The Sutra of King Udayana as Spoken by the Buddha (Complete Text)
During the era of the Western Jin Dynasty, the venerable monk Fahju was tasked with translating this decree.
Upon hearing thus, at one time, the Buddha resided in the kingdom of Kosala. The king, known as Udayana, ruled there. In Kosala, there lived a man named Maudgalyayana, whose daughter, of exquisite beauty and rare grace, was named Unparalleled. Her radiance was such that it was scarcely matched in the realm. Neighboring kings and nobles vied for her hand in marriage. Her father replied, “If there is a gentleman worthy of my daughter’s grace, I shall consider it.” At that time, the Buddha was visiting their kingdom. Maudgalyayana beheld the Buddha, observing his thirty-two auspicious marks and eighty excellent attributes. The Buddha’s form was majestic, his complexion a resplendent golden hue. Overwhelmed with joy, Maudgalyayana exclaimed, “My daughter has found her match.” He informed his wife, saying, “We have found a son-in-law worthy of Unparalleled.” They hastened to adorn their daughter, preparing her for the occasion. Together, husband and wife escorted their daughter to the presence of the Buddha. Witnessing the unparalleled radiance and splendor of the Buddha’s auspicious marks, his divine appearance beyond worldly comprehension, they recognized him as a celestial being. The wife said to her husband, “These marks and colors are not of this world. Surely, this is a divine being. If he were to accept our daughter, he would surely be beyond worldly desires, and thus, she would not be dishonored.” The husband asked, “How can you be so certain?” In response, the wife spoke in verse:
“The lustful drag their feet in stride,
The wrathful point and gesture in pride.
The foolish stumble upon the earth,
These marks, divine, of celestial worth.”
Maudgalyayana said, “This understanding is beyond the comprehension of ordinary women. If you are not pleased, then let us return home.” He then brought his daughter before the Buddha, bowed at his feet, and said, “Great Sir, you tirelessly impart teachings. I have no wealth to offer, only my daughter, a simple maiden. May she serve with broom and dustpan.” The Buddha asked, “Do you consider your daughter to be exceptional?” He replied, “Indeed, her beauty is unmatched in this world. Many kings and nobles have sought her hand, but I have not consented. However, upon witnessing your incomparable radiance, I am inclined to offer her to you out of greed for spiritual sustenance.” The Buddha asked, “What makes this maiden so exceptional?” Maudgalyayana replied, “From head to toe, she is flawless in every aspect.” The Buddha spoke, “Oh, the delusion of the fleshly eyes! As I observe from head to toe, not a single aspect pleases. If there be hair upon the head, it resembles the tail of an elephant or a horse. Below the hair lies a skull, akin to the skull of a swine slaughtered for its bones. Within the head resides the brain, akin to the stench of mudfish sauce. Below the nose, where no foot may tread, lies the essence of fragility. The eyes, mere vessels of fleeting clarity. Within the nostrils, mucus; within the mouth, mere saliva. The abdomen harbors liver and lungs, akin to the putrid essence of mudfish. The intestines, bladder, and stomach, mere vessels for excrement, urine, and the foul decay of matter. The abdomen, a sack enveloping all impurities, while the limbs, bones, muscles, and sinews merely rely on the breath for animation, like puppets manipulated by unseen strings. Once life ebbs away, the body, disjointed and scattered, lies abandoned, limbs strewn, akin to a disordered puppet. What goodness lies within such duality? In the past, beneath the Bodhi tree, the demon king adorned his three daughters, surpassing heavenly hues. His intent was to disrupt my path. Yet, upon speaking of the impurities within my form, they transformed into aged crones and departed without shame or regret. Now, this vessel of filth, what attachment does it seek? I shall not cling to it. Hearing the Buddha’s words, shame enveloped my heart, and I had no words to reply. Again, I spoke to the Buddha, asking, ‘If one refrains from taking what is virtuous, may they seek solace in the embrace of a spouse or the comforts of royalty?’ The Buddha remained silent. Thus, I bestowed the women upon the king, who, delighted, honored me as his father and adorned his palace for the women’s pleasure. He surrounded them with a thousand entertainers. The king, in turn, sought guidance from the Buddha and attained the path of Stream-Entry. These women praised the king’s virtue, and he, swayed by their words, attempted to shoot a hundred arrows at their backs. Yet, seeing the arrows, they felt no fear or anger. With compassionate hearts, they knelt before the king. The arrows, circling them thrice, returned to rest before the king. Such was the marvel! Astonished and humbled, the king mounted a white elephant and swiftly journeyed to the Buddha’s presence. Before alighting, he descended from his chariot and prostrated himself before the Buddha’s feet, confessing his grave misdeeds committed against the Triple Gem. He acknowledged his previous indulgence in sensuality and the propagation of evil. For each malicious thought towards the Buddha’s noble assembly, he had unleashed a hundred arrows upon the Buddha’s disciples. Witnessing these events, his heart trembled with fear.” In the presence of the enlightened Buddhas, the boundless compassion reigns supreme. Clad in white, the disciple’s compassionate power is undeniable. How could one not be in awe of the transcendent and true Buddha? Today, I humbly confess and surrender to the three honored ones. Only the Buddha’s boundless compassion can absolve our faults. With a smile, the Buddha remarked, “Well done, noble king. Recognizing one’s faults is the path of the enlightened.” I graciously accept the Buddha’s benevolent intentions and bow in reverence. Thus, I approach the three Buddhas, and they graciously accept my repentance. Prostrating myself once more, I earnestly confess, “My breath is often filled with anger and pride, lacking in patience and humility. The three poisons of desire, hatred, and ignorance cloud my virtuous intentions. I am drawn to the allure of wickedness, oblivious to its true nature. I fear that upon my demise, I shall descend into the depths of hell. May the Buddha, in his infinite compassion, shed light on the deceptive ways of female demons. Once ensnared in their web of deceit, few can break free. Let my misfortunes serve as a warning to all, from the highest ruler to the lowliest subject.” The Buddha replied, “Your inquiry is both timely and profound.” I vow to expound upon this matter on a future occasion. The dangers of female allurements are indeed grave, yet their perils remain veiled to many. Without knowledge of the impending calamity, how can one avoid its grasp? May the Buddha elucidate the horrors of hell and the depravity of women, so that all may be forewarned. The Buddha began, “Listen closely. When a man succumbs to lust and falls prey to female enchantments…” The profound debt of solitude. Such is the nature of dual evils. Furthermore, amidst life’s toils and wearisome struggles, one diligently strives, yet inadvertently forsakes the virtues of integrity, reverence, and respect for the path of righteousness. The heart, aspiring towards the realm of enlightenment, perceives the world’s transience. Bestowing generosity for the sake of blessings, one succumbs to the entanglements of desire and folly, ensnared by the allure of carnal pleasures. Deviating from truth to indulge in vice, solely enticed by the allure of feminine allure, even if one harbors intentions of benevolence, the mere utterance in the pursuit of such pleasures tarnishes the purity of one’s character, descending into the realm of the ignoble. Unaware of the teachings of the Buddha, oblivious to the consequences of virtue and vice, surrendering oneself to the snares of lust shall only lead to eternal damnation, epitomizing the trifecta of wickedness. Moreover, failing in filial piety, neglecting the duty of nurturing gratitude, amassing wealth without regard for familial obligations, solely preoccupied with the pursuit of carnal desires, hoarding treasures to attract women, committing atrocities against animals and indulging in sacrilegious rituals, reveling in intoxication and debauchery, and orchestrating clandestine liaisons to gratify one’s lustful cravings, ignorant of the fetters of vice, blindly reveling in the fleeting euphoria, heedless of the stench of moral decay and the torments of the infernal abyss. Such folly is both laughable and fearsome, akin to a rabid beast ignorant of its own depravity. This epitomizes the quartet of wickedness as proclaimed by the Buddha, the four evils that lead one into the abyss of suffering. Thus, one must heed these warnings and steer clear of such paths to avoid inevitable suffering. Furthermore, it is said that the wickedness of women is no less formidable. The Buddha spoke in verses:
When driven by desires, one’s mind is restless,
Unable to find peace even when given free rein.
Practicing generosity without proper guidance,
How can one be considered wise?
Engaging in actions of an animalistic nature,
Only to bring about one’s own downfall.
Like worms dwelling in foul places,
Unaware of their predicament.
Lost in darkness like insects,
Without knowledge of direction.
Bound by the chains of sensual pleasures,
Their nature akin to that of worms.
Straying from the path of righteousness,
Sowing the seeds of sin day and night.
In this world, rulers and subjects are confused,
Laws are distorted, righteousness obscured.
Farmers abandon their fields,
Merchants hoard their treasures.
In this world, prisons abound,
And death leads to the great mountain.
Subjected to countless torments,
Pain beyond comprehension.
Forced to drink molten bronze,
Wrapped in mountains of firewood.
The sufferings of these beings are numerous,
Too many to enumerate.
They wander incessantly in the three evil realms,
Like a wheel turning without end.
Even if a Buddha were to appear in this world,
They would not have the chance to hear.
Women are considered the most wicked,
Difficult to escape from their influence.
Bound by the ties of affection,
Leading others into the gates of sin.
Why praise women?
They are but vessels of excrement and urine.
Why not contemplate this truth?
And abandon all delusions.
Internally foul and impure,
Yet externally adorned with beauty.
Like a house harboring venomous scorpions,
Appearing gentle as snakes and dragons.
Fools are entranced by their appearance,
Playing with fire to their own detriment.
The wise perceive and let go,
While the foolish suffer injury and death.
Sensual desires are likewise,
Embracing blades to meet one’s demise.
What is new quickly becomes tiresome,
What is enjoyable is also transient.
Words can cut like knives and axes,
Laughter can prick like thorns and briars.
Internally harboring foul and poisonous thoughts,
Yet outwardly adorned with fragrant flowers.
Foolish individuals crave their taste,
Unaware of the suffering to come.
Like poison disguised as nectar,
Causing destruction wherever it goes.
Just as fire consumes dry wood,
Or frost withers greenery.
Superficial appearances deceive,
The true nature remains unseen.
But the poison of women is severe,
Even grass can be harmed by its touch.
To sever desires and seek the path,
Yet still the craving persists.
Its form readily apparent,
But the foolish remain ensnared.
The net is cast on all sides,
The path obscured like a hair’s breadth.
Humans, originally pure in nature,
Now find themselves in the depths like fish.
Only the wise can awaken,
Breaking free from the entanglements.
Desires are more binding than ropes,
Their grip tightening with each yearning.
To throw oneself into a thicket of thorns,
Is to find release from captivity.
Like hungry monkeys seeing ripe fruits,
Focusing solely on sensual pleasures, leading to countless falls.
Or like fish swallowing the hook,
Moths flying into the flame.
Fools find delight in these traps,
Unaware of the suffering to come.
Thus spoke the Buddha. Joy fills the heart of the virtuous King Wang as he prostrates himself humbly. With solemnity, he declares, “Never have I heard of the wickedness of women since the beginning of my existence. It is the man who, deviating from righteousness, falls into sin. Henceforth, I shall govern my thoughts with clarity and remorse for the rest of my days. I vow never to transgress again, seeking refuge in the Three Jewels.” With reverence, he pays homage to the Buddha, filled with gladness, and departs.
