T17n0797a_佛說貧窮老公經

大正藏第 17 冊 No. 0797a 佛說貧窮老公經

No. 797

◎佛說貧窮老公經

宋沙門慧簡譯

聞如是：

一時，佛在舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園，與千二百五十沙門俱，菩薩萬人。

爾時，天龍鬼神、無央數大眾共會，恭敬圍繞，聞佛說法無不歡喜。

時有一貧窮老公，年二百歲，眉生秀毛，耳出於頭，齒如齊貝，手過於膝，貌而視之，似如有相；而貧窮辛苦衣不蓋形，五體裸露腹恒饑虛，行步才動示有氣息。聞佛在世心獨歡喜，晝夜發願由來十年今始得果，扶杖而來求欲見佛，釋梵侍門敕不通之。

老公因大喚曰：「我生世不幸，貧窮辛苦飢餓寒凍，求死不得活無所賴。我聞世尊仁慈普逮，萬物蒙賴莫不受恩，心獨歡喜晝夜發願，由來十年今始得果，是以遠來，乞一特見，求離眾苦。而卿斷我，既違我願，又乖聖意，豈宜爾乎？」

佛已知之，顧語阿難：「汝寧見耆年長壽有相老公，而罹罪未畢者乎？」

阿難長跪叉手白佛言：「安有福耆壽而有罹罪，罹罪之人豈得有相？生所未見，今在何許？」

佛言：「近在門外。釋梵斷之，可呼使前。」

於是老公匍匐肘進，見佛悲喜涕淚交流，為佛作禮，長跪叉手白佛言

【現代漢語翻譯】現代漢語譯本：《佛說貧窮老公經》

宋朝沙門慧簡翻譯

我（阿難）是這樣聽說的：

一時，佛陀在舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園（Jetavana Anathapindika-arama），與一千二百五十位沙門（shramana，佛教出家修行者）在一起，還有一萬位菩薩（bodhisattva，追求覺悟的修行者）。

當時，天龍（deva-naga，天神和龍）、鬼神以及無數的大眾聚集在一起，恭敬地圍繞著佛陀，聽聞佛陀說法，無不歡喜。

當時有一位貧窮的老人，年紀二百歲，眉毛長出秀長的毛，耳朵從頭部長出來，牙齒像排列整齊的貝殼，手長得超過膝蓋，觀察他的相貌，似乎具有某種特殊的相。但是他貧窮困苦，衣不蔽體，五體不全，腹中經常飢餓空虛，行走稍微動一下就顯示出氣息奄奄。他聽說佛陀在世，心中非常歡喜，晝夜發願已經十年，今天才得以實現願望，拄著枴杖前來，想要見佛陀一面，釋提桓因（Śakra Devānām Indra，佛教的護法神）和梵天（Brahmā，印度教的創世神）在門口侍衛，命令不讓他進去。

老人因此大聲呼喊說：『我生在世上真是不幸，貧窮困苦，飢餓寒冷，求死不得，活著也沒有什麼依靠。我聽說世尊仁慈普及，萬物都蒙受恩惠，沒有誰不受恩澤，心中非常歡喜，晝夜發願已經十年，今天才得以實現願望，因此從遠處趕來，乞求一次特別的會見，求得脫離各種痛苦。而你們阻止我，既違背了我的願望，又違背了聖人的意願，難道是應該的嗎？』

佛陀已經知道這件事，回頭告訴阿難（Ānanda，佛陀的十大弟子之一）說：『你難道見過年紀很大、長壽且具有特殊相貌的老人，卻還有罪業沒有了結的嗎？』

阿難長跪合掌對佛陀說：『怎麼會有既有福氣又長壽，卻還有罪業沒有了結的人呢？有罪業的人怎麼能具有特殊相貌呢？我從來沒有見過，現在在哪裡呢？』

佛陀說：『就在門外。釋提桓因和梵天阻止了他，可以叫他進來。』

於是老人匍匐著用手肘向前移動，見到佛陀，悲喜交加，涕淚橫流，為佛陀行禮，長跪合掌對佛陀說：

【English Translation】 English version: The Buddha Speaks of the Poor Old Man Sutra

Translated by Shramana Huijian of the Song Dynasty

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was in the Jetavana Anathapindika-arama (祇樹給孤獨園) in Shravasti (舍衛國), together with twelve hundred and fifty shramanas (沙門, Buddhist monks), and ten thousand bodhisattvas (菩薩, enlightened beings).

At that time, devas (天, gods), nagas (龍, dragons), ghosts, spirits, and countless multitudes gathered together, respectfully surrounding the Buddha, listening to the Buddha's teachings, and all were delighted.

At that time, there was a poor old man, two hundred years old, with fine hairs growing from his eyebrows, ears protruding from his head, teeth like evenly arranged shells, and hands longer than his knees. Observing his appearance, he seemed to possess certain auspicious marks. However, he was poor and miserable, his clothes could not cover his body, his five limbs were incomplete, his belly was constantly hungry and empty, and his movements showed that he was barely alive. Hearing that the Buddha was in the world, his heart was filled with joy. He had been making vows day and night for ten years, and today his wish was finally fulfilled. He came leaning on a staff, wanting to see the Buddha. Śakra Devānām Indra (釋提桓因) and Brahmā (梵天) were guarding the gate and ordered that he not be allowed in.

The old man then cried out loudly, 'I am unfortunate to be born into this world, poor and miserable, hungry and cold, unable to seek death, and having nothing to rely on in life. I have heard that the World Honored One is kind and compassionate, and that all beings receive his grace, and none are without his favor. My heart is filled with joy, and I have been making vows day and night for ten years, and today my wish is finally fulfilled. Therefore, I have come from afar, begging for a special audience, seeking to be freed from all suffering. But you are stopping me, which violates my wish and goes against the intention of the Sage. Is this proper?'

The Buddha already knew of this, and turning to Ananda (阿難), said, 'Have you ever seen an old man who is aged, long-lived, and possesses auspicious marks, but whose karmic debts have not yet been exhausted?'

Ananda knelt down, joined his palms, and said to the Buddha, 'How can there be someone who is both blessed and long-lived, yet still has karmic debts to be exhausted? How can someone with karmic debts possess auspicious marks? I have never seen such a person. Where is he now?'

The Buddha said, 'He is just outside the gate. Śakra Devānām Indra and Brahmā are stopping him. You may call him in.'

Thereupon, the old man crawled forward on his elbows, and seeing the Buddha, he was filled with sorrow and joy, and tears flowed down his face. He bowed to the Buddha, knelt down, joined his palms, and said to the Buddha:

：「我生世不幸，貧窮辛苦，飢餓寒凍，求死不得，活無所賴。我聞世尊仁慈普逮，萬物蒙賴莫不受恩，心獨歡喜，晝夜發心，愿一奉顏。由來十年今始得果，向在門外，久不得前。計欲還去，氣力不堪，進退無路。但恐命絕，穢污聖門，重增其罪。不悟天尊，已哀矜之，得蒙前進，如此而死，無復恨矣！唯欲速終畢罪，後世愿得垂恩，賜其上慧。」

佛言：「人之受生生死因緣，以多因緣致有罪根，今我為汝說其本源。卿前世時，生豪強大國明慧王家，時為太子憍貴非凡，上為父母所珍，下為臣民所奉，用此恣意輕𣣋於人。高目大視矜抗邈然，財產巨億皆是民物，百姓貧窮皆坐課𣫍，唯知聚積不知佈施。

「時有貧寒沙門，名曰靜志，從遠國來故往詣卿，所求不多唯乏法衣耳。而卿了不當接，遇之甚惡，既不乞衣又不與食，空坐著前，去復不聽。晝夜七日七夕水漿斷絕，小有氣息，命在轉燭，而卿見此方大歡喜，聚眾看之以為至樂。邊有侍臣，而諫卿曰：『太子莫爾！沙門慈恭道德記憶體，凍之不寒、餓之不饑，所以來乞，欲為福耳！既不施與，安使窮逼？幸發遣之，莫招其罪。』

「太子答曰：『此是何人，詐稱道德，試小困之，才不令死。正爾放去，無所憂也。』即便遣去驅逐出國。

【現代漢語翻譯】現代漢語譯本：『我這一生實在不幸，貧窮困苦，飢寒交迫，想死都死不了，活著也沒有什麼依靠。我聽說世尊您仁慈普施，萬物都蒙受您的恩澤，沒有誰不受益，心中非常歡喜，日夜都在想著，希望能有機會拜見您一面。從前到現在已經十年了，今天才終於如願以償，之前在門外，很久都不能上前。我打算還是回去吧，但氣力已經不夠了，進退兩難。只是擔心自己會在這裡斷氣，玷污了這神聖的場所，更加增添我的罪過。沒想到天尊您已經憐憫我，讓我能夠前進，這樣死去，也沒有什麼遺憾了！只希望能夠儘快結束這罪惡的一生，來世希望能夠得到您的恩賜，賜予我上等的智慧。』

佛陀說：『人之所以會經歷生生死死的因緣，是因為多種因緣導致了罪惡的根源，現在我為你講述它的本源。你前世的時候，出生在豪強大國明慧王（Minghui Wang）家，當時是太子，驕傲尊貴非同一般，上面被父母所珍愛，下面被臣民所奉承，因此恣意妄為，輕視他人。總是用高傲的眼神看著別人，自以為是，財產無數，但都是百姓的血汗，百姓貧窮都是因為你的賦稅盤剝，只知道聚斂財富，不知道佈施。』

『當時有一位貧寒的沙門（Shamen，梵文Śrāmaṇa的音譯，指出家修道者），名叫靜志（Jingzhi），從遙遠的國家來到這裡拜訪你，所求不多，只是缺少一件法衣罷了。但是你根本不願意見他，對他非常惡劣，既不給他衣服，也不給他食物，讓他空坐在你面前，想走也不允許。晝夜七天七夜，斷絕了他的水和食物，只剩下微弱的氣息，生命就像風中的殘燭，而你看到這種情況卻非常高興，聚集眾人觀看，以此為樂。旁邊有侍臣勸諫你說：『太子不要這樣！沙門（Shamen）慈悲恭敬，道德深藏於心，寒冷不能讓他感到寒冷，飢餓不能讓他感到飢餓，所以才來乞討，想要為你種福田啊！既然不施捨給他，又怎麼能讓他如此困窘呢？希望您能放他走，不要招惹罪過。』

『太子回答說：『這是什麼人，假裝有道德，稍微困住他一下，也不會讓他死。等一下就放他走，沒有什麼可擔心的。』隨即就讓人把他趕走，驅逐出國。』

【English Translation】 English version: 'My life has been unfortunate, filled with poverty and hardship, hunger and cold. I seek death but cannot find it, and have nothing to rely on in life. I have heard that the World-Honored One is universally compassionate, and all beings receive your grace without exception. My heart is filled with joy, and day and night I aspire to have the opportunity to see your face. Ten years have passed, and only now has this wish been fulfilled. I was outside the gate for a long time, unable to approach. I considered returning, but my strength is insufficient, and I am trapped with no way forward or back. I fear only that my life will end here, defiling this sacred place and increasing my sins. Unexpectedly, the Heavenly Honored One has already taken pity on me, allowing me to advance. If I die like this, I will have no regrets! I only wish to quickly end this sinful life, and in the next life, I hope to receive your grace and be granted supreme wisdom.'

The Buddha said, 'The reason why people experience the cycle of birth and death is due to the many causes and conditions that lead to the roots of sin. Now I will tell you its origin. In your previous life, you were born into the family of King Minghui (Minghui Wang) of a powerful and wealthy nation. At that time, you were a prince, exceptionally arrogant and noble. You were cherished by your parents and revered by your subjects, and therefore you acted willfully and looked down upon others. You always looked at people with haughty eyes, self-righteous and aloof. You possessed immense wealth, but it was all the blood and sweat of the people. The poverty of the people was due to your heavy taxation and exploitation. You only knew how to accumulate wealth and did not know how to give alms.'

'At that time, there was a poor Shamen (Shamen, transliteration of Sanskrit Śrāmaṇa, referring to a monastic practitioner), named Jingzhi, who came from a distant country to visit you. He did not ask for much, only a Dharma robe that he lacked. However, you were unwilling to see him at all and treated him very badly. You gave him neither clothes nor food, and you made him sit in front of you without allowing him to leave. For seven days and seven nights, you cut off his water and food, leaving him with only a faint breath, his life like a candle in the wind. But you were very happy to see this situation, gathering people to watch and taking pleasure in it. A courtier nearby advised you, saying, 'Prince, do not do this! The Shamen (Shamen) is compassionate and respectful, with morality deeply ingrained in his heart. Cold cannot make him feel cold, and hunger cannot make him feel hungry. That is why he comes to beg, wanting to plant seeds of merit for you! Since you do not give to him, how can you put him in such distress? I hope you will let him go and not invite sin upon yourself.'

'The prince replied, 'Who is this person, pretending to have morality? I will just trap him for a little while, it won't kill him. I will let him go later, there is nothing to worry about.' Then he immediately had him driven away and expelled from the country.'

「未出國界十餘里中，遭逢餓賊欲殺啖之。沙門因言曰：『我是貧凍沙門，羸瘦骨立，肉既腥臊不中啖也。空當見殺，而無所任。』

「餓賊曰：『我飢困累日，但食土耳。卿雖小瘦，故是肉也，終不相放，但當就死。』如此前卻紛紜良久。

「太子得知，便往救曰：『我已不能乞其衣食，寧當復使餓賊殺之耶？』賊見太子，皆各叩頭首過謝罪，放沙門去。

「時沙門者，今彌勒菩薩是也；憍貴太子者，今卿是也。卿今受此貧窮之罪者，坐前慳貪也；所以得長壽者，活救沙門之命也。罪福報應，如影隨形，如響應聲。」

老公白佛：「去事已爾，愿畢於今，愿得以垂殘之命，得作沙門，後生世世常侍佛邊。」

佛言：「善哉！善哉！」應時，老公鬚髮墮地，法衣自然著身體，氣力強健，耳目聰明，即得上慧入三昧門。

爾時，世尊以偈頌曰：

「汝昔為太子，　　不識仁義方，　憍貴自放恣，　　恃為大國王，　自謂無罪福，　　以此可保常。　豈悟生死對，　　於今受其殃？　從罪復蒙祐，　　得睹天中天，　能脫既往罪，　　垂命入法門。　永離慳貪心，　　長受智慧根，　世世侍佛邊，　　保壽萬劫存。」

於是，老公比丘聞經歡喜，為佛作禮。

【現代漢語翻譯】現代漢語譯本『未出國界十餘里，遇到飢餓的盜賊想要殺了我吃掉。我便對他們說：「我是個貧窮受凍的沙門（Śrāmaṇa，出家求道者），瘦弱得只剩骨頭，肉又腥臊難吃，不值得殺我，而且對我也沒有任何好處。」』『飢餓的盜賊說：「我飢餓困頓好幾天了，只能吃土充飢。你雖然瘦小，但畢竟是肉，終究不能放過你，只能去死了。」』就這樣爭執了很久。太子得知此事，便前去營救說：『我已經不能乞求到他們的衣食，難道還要讓他們殺了這個人嗎？』盜賊們見到太子，都叩頭認錯謝罪，放沙門（Śrāmaṇa）離開了。『當時的沙門（Śrāmaṇa），就是現在的彌勒菩薩（Maitreya Bodhisattva）；驕橫尊貴的太子，就是現在的你。你現在遭受貧窮的罪報，是因為前世的慳吝貪婪；之所以能夠長壽，是因為救了沙門（Śrāmaṇa）的性命。罪與福的報應，就像影子跟隨形體，像回聲應和聲音一樣。』老翁對佛說：『過去的事情已經這樣了，希望能在今天完成心願，希望能夠以我這殘餘的生命，出家做沙門（Śrāmaṇa），後生生世世常在佛的身邊侍奉。』佛說：『好啊！好啊！』應時，老翁的鬚髮掉落，袈裟自然穿在身上，氣力強健，耳聰目明，立刻獲得大智慧，進入三昧（Samādhi，禪定）之門。當時，世尊以偈頌說道：『你過去身為太子，不明白仁義的道理，驕橫尊貴放縱自己，仗恃自己是大國王，自認為沒有罪福報應，因此可以保持長久。哪裡知道生死是相對的，如今要承受這樣的災殃？從罪業中又蒙受恩祐，得以見到天中之天（佛），能夠擺脫過去的罪業，以殘餘的生命進入佛法之門。永遠離開慳吝貪婪之心，長久接受智慧的根源，世世代代侍奉在佛的身邊，保佑長壽萬劫長存。』於是，老翁比丘（Bhikṣu，出家男子）聽聞佛經，心生歡喜，向佛作禮。

【English Translation】 English version 『Not more than ten li (Chinese unit of distance) beyond the border, I encountered hungry thieves who wanted to kill and eat me. The Śrāmaṇa (wandering ascetic) then said, 「I am a poor, freezing Śrāmaṇa, emaciated and bony, my flesh is foul-smelling and not worth eating. It is pointless to kill me, and there is no benefit in it.」』『The hungry thieves said, 「I have been hungry and exhausted for days, only eating dirt. Although you are thin, you are still meat, and I cannot let you go. You must die.」』 They argued back and forth for a long time. The prince, upon learning of this, went to rescue him, saying, 『I am already unable to beg for their food and clothing, must I then allow the hungry thieves to kill him?』 The thieves, seeing the prince, all bowed their heads, admitted their faults, apologized, and let the Śrāmaṇa go. 『The Śrāmaṇa at that time is now Maitreya Bodhisattva (the future Buddha); the arrogant and noble prince is now you. You are now suffering the consequences of poverty because of your past stinginess and greed; the reason you have longevity is because you saved the life of the Śrāmaṇa.』 The retribution of sin and blessings is like a shadow following a form, like an echo responding to a sound. The old man said to the Buddha, 『The past is already done, I wish to fulfill my wish today, I wish to use my remaining life to become a Śrāmaṇa, and in future lives, always serve by the Buddha』s side.』 The Buddha said, 『Excellent! Excellent!』 Instantly, the old man』s beard and hair fell to the ground, and a Dharma robe naturally appeared on his body. His strength was restored, his ears and eyes were clear, and he immediately attained great wisdom and entered the gate of Samādhi (a meditative state). At that time, the World-Honored One (the Buddha) spoke in verse: 『In the past, you were a prince, not understanding the principles of benevolence and righteousness, arrogant and indulgent, relying on being a great king, thinking that there was no sin or blessing, and therefore you could maintain permanence. How could you have known that birth and death are opposites, and now you must suffer the consequences? From sin, you have received grace, and have been able to see the Supreme Among Gods (the Buddha), able to escape past sins, and enter the Dharma gate with your remaining life. Forever leave behind the heart of stinginess and greed, and receive the root of wisdom for a long time, serve by the Buddha』s side for generations, and be blessed with longevity for ten thousand kalpas (an immense period of time).』 Thereupon, the old Bhikṣu (Buddhist monk) heard the sutra (a discourse by the Buddha), rejoiced, and bowed to the Buddha.

爾時，世尊顧語阿難：「若有誦斯經者，當見賢劫千佛。行斯經者，令後世宣傳，當從彌勒佛受決。如來廣長舌，所語無有異。」

一切大眾聞佛說已，歡喜受持為佛作禮。

佛說貧窮老公經

【現代漢語翻譯】現代漢語譯本：這時，世尊回頭告訴阿難（Ananda）: 『如果有人誦讀這部經，將會見到賢劫（Bhadrakalpa）千佛。如果有人實踐這部經，並令後世廣為宣傳，將來會從彌勒佛（Maitreya Buddha）那裡得到授記。如來（Tathagata）所說的廣長舌相之語，沒有虛妄。』所有在場的大眾聽聞佛陀所說之後，都歡喜地接受並奉行，為佛陀作禮。《佛說貧窮老公經》

【English Translation】 English version: At that time, the World-Honored One turned to Ananda and said: 'If there are those who recite this Sutra, they shall see the thousand Buddhas of the Bhadrakalpa (Auspicious Aeon). If there are those who practice this Sutra, causing it to be widely propagated in later generations, they shall receive prediction from Maitreya Buddha (The future Buddha). The Tathagata's (Thus Come One) broad and long tongue speaks without falsehood.' All the assembly, having heard the Buddha's words, joyfully accepted and upheld them, and paid homage to the Buddha. 'The Sutra Spoken by the Buddha on the Poor Old Man'