Go to Jordan's main page,
China Resources main page.
Go to Introduction, Contents, Court 1

Content created: 2009-01-30
File last modified:

玉历宝钞
The Jade Guidebook

Prologue

The Jade Guidebook 玉历宝钞

Yù Lì Bǎochāo

玉曆寶鈔
Prologue:
Origin of the Jade Guidebook
为何有玉历

Wèihé Yǒu Yù Lì

爲何有玉曆
It was the birthday of the Earth Treasury Bodhisattva and
photo by DKJ
教化幽冥世界众生的地藏王菩萨,在祂诞辰的那天,

Jiàohuà yōumíng shìjiè zhòngshēng de Dìzàng wáng púsà, zài tā dànchén de nàtiān,

教化幽冥世界衆生的地藏王菩薩,在祂誕辰的那天,
the ten infernal kings and other spirits of Hell were thronging all around to offer their congratulations. 十殿阎王,和其他阴间的神明,都来合掌向祂参拜祝贺。

shí diàn yánwang, hé qítā yīnjiān de shénmíng, dōu lái hézhǎng xiàng tā cānbài zhùhè.

十殿閻王,和其他陰間的神明,都來合掌向祂參拜祝賀。
The Earth Treasury Bodhisattva spoke as follows: 地藏王菩萨大发慈悲地说:

Dìzàng wáng púsà dàfācíbēi dì shuō:

地藏王菩薩大發慈悲地說:
"My merciful wish is to release all souls. 「我凭着慈悲的愿力,要来救度此道的众生。

"Wǒ píngzhe cíbēi de yuànlì, yào lái jiùdù cǐdào dejung shēng.

「我憑著慈悲的願力,要來救度此道的衆生。
But alas! the wicked of the mortal world are many and the virtuous are few. 奈何世间的人,行善的太少,作恶的多。

Nàihé shìjiān de rén, xíngshàn de tài shǎo, zuò'è de duō.

奈何世間的人,行善的太少,作惡的多。
They come and go, and salvation cannot be expected. 这个去了,那个来,救度无有了期。

Zhège qù le, nàge lái, jiùdù wúyǒu le qī.

這個去了,那個來,救度無有了期。
We need a way to let people understand karma, to regret their criminal acts, to stop their immoral conduct, and to do good works, 应得用什么好办法,使世人深信因果,忏悔罪行,截止所有的恶行,尽力行诸善事。

Yīngdé yòng shíma hǎobàn fǎ, shǐ shìrén shēnxìn yīnguǒ, chànhuǐ zuìxíng, jiézhǐ suǒyǒu de èxíng, jìnlì xíng zhū shànshì,

應得用什麽好辦法,使世人深信因果,懺悔罪行,截止所有的惡行,盡力行諸善事。
to change their hearts and follow the way, so that they gradually to leave the cycle of life and death, 改心向道,俾逐渐离开生死轮回。

gǎi xīnxiàng dào, bǐ zhújiàn líkāi shēngsǐ lúnhuí,

改心向道,俾逐漸離開生死輪回。
to discontinue what will bring them to hell, 一方面息止地狱的业因;

yīfāngmiàn xīzhǐ dìyù de yèyīn,

一方面息止地獄的業因;
and for all of those in the land of shades to record all of the merit of their descendents that would soon raise them." 另一方面使阴间的众生,籍着子孙后代,所作的功德,很快得到超升。」

yīfāngmiàn xīzhǐ dìyù de yèyīn; lìngyīfāngmiàn shǐ yīnjiān de zhòngshēng, jí zhāozi sūn hòudài, suǒ zuò de gōngdé, hěn kuài dédào chāoshēng."

另一方面息止地獄的業因;另一方面使陰間的衆生,籍著子孫後代,所作的功德,很快得到超升。」
At that, the ten infernal kings politely applauded and answered: 当时,十殿阎王,恭敬合掌,同声回答说:

Dāngshí, shí diàn Yánwang, gōngjìng hézhǎng, tóngshēng huídá shuō:

當時,十殿閻王,恭敬合掌,同聲回答說:
"Upon investigation, there are two reasons -an ignorant perspective and a malevolent perspective- why good people are few and bad ones many. 「考查世人善少恶多的原因,不外乎于邪、恶二见之故。

"Kǎochá shìrén shàn shǎo è duō de yuányīn, bùwàihu yú xié, è èr jiàn zhī gù.

「考查世人善少惡多的原因,不外乎於邪、惡二見之故。
The ignorant perspective is a belief some people hold that after death the body merely rots, and that people are reborn as people, animals as animals. 邪见,就是:若非以为人死之后,便一切毁灭;执着断灭的见解;要不便坚持误解:人永远出生为人;畜生永远出生为畜生的常见。

Xié jiàn, jiùshì: ruòfēi yǐwi rén sǐ zhī hòu, biàn yīqiè huǐmiè; zhízhuó duàn miè de jiànjiě; yàobù biàn jiānchí wùjiě: rén yǒngyuǎn chūshēng-wi rén; chùshēng yǒngyuǎn chūshēng-wi chùshēng de cháng jiàn.

邪見,就是:若非以爲人死之後,便一切毀滅;執著斷滅的見解;要不便堅持誤解:人永遠出生爲人;畜生永遠出生爲畜生的常見。
Because of this, some people are completely selfish, doing unreflective evil, casually sacrificing all other people. 因此,有的人尽情地自私自利,无所忌禅地行恶,有的人则把其他众生当作自然的牺牲品。

Yīncǐ, yǒude rén jìnqíng dì zìsī zìlì, wú suǒ jì chán dì xíng è, yǒude rén zé bǎ qítājung shēng dāngzuò zìrán de xīshēngpǐn.

因此,有的人盡情地自私自利,無所忌禪地行惡,有的人則把其他衆生當作自然的犧牲品。
This creates a world where the strong prey upon the weak, producing every kind of bad karma. 造成弱肉强食,残死争夺的种种恶因恶果。

Zàochéng ruòròu qiángshí, cán sǐ zhēngduó de zhǒngzhǒng èyīn'èguǒ.

造成弱肉強食,殘死爭奪的種種惡因惡果。
Malevolent people, on the other hand, in order to act as selfish bullies with no consience, 恶见的人,则为了随顺自己欺昧良心天理的偏私行为,

È jiàn de rén, zé-wi le suíshùn zìjǐ qī mèiliángxīn tiānlǐ de piānsī xíng-wi,

惡見的人,則爲了隨順自己欺昧良心天理的偏私行爲,
advocate countless sinful views, teaching others to steal, to engage in prostitution, or to deny the reality of cause and effect or of ghosts and gods, 倡导许多邪说;有的人则教人盗窃、邪淫、或否认因果、鬼神,

chàngdǎo xǔduō xiéshuō; yǒude rén zé jiào rén dàoqiè, xié yín, huò fǒu rèn yīnguǒ, guǐshén,

倡導許多邪說;有的人則教人盜竊、邪淫、或否認因果、鬼神,
thus leading others into realms of wickedness and preventing them for entering virtuous realms, causing this great catastrophe. 引导人进入邪非之境;阻止人进入良善之地,造成共业的大灾难。

yǐndǎo rén jìnrù xié fēi zhī jìng; zǔzhǐ rén jìnrù liángshàn zhī dì, zàochéng gòng yè de dàzāinàn.

引導人進入邪非之境;阻止人進入良善之地,造成共業的大災難。
Let us arrange that a person of virtuous conduct be led into the all the terrible places in the infernal realms to examine them and write it all down in a book, to be called the Jade Guidebook. 现在预定地狱道中,种种恶处,借着有德行的人,引导他进入阴间,作实地的观察。记载下来,完成玉历宝钞一书。

Xiànzài yùdìng dìyù dào zhōng, zhǒngzhǒng è chù, jièzhe yǒu déxíng de rén, yǐndǎo tā jìnrù yīnjiān, zuò shídì de guānchá. jìzǎi xiàlai, wánchéng Yù Lì Bǎochāo yī shū.

現在預定地獄道中,種種惡處,借著有德行的人,引導他進入陰間,作實地的觀察。記載下來,完成玉曆寶鈔一書。
Then returning to the world of the living, let him spread it abroad to urge people to repent and become virtuous. 回到阳间广泛传播,普遍地劝化世人。

Huídào yángjiān guǎngfàn chuánbō, pǔbiàn dì quànhuà shìrén.

回到陽間廣泛傳播,普遍地勸化世人。
If they know their mistakes, and sincerely confess, and do not repeat them, but become virtuous, 假如有知道过错,诚心忏悔,永不再犯,力行向善的人,

Jiǎrú yǒu zhīdào guòcuò, chéngxīn chànhuǐ, yǒngbù zàifàn, lìxíng xiàngshàn de rén,

假如有知道過錯,誠心懺悔,永不再犯,力行向善的人,
then they can be permitted leniency, a reduced penalty. Or if their merits balance the demerits, then a complete exemption from the penalty. 准予从宽量罪、减少刑罚;或功过相抵,免予刑罚。

zhǔnyǔ cóngkuān liáng zuì, jiǎnshǎo xíngfá; huò gōng guò xiāngdǐ, miǎnyǔ xíngfá.

准予從寬量罪、減少刑罰;或功過相抵,免予刑罰。
If a person displays kindness to the world, and promotes the enlightenment of others, then all his violations can be more generously weighed to reduce his punishment. 假如有兼善天下,推广教化的人,所有已犯恶行,更优渥地予以衡量减罪;

Jiǎrú yǒu jiānshàntiānxià, tuīguǎng jiàohuà de rén, suǒyǒu yǐ fànwù xíng, gèng yōuwò dì yǔyǐ héngliáng jiǎn zuì;

假如有兼善天下,推廣教化的人,所有已犯惡行,更優渥地予以衡量減罪;
When merit exceeds delinquency, then punishment can be remitted. 功过相抵,免予罪刑。

Gōngguò xiāngdǐ, miǎnyǔ zuì xíng.

功過相抵,免予罪刑。
And if good works should exceed, the naturally a person would very quickly receive a joyous recompense. 若仍有余善功,自然很快地获得福报。

Ruò réng yǒu yú shàn gōng, zìrán hěn kuài dì huòdé fú bào.

若仍有餘善功,自然很快地獲得福報。
If, furthermore, a person can be converted, can honor the three treasures of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, and undertakes serious moral cultivation, 若进一步能皈依、恭敬佛、法、僧三宝;精进勤劳地修持,

Ruò jìnyībù néng guīyī, gōngjìng fó, fǎ, sēng Sānbǎo; jīngjìn qínláo dì xiū chí,

若進一步能皈依、恭敬佛、法、僧三寶;精進勤勞地修持,
then 24 hours a day various buddhas and bodhisattvas will protect him, and other felicitous spirits will protect and watch over him. 则每日二十四小时中,诸佛菩萨必慈加礼貌保佑,关心;一切吉神,亦必守保、照顾。

zé měirì èrshí sì xiǎoshí zhōng, zhū fó púsà bì cí jiālǐ mào bǎoyòu, guānxīn; yīqiè jí shén, yì bì shǒu bǎo, zhàogù.

則每日二十四小時中,諸佛菩薩必慈加禮貌保佑,關心;一切吉神,亦必守保、照顧。
In life he will encounter no disasters; and when death comes at last, he will go to the Western Paradise." 在世时一切祸害不侵犯;寿终必往生西方极乐世界。」

zàishì shí yīqiè huòhai bù qīnfàn; shòuzhōng bì wǎngshēng xīfāng jílè shìjiè."

在世時一切禍害不侵犯;壽終必往生西方極樂世界。」
The Earth Treasure Bodhisattva replied: "That is a very good plan. Very good." 地藏王菩萨说:「就这么做很好!很好!」

Dìzàng wáng púsà shuō: "jiù zhème zuò hěn hǎo! hěn hǎo!"

地藏王菩薩說:「就這麽做很好!很好!」
And so on the third day of the eighth moon, the ten infernal lords and all the other gods drafted a memorial to the Jade Emperor. 八月初三日,十殿阎王与所有的神明,又将所拟好的奏议,呈给玉皇大帝。

Bā yuè chū sān rì, shí diàn Yánwang yǔ suǒyǒu de shénmíng, yòu jiāng suǒ nǐ hǎode zòuyì, chéng gěi Yùhuáng Dàdì.

八月初三日,十殿閻王與所有的神明,又將所擬好的奏議,呈給玉皇大帝。
The Jade Emperor responded: "Good indeed! Good indeed! Henceforth let all spirits take note: 玉帝说:「太好了!太好了!往后所有的神明鉴察世人:

Yùdì shuō: "Tài hǎole! Tài hǎole! Wǎnghòu suǒyǒu de shénmíng jiànchá shìrén:

玉帝說:「太好了!太好了!往後所有的神明鑒察世人:
If any mortal vows to lead a virtuous life and, repenting, promises to sin no more, then two punishments shall be remitted. 假如有人发誓愿意向善,在生时忏悔改过一件过错,能够不再触犯,准予赎去二个罪刑。

Jiǎrú yǒu rén fāshì yuànyì xiàngshàn, zài shēngshí chànhuǐ gǎiguò yījiàn guòcuò, nénggòu bùzài chùfàn, zhǔnyǔ shú qù èr gè zuì xíng.

假如有人發誓願意向善,在生時懺悔改過一件過錯,能夠不再觸犯,准予贖去二個罪刑。
And if, in addition, he succeeds in doing five virtuous acts, then he shall escape all punishment. 假如忏悔改过,尽力实行,达五件之多,所有的罪刑,一概赦免。

Jiǎrú chànhuǐ gǎiguò, jìnlì shíxíng, dá wǔ jiàn zhī duō, suǒyǒu de zuì xíng, yīgài shèmiǎn.

假如懺悔改過,盡力實行,達五件之多,所有的罪刑,一概赦免。
If that mortal is a man, let him be born again in some happy state; if a woman she shall be born as a man. 男子汉必定投生福德之地;妇女可以转为男身。

Nánzǐhàn bìdìng tóushēng fú dé zhī dì; fùnǚ kěyǐ zhuǎnwéi nán shēn.

男子漢必定投生福德之地;婦女可以轉爲男身。
If there are five virtuous acts, that shall enable such a person to obtain the salvation of his ancestors 如若改过的过错超过五件的话,同时准其替祖先修福,

Rúruò gǎiguò de guòcuò chāoguò wǔ jiàn dehuà, tóngshí zhǔn qí tì zǔxiān xiūfú,

如若改過的過錯超過五件的話,同時准其替祖先修福,
or of deceased family members, who may also escape from affliction. 超度眷属的亡灵,脱离苦恼。

chāodù juànshǔ de wánglíng, tuōlí kǔnǎo.

超度眷屬的亡靈,脫離苦惱。
Quickly, therefore, compile all of this to write in the Jade Guidebook 赶快将所奏的各条方法,编纂记载于玉历;

Gǎnkuài jiāng suǒ zòu de gè tiáo fāngfǎ, biānzuǎn jìzǎi yú Yù Lì;

趕快將所奏的各條方法,編纂記載於玉曆;
and inform all of the city gods, land gods, door gods, gods of the hearth, all ghosts or demons. 通行下界的城隍神、土地神、门神、灶神、众鬼等知道。

tōngxíng xiàjiè de chénghuáng shén, Tǔdìshén, ménshén, Zàoshén, zhòng guǐ děng zhīdào.

通行下界的城隍神、土地神、門神、竈神、衆鬼等知道。
Comply in awe with this command and respectfully and sincerely carry it out." 今遵守此旨,全部应恭谨,敬畏地奉行。」

Jīn zūnshǒu cǐ zhǐ, quánbù yìng gōngjǐn, jìngwèi dì fèngxíng."

今遵守此旨,全部應恭謹,敬畏地奉行。」
photo by DKJ


Return to top.
Print this page.