經律異相 24.16

24.16

王言。於我有慈愍者。應憶持是法。於諸國土有人民處宣通王命。諸人當知。大轉輪王。見諸眾生沒於苦海。未能出要起大悲心。剜身千燈求此半偈。諸人今當書寫此偈。讀誦翫習思惟其義如說修行。諸人異口同音讚大王言。善哉大王。真慈悲父。為諸眾生修此苦行。我等應當速往書寫。或於紙帛或於石上。或於樹木瓦礫草葉。磎逕要路多人行處亦皆書寫。其見聞者皆發道心。

The king said: "Those who have compassion for me should remember and retain this teaching, and proclaim the royal command everywhere in the lands where there are people: 'You people should know that the great wheel-turning king, seeing all sentient beings submerged in the ocean of suffering and unable to find a way out, generated great compassion, gouged his body for a thousand lamps, and sought this half-gāthā. You people must now transcribe this gāthā, recite it, master it through practice, contemplate its meaning, and practice according to what is taught.'" With one voice, all the people praised the great king, saying: "Excellent, O Great King! You are truly a compassionate father, practicing such austerities for the sake of all sentient beings. We should hasten to write it down—either on paper and silk, or on stone, or on trees, tiles, gravel, and leaves. It should also be written in ravines, paths, and thoroughfares where many people walk." Those who saw and heard it all resolved upon the mind of awakening.