The Srimala Devi Sutra

　　The Lion”s Roar of Queen Srimala Discourse

　　A Buddhist Scripture on the Tathagatagarbha Theory

　　Translation of the lost Sanskrit work made from a collection of the Chinese, Japanese, and Tibetan versions.

　　Translated by Alex and Hideko Wayman

　　Alex Wayman is a professor of Sanskrit at Columbia University.

　　The translation was first published in 1974 by Columbia University Press.

　　Currently published in Delhi, India by Motilal Banarsidass Publishers.

　　ISBN: 81-208-0731-6

　　Prologue

　　This is what I once heard. The Lord was dwelling in the Jetavana of Anathapindika”s park in Sravasti. King Prasenajit of Kosala and his Queen Mallika had believed in the Buddha”s Doctrine for only a short time. Now they engaged in conversation.

　　"O great king, our daughter Queen Srimala is profound and clever. If she were just to see the Buddha, she would understand the doctrine with little difficulty and she would have no doubts about the Buddha”s teaching."

　　King Prasenajit said to Queen Mallika: "We should send a message to Queen Srimala to arouse her interest."

　　Queen Mallika replied: "Yes, this is the time."

　　Then King Prasenajit and Queen Mallika composed a letter praising the infinite merit of the Tathagata and sent it by a court official named Chandra. He proceeded to Ayodhya, then to the ladies” quarters of the palace, bowed to Queen Srimala, exchanged salutations, and handed Queen Srimala the letter.

　　Chapter One

　　Eliminating All Doubts

　　1. Praises of the Infinite Merit of the Tathagata

　　The queen, with joyful respect to her father and mother, touched her head with it, and read it, then stating, "The letter has an auspicious meaning." Convinced of the meaning, she touched it with her head, deeply moved with wonder, and spoke these verses before her retinue and Chandra:

　　It is said that the voice of a Buddha is most rare in the world. If this saying be true, I must serve thee.

　　If the Lord Buddha may come for the sake of the world, may he, with compassion, come here on behalf of the teaching for me!

　　At that very instant, the Lord approached in the space [in front], and she saw the inconceivable body of the Buddha seated there, emitting pure light rays. Queen Srimala and her retinue respectfully bowed with folded hands at their heads, and she praised the best of speakers:

　　Lord, there is nothing comparable to your bodily form and glory. I bow to you, the Lord of the world, matchless and incomparable.

　　Your bodily form and knowledge are unimaginable. Your Buddha nature does not perish; so it is right to take refuge in you, the sage.

　　With matchless skill you have overcome the faults of body and mind. I bow to you, King of the Doctrine, who have acquired the stage without loss.

　　You are the Lord with knowledge body, who has comprehended all the knowable. I bow to you who have attained the ultimate of all the Buddha natures.

　　Homage to you, the infinite. Homage to you, beyond comparison. Homage to you, whose nature is matchless. Homage to you, whose form is limitless.

　　May the Lord now protect me and quicken the seed of enlightenment. May the sage benefit me in this and subsequent lives.

　　The Lord spoke forth: "Queen, in your former lives I have made you practice toward enlightenment; and in future lives I shall assist you." Queen Srimala prayed: "Whatever the merit I have performed in this and in other lives, by that merit, Lord, may I always see you, assisting me."

　　Thereupon, Queen Srimala along with all her lady attendants and entire retinue bowed to the feet of the Lord. The Lord prophesied to Queen Srimala amid the assembled group that she would attain the incomparable right perfected enlightenment.

　　"Queen, by reason of your virtuous root formed of the merits accumulated by praising the gen…

《勝鬘師子吼一乘大方便方廣經 The Srimala Devi Sutra》全文未完，請進入下頁繼續閱讀…