盂蘭盆經讚述 1.5

1.5

The sūtra says: "In Śrāvastī, at Jetavana Anāthapiṇḍadārāma." Commentary: This third [phrase] clarifies the place where the teaching arose. Śrāvastī: here translated as the Country of Renowned Goods, because in that country surplus goods were accumulated and there were many rare treasures; since its reputation shook distant regions and its fame spread to remote countries, it was called "renowned." "Jeta trees" refers to Jeta; here translated as "Victor in Battle," which is the prince's name. "Anāthapiṇḍada": here translated as Sudatta, which is the title of a minister of the country. If relying on today's Tripiṭaka master's new sūtras and treatises, it is called Śrāvastī, Jetavana Anāthapiṇḍadārāma. Truly because the Tripiṭaka masters of old were not skilled in regional sounds, errors were consequently introduced. If based on the Sanskrit original, one should say *Śrāvastī-deśa*, omitting the *-stī*. In the Tang language, it is called the Country of Great Renown. In ancient times, there were two brothers who lived there practicing as immortals and attained the realization of immortals. These immortals were foremost in fame and were the treasures of the country. Later, when a country and walls were established here, the names of the two immortals were taken as the designation of the country and city. Or it is called the Country of Much Learning, [because] this country had many intelligent scholars who could compose treatises and records; the masters and disciples of the ninety-six kinds of non-Buddhist traditions were most numerous here. Furthermore, among the sixteen great nations, this country was seen to possess four virtues, universally surpassing other lands: first, the virtue of wealth and goods; second, the virtue of sensory desires; third, the virtue of Dharma, meaning giving, morality, and cultivation; fourth, the virtue of liberation, meaning supramundane fruits. Hence it is called Much Learning. "Jeta": formerly called *Qituo*, which was an error of pronunciation; here translated as "Victor in Battle." When the prince was born, enemies from neighboring countries arrived; he rallied and won victory, hence he was called "Victor in Battle." "Grove" is the general name for the trees of the country. The park was originally owned by Jeta; Sudatta spread gold to purchase the land. Obtaining the land to place gold, the park belonged to Sudatta; because the trees prevented the spreading of the purchase price, the grove went to Jeta. "Anāthapiṇḍada" is Sudatta; in the Tang language, "Good Prosperity." He was a great minister of the country, wealthy in goods and abundant in virtue, who constantly used wealth to provide for orphans and relieve the poor; esteemed by the people of the time, he was therefore called Anāthapiṇḍada. Tripiṭaka master Paramārtha said: In the time of the past Krakucchanda Buddha, Sudatta had already built a vihāra on this land to make offerings. At that time, the land was forty leagues wide, and the life span of the Buddha and humans was forty thousand years. Sudatta at that time was named the Elder Vaiśravaṇa; he paved the ground with gold plates and covered them with precious robes to make offerings. In the time of Kanakamuni Buddha, the life span of the Buddha and humans was thirty thousand years; Sudatta at that time was named the Elder Great Master of the House, and paved the ground with silver to make offerings. At that time, this land was thirty leagues wide. In the time of Kāśyapa Buddha, the life span of the Buddha and humans was twenty thousand years; Sudatta at that time was named the Elder Great Banner Mark, and paved the ground with the seven treasures; the land was twenty leagues wide. Now, under the seventh, Śākyamuni Buddha, the life span of the Buddha and humans is one hundred years, and the land is ten leagues wide; he paved the ground with gold cakes, completely filling the area, all five inches thick, to buy the park and offer it to the Buddha. Later, when Maitreya Buddha appears in the world, the life span of the Buddha and humans will be eighty thousand years, the land will be forty leagues wide, and it will be paved with the seven treasures; Sudatta at that time will be named Śaṅkha, and will leave household life, cultivate the path, and attain the fruit of an arhat.