略諸經論念佛法門往生淨土集卷上 1.15

1.15

佛子甚希有　能知眾生心　如仁所問義
諦聽我言說　過去未來世　現在諸導師
無有說一法　而得於道者　佛知眾生心
性分各不同　隨其所應度　如是而說法
慳者為讚施　毀禁者讚戒　多瞋為讚忍
好懈讚精進　亂意讚禪定　愚癡讚智慧
怒害讚大悲　憂慼為讚喜　曲心讚歎捨
如是次第修　漸具諸佛法　如先立基堵
而後造宮室　施戒亦復然　菩薩眾行本
譬如建城郭　為護諸人眾　忍進亦如是
防護諸菩薩　譬如大力王　率土咸戴仰
定慧亦如是　菩薩所依賴　亦如轉輪王
能與一切樂　四等亦如是　與諸菩薩樂

"Son of the Buddha, it is most rare
To be able to know the minds of sentient beings.
As you have asked concerning this meaning,
Listen attentively to my words:
In past, future,
And present, all the Guiding Teachers
Have never spoken of a single dharma
By which the Way is attained.
The Buddha knows the minds of sentient beings,
Whose natures and dispositions are each different;
According to what is appropriate to save them,
He preaches the Dharma in this way.
To the stingy he praises giving;
To precept-breakers he praises moral discipline;
To the wrathful he praises forbearance;
To the indolent he praises vigor;
To the distracted he praises dhyāna;
To the foolish he praises wisdom;
To the furious and harmful he praises great compassion;
To the sorrowful he praises sympathetic joy;
To the devious-minded he praises equanimity.
Practicing in this sequence,
One gradually fulfills all Buddha-dharmas.
Just as one first lays the foundation
And only then builds the halls and chambers,
Giving and precepts are likewise:
The root of the bodhisattva's manifold practices.
Just as one builds city walls
To protect the multitude of people,
Forbearance and vigor are likewise,
Safeguarding all bodhisattvas.
Just as a mighty king
Is looked up to and revered throughout the land,
Samādhi and wisdom are likewise,
What bodhisattvas rely upon.
And just as a wheel-turning king
Can bestow all joys,
The four immeasurables are likewise,
Bestowing joy upon all bodhisattvas."