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放牛人問難
大智度論卷二
《放牛譬喻經》中說：摩伽馱國王頻婆娑羅，請佛三月及五百弟子。王須新乳酪酥，供養佛及比丘僧。語諸放牛人，來近處住，日日送新乳酪酥。竟三月，王憐愍此放牛人，語言：汝往見佛，還出放牛。諸放牛人往詣佛所，於道中自共論言：我等聞人說佛是一切智人，我等是下劣小人，何能別知實有一切智人！
諸婆羅門好喜酥酪，常常來往諸放牛人所作親厚，放牛人由是聞婆羅門種種經書名字。故言〈四韋陀經〉中治病法，鬥戰法，星宿法，祠天法，歌舞、論議難問法，是等六十四種世間技藝，淨飯王子廣學多聞，若知此事不足為難。
其從生以來不放牛，我等以放牛祕法問之，若能解者，實是一切智人。作是論已前人竹園，見佛光明照於林間。進前覓佛，見坐樹下，狀似金山，如酥投火，燄煥大明，有似鎔金，散竹林間上，紫金光色，視之無厭，心大歡喜，自相謂言：
今此釋師子 一切智有無
見之無不喜 此事亦已足
光明第一照 顏貌甚貴重
身相威德備 與佛名相稱
相相皆分明 威神亦滿足
福德自纏絡 見者無不愛
圓光身處中 觀者無厭足
若有一切智 必是有功德
一切諸彩畫 寶飾莊嚴像
欲比此妙身 不可以為喻
能滿諸觀者 令得第一樂
見之發淨信 必是一切智
待續
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The Cowherds Test the Buddha’s Omniscience
(T25.73b20-74b17 [fasc.2])
Bimbisara, king of the state of Magadha, invited the Buddha and five hundred disciples to stay for three months. Because the King required fresh milk and yogurt with which to make offerings to the Buddha and the Bhikshu Sangha, he told the cowherds to come and dwell at a place close by. Every day they delivered fresh milk and yogurt. At the end of the three month period, the King, out of kindness for the cowherds, told them, "You may go to see the Buddha and then afterwards you may come back and look after the cows." All of the cowherds then set out to pay a visit to the Buddha. While on the road they had a discussion among themselves, saying, "We have heard people say that the Buddha is omniscient. We are all lesser fellows of inferior station. How would we be able to determine that an omniscient man actually exists?"
Because all of the Brahmans are fond of yogurt, they were always coming and going at the cowherds' place and thus came to be quite friendly with them. On account of this the cowherds had come to hear the names of all of the various Brahmanical scriptures.
They continued, "As for all the difficult questions about the teachings in the four Vedas on techniques of healing, fighting, astrology, sacrifices to the gods, singing, dancing, debating, and all of the other sixty-four kinds of worldly arts like these: because this son of the Pure Rice King has studied broadly and is very learned, if he were to know about all of these matters, it would not qualify as remarkably difficult. But he has never been a cowherd. We'll ask him about the secret methods involved in raising cows. If he is able to understand them, then he actually is an omniscient man." After they had finished their discussion, they entered the bamboo gardens from the front and saw the light of the Buddha illuminating the forest. They moved forward, peeked at the Buddha, and saw him sitting beneath a tree, his shape like a mountain of gold. It was as when butter is thrown on the fire and its flames are intensely bright. It was as if molten gold had been showered all over the bamboo grove. They gazed insatiably upon his form radiating purple golden light. Their minds were greatly delighted and they said to themselves:
Now this lion of the Shakyan clan,
As to whether or not he possesses omniscience,
On seeing him no one fails to be delighted.
This matter alone would be sufficient as proof.
His light is the foremost illumination.
His countenance is extremely rare and precious.
The physical characteristics abound in awesome virtue.
They all measure up to the name of "Buddha."
Every characteristic is distinctly clear.
In awesome spirituality he is utterly replete.
He is cloaked in meritorious qualities.
Of those who see him, none fail to adore him.
His body dwells amidst an orb of light.
Whoever looks upon him can never see enough.
If there is someone who possesses omniscience,
Certainly he would possess these meritorious qualities.
All of the paintings portrayed in various hues
And the images embellished with jeweled adornments
Might try to compare with this exquisite figure,
But could never succeed if even only by simile.
He is able to satisfy all who gaze upon him,
Causing them to develop the most supreme bliss.
Whoever looks upon him gains pure faith.
Certainly he is a man who's omniscient.
To be continued
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