Thus have I heard:

如是我闻。

At one time, the Buddha stayed in the palace of the Dragon King of the Ocean together with an assembly of eight thousand great Bhikshus and thirty-two thousand Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas altogether. At that time the World Honored One told the Dragon King saying:

一时，佛在娑竭罗龙宫，与八千大比丘众、三万二千菩萨摩诃萨俱。尔时，世尊告龙王言。

Because all beings have different consciousness and thoughts, they perform. too different actions and as a consequence there is the turning around in all the different courses of existence. Oh Dragon King, do you see the variety of shapes and appearances in this meeting and in the great ocean, are they not different from one another.

一切众生，心想异故，造业亦异，由是故有诸趣轮转。龙王，汝见此会及大海中，形色种类，各别不耶？

Thus among all of them there is none which is not made by the mind, whether it is brought about by whole-some or unwholesome bodily, verbal, and mental actions, and yet the mind is formless it cannot be grasped or perceived, but it is the unreal accumulation and arising of all dharmas which are ultimately without owner, without I and mine. Although that which is manifested by each (being) according to its actions is not the same, there is nevertheless really no creator in these (actions). Therefore all dharmas are inconceivable and inexpressible, their own nature is phantom like. The wise ones knowing this ought to cultivate wholesome actions. Through this the aggregates sense-bases and elements that will be given rise to, will all be upright and those who will see them will not grow tired of them.

如是一切，靡不由心，造善不善，身业语业意业所致。而心无色，不可见取，但是虚妄，诸法集起，毕竟无主，无我我所。虽各随业，所现不同，而实于中，无有作者，故一切法皆不思议。自性如幻，智者知已，应修善业，以是所生蕴处界等，皆悉端正，见者无厌。

Oh Dragon King, when you behold the body of the Buddha born from a hundred thousand of Kotis of merit, with all the marks adorned, the splendor of its radiance covering the whole of the great assembly, even if there were immeasurable Kotis of Ishvara and Brahma devas they all would not come again into appearance.

龙王，汝观佛身，从百千亿福德所生，诸相庄严，光明显曜，蔽诸大众，设无量亿自在梵王，悉不复现，

Those who look with reverence at the Tathágata's body how can they but not be dazzled. You again behold all these great Bodhisattvas of marvelous appearance, dignified and pure. All this comes into being entirely through the merit of cultivating wholesome actions. Again all the powerful ones like the eight classes of devas and dragons, and suchlike they also come into being because of the merits of wholesome actions.

其有瞻仰如来身者，岂不目眩。汝又观此诸大菩萨，妙色严净，一切皆由修习善业福德而生。又诸天龙八部众等大威势者，亦因善业福德所生。

Now all beings in the great ocean are of course and mean shapes and appearances, they all whether small or large performed unwholesome bodily, verbal, and mental actions out of all kinds of thoughts from their own minds. Thus is that each being receives its own result according to its action.

今大海中所有众生，形色麤鄙，或大或小，皆由自心种种想念，作身语意诸不善业，是故随业，各自受报。

You ought to practice and to study constantly in this way, and also to bring beings to a thorough understanding of cause and effect and to the practice of wholesome actions.

汝今常应如是修学，亦令众生了达因果，修习善业。

In this you must have unshakable right view and you must not fall again into the views of annihilation and eternity. As to the fields of merit you rejoice in them, respect them and support them because of this you will also be respected and supported by men and devas.

汝当于此，正见不动，勿复堕在断常见中，于诸福田，欢喜敬养，是故汝等，亦得人天尊敬供养。

Oh Dragon King you must know that Bodhisattva has one method which enables him to cut off all sufferings of evil destinies. What kind of methods is this? It is constantly, day and night, to recollect, to reflect on and to contemplate on the wholesome dharmas so as to cause the wholesome dharmas to increase from thought-moment to thought-moment, without allowing the least unwholesome thought to mingle in. This will then enable you to cut off all evil forever, to bring the wholesome dharmas to completion and to be constantly near all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and other holy communities.

龙王，当知菩萨有一法，能断一切诸恶道苦。何等为一？谓于昼夜，常念思惟观察善法，令诸善法念念增长，不容毫分不善间杂，是即能令诸恶永断，善法圆满，常得亲近诸佛菩萨及余圣众。

Speaking about wholesome dharmas, the bodies of men and devas, the Illumination of the Sravakas, the Illumination of the Pratyekas, and the Highest Illumination, they are all accomplished depending on these dharmas which are to be considered as fundamental. Therefore they are called wholesome dharmas.

言善法者，谓人天身、声闻菩提、独觉菩提、无上菩提，皆依此法，以为根本，而得成就，故名善法。

These dharmas are the ten wholesome ways of actions. What are these ten? They are the ability to give up forever killing, stealing, wrong conduct, lying, slandering, harsh language, frivolous speech, lust, hate, and wrong views.

此法即是十善业道。何等为十？谓能永离杀生、偷盗、邪行、妄语、两舌、恶口、绮语、贪欲、瞋恚、邪见。

Oh Dragon King, if one gives up taking life then one will accomplish ten ways of being free from vexations.

龙王，若离杀生，即得成就十离恼法。

What are the ten?

何等为十？

1]. One give universally to all beings without fear.

一、于诸众生，普施无畏。

2]. One always has a heart of great compassion towards all beings.

二、常于众生，起大慈心。

3]. All habitual tendencies of hate in oneself will be cut off forever.

三、永断一切瞋恚习气。

4]. One's body is always free from illness.

四、身常无病。

5]. One's life is long.

五、寿命长远。

6]. One is constantly protected by non-human beings.

六、恒为非人之所守护。

7]. One is always without bad dreams, one sleeps and wakes happily.

七、常无恶梦，寝觉快乐。

8]. The entanglement of enmity is eradicated and one is free from all hatred.

八、灭除怨结，众怨自解。

9]. One is free from the dread of evil destinies.

九、无恶道怖。

10]. When one's life comes to an end one will be born as a Deva.

十、命终生天。

These are the ten. If one is one who is able to turn-towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will at a later time become a Buddha and attain to the ability peculiar to the Buddha, to live as long as one wishes.

是为十。若能回向阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者，后成佛时，得佛随心自在寿命。

Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up stealing then one will attain to ten kinds of dharmas which can protect one's confidence. What are the ten?

复次龙王。若离偷盗，即得十种可保信法。何等为十？

1]. One's wealth will increase and accumulate and cannot be scattered or destroyed by Kings, robbers, floods, fires, and careless sons.

一、资财盈积，王贼水火及非爱子，不能散灭。

2]. One is thought of with fondness by many people.

二、多人爱念。

3]. People do not take advantage of one.

三、人不欺负。

4]. Everywhere one is praised.

四、十方赞美

5]. One is above the worry, that one oneself could be injured.

五、不忧损害。

6]. One's good name spreads.

六、善名流布。

7]. One is without fear in public.

七、处众无畏。

8]. One is endowed with wealth, long life, strength, peace, happiness, and skill in speech, without deficiencies.

八、财命色力安乐，辩才具足无缺。

9]. One always thinks of giving.

九、常怀施意。

10]. At the end of one's life, one will be born as a Deva.

 十、命终生天。

These are the ten. If one is one who is able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will at a later time become a Buddha, and attain to the realization of the purified great illumination wisdom.

是为十。若能回向阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者，后成佛时，得证清净大菩提智。

Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up wrong conduct one will attain to four kinds of dharmas which are praised by the wise. What are the four?

复次龙王。若离邪行，即得四种智所赞法。何等为四？

1]. All one's faculties are tuned and adjusted.

一、诸根调顺。

2]. One is free from turmoil and excitement.

二、永离諠掉。

3]. One is praised and extolled by the world.

三、世所称叹。

4]. One's wife cannot be encroached upon by anybody.

四、妻莫能侵。

These are the four. If one is one who is able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination one will at a later time become a Buddha, and attain the master sign of the Buddha, of a concealed organ.

是为四。若能回向阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者，后成佛时，得佛丈夫隐密藏相。

Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up lying then one will attain to the eight dharmas which are praised by the devas. What are the eight?

复次龙王。若离妄语，即得八种天所赞法。何等为八？

1]. One's mouth is always pure and has the fragrance of a blue lotus flower.

一、口常清净，优钵华香。

2]. One is trusted and obeyed by all the world.

二、为诸世间之所信伏。

3]. What one says is true and one is loved by men and devas.

三、发言成证，人天敬爱。

4]. One always comforts beings with loving words.

四、常以爱语，安慰众生。

5]. One attains to excellent bliss of mind and one's actions, speech, and thoughts are pure.

五、得胜意乐，三业清净。

6]. One's speech is faultless and one's mind is always joyful.

六、言无误失，心常欢喜。

7]. One's words are respected and are followed by men and devas.

七、发言尊重，人天奉行。

8]. One's wisdom is extraordinary and cannot be subdued.

八、智慧殊胜，无能制伏。

These are the eight. If one is one who is able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will at a later time become a Buddha, and attain to the true speech of the Tathágata.

是为八。若能回向阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者，后成佛时，即得如来真实语。

Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up slandering one will then attain to five kinds of incorruptible dharmas. What are the five?

复次龙王。若离两舌，即得五种不可坏法。何等为五？

1]. One attains to an incorruptible body because no harm can be done to one.

一、得不坏身，无能害故。

2]. One gets an incorruptible family because no one can destroy it.

二、得不坏眷属，无能破故。

3]. One attains to incorruptible confidence because this is in line with one's own actions.

三、得不坏信，顺本业故。

4]. One attains to an incorruptible spiritual life because what one cultivates is firmly grounded.

四、得不坏法行，所修坚固故。

5]. One gets incorruptible spiritual friends because one does not mislead or delude anybody.

五、得不坏善知识，不诳惑故。

These are the five. If one is one who is able to turn-towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will at a later time become a Buddha, and receive a holy retinue which cannot be corrupted by any Mara or heretic.

是为五。若能回向阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者，后成佛时，得正眷属，诸魔外道不能沮坏。

Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up harsh language then one will attain to the accomplishment of eight kinds of pure actions. What are the eight?

复次龙王。若离恶口，即得成就八种净业。何等为八？

1]. One's speech is meaningful and reasonable.

一、言不乖度。

2]. All that one says is profitable.

二、言皆利益。

3]. One's words are bound to be truthful.

三、言必契理。

4]. One's language is beautiful and marvelous.

四、言词美妙。

5]. One's words are accepted by others.

五、言可承领。

6]. One's words are trusted.

六、言则信用。

7]. One's words cannot be ridiculed.

七、言无可讥。

8]. All one's words are spoken in love and enjoyed by others.

八、言尽爱乐。

These are the eight. If one is one who is able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, he will be endowed with the perfect characteristic of the Brahma voice of the Tathágata.

是为八。若能回向阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者，后成佛时，具足如来梵音声相。

Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up frivolous speech then one will attain to the accomplishment of the three certainties. What are the three?

复次龙王。若离绮语，即得成就三种决定。何等为三？

1]. One is certain to be loved by the wise.

一、定为智人所爱。

2]. One is certain to be able to answer questions with wisdom and according to reality.

二、定能以智，如实答问。

3]. One is certain to have the most excellent dignity and virtue among men and devas and one is without falsehood.

三、定于人天，威德最胜，无有虚妄。

These are the three. If one is one who is able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will at a later time become a Buddha, attain to the Tathágata's ability to predict everything, and none of the predictions are ever in vain.

是为三。若能回向阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者，后成佛时，得如来诸所授记，皆不唐捐。

Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up lust, then one will attain to the accomplishment of the five kinds of freedom. What are the five?

复次龙王。若离贪欲，即得成就五种自在。何等为五？

1]. Freedom of bodily, verbal, and mental actions because one's six faculties are perfect.

一、三业自在，诸根具足故。

2]. Freedom as regards property because all enemies and robbers cannot rob one.

二、财物自在，一切怨贼不夺故。

3]. Freedom with regard to merit because whatever one wishes one will be provided with.

三、福德自在，随心所欲，物皆备故。

4]. Freedom of being in the position of a King, because precious, rare and marvelous things will be reverently offered to one.

四、王位自在，珍奇妙物，皆奉献故。

5]. The things one will get will surpass in excellency by a hundred times that what one is looking for, because in times by-gone one was neither stingy nor envious.

五、所获之物，过本所求百倍殊胜，由于昔时不悭嫉故。

These are the five. If one is one who is able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will at a later time become a Buddha, be especially revered in all three realms and all of the beings of the three realms will respectfully make offering to one.

是为五。若能回向阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者，后成佛时，三界特尊，皆共敬养。

Again, oh Dragon King, if one gives up hatred then one will attain to eight kinds of dharmas of joy of mind. What are the eight?

复次龙王。若离瞋恚，即得八种喜悦心法。何等为八？

1]. One's mind is free from the desire to injure and to annoy others.

一、无损恼心。

2]. One's mind is free from hatred.

二、无瞋恚心。

3]. One's mind is free from the desire to dispute and to argue.

三、无诤讼心。

4]. One's mind is gentle and upright.

四、柔和质直心。

5]. One has attained to the mind of loving kindness of a saint.

五、得圣者慈心。

6]. One is of a mind that always acts beneficially giving peace to beings.

六、常作利益，安众生心。

7]. One's bodily appearance is dignified and one is respectfully treated by all.

七、身相端严，众共尊敬。

8]. Because one is kind and forbearing, one will be born soon in the Brahma World.

八、以和忍故，速生梵世。

These are the eight. If one is one who is able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will in later times become a Buddha, attain to the mind of the Buddha that is free from obstacles. People will not become tired of looking at him.

是为八。若能回向阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者，后成佛时，得佛无碍心，观者无厌。

Again, Oh Dragon King, if one gives up wrong views, one will attain to the accomplishment of ten meritorious dharmas. What are the ten?

复次龙王。若离邪见，即得成就十功德法。何等为十？

1]. One attains to genuinely good bliss of mind and one gets genuinely good companions.

一、得真善意乐、真善等侣。

2]. One has deep confidence in the law of cause and effect and one would rather lose one's life than do evil.

二、深信因果，宁殒身命，终不作恶。

3]. One takes refuge in the Buddha only and not in devas or others.

三、惟归依佛，非余天等。

4]. One is of a straight mind and right views, and leaves behind the net of doubts about good and evil fortune.

四、直心正见，永离一切吉凶疑网。

5]. One will not be born again in an evil course of existence but will always be born as a man or Deva.

五、常生人天，不更恶道。

6]. Immeasurable blessings and wisdom will increase sublimely from turn to turn.

六、无量福慧，转转增胜。

7]. One will forever leave the wrong path and tread the holy path.

七、永离邪道，行于圣道。

8]. The view of a personality will not arise in one and one gives up all evil actions.

八、不起身见，舍诸恶业。

9]. One will abide in unobstructed understanding.

九、住无碍见。

10]. One will not fall into any difficult conditions.

十、不堕诸难。

These are the ten. If one is one who is able to turn towards the Highest Perfect Illumination, one will at a later time become a Buddha, realize quickly all Buddha-dharmas and accomplish the mastery of the higher spiritual powers."

是为十。若能回向阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者，后成佛时，速证一切佛法，成就自在神通。

At that time the World Honored One further told the Dragon King saying:

尔时，世尊复告龙王言。

"If there is a Bodhisattva who is able to give up killing and harming, and practice giving, follow these wholesome actions at the time he treads the path, he will therefore always be rich in wealth, without anybody being able to rob him, he will have a long life and not die untimely, and he will not be injured by any robbers or enemies.

若有菩萨，依此善业，于修道时，能离杀害，而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺，长寿无夭，不为一切怨贼损害。

Because he gives up taking what is not given and practice giving, he will always be rich in wealth without there being anybody who can rob him. He will be most excelling beyond comparison (in this respect), and will be able to collect completely all the store of Buddha-dharmas.

离不与取，而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺，最胜无比，悉能备集诸佛法藏。

Because he gives up the impure way of living and practices giving, he will always be rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him. His family will be virtuous and obedient. There will be nobody who can look at his mother, wife, and daughter with a lustful mind.

离非梵行，而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺，其家贞顺，母及妻子，无有能以欲心视者。

Because he gives up false speech and practices giving, he will always be rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him. Giving up all slandering he takes up the true Dharma. That which he does according to his vows will certainly bear fruit.

离虚诳语，而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺，离众毁谤，摄持正法，如其誓愿，所作必果。

Because he gives up speech that causes dissension and practices giving, he will always be rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him. His family will be harmonious and all the members of the family have the same aspirations and joys in common and will never unreasonably dispute with one another.

离离间语，而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺，眷属和睦，同一志乐，恒无乖诤。

Because he gives up coarse evil speech and practices giving, he will always be rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him. At all gatherings people joyfully accept him as their teacher. His words will be received with trust without opposition.

离麤恶语，而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺，一切众会，欢喜归依，言皆信受，无违拒者。

Because he gives up meaningless speech and practices giving, he will always be rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him. His words are not spoken in vain, but are received with respect by all people. He is able and skilled in solving doubts and uncertainties.

离无义语，而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺，言不虚设，人皆敬受，能善方便，断诸疑惑。

Because he gives up the greedy mind and practices giving, he is always rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him. All he has he gives to others with kindness. His confidence is firm and his understanding well grounded. He is endowed with great authority and strength.

离贪求心，而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺，一切所有，悉以惠舍，信解坚固，具大威力。

Because he gives up the angry mind and practices giving, he is always rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him. He quickly accomplishes by himself the wisdom of the mind that is free from obstruction. All his faculties are well dignified and all those who see him respect and love him.

离忿怒心，而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺，速自成就，无碍心智，诸根严好，见皆敬爱。

Because he gives up the perverted mind and practices giving, he is always rich in wealth without anybody being able to rob him. He is always born in family, which is possessed of right views, reverence and confidence. He sees the Buddha, hears the dharma and supports the Community of Monks. He never forgets or loses the great Illumination Mind.

离邪倒心，而行施故，常富财宝，无能侵夺，恒生正见敬信之家，见佛闻法，供养众僧，常不忘失大菩提心。

These are the great benefits obtained by a Great Being (Mahasattva), who at the time he cultivates the Bodhisattva path, practices the ten wholesome actions and adorns them with giving.

是为大士修菩萨道时，行十善业，以施庄严，所获大利如是。

Thus, oh Dragon King, I am summarizing. Because one adorns the practice of the ten wholesome ways of action with morality, the meaning and benefit of all the Buddha-dharma can arise and the great vows are brought to completion.

龙王，举要言之，行十善道，以戒庄严故，能生一切佛法义利，满足大愿。

Because one adorns this practice of the ten wholesome ways of actions with patience, one attains to the perfect voice of the Buddha and all the marks will be lovely.

忍辱庄严故，得佛圆音，具众相好。

Because one adorns this practice with effort, one is able to destroy the Mara enemy and enter into the store of Buddha-dharmas.

精进庄严故，能破魔怨，入佛法藏。

Because one adorns this practice with meditation, therefore mindfulness, wisdom, shame, conscientiousness and calm will arise.

定庄严故，能生念慧惭愧轻安。

Because one adorns this practice with wisdom one is able to cut off wrong views arising from discrimination.

慧庄严故，能断一切分别妄见。

Because one adorns this practice with loving kindness no thought of anger or harming will arise in oneself towards any being.

慈庄严故，于诸众生，不起恼害。

Because one adorns this practice with compassion, one will have sympathy towards all beings and will never get weary of and indifferent to them.

悲庄严故，愍诸众生，常不厌舍。

Because one adorns this practice with sympathetic joy, one's mind when seeing somebody cultivating the good will be free from envy and jealousy.

喜庄严故，见修善者，心无嫌嫉。

Because one adorns this practice with serenity, one will not have a mind that is neither attached to favorable circumstances or that resents adverse circumstances.

舍庄严故，于顺违境，无爱恚心。

Because one adorns this practice with the four ways of helping others, one will always be diligent in helping and teaching all beings.

四摄庄严故，常勤摄化一切众生。

Because one adorns this practice with the foundations of mindfulness, one will be able to be skillful in the practice of the contemplation of the four foundations of mindfulness.

念处庄严故，善能修习四念处观。

Because one adorns this practice with the four right efforts, one will be able to cut off and remove entirely all unwholesome dharmas.

正勤庄严故，悉能断除一切不善法，成一切善法。

Because one adorns this practice with the four roads to power, one's body and mind will always be calm and at ease.

神足庄严故，恒令身心轻安快乐。

Because one adorns this practice with the five faculties, deep confidence will be firmly established, there will be unremitting effort, one is always free from confusion and from delusion, one is at peace and well balanced, and all the defilement will be cut off.

五根庄严故，深信坚固，精勤匪懈，常无迷妄，寂然调顺，断诸烦恼。

Because one adorns this practice with the five powers, all enmity will be entirely destroyed and one cannot be harmed.

力庄严故，众怨尽灭，无能坏者。

Because one adorns this practice with the seven factors of illumination, one will always well awake to all dharmas.

觉支庄严故，常善觉悟一切诸法。

Because one adorns this practice with the Noble Eightfold Path, one will attain to perfect wisdom which will always be present before oneself.

正道庄严故，得正智慧常现在前。

Because one adorns this practice with calm meditation, one is able to wash away all the bonds and latent tendencies.

止庄严故，悉能涤除一切结使。

Because one adorns this practice with insight meditation, one is able to know the self nature of all dharmas according to reality.

观庄严故，能如实知，诸法自性。

Because one adorns this practice with the means, one will quickly attain to the fulfillment of the conditioned and unconditioned happiness.

方便庄严故，速得成满，为无为乐。

Oh Dragon King, you should know that these ten wholesome actions can lead up to the completion of the Ten Powers of the Tathágata, of the Four Kinds of Fearlessness, of the Eighteen Dharmas that distinguish the Buddha and of all Buddha-dharmas. You should therefore practice and train with diligence.

龙王，当知此十善业，乃至能令十力、无畏、十八不共、一切佛法，皆得圆满，是故汝等应勤修学。

Oh Dragon King, it is like the towns and villages, they all depend on the great ground where they stand. All the herbs, grasses, flowers, trees, and woods also depend on the ground for their growth. With these ten wholesome ways of actions it is the same. All men and devas are established (in their human and Deva nature) depending on them. The illumination of all the Sravakas, of all the Pratyekas, the way of the Bodhisattva, all Buddha-dharmas they all are attained and come to fruition due to these ten wholesome great grounds.

龙王，譬如一切城邑聚落，皆依大地而得安住，一切药草卉木丛林，亦皆依地而得生长。此十善道，亦复如是。一切人天，依之而立，一切声闻独觉菩提、诸菩萨行、一切佛法，咸共依此十善大地，而得成就。

After the Buddha had spoken this discourse, the Dragon King of the Ocean, together with the great assembly, all the devas, asuras, and so on, all rejoiced greatly, received it with confidence and put it reverently into practice.

佛说此经已，娑竭罗龙王及诸大众、一切世间天人阿修罗等，皆大欢喜，信受奉行。