正見、正志、正語、正業、正命、正方便、正念、正定、正解脫、正智。諸比丘！如是十法，得至涅槃，是名三聚微妙正法，我為如來、為眾弟子所應作者，無不周備，憂念汝等，故演經道；汝等亦宜自憂其身，當處閑居、樹下思惟，勿為懈怠，今不勉力，後悔無益。」

"Furthermore, there are ten dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies, ten dharmas that lead toward the good destinies, and ten dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa. What are the ten dharmas that lead toward the bad destinies? They are the ten unwholesome actions: bodily killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct; verbal divisive speech, abusive speech, lying, and frivolous speech; mental covetousness, malice, and wrong view. What are the ten dharmas that lead toward the good destinies? They are the ten wholesome courses of action: bodily not killing, not stealing, and not engaging in sexual misconduct; verbal not engaging in divisive speech, abusive speech, lying, and frivolous speech; mental not being covetous, malicious, or holding wrong view. What are the ten dharmas that lead toward nirvāṇa? They are the ten straight paths: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right samādhi, right liberation, and right knowledge. Bhikṣus! Such ten dharmas bring one to nirvāṇa. These are called the wondrous true Dharma of the three aggregates. All that I, as the Tathāgata, should do for my disciples has been completely accomplished. Out of concern for you, I have expounded the path of the sūtras. You also should show concern for yourselves: stay in seclusion, reflect beneath the trees, do not be indolent. If you do not strive now, later regret will be of no avail."

“Again, there are ten things that lead to bad destinies, ten things that lead to good destinies, and ten things that lead to Nirvāṇa.

“What are ten things that lead to bad destinies? They are the ten unskillful [actions]: Physically killing, stealing, and committing adultery, verbally being divisive, abusive, lying, and flattering, and mentally being covetous, jealous, and having wrong views.

“What are ten things that lead to good destinies? They are the ten skillful actions: Physically not killing, stealing, or committing adultery, verbally not being divisive, abusive, lying, or flattering, and mentally not being covetous, jealous, or having wrong views.

“What are ten things that lead to Nirvāṇa? They are the ten straight paths: right view, right intent, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right method, right mindfulness, right samādhi, right liberation, and right knowledge.

“Monks, thus are the ten things that make arriving at Nirvāṇa possible. This is called the sublime and correct teaching in three categories. I’m the Tathāgata; I’ve provided all that I should for you. Taking pity on you, I’ve lectured on the sutras and the path. You should also take pity on yourselves and go to a quiet place under a tree or in an empty dwelling to contemplate. Don’t be negligent. Nothing’s gained by not exerting yourselves today and regretting it later.”

12.17

諸比丘聞佛所說，歡喜奉行。

Having heard what the Buddha said, the bhikṣus rejoiced and practiced it.

The monks who heard what the Buddha taught rejoiced and approved.