21.1 （一）第一德

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was at Anāthapiṇḍada's Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī.

At that time, the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus, "There are three virtues of taking refuge. What are the three? They are taking refuge in the Buddha as the first virtue, taking refuge in the Dharma as the second virtue, and taking refuge in the Saṃgha as the third virtue.

What is meant by the virtue of taking refuge in the Buddha? Among all beings, whether two-legged, four-legged, or many-legged, with form or formless, with perception or without perception, up to the heaven of the Paranirmitavaśavartin, the Tathāgata is the most honored and supreme, without equal. Just as from a cow comes milk, from milk comes curd, from curd comes butter, and from butter comes ghee; and yet ghee is the most honored and supreme among them, without equal. It is the same here. Among all beings, whether two-legged, four-legged, or many-legged, with form or formless, with perception or without perception, up to the heaven of the Paranirmitavaśavartin, the Tathāgata is the most honored and supreme, without equal. Those who serve the Buddha are said to serve the most honored and supreme virtue. By attaining the most honored and supreme virtue, one will receive the blessings of heaven and the human realm. This is called the most honored and supreme virtue.

What is meant by taking refuge in the Dharma? It refers to all dharmas, whether with taints or without taints, conditioned or unconditioned, free from desire and defilements, and the cessation of nirvana. The Dharma of nirvana is the most honored and supreme among all dharmas, without equal. Just as from a cow comes milk, from milk comes curd, from curd comes butter, and from butter comes ghee; and yet ghee is the most honored and supreme among them, without equal. It is the same here. It refers to all dharmas, whether with taints or without taints, conditioned or unconditioned, free from desire and defilements, and the cessation of nirvana. The Dharma of nirvana is the most honored and supreme among all dharmas, without equal. Those who serve the Dharma are said to serve the most honored and supreme virtue. By attaining the most honored and supreme virtue, one will receive the blessings of heaven and the human realm. This is called the most honored and supreme virtue.

What is meant by taking refuge in the Sangha? It refers to the Sangha, the great assembly, the great gathering of all beings with form. Among all beings, the Sangha of the Tathāgata is the most honored and supreme, without equal. Just as from a cow comes milk, from milk comes curd, from curd comes butter, and from butter comes ghee; and yet ghee is the most honored and supreme among them, without equal. It is the same here. It refers to the Sangha, the great assembly, the great gathering of all beings with form. Among all beings, the Sangha of the Tathāgata is the most honored and supreme, without equal. This is said to be serving the most honored and supreme virtue. By attaining the most honored and supreme virtue, one will receive the blessings of heaven and the human realm. This is called the most honored and supreme virtue.

At that time, the World-Honored One spoke this verse:

First, serving the Buddha is the most honored and
supreme; next, serving the Dharma is without desire and
attachment; respectfully serving the Sangha is the best field
of merit. That person's first wisdom receives blessings first
If in the heavens or among humans, leading the
assembly is the right guide; also obtaining the most
wonderful seat, naturally eating sweet dew. Wearing the seven-jeweled
robe, respected by others; precepts complete and perfect, faculties
without deficiency. Also attaining the ocean of wisdom, gradually
reaching the realm of nirvāṇa; having these three refuges
entering the path is not difficult.

At that time, the bhikṣus heard what the Buddha said and joyfully practiced it.