緇門警訓 4.30

4.30

化相三寶者。謂釋迦如來為佛寶也。所說滅諦為法寶也。先智苦盡為僧寶也。此化相三寶。或名別相體。是無常四相所遷滅。過千載但可追遠。用增翹敬。以賢劫中三佛已往。無我第四群生何依。長淪苦海解脫無路。是以能仁膺期出世。三祇修鍊萬行功圓。纖瑕去而法性凝清。片善具而報化微妙。爾後上生兜率下降王宮。三十歲居道樹成佛。四十九年住世教化。說法三百五十度。宣演八萬四千門。王臣外護於四海九州。師僧內傳於人間天上。利益廣大傳法難思故有偈云。

As for the manifestation triratna: it refers to Śākyamuni Tathāgata as the buddharatna, the truth of cessation spoken by him as the dharmaratna, and the elimination of suffering through prior wisdom as the saṅgharatna. This manifestation triratna is also called the distinct aspect; its substance is impermanent, undergoing transition and extinction through the four marks. Over a thousand years have passed; one can only gaze back into the distant past, thereby increasing reverent awe. Since the three buddhas of the Bhadrakalpa had already passed, without our fourth, upon whom would living beings rely? Perpetually sunk in the ocean of suffering, there was no road to liberation. Therefore, the Capable and Benevolent One appeared in the world in response to the opportune time; over three asaṃkhyeya kalpas of cultivation, his myriad practices achieved perfection. When the slightest flaw was removed, his Dharma nature congealed in purity; when every fraction of goodness was fulfilled, his recompense and transformation forms became subtle and wondrous. Thereafter, he was born above in Tuṣita, descended into the royal palace, sat beneath the Bodhi tree at the age of thirty to achieve Buddhahood, and lived in the world for forty-nine years teaching and transforming, preaching the Dharma three hundred and fifty times and proclaiming eighty-four thousand gates. Kings and ministers provided external protection across the four seas and the nine provinces; masters and monks transmitted it internally among humans and devas. Its benefits are vast and the transmission of the Dharma is inconceivable. Therefore, a gāthā says: