[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [妙法蓮華經玄贊](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723) › 3.19 # 妙法蓮華經玄贊 3.19 妙法蓮華經玄贊 3.19 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [3.19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.3.19) 初番別解云，如來成就四種功德故，能化度眾生。一往成就，謂種種方便從兜率天退，乃至示現入涅槃故，能往十方起難思化，八相成道利益眾生，權巧智用故名方便。八相者，《大般若經》第五百六十八卷說：「一從兜率天沒即入胎相，二嬰兒，三童子，四苦行，五成道，六降魔，七轉法輪，八入般涅槃。」何故示現八相者？彼經云：「爾時最勝天王復白佛言：云何菩薩行深般若，為度有情示現諸相？佛告最勝：甚深般若相不可得，諸菩薩相亦不可得，但由方便善巧威力，為有情類示現入胎乃至涅槃種種化相。諸天計常謂無墮落，是故菩薩為破彼執示現入胎，因令彼天起無常念，世間最勝於欲不染，尚有墮落，況餘天眾而得常耶？故勿放逸勤加精進繫念脩道，如見日輪尚有墮沒，即知螢火不得久住。復有諸天放逸著樂，不脩正法恣情遊戲，雖與菩薩同處天宮，不往禮拜不諮受法，各作是念：今旦受樂明詣菩薩當受法寶。共相謂言：我與菩薩常此同住，修行，何晚？是故菩薩如救頭燃，破放逸行示現墮落。如是示現有二因緣：一令諸天離放逸故，二令有情咸得見故。乃至第八復有諸天人樂聞圓寂，菩薩為彼示現涅槃。」《攝大乘論》第九卷中有少差別。《華嚴經》中示現十相，皆廣如彼。 > The first turn's separate explanation says: Because the Tathāgata has accomplished four kinds of virtues, he is able to transform and liberate sentient beings. First, the accomplishment of going: that is, with various expedient means, from descending from Tuṣita Heaven up to manifesting entry into nirvāṇa, he can go to the ten directions and initiate inconceivable transformations, manifesting the eight aspects of attaining the Path to benefit sentient beings; the function of skillful wisdom is therefore called expedient means. Regarding the eight aspects, Fascicle 568 of the Great Prajñā-sūtra states: 'First, descending from Tuṣita Heaven and immediately entering the womb; second, infancy; third, childhood; fourth, ascetic practice; fifth, attaining the Path; sixth, subduing Māra; seventh, turning the wheel of the Dharma; eighth, entering parinirvāṇa.' Why does he manifest the eight aspects? That sūtra states: 'At that time, King Śreṣṭha Deva addressed the Buddha once more, saying: "How is it that a bodhisattva, practicing deep prajñā, manifests various aspects to deliver sentient beings?" The Buddha told Śreṣṭha: "The aspects of profound prajñā cannot be grasped, and the aspects of the bodhisattvas cannot be grasped either; it is merely through the power of expedient skillfulness that, for the sake of the classes of sentient beings, he manifests various transformed aspects from entering the womb up to nirvāṇa. The devas grasp at permanence, thinking there is no falling away; therefore, to shatter their grasping, the bodhisattva manifests entry into the womb, thereby causing those devas to give rise to the thought of impermanence: 'The supreme one of the world, untainted by desires, still undergoes falling away; how much more so could the remaining host of devas be permanent?' Therefore, do not be heedless, but diligently apply diligence, focus your mindfulness, and cultivate the Path. Just as seeing the disc of the sun still setting and sinking, one immediately knows that a firefly cannot endure long. Furthermore, there are devas who are heedless and attached to pleasure, not cultivating the true Dharma and amusing themselves at will; although dwelling in the same heavenly palace as the bodhisattva, they do not go to pay homage or inquire to receive the Dharma, each entertaining this thought: 'This morning I enjoy pleasure; tomorrow I will go to the bodhisattva and receive the jewel of the Dharma.' They say to one another: 'I dwell here together with the bodhisattva all the time; as for cultivating the practice, what hurry is there?' Therefore, the bodhisattva, as if rescuing his head from burning, manifests falling away to shatter their heedless behavior. Such manifestations have two causes and conditions: first, to cause the devas to leave behind heedlessness; second, to cause sentient beings all to be able to see him. Up to the eighth: furthermore, there are devas and humans who take joy in hearing of complete quiescence, so the bodhisattva manifests nirvāṇa for their sake."' In Fascicle 9 of the Mahāyānasaṃgraha there is a slight difference. In the Avataṃsaka-sūtra ten aspects are manifested, all of which are extensive as found there. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 3.18](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.3.18) - [Next: 3.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.3.20) - [Up: 3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.3) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723~en-mt.3.19) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [法華論疏](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1818.2.150) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.3.19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.3.19) · Pramāṇa