The Sutra of the Ten Wholesome Deeds
Translated by the Tang Dynasty Khotan Tripitaka Master Śikṣānanda
Translated into English by HE, YUPING (Enid)
according to the explanations of the Advisor Bennie Spirit
of BPI Association (Buddhas’ Practice Incorporated)
如是我闻。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。
Thus I have heard. Once, the Buddha was in the dragon palace of Sagara, with eight thousand great monks and thirty-two thousand bodhisattvas.
尔时，世尊告龙王言。一切众生，心想异故，造业亦异，由是故有诸趣轮转。
At that time, the World Honoured One told the Dragon King:
All sentient beings create different karma due to their different consciousnesses.
Thus, they wander through different transmigratory states.
龙王，汝见此会及大海中，形色种类，各别不耶？
Dragon King, do you find that the forms of living beings in this assembly and in the ocean are different?
如是一切，靡不由心，造善不善，身业语业意业所致。
All of this is caused by the consciousness, which creates good and bad deeds from body, speech or mind.
而心无色，不可见取，但是虚妄，诸法集起，毕竟无主，无我我所。
However, the True-Self of consciousness is not form, cannot be attainable, but illusory.
All the phenomena come into being due to accumulating, ultimately without master, without self nor self-possession.
虽各随业，所现不同，而实于中，无有作者，故一切法皆不思议。
Although each one manifests differently according to its karma, in reality there is no creator, so all dharmas are incredible.
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。
All the phenomena based on Self-Nature are illusory. The wise knows this and chooses to cultivate wholesome deeds.
So that they are handsome and pleasant to others, so is everything of them, pleasant to others.
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，其有瞻仰如来身者，岂不目眩。
Dragon King, you see the Buddha’s body, which is born from hundreds of thousands of billions of merits and virtues. It is adorned with various features, and its light is so bright that it overwhelms the bodies of the assembly. Even if countless billions of self-reliant Brahma kings no longer appear and those who look upon the body of the Tathagata will be dazzled.
汝又观此诸大菩萨，妙色严净，一切皆由修习善业福德而生。
You also see that all the wonderful and pure manifestations including the bodies of these great Bodhisattvas are all from the merits and virtues of practicing wholesome deeds.
又诸天龙八部众等大威势者，亦因善业福德所生。
Moreover, the great and powerful beings such as the gods, dragons, and the eight divisions are also born from good deeds, bliss and virtues.
今大海中所有众生，形色粗鄙，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。
Now all the living beings in the sea have coarse appearances and forms, big or small. They have committed various unwholesome deeds of body, speech, and mind led by their own various thoughts. Therefore, they each receive retribution according to their karma.
汝今常应如是修学，亦令众生了达因果，修习善业。
You should always study and practice in this way, and also make living beings penetrate Cause and Effect and practice wholesome deeds.
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。
You should have Right Views and not fall into various False Views. You should joyfully respect and do offerings to the kind mentor, etc. Therefore, you will also be respected and supported by humans and devas.
龙王，当知菩萨有一法，能断一切诸恶道苦。
Dragon King, you should know that there is a Bodhisattva Way that can eliminate all the sufferings from the evil paths.
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。
What is it? It means that day and night, one should always think about and observe wholesome deeds, so that the wholesome deeds will grow with each thought, without allowing any evil to be mixed in. This will enable all evil to be permanently eliminated, the wholesome to be perfected, and the one always to be close to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and other Sages.
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。
The Wholesome Deeds is the foundation to all achievements of human beings, heavenly beings, Voice-hearers, Pratyekabuddhas and Unsurpassed Bodhi. Thus, it is called the Wholesome Dharma.
此法即是十善业道。
This Wholesome Dharma is namely Ten Wholesome Deeds.
何等为十？谓能永离杀生、偷盗、邪行、妄语、两舌、恶口、绮语、贪欲、嗔恚、邪见。
What are the ten? It means that one can forever stay away from Killing, Stealing, False Conduct, False Speech, Divisive Speech, Evil Speech, Idle Talk, Greed, Hatred, and False Views.
龙王，若离杀生，即得成就十离恼法。何等为十？
Dragon King, if you stay away from Killing, you will Stay Away from Afflictions in Ten Ways. What are those ten?
一、于诸众生，普施无畏。
二、常于众生，起大慈心。
三、永断一切嗔恚习气。
四、身常无病。
五、寿命长远。
六、恒为非人之所守护。
七、常无恶梦，寝觉快乐。
八、灭除怨结，众怨自解。
九、无恶道怖。
十、命终生天。
是为十。
1. Give fearlessness to all living beings.
2. Always have great compassion for living beings.
3. Forever eliminate all habits of Hatred.
4. Always be free from illness.
5. Gain a long life.
6. Always be protected by non-human beings.
7. Always have no nightmares, joyful whatever in dreams or awake.
8. Eliminate the knot of hatred, and all hatreds will be resolved automatically.
9. Have no fear of rebirth in the Three Evil Paths.
10. Be reborn in heaven after death.
These are the ten.
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。
If you transfer the merits from not killing to the attainment of Highest, Complete Enlightenment (Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi), when you become a Buddha in the future, you will obtain the Buddha’s free life span as you wish.
复次龙王。若离偷盗，即得十种可保信法。何等为十？
Again, Dragon King, if you refrain from Stealing, you will be assured in ten respects.
What are the ten?
一、资财盈积，王贼水火及非爱子，不能散灭。
二、多人爱念。
三、人不欺负。
四、十方赞美。
五、不忧损害。
六、善名流布。
七、处众无畏。
八、财命色力安乐，辩才具足无缺。
九、常怀施意。
十、命终生天。
是为十。
1. Your wealth will be plentiful, and kings, thieves, water, fire, and unloved children will not be able to possess it.
2. Many people will love and remember you.
3. No one will bully you.
4. People in Ten Directions will praise you.
5. No worries about harm.
6. Good reputation will spread.
7. Be fearless in the crowd.
8. Your wealth, life, form, strength, peace, and eloquence are complete and perfect.
9. Always have the intention to give.
10. Rebirth in heaven after death.
These are the ten.
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。
If one can transfer to the attainment of Highest, Complete Enlightenment, when he becomes a Buddha in the future, he will obtain pure full enlightened wisdom.
复次龙王。若离邪行，即得四种智所赞法。何等为四？
Again, Dragon King. If one refrains from False Conduct, he will be praised by the wise in four respects. What are the four?
一、诸根调顺。二、永离諠掉。三、世所称叹。四、妻莫能侵。是为四。
1. All sense organs are in harmony.
2. Forever free from quarrels.
3. Be praised by the world.
4. Spouse cannot be assaulted by others and they cannot be assaulted by their spouse either.
These are the four.
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。
If one can transfer the merits above to the attainment of Highest, Complete Enlightenment, when he becomes a Buddha in the future, he will attain the form of Buddha, which can be transformed at will.
复次龙王。若离妄语，即得八种天所赞法。何等为八？
Again, Dragon King. If one refrains from False Speech, he will obtain eight kinds of praises by the devas. What are the eight?
一、口常清净，优钵华香。
二、为诸世间之所信伏。
三、发言成证，人天敬爱。
四、常以爱语，安慰众生。
五、得胜意乐，三业清净。
六、言无误失，心常欢喜。
七、发言尊重，人天奉行。
八、智慧殊胜，无能制伏。
是为八。
1. His mouth is always clean and filled with fragrance of Udumbara.
2. He is trusted and respected by the world.
3. He is respected by humans and gods because his speech is testimony.
4. He always comforts sentient beings with loving words.
5. He obtains supreme joy in mind and is pure in body, speech and mind.
6. His speech is free from mistakes and he is always joyful.
7. His speech is respected and followed by humans and gods.
8. His wisdom is extraordinary and cannot be subdued.
These are the eight.
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。
If one can transfer the merits to the attainment of Highest, Complete Enlightenment, when he becomes a Buddha in the future, he will obtain the Merit named Tathagata’s True Words.
复次龙王。若离两舌，即得五种不可坏法。何等为五？
Again, Dragon King. If one refrains from Divisive Speech, he will obtain five kinds of indestructible Merits. What are the five?
一、得不坏身，无能害故。
二、得不坏眷属，无能破故。
三、得不坏信，顺本业故。
四、得不坏法行，所修坚固故。
五、得不坏善知识，不诳惑故。
是为五。
1. One can obtain an indestructible body, so that nothing can harm it.
2. One can obtain indestructible retinue, so that nobody can destroy it.
3. One can obtain indestructible faith; in that way he can achieve everything according to its principle.
4. One can obtain indestructible practice, so that he can achieve everything eventually.
5. One can obtain indestructible Kind Mentor, who never deceive or confuse him.
These are the five.
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。
If one can transfer the merits to the attainment of Highest, Complete Enlightenment, when he becomes a Buddha in the future, he will obtain the right retinue, and the demons and heretics will not be able to destroy them.
复次龙王。若离恶口，即得成就八种净业。何等为八？
Again, Dragon King. If one refrains from Evil Speech, one will be able to accomplish the eight kinds of pure karma. What are the eight?
一、言不乖度。
二、言皆利益。
三、言必契理。
四、言词美妙。
五、言可承领。
六、言则信用。
七、言无可讥。
八、言尽爱乐。
是为八。
1. One’s words are never inappropriate.
2. One’s words are all beneficial.
3. One’s words are definitely in accordance with the truth.
4. One’s words are beautiful.
5. One’s words can be acceptable.
6. One’s words are trustworthy.
7. One’s words are beyond criticism.
8. One’s words are full of love and joy.
These are the eight.
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。
If one can transfer the merits to the attainment of Highest, Complete Enlightenment, when he becomes a Buddha in the future, he will obtain Tathagata’s Brahma Voice.
复次龙王。若离绮语，即得成就三种决定。何等为三？
Again, Dragon King. If you stay away from Idle Talk, you will achieve three kinds of merits definitely. What are the three?
一、定为智人所爱。
二、定能以智，如实答问。
三、定于人天，威德最胜，无有虚妄。
是为三。
1. You will be loved by the wise definitely.
2. You will cope with things truthfully and wisely.
3. You will definitely be the most powerful and virtuous among humans and gods, and there will be no falsehood.
These are the three.
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。
If you can transfer the merits to the attainment of Highest Complete Enlightenment, when you become a Buddha in the future, you will obtain all the predictions given by the Tathagata, and none of them will be in vain.
复次龙王。若离贪欲，即得成就五种自在。何等为五？
Again, Dragon King. If you stay away from greed, you will achieve five kinds of Ease. What are the five?
一、三业自在，诸根具足故。
二、财物自在，一切怨贼不夺故。
三、福德自在，随心所欲，物皆备故。
四、王位自在，珍奇妙物，皆奉献故。
五、所获之物，过本所求百倍殊胜，由于昔时不悭嫉故。
是为五。
1. Your Three Karma are at ease, because all the senses of organs are intact.
2. Your wealth is at ease, because all enemies and thieves will not take it away.
3. Your bliss is at ease, because you can obtain anything at will.
4. You are at ease on your throne, and all rare and wonderful things are offered to you.
5. You will receive rewards far beyond expectations, because of you not harbouring jealousy in the past.
These are the five.
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。
If you can transfer the merits to the attainment of Highest, Complete Enlightenment, when you become a Buddha in the future, as the most honoured in the three realms, you are offered by all.
复次龙王。若离嗔恚，即得八种喜悦心法。何等为八？
Again, Dragon King. If you get rid of anger, you will obtain eight kinds of joyful minds. What are the eight?
一、无损恼心。
二、无嗔恚心。
三、无诤讼心。
四、柔和质直心。
五、得圣者慈心。
六、常作利益，安众生心。
七、身相端严，众共尊敬。
八、以和忍故，速生梵世。
是为八。
1. No harming intention.
2. No anger.
3. No dispute.
4. Gentle and honest.
5. As compassionate as the saints.
6. Be mindful of benefiting and comforting sentient beings.
7. Have a dignified appearance and be respected by all.
8. Be reborn in the Brahma world quickly because of your gentleness and perseverance.
These are the eight.
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。
If you can transfer the merits to the attainment of Highest, Complete Enlightenment, when you become a Buddha in the future, you will obtain the Buddha’s unobstructed mind, and those who see you will never get tired of seeing you.
复次龙王。若离邪见，即得成就十功德法。何等为十？
Again, Dragon King. If you are free from False Views, you will achieve ten merits. What are the ten?
一、得真善意乐、真善等侣。
二、深信因果，宁殒身命，终不作恶。
三、惟归依佛，非余天等。
四、直心正见，永离一切吉凶疑网。
五、常生人天，不更恶道。
六、无量福慧，转转增胜。
七、永离邪道，行于圣道。
八、不起身见，舍诸恶业。
九、住无碍见。
十、不堕诸难。
是为十。
1. Obtain wholesome mindfulness and honest and kind companions.
2. Deeply believe in Cause & Effect, and would rather die than do evil.
3. Only take refuge in the Buddha, not in other gods.
4. Have a straight mind and right views, and forever get rid of all doubts about good and bad.
5. Always be born in the human and heavenly realms, never reborn in the evil paths.
6. Obtain infinite blessings and wisdoms, increasing in turn.
7. Forever leave the evil path behind, trend on the holy path.
8. No attachment on Body, abandon all evil deeds.
9. Establish yourself in the unobstructed view.
10. Never fall into all difficulties.
These are the ten.
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。
If you can transfer the merits to the attainment of Highest, Complete Enlightenment, when you become a Buddha in the future, you will quickly realize all the Buddha-Dharma and achieve supernatural powers freely.
尔时，世尊复告龙王言。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。
At that time, the Buddha told the Dragon King again. If a Bodhisattva, according to these wholesome deeds, can refrain from Killing and practices Giving, he is always rich in wealth, which cannot be invaded or robbed; he will live a long life without premature death, and will not be harmed by all enemies and thieves.
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。
If one can refrain from Stealing and practices Giving, he is always rich in wealth, which cannot be invaded or robbed, the most superior and incomparable, and he can fully collect the Dharma Treasure of all Buddhas.
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。
If one can get rid of False Conduct and practice Giving, he is always rich in wealth, which cannot be invaded or robbed; his family is chaste, and his mother, wife, and children, no one can look at them with lust.
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。If If one can get rid of False Speech and practices Charity, he is always rich in wealth, which cannot be invaded or robbed; he is free from slander, and can uphold the Dharma. As he vows, his deeds will bear fruit.
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。
If he is free from Divisive Speech and practices charity, he is always rich in wealth, which cannot be invaded or robbed; his family is harmonious, and they are kindred spirits, without quarrel forever.
离粗恶语，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。
If he is free from Evil Speech and practices charity, he is always rich in wealth, which cannot be invaded or robbed; all the assemblies are joyful to take refuge in him, and all his words are believed and accepted, and no one will oppose him.
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。
If he is free from Nonsense Speech and practices charity, he is always rich in wealth, which cannot be invaded or robbed; his words are not empty nor false, and everyone respects him; he is able to use skilful means to eliminate all doubts.
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。
If he abandons greed and desire but practices Giving, he is always rich in wealth, which cannot be invaded or robbed; he can donate everything he has; his faith and understanding are firm, and he has great power.
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。
If he is free from anger and practices charity, he is always rich in wealth, which cannot be invaded or robbed; he can quickly achieve enlightenment by himself, can attain an unobstructed mind and fine appearance; everyone respects and loves him.
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。
Because of giving away one’s False Views, he practices Giving, in that way he is always rich in wealth, which cannot be invaded or robbed; he is always born in a family with Right Views, Respect and Faith; he can encounter the Buddhas to hear Dharma, and can support the Sangha; he never forgets the Great Bodhi.
是为大士修菩萨道时，行十善业，以施庄严，所获大利如是。
This is the great benefit gained from practicing the Ten Wholesome Deeds and purifying himself with Giving by a great bodhisattva when treading the bodhisattva path.
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。
Dragon King, in summary, by practicing the Ten Wholesome Deeds and adorning yourself with Precepts, you can obtain all the benefits and virtues of the Dharma and fulfill great vows.
忍辱庄严故，得佛圆音，具众相好。
Adorning yourself with Perseverance in addition to practicing the Ten Wholesome Deeds, you can obtain the perfect sound of the Buddha and possess all good qualities of the Buddha.
精进庄严故，能破魔怨，入佛法藏。
Adoring yourself with Diligence additionally, you can defeat the devil and enter the Buddha-Dharma treasury.
定庄严故，能生念慧惭愧轻安。
In addition, adoring yourself with Concentration, you can generate mindfulness, wisdom, shame, and ease.
慧庄严故，能断一切分别妄见。
In addition to that, with the adornment of Wisdom, you can cut off all discriminatory False Views.
慈庄严故，于诸众生，不起恼害。
In addition to that, with the adornment of Loving-Kindness, you will not cause annoyance or harm to all living beings.
悲庄严故，愍诸众生，常不厌舍。
Additionally, with the adornment of Compassion, you can have pity on all living beings and never tires of giving.
喜庄严故，见修善者，心无嫌嫉。
Additionally, with the adornment of joy, you will show no jealousy when seeing those who practice wholesome deeds.
舍庄严故，于顺违境，无爱恚心。
In addition, with the adornment of Giving, one will have no attachment or anger in whatever favourable or unfavourable circumstances.
四摄庄严故，常勤摄化一切众生。
In addition to that, with the adornment of Four Bodhisattva Practices, you can always diligently benefit and move sentient beings through skilful guidance.”
念处庄严故，善能修习四念处观。
In addition to that, with the adornment of mindfulness, one can practice the four kinds of mindfulness well.
正勤庄严故，悉能断除一切不善法，成一切善法。
In addition to Practicing Ten Wholesome Deeds, with the adornment of Right effort, one can completely eliminate all unwholesome dharmas and achieve all wholesome dharmas.
神足庄严故，恒令身心轻安快乐。
In addition to that, with the adornment of Supernatural Powers, one can always make the body and mind at ease and at peace.
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。
With the adornment of the Five Faculties added, one can have a deep and firm faith, be diligent and never slackens, always free from delusion, calm and docile, and can eliminate all afflictions.
力庄严故，众怨尽灭，无能坏者。
With the adornment of the Five Strengths added, all enemies can be completely destroyed and no one can destroy them.
觉支庄严故，常善觉悟一切诸法。
In addition to that, with the adornment of Enlightenment Factors, one can always be good at awakening to all dharmas.
正道庄严故，得正智慧常现在前。
In addition to that, if one adorns himself with Right Paths, his Correct Wisdom is always present.
止庄严故，悉能涤除一切结使。
In addition to that, if one adorns himself with Meditative Concentration, one can completely eliminate all knots.
观庄严故，能如实知，诸法自性。
In addition to that, if one adorns himself with Contemplation, one can know the true nature of all dharmas.
方便庄严故，速得成满，为无为乐。
In addition to that, with the adornment of Skilful Means, one can quickly achieve the bliss from both Changeable Phenomena and True-Self.
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。
Dragon King, you should know that these Ten Wholesome Deeds can even make the Ten Powers, Fearlessness, Eighteen Uniqueness, and all Buddha-Dharma complete, so you should practice them diligently.
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。
Dragon King, just as all cities and settlements are based on the earth, all medicinal herbs, plants, trees and forests grow relying on the earth.
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。
The Ten Wholesome Deeds are also like this. All human beings and devas are based on it. All the Śrāvakas, Pratyekabuddhas, Bodhisattvas, and all the Dharmas are accomplished based on this Ten Wholesome Deeds.
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。
After the Buddha spoke this sutra, the Dragon King Sagara and his retinue, all the devas, humans, and asuras in the world were all delighted, faithfully accepted them and put them into practice.
（佛说十善业道经 经文摘自《乾隆大藏经》第六十七册、七九五页。）
(The Sutra of the Ten Wholesome Deeds, Quoted from pg.795, vol. 67 of the Qianlong Tripitaka.)