That It May Long Endure: From the Edicts of Asoka

Rock Edict VI. The Prompt Dispatch of Business摩崖敕令第六：政务从速#

'A long period has elapsed during which in the past business was not carried on or information brought in at all times. So by me the arrangement has been made that at all times, when I am eating, or in the ladies' apartments, or in my private room, or in the mews, or in my [?] conveyance, or in the pleasure-grounds, everywhere the persons appointed to give information should keep me informed about the affairs of the people.

“过去很长一段时间里，政务并非随时处理，消息也并非随时呈报。所以我作了这样的安排：无论何时——我在用膳，在后宫，在内室，在厩苑，在车驾上，还是在园林中——在任何地方，负责通报的人都应当把百姓的事务随时报告给我。

And in all places I attend to the affairs of the people. And, if, perchance, by word of mouth I personally command a donation or injunction; or, again, when a matter of urgency has been committed to the High Officers, and in that matter a division or adjournment takes place in the Council, then without delay information must be given to me in all places, at all times. Such is my command.

我在任何地方都处理百姓的事务。如果我亲口下令一项布施或一道命令；或者，有一件紧急的事务交给了大臣们，而议事会在这件事上意见分歧或决定延期，那么，无论在什么地方、什么时候，都必须立即报告给我。这是我的命令。

Because I never feel satisfaction in my exertions and dispatch of business. For work I must for the welfare of all the folk; and of that, again, the root is energy and the dispatch of business; for nothing is more essential than the welfare of all the folk. And whatsoever efforts I make they are made that I may attain release from my debt to animate beings, so that while in this world I make some persons happy, they may win heaven in the world beyond. For that purpose have I caused this scripture of the Law to be written in order that it may endure, while my sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons may take action for the welfare of all folk. That, however, is difficult save by the utmost exertion.'

因为我对自己的勤勉和处理政务从不感到满足。我必须为众生的福祉而工作；而这件事的根本，又在于勤奋和处事迅速；没有什么比众生的福祉更要紧。我所作的一切努力，都是为了偿还我对一切有情众生所欠的债，使我在今世让一些人快乐，使他们在来世得升天界。为此，我让人把这篇法的文字写下来，好让它长久留存，也让我的儿子、孙子和曾孙们为众生的福祉而努力。然而，若不竭尽全力，这是很难做到的。”

From Pillar Edict VII石柱敕令第七（节选）#

V. Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King:—

五、天爱喜见王如是说：

A small matter, however, is that so-called enjoyment.

然而，这种所谓的享用，只是小事。

…

……

IX. Thus saith His Sacred and Gracious Majesty the King:—

九、天爱喜见王如是说：

'Among men, however, when the aforesaid growth of piety has grown, it has been effected by twofold means, to wit, by regulations of the Law of Piety and by reflection. Of these two, however, regulations of the Law are of small account, whereas reflection is superior.

“然而，人们当中正法的增长，是由两种途径实现的：一是正法的规章，一是省思。两者之中，正法的规章作用小，省思则更为优越。

Nevertheless, regulations of the Law of Piety have been made by me to the effect that such and such species are exempt from slaughter, not to speak of numerous other regulations of the Law of Piety which have been made by me.

尽管如此，我还是制定了正法的规章，规定某某物种不得宰杀，此外我还制定了许多别的正法规章。

Yet the superiority of reflection is shown by the growth of piety among men and the more complete abstention from killing animate beings and from the sacrificial slaughter of living creatures.

但是，省思的优越，表现在人们当中正法的增长，以及更彻底地戒除杀害有情、戒除宰杀生灵献祭。

So for this purpose has this been recorded, in order that my sons and descendants (lit. "great grandsons") may conform thereto, and by thus conforming may win both this World and the next.

为此，这些话被记录下来，好让我的儿子和后代（原文作“曾孙”）遵行它，并因遵行它而赢得今世与来世。

X. Concerning this His Sacred Majesty saith:—

十、关于这件事，天爱如是说：

'This scripture of the Law of Piety, wheresoever pillars of stone or tables of stone exist, must there be recorded so that it may long endure.'

“这篇正法的文字，凡有石柱或石板的地方，都必须刻在那里，好让它长久留存。”