Translated by Śramaṇa Hui Jian of the Song Dynasty
Some other versions marked the translator was the layman Juqu Jingsheng(沮渠京聲) of the Song Dynasty
Heard like this:
At one time, the Buddha was in the Bamboo Grove of Rājagṛha, accompanied by one thousand two hundred fifty great bhikṣus and Bodhisattvas.
At that time, the Buddha was setting out from Rājagṛha, preparing to journey to Śrāvastī. The Bodhisattvas led the way, while Śakra and Brahmā wore robes of reverence. There were also celestial beings whose forms resembled those of the Four Heavenly Kings. All the bhikṣus followed behind the Buddha, and the devas, nāgas, and spirits made offerings above him.
Not far from the city, there was a man plowing a field. From a distance, he saw the disciples attending the Tathāgata—their dignified and wondrous appearances, majestic and splendid, while the Tathāgata’s majestic virtue towered above all. His countenance was supremely excellent, like the moon among the stars. Every part of the Buddha’s body was extraordinarily beautiful, radiating golden light, his expression serene and composed. His thirty-two marks of excellence surpassed all beings. When the plowman saw the World-Honored One from afar, his heart was filled with joy, and he desired to approach the Buddha, bow at his feet, and inquire about the Dharma. The man thought to himself, “To encounter the Buddha in this world is exceedingly rare, appearing only after long ages.” But then he reconsidered, “The field is not yet fully plowed, and the seeds are not yet sown. When I have some free time later, I will go see the Buddha.”
At that time, the Buddha knew that the man’s mind had given rise to slackness, so he smiled and emitted five-colored light. The light radiated from his mouth, illuminating the ten directions, bringing peace to the five realms of existence. Beings of the five realms rode upon this light and gathered before the Buddha. The hells found respite, the hungry ghosts were filled, animals developed virtuous thoughts, humans sought liberation, and the devas, nāgas, and spirits listened to the Dharma.
The Venerable Ānanda, understanding the seven auspicious signs—Dharma, meaning, timing, restraint, assembly, self, and others—imply the moment for the Buddha to preach is coming. Ānanda then approached the Buddha, joined his palms respectfully, knelt down, and asked, “World-Honored One, why do you smile? When the Tathāgata smiles, there is always a profound meaning.”
The Buddha said to Ānanda, “Do you see that plowman?”
Ānanda replied, “I see him.”
The Buddha said, “This man, since the time of Vipaśyin Buddha, has been plowing this field for ninety-one kalpas. Every time he sees a Buddha, he often grows slack and fails to resolve his mind. He busily plows the field of sinful karma in the cycle of life and death, yet does not know to use the plow of Dharma to cultivate the boundless field. This man has already missed six Buddhas and remains unsaved to this day. Now, upon seeing me, he initially gave rise to a good aspiration but immediately turned back, preparing to indulge in slackness as before, delighting in the roots of sin.”
Hearing this from afar, the plowman abandoned his plow and field, approached the Buddha, bowed at his feet, and repented in remorse: “I am truly foolish and ignorant, my sins grave. May the Buddha, in his compassion and sorrow, forgive my transgressions. For ages, I have resisted and been slack—may the Buddha forgive and pardon me, delivering me from life and death.”
The Buddha said, “Excellent. That you can awaken is beneficial for receiving the Dharma and will not bring harm.” The Buddha then preached the sutra to him, explaining the defilement brought by slackness and the benefits of diligence. The man rejoiced and vowed to practice without regression. Countless thousands of devas, nāgas, and spirits all aspired to seek the supreme, true enlightenment.
Therefore, those who study the path should always be diligent. Do not be slack, drifting in the cycle of life and death.
When the Buddha finished speaking, the Venerable Ānanda, the devas, nāgas, spirits, and the Asura King, having heard the sutra, rejoiced, paid homage to the Buddha, and withdrew.
Dharma Torch 