Sutra on the Eight Realizations of Great Beings

為佛弟子，常於晝夜，至心誦念，八大人覺：

As disciples of the Buddha, day and night, wholeheartedly recite and contemplate the Eight Realizations of the Great Beings.

第一覺悟：世間無常，國土危脆；四大苦空，五
陰無我；生滅變異，虛偽無主；心是惡源，形為
罪藪。如是觀察，漸離生死。

The First Realization: The world is impermanent; lands are fragile and insecure. The four great elements are suffering and empty; the five aggregates are without self. Arising, ceasing, changing, and transforming, they are unsubstantial and without a master. The mind is the source of evil; the body is a thicket of offenses. Observing in this way, one gradually becomes free from birth and death.

第二覺知：多欲為苦，生死疲勞，從貪欲起；少
欲無為，身心自在。

The Second Realization: Many desires are suffering. The weariness of birth and death arises from craving and desire. Desiring little and free from contrivance, body and mind are at ease.

第三覺知：心無厭足，唯得多求，增長罪惡；菩
薩不爾，常念知足，安貧守道，唯慧是業。

The Third Realization: The mind is never satisfied; it only seeks ever more, increasing offenses and evil. The bodhisattva is not so. He is always mindful of contentment, at peace in poverty and guarding the Way, making wisdom alone his work.

第四覺知：懈怠墜落；常行精進，破煩惱惡，摧
伏四魔，出陰界獄。

The Fourth Realization: Indolence leads to downfall. Constantly practise diligence, destroying the evils of the afflictions, crushing and subduing the four māras, and escaping the prison of the aggregates and realms.

第五覺悟：愚癡生死。菩薩常念，廣學多聞，增
長智慧，成就辯才，教化一切，悉以大樂。

The Fifth Realization: From ignorance arise birth and death. The bodhisattva is ever mindful to study broadly and hear much, to increase wisdom, to perfect eloquence, to teach and transform all beings, and to bring them all to great joy.

第六覺知：貧苦多怨，橫結惡緣。菩薩布施，等
念冤親，不念舊惡，不憎惡人。

The Sixth Realization: Poverty and suffering give rise to much resentment, wrongly forming evil karmic ties. The bodhisattva practises giving, regarding enemy and kin with an equal mind, not dwelling on past wrongs, and not hating those who do evil.

第七覺悟：五欲過患。雖為俗人，不染世樂；常念
三衣，瓦鉢法器；志願出家，守道清白；梵行高
遠，慈悲一切。

The Seventh Realization: The five desires are full of faults and dangers. Although one is a layperson, one is not stained by worldly pleasures. One constantly calls to mind the three robes, the clay alms bowl, and the implements of the Dharma; resolves to go forth from home; guards the Path in purity; practises pure conduct, lofty and far-reaching; and is compassionate toward all beings.

第八覺知：生死熾然，苦惱無量。發大乘心，普
濟一切；願代眾生，受無量苦；令諸眾生，畢竟
大樂。

The Eighth Realization: Birth and death are blazing; suffering and affliction are without measure. Arouse the mind of the Great Vehicle and universally deliver all beings. Vow to bear immeasurable suffering on behalf of beings, so that all beings may attain ultimate great bliss.

如此八事，乃是諸佛菩薩大人之所覺悟。精
進行道，慈悲修慧，乘法身船，至涅槃岸；復還
生死，度脫眾生。以前八事，開導一切，令諸眾
生，覺生死苦，捨離五欲，修心聖道。

These eight realizations are those awakened to by all buddhas, bodhisattvas, and great beings. With diligence they practise the Way; with compassion they cultivate wisdom. Riding the ship of the Dharma-body, they reach the shore of nirvāṇa. Then they return again into birth and death to deliver and liberate sentient beings. By means of these eight realizations, they instruct and guide all beings, causing them to awaken to the suffering of birth and death, relinquish the five desires, and cultivate the mind in the noble Way.

若佛弟子，

誦此八事，於念念中，滅無量罪；進趣菩提，速
登正覺；永斷生死，常住快樂。

If a disciple of the Buddha recites these eight realizations, then in every thought-moment measureless offenses are extinguished. One advances toward bodhi, swiftly ascends to perfect awakening, forever severs birth and death, and abides forever in bliss.