42.4 （四）须伦

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was at the Deer Park in the country of Śrāvastī, together with a great assembly of five hundred bhikṣus.

At that time, the asura king Pāpīyān and the heavenly king of the Trayastriṃśa Heaven came to where the World-Honored One was, bowed their heads at his feet, and sat to one side.

At that time, the Tathāgata asked the asuras, "Do you all greatly enjoy the great ocean?"

The asuras said to the Buddha, "It is truly enjoyable, not not enjoyable."

The World-Honored One said, "What extraordinary phenomena are there in the great ocean that you see and enjoy?"

The asuras said to the Buddha, "There are eight extraordinary phenomena in the great ocean that the asuras enjoy. What are the eight? The great ocean is extremely deep and vast, this is called the first extraordinary phenomenon.

Furthermore, the great ocean has this spiritual power: the four great rivers, each with five hundred tributaries, enter the great ocean and lose their original names, this is called the second phenomenon.

Furthermore, the great ocean has a single taste, this is called the third phenomenon.

Furthermore, the great ocean has a regular tide, never missing the time, this is called the fourth unprecedented phenomenon.

Furthermore, the great ocean is inhabited by ghosts and spirits, all kinds of creatures are in the great ocean, this is called the fifth unprecedented phenomenon.

Furthermore, the great ocean can accommodate extremely large forms, forms of a hundred yojanas, up to seven thousand yojanas, without being cramped, this is called the sixth unprecedented phenomenon.

Furthermore, the great ocean produces various kinds of precious treasures, such as agate, coral, pearls, amber, crystal, and lapis lazuli, this is called the seventh unprecedented phenomenon.

Furthermore, the great ocean has golden sand at the bottom, and also Mount Sumeru, composed of the four treasures, this is called the eighth unprecedented phenomenon. These are called the eight unprecedented phenomena, which delight the asuras.

At that time, the asura addressed the World-Honored One, saying: "In the Tathāgata's Dharma, what is extraordinary that causes the bhikṣus to see and delight in it?"

The Buddha told the asura: "There are eight unprecedented phenomena that cause the bhikṣus to delight in them. What are the eight? Moreover, in my Dharma, the precepts and discipline are complete, and there is no careless conduct. This is called the first unprecedented phenomenon. The bhikṣus see it and delight in it, like the great ocean, which is extremely deep and vast.

Furthermore, in my Dharma, there are four castes. Those who become śramaṇas in my Dharma are not recorded by their previous names but are given other names. It is like the great ocean, into which the four great rivers all flow and become of one taste, without any other names. This is called the second unprecedented phenomenon.

Furthermore, in my Dharma, the precepts are established, and they are followed without transgressing the sequence. This is called the third unprecedented phenomenon.

Furthermore, in my Dharma, there is only one taste, namely the taste of the eightfold noble path. This is called the fourth unprecedented phenomenon, just as the great ocean has only one taste.

Furthermore, in my Dharma, various teachings are fully contained within it, namely the four right efforts, four bases of supernormal power, five faculties, five powers, seven factors of awakening, and eightfold noble path. When the bhikṣus see this, they delight in it, just as the various spirits dwell in the great ocean. This is called the fifth unprecedented phenomenon.

Furthermore, in my Dharma, there are various precious treasures. Namely, the precious treasure of mindfulness, the precious treasure of the Dharma, the precious treasure of diligence, the precious treasure of joy, the precious treasure of tranquility, the precious treasure of concentration, and the precious treasure of equanimity. This is called the sixth unprecedented phenomenon. When the bhikṣus see this, they delight in it, just as the great ocean produces various precious treasures.

Furthermore, in my Dharma, all sentient beings who shave their heads and beards, put on the three Dharma robes, leave home to study the path, and attain parinirvāṇa in the realm of nirvāṇa without remainder, yet my Dharma does not increase or decrease. Just as the great ocean receives the flow of all rivers without increasing or decreasing, this is called the seventh unprecedented phenomenon. When the bhikṣus see this, they delight in it.

Furthermore, in my Dharma, there is the vajra samādhi, the samādhi of cessation, the samādhi of all light, the samādhi of non-arising, and various samādhis beyond measure. When the bhikṣus see this, they delight in it, just as the great ocean has golden sand below. This is called the eighth unprecedented phenomenon. When the bhikṣus see this, they delight in it.

At that time, the asura addressed the World-Honored One, saying: "If there is one unprecedented phenomenon in the Tathāgata's Dharma, it surpasses the eight unprecedented phenomena in the ocean by a hundred or a thousand times. Namely, the eightfold noble path. Excellent, World-Honored One! You have spoken these words well."

At that time, the World-Honored One briefly taught the Dharma to them, namely, the discourse on giving, the discourse on precepts, the discourse on rebirth in the heavens, the impure perception of desire, the great affliction of defilements, and the wonderful way of liberation. At that time, seeing that their minds were opened and their intentions were resolved, the World-Honored One, as is the constant practice of the Buddhas, taught them the Dharma of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. He taught them completely.

At that time, the asura thought: "There should be five truths. Now the World-Honored One only speaks of four truths, but he speaks of five truths with the gods." At that time, the heavenly being attained the pure Dharma eye right where he was sitting. The asura addressed the World-Honored One, saying: "Excellent! World-Honored One! You have spoken these words well. Now I wish to return to my place."

The World-Honored One said: "It is time for you to know." He then rose from his seat, bowed his head at the feet, and returned the way he came.

At that time, the heavenly being said to the asura: "What you are thinking now is extremely unwholesome. You say: 'The Tathāgata speaks of five truths with the gods, but speaks of four truths with me.' The reason is this: The World-Honored Buddhas never speak two different things. The Buddhas never abandon sentient beings. Their teaching of the Dharma is also without weariness. Their teaching of the Dharma is also inexhaustible. They also do not choose to teach the Dharma to people. They teach the Dharma with an equal mind. There are four truths: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. You should not think like this and disparage the Tathāgata's words of five truths."

At that time, the asura replied: "The unwholesome I have created, I will now confess! I must go to the Tathāgata and ask about this meaning."

At that time, the asura and the heavenly being, having heard the Buddha's teaching, joyfully received and practiced it.