持经功德分第十五
THE MERIT AND VIRTUE GAINED FROM UPHOLDING THIS SUTRA, FIFTEEN
“Subhuti, if (on the one hand) a virtuous man or woman sacrifices in the practice of charity (dana), as many lives as the sand-grains of the Ganges in the morning, at midday and again in the evening, and continues so doing throughout numberless aeons;
须菩提！若有善男子、善女人，初日分以恒河沙等身布施，中日分复以恒河沙等身布施，后日分亦以恒河沙等身布施，如是无量百千万亿劫以身布施；
“and if (on the other hand) a person after listening to this sutra believes in his own mind without (further) contradiction, the latter's merit will surpass that of the former.
若复有人，闻此经典，信心不逆，其福胜彼，
“How much more so if this sutra is written, received, held, read, recited and expounded to others!
何况书写、受持、读诵、为人解说。
“Subhuti, to sum up, the merits resulting from this sutra are inconceivable, inestimable and without limit.
须菩提！以要言之，是经有不可思议、不可称量、无边功德。
“The Tathagata expounds it to those initiated into the Mahayana and the Supreme Yana.
如来为发大乘者说，为发最上乘者说。
“If they are able to receive, hold (in mind), read and recite it and expound it widely to others,
若有人能受持读诵，广为人说，
“the Tathagata will know and will see that they will achieve inexpressible and inconceivable merits that are without measure or limit.
如来悉知是人悉见是人，皆得成就不可量、不可称、无有边、不可思议功德，
“They will bear (responsibility for) the Tathagata's Supreme Enlightenment (Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.)
如是人等，则（即）为荷担如来阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。
“Why? Because, Subhuti,
何以故？须菩提！
“those who take delight in the Hinayana and hold the view of an ego, a personality, a being and a life,
若乐小法者，著我见、人见、众生见、寿者见，
“cannot listen to, receive, hold (in mind), read and recite this sutra and explain it to others.
则（即）于此经，不能听受读诵、为人解说。
“Subhuti, wheresoever this sutra may be found,
须菩提！在在处处，若有此经，
“all worlds of devas, men and asuras should make offerings,
一切世间、天、人、阿修罗，所应供养；
“for you should know that such a place is just a stupa which should be revered, worshipped and circumambulated, with offerings of flowers and incense.
当知此处，则为是塔，皆应恭敬，作礼围绕，以诸华香而散其处。
