釋迦氏譜 1.95

1.95

今此釋種熾盛五穀豐熟。人民滋茂相承德本。父性仁賢母懷貞良。前五百世為菩薩母。應往降神處彼胞胎。因果經云。又觀五事。一觀眾生受道熟未。即知皆是。初發心來所成熟者。二觀時者。即知堪受清淨妙法。三觀何國處在地心。即知此三千世界。閻浮提中。迦毘羅國最在地中。四觀何族貴盛即知釋迦第一。甘蔗苗裔聖王之後。五觀往緣。即知白淨王過去有緣。正真可為父母。又知其母壽命足滿。十月生已。七日便即命終。菩薩爾時為欲廣利諸天。故現五衰相（文如諸天退相）又現五瑞一光照大千。二地十八相動。三魔宮隱蔽。四三光不明。五八部震駭。于時諸天見是兩相。具問菩薩。菩薩爾時答言。當捨此天生閻浮提。諸天聞已咸慕久住。菩薩答曰。生無不死愛合必離。諸行無常寂滅為樂。我生釋種出家成佛。當為眾生建大法幢。竭煩惱海淨八正道。設大法會請諸天人。汝等亦當同飡法食。諸天聞已咸喜願生。

“Now, this Śākya clan flourishes, the five grains ripen abundantly, the people are thriving and have successively inherited the roots of virtue. The father’s nature is benevolent and wise, and the mother cherishes chastity and goodness; for the preceding five hundred lives, she has been the Bodhisattva's mother. I ought to go and descend my spirit to dwell in her womb.” The Sutra of Cause and Effect states: He also observed five matters: First, he observed whether sentient beings were ripe to receive the Way, and knew that they were all those whom he had ripened since first generating the aspiration [for awakening]. Second, he observed the time, and knew that they were capable of receiving the pure and wondrous Dharma. Third, he observed which country was situated in the center of the earth, and knew that in this trichiliocosm, within Jambudvīpa, the country of Kapilavastu was the most central in the earth. Fourth, he observed which clan was noble and flourishing, and knew that the Śākya was foremost, the descendants of Ikṣvāku and the posterity of holy kings. Fifth, he observed past affinities, and knew that King Śuddhodana had affinities in the past and was truly fit to be his father. He also knew that his mother’s lifespan was full: having given birth after ten months, she would pass away after seven days. At that time, wishing to widely benefit the gods, the Bodhisattva manifested the five signs of decay (the text is like the signs of the gods’ decline). He also manifested five auspicious portents: first, a light illuminated the great chiliocosm; second, the earth shook in eighteen ways; third, the palaces of Māra were eclipsed; fourth, the three luminaries became dim; fifth, the eight classes [of beings] were terrified. At that time, the gods, seeing these two kinds of signs, fully questioned the Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva then answered them, saying, “I must leave this heaven and be born in Jambudvīpa.” When the gods heard this, they all longed for him to stay long. The Bodhisattva replied, saying, “What is born must die; those who come together in love must part. All conditioned things are impermanent; nirvāṇa is bliss. I shall be born into the Śākya clan, leave household life, and attain buddhahood. For the sake of sentient beings, I will raise the great banner of the Dharma, dry up the ocean of afflictions, purify the noble eightfold path, set up a great Dharma assembly, and invite gods and humans. You all shall also partake together of the food of the Dharma.” Having heard this, the gods all rejoiced and vowed to be born there.