The Project Gutenberg eBook of 大唐三藏取經詩話 This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: 大唐三藏取經詩話 Author: Various Annotator: Guowei Wang Contributor: Zhenyu Luo Release date: May 25, 2017 [eBook #54784] Language: Chinese Credits: Produced by YuChing Su *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 大唐三藏取經詩話 *** Produced by YuChing Su Title 大唐三藏取經詩話(Da Tang Sanzang Qujing Shihua) Author 1 振玉 羅 (Contributor) Author 2 平秋 安 (Compiler) Author 3 國維 王 (Annotator) Publisher 上海古籍出版社 Table of Contents 1 口口口口口口第一 2 行程遇猴行者處第二 3 入大梵天王宮第三 4 入香山寺第四 5 過獅子林及樹人國第五 6 過長坑大蛇嶺處第六 7 入九龍池處第七 8 （題原缺）第八 9 入鬼子母國處第九 10 經過女人國處第十 11 入王母池之處第十一 12 入沉香國處第十二 13 入波羅國處第十三 14 入優缽羅國處第十四 15 入竺國度海之處第十五 16 轉至香林寺受心經本第十六 17 到陜西王長者妻殺兒處第十七 口口口口口口第一 （文原缺） 行程遇猴行者處第二 僧行六人，當日起行。法師語曰：「今往西天，程途百萬，各人謹慎 。」小師應諾。 行經一國已來，偶於一日午時，見一白衣秀才從正東而來，便揖和尚： 「萬福，萬福！和尚今往何處？莫不是再往西天取經否？」法師合掌 曰：「貧僧奉敕，為東土眾生未有佛教，是取經也。」秀才曰：「和 尚生前兩廻去取經，中路遭難，此廻若去，千死萬死。」法師云：「 你如何得知？」秀才曰：「我不是別人，我是花果山紫雲洞八萬四千 銅頭鐵額獼猴王。我今來助和尚取經。此去百萬程途，經過三十六國 ，多有禍難之處。」法師應曰：「果得如此，三世有緣。東土眾生， 獲大利益。」當便改呼為猴行者。 僧行七人，次日同行，左右伏事。猴行者乃留詩曰： 百萬程途向那邊，今來佐助大師前。 一心祝願逢真教，同往西天雞足山。 三藏法師答曰： 此日前生有宿緣，今朝果遇大明賢。 前途著到妖魔處，望顯神通鎮佛前。 入大梵天王宮第三 法師行程湯水之次，問猴行者曰：「汝年幾歲？」行者答曰：「九度 見黃河清。」法師不覺失笑，大生怪疑，遂曰：「汝年尚少，何得妄 語？」行者曰：「我年紀小，歷過世代萬千，知得法師前生兩廻去西 天取經，途中遇害。法師曾知兩廻死處無？」師曰：「不知。」行者 曰：「和尚蓋緣當日佛法未全，道緣末滿，致見如此。」法師曰：「 汝若是九度見黃河清，曾知天上、地府事否？」行者答曰：「何有不 知。」法師問曰：「天上今日有甚事？」行者曰：「今日北方毗沙門 大梵天王水晶宮設齋。」法師曰：「借汝威光，同往赴齋否？」 行者教令僧行閉目。行者作法。良久之間，才始開眼，僧行七人，都 在北方大梵天王宮了。且見香花千座，齋果萬種，鼓樂嘹亮，木魚高 掛；五百羅漢，眉垂口伴，都會宮中諸佛演法。 偶然一陣凡人氣，大梵天王問曰：「今日因何有凡人俗氣？」尊者答 曰：「今日下界大唐國內，有僧玄奘，僧行七人赴水晶齋，是致有俗 人氣。」當時天王與羅漢曰：「此人三生出世，佛教俱全。」便請下 界法師玄奘升座講經，請上水晶座。法師上之不得。羅漢曰：「凡俗 肉身，上之不得。請上沉香座。」一上便得。 羅漢問曰：「今日謝師入宮。師善講經否？」玄奘曰：「是經講得， 無經不講。」羅漢曰：「會講《法華經》否？」玄奘：「此是小事。 」當時五百尊者、大梵王，一千餘人，鹹集聽經。玄奘一氣講說，如 瓶註水，大開玄妙。眾皆稱贊不可思議。 齋罷辭行。羅漢曰：「師曾兩廻往西天取經，為佛法未全，常被深沙 神作孽，損害性命。今日幸赴此宮，可近前告知天王，乞示佛法前去 ，免得多難。」法師與猴行者，近前咨告請法。天王賜得隱形帽一事 ，金鐶錫杖—條，缽盂一隻。三件齊全，領訖。法師告謝已了，回頭 問猴行者曰：「如何得下人間？」行者曰：「未言下地。法師且更咨 問天王，前程有魔難處，如何救用？」法師再近前告問。天王曰：「 有難之處，遙指天宮大叫『天王』一聲，當有救用。」法師領指，遂 乃拜辭。猴行者與師同辭五百羅漢、合會真人。是時，尊者一時送出 ，鹹願法師取經早廻。尊者合掌頌曰： 水晶齋罷早廻還，展臂從風去不難。 要識弟兄生五百，昔曾行腳到人間。 法師詩曰： 東土眾生少佛因，一心迎請不逡巡。 天宮授賜三般法，前路摧魔作善珍。 入香山寺第四 迤邐登程，遇一座山，名號「香山」，是千手千眼菩薩之地，又是文 殊菩薩修行之所。舉頭見一寺額，號「香山之寺」。 法師與猴行者不免進上寺門歇息。見門下左右金剛，精神猛烈，氣象 生獰，古貌楞層，威風凜冽。法師一見，遍體汗流，寒毛卓堅。猴行 者曰：「請我師入寺內巡賞一廻。」遂與行者同入殿內。寺中都無一 人。只見古殿巍峨，芳草連綿，清風颯颯。法師思惟：此中得恁寂寞 ！猴行者知師意思，乃雲：「我師莫訝西路寂寞，此中別是一天。前 去路途，盡是虎狼虵兔之處，逢人不語，萬種恓惶。此去人煙，都是 邪法。」法師聞語，冷笑低頭。看遍周回，相邀便出。 前行百裏，猴行者曰：「我師前去地名虵子國。」且見大虵小虵，變 雜無數，攘亂紛紛。大虵頭高丈六，小虵頭高八尺，怒眼如燈，張牙 如劍，氣吐火光。法師一見，退步驚惶。猴行者曰：「我師不用驚惶 。國名虵子，有此眾虵，雖大小差殊，且緣皆有佛性，逢人不傷，見 物不害。」法師曰：「若然如此，皆賴小師威力。」進步前行。 大小 虵兒見法師七人前來，其蛇盡皆避路，閉目低頭，人過一無所傷。又 行四十餘裏，盡是虵鄉。猴行者曰：「我師明日又過獅子林及樹人國 。」法師曰：「未言別事，且得平安過了！」七人停息，一時汗流如 雨。法師乃留詩曰： 行過虵鄉數十裏，清朝寂莫號香山。 前程更有多魔難，只為眾生覓佛緣。 過獅子林及樹人國第五 早起，七人約行十裏，猴行者啟：「我師，前去即是獅子林。」說由 未了，便到獅子林。只見麒麟迅速，獅子崢嶸，擺尾搖頭，出林迎接 ；口銜香花，皆來供養。法師合掌向前，獅子舉頭送出。五十餘裏， 盡是麒麟。次行又到荒野之所，法師回謝獅王迎送。 猴行者曰：「我師前去又是樹人國。」入到國中，盡是千年枯樹，萬 載石頭；松柏如龍，頑石似虎。又見山中有一村寺，並無僧行。只見 林雞似鳳，山犬如龍：門外有兩道金橋，橋下盡是金線水。又覩紅日 西斜，都無旅店。猴行者曰：「但請前行，自然不用憂慮。」又行五 六十裏，有一小屋，七人遂止宿於此。 次早起來，七人嗟嘆：「夜來此處甚是蹊蹺！」遵令行者前去買菜做 飯。主人曰：「此中人會妖法，宜早廻來。」法師由尚未信。小行者 去買菜，至午不廻。法師曰：「煩惱我心！小行者出去買菜，一午不 見廻來，莫是被此中人妖法定也？」猴行者曰：「待我自去尋看如何 ？」法師曰：「甚好，甚好！」 猴行者一去數裏借問，見有一人家，魚舟系樹，門掛蓑衣。然小行者 被他作法，變作一個驢兒，吊在廳前。驢兒見猴行者來，非常叫噉。 猴行者便問主人：「我小行者買菜，從何去也？」主人曰：「今早有 小行者到此，被我變作驢兒，見在此中。」猴行者當下怒發，卻將主 人家新婦，年方二八，美貌過人，行動輕盈，西施難比，被猴行者作 法，化此新婦作一束青草，放在驢子口伴。 主人曰：「我新婦何處去也？」猴行者曰：「驢子口邊青草一束，便 是你家新婦。」主人曰：「然你也會邪法？我將為無人會使此法。今 告師兄，放還我家新婦。」猴行者曰：「你且放還我小行者。」主人 噀水一口，驢子便成行者。猴行者噀水—口，青草化成新婦。猴行者曰 ：「我即今有僧行七人，從此經過，不得妄有妖法。如敢故使妖術， 須教你一門刲草除根。」主人近前拜謝：「豈敢有違。」戰戰兢兢， 乃成詩謝曰： 行者今朝到此時，偶將妖法變驢兒。 從今拱手阿羅漢，免使家門禍及之。 猴行者乃留詩雲： 莫將妖法亂施呈，我見黃河九度清。 相次我師經此過，好將誠意至祗迎。 過長坑大蛇嶺處第六 行次至火類坳白虎精。前去遇一大坑，四門陡黑，雷聲喊喊，進步不 得。法師當把金鐶杖遙指天宮，大叫：「天王救難！」忽然杖上起五 裏毫光，射破長坑，須臾便過。 次入大虵嶺，目見大蛇如龍，亦無 傷人之性。 又過火類坳，坳下下望，見坳上有一具枯骨，長四十餘裏。法師問猴 行者曰：「山頭白色枯骨一具如雪？」猴行者曰：「此是明皇太子換 骨之處。」法師聞語，合掌頂禮而行。 又忽遇一道野火連天，大生煙焰，行去不得。遂將缽盂一照，叫「天 王」一聲，當下火滅，七人便過此坳。 欲經一半，猴行者曰：「我師曾知此嶺有白虎精否？常有妖魅妖怪， 以至吃人。」師曰：「不知。」良久，只見嶺後雲愁霧慘，雨細交霏 ；雲霧之中，有一白衣婦人，身掛白羅衣，腰系白羅裙，手把白牡丹 花一朵，面似白蓮，十指如玉。覩此妖姿，遂生疑悟。猴行者曰：「 我師不用前去，定是妖精。待我向前問他姓字。」猴行者一見，高聲 便喝：「汝是何方妖恠，甚處精靈？久為妖魅，何不速歸洞府？若是 妖精，急便隱藏形跡；若是人間閨閣，立便通姓道名。更著躊躇不言 ，杵滅微塵粉碎！」白衣婦人見行者語言正惡，徐步向前，微微含笑 ，問：「師僧一行，往之何處？」猴行者曰：「不要問我行途，只為 東土眾生。想汝是火類坳頭白虎精，必定是也！」 婦人聞語，張口大叫一聲，忽然麵皮裂皺，露爪張牙，擺尾搖頭，身 長丈五。定醒之中，滿山都是白虎。被猴行者將金鐶杖變作一個夜叉 ，頭點天，腳踏地，手把降魔杵，身如藍靛青，發似硃沙，口吐百丈 火光。當時，白虎精哮吼近前相敵，被猴行者戰退。半時，遂問虎精 ：「甘伏未伏！」虎精曰：「未伏！」猴行者曰：「汝若未伏，看你 肚中有一個老獼猴！」虎精聞說，當下未伏。一叫獼猴，獼猴在白虎 精肚內應。遂教虎精開口，吐出一個獼猴，頓在面前，身長丈二，兩 眼火光。白虎精又雲：「我未伏！」猴行者曰：「汝肚內更有一個！ 」再令開口，又吐出一個，頓在面前。白虎精又曰：「未伏！」猴行 者曰：「你肚中無千無萬個老獼猴，今日吐至來日，今月吐至後月， 今年吐至來年，今生吐至來生，也不盡。」白虎精聞語，心生忿怒。 被猴行者化一團大石，在肚內漸漸會大。教虎精吐出，開口吐之不得 ；只見肚皮裂破，七孔流血。喝起夜叉，渾門大殺，虎精大小，粉骨 塵碎，絕滅除蹤。僧行收法，歇息一時，欲進前程，乃留詩曰： 火類坳頭白火精，渾群除滅永安寧。 此時行者神通顯，保全僧行過大坑。 大唐三藏取經詩話中 入九龍池處第七 行次前過九龍池。猴行者曰：「我師看此是九條馗頭鼉龍，常會作孽 ，損人性命。我師不用匆匆。」忽見波瀾渺渺，白浪茫茫，千裏烏江 ，萬重黑浪；只見馗龍哮吼，火霞毫光，喊動前來。被猴行者隱形帽 化作遮天陣，缽盂盛卻萬裏之水，金鐶錫杖化作一條鐵龍。無日無夜 ，二邊相鬥。被猴行者騎定馗龍，要抽背脊筋一條，與我法師結條子 。九龍鹹伏，被抽背脊筋了；更被脊鐵棒八百下。「從今日去，善眼 相看。若更準前，盡皆除滅！」困龍半死，隱跡藏形。 猴行者拘得背筋，結條子與法師系腰。法師才系，行步如飛，跳廻有 難之處。蓋龍脊筋極有神通，變現無窮。三藏後廻東土，其條化上天 宮。今僧家所傳，乃水錦絳也。法師德行不可思議，乃成詩曰： （下缺） （題原缺）第八 （前缺）一物否？答曰：「不識。」深沙雲：「項下是和尚兩度被我 吃你，袋得枯骨在此。」和尚曰：「你最無知。此回若不改過，教你 一門滅絕！」深沙合掌謝恩，伏蒙慈照。深沙當時哮吼，教和尚莫驚 。只見紅塵隱隱，白雪紛紛。良久，一時三五道火裂，深沙袞袞，雷 聲喊喊，遙望一道金橋，兩邊銀線，盡是深沙神，身長三丈，將兩手 托定；師行七人，便從金橋上過。過了，深沙種合掌相送。法師曰： 「謝汝心力。我廻東土，奉答前恩。從今去更莫作罪。」兩岸骨肉， 合掌頂禮，唱喏連聲。深沙前來解吟詩曰： 一墮深沙五百春，渾家眷屬受災殃。 金橋手托從師過，乞薦幽神化卻身。 法師詩曰： 兩度曾遭汝吃來，更將枯骨問元才。 而今赦汝殘生去，東土專心次第排。 猴行者詩曰： 謝汝回心意不偏，金橋銀線步平安。 回歸東土修功德，薦拔深沙向佛前。 入鬼子母國處第九 登途行數十裏，人煙寂寂，旅店稀稀。又過一山，山嶺崔嵬，人行不 到，鴉鳥不飛，未知此中是何所在。 行次欲近官道，道中更無人行。又行百裏之中，全無人煙店舍。 入到國中，見一所荒寺，寺內亦無僧行。又見街市數人，問雲：「此 是何處？」其人不言不語，更無應對。法師一見如此，轉是恓惶。七 人遂乃止宿此中。來日天曉，有錢又無米糴；問人，人又不應。逡巡 投一國，入其殿宇，只見三歲孩兒無千無萬。國王一見法師七人，甚 是信善，滿國焚香，都來恭敬。王問，「和尚欲往何所？」法師答曰 ：「為東土眾生，入於竺國請取經教。」國王聞語，合掌虔誠。遂惠 白米一碩，珠珍一鬥、金錢二千、彩帛二束，以贈路中食用；又設齋 供一筵，極是善美。僧行七人，深謝國王思念，多感再三。 國王曰：「曾識此國否？」法師答：「不識。」國王曰：「此去西天 不遠。」法師又問：「臣啟大王：此中人民得恁地性硬，街市往來， 叫也不應。又無大人，都是三歲孩兒。何故孩兒無數，卻無父母？」 國王大笑曰：「和尚向西來，豈不見人說有鬼子母國？」法師聞語， 心如半醉：「然我七人，只是對鬼說話？」國王曰：「前程安穩，回 日祗備茶湯。」法師七人大生慚愧，臨行乃留詩曰： 誰知國是鬼祖母，正當饑因得齋餐。 更蒙珠米充盤費，願取經回報答恩。 鬼子母贈詩雲： 稀疏旅店路蹊蹺，借問行人不應招。 西國竺天看便到，身心常把水清澆。 早起晚眠勤念佛，晨昏禱祝備香燒。 取經回日須過此，頂敬祗迎住數朝。 經過女人國處第十 僧行前去，沐浴殷勤。店舍稀疏，荒郊止宿，雖有虎狼蟲獸，見人全 不傷殘。次入一國，都無一人，只見荒屋漏落，薗離破碎。前行漸有 數人耕山，布種五穀。法師曰：「此中似有州縣，又少人民，且得見 三五農夫之面。」耕夫一見，個個眉開。法師乃成詩曰： 荒州荒縣無人住，僧行朝朝宿野盤。 今日農夫逢見面，師僧方得少開顏。 猴行者詩曰： 休言荒國無人住，荒縣荒州誰肯耕？ 人力種田師不識，此君住處是西城。 早來此地權耕作，夜宿天宮歇洞庭。 舉步登途休眷戀，免煩東土望回程。 舉步如飛，前遇一溪，洪水茫茫。法師煩惱。猴行者曰：「但請前行 ，自有方便。」行者大叫「天王」一聲，溪水斷流，洪浪乾絕。師行 過了，合掌擎拳。此是宿緣，天宮助力。 次行又過一荒州，行數十裏，憩歇一村。法師曰：「前去都無人煙， 不知是何處所？」行者曰：「前去借問，休勞嘆息。」 又行百裏之外，見有一國，人煙濟楚，買賣駢𩥄。入到國內，見門上 一牌云：「女人之國」。僧行遂謁見女王。女王問曰：「和尚因何到 此國？」法師答言：「奉唐帝敕命，為東土眾生，往西天取經，作大 福田。」女王合掌，遂設齋供。僧行赴齋，都吃不得。女王曰：「何 不吃齋？」僧行起身唱喏曰：「蒙王賜齋，蓋為砂多，不通吃食。」 女王曰：「啟和尚知悉：此國之中，全無五穀。只是東土佛寺人家， 及國內設齋之時出生，盡於地上等處收得，所以砂多。和尚回歸東土 之日，望垂方便。」法師起身，乃留詩曰： 女王專意設清齋，蓋為砂多不納懷。 竺國取經歸到日，教令東士置生臺。 女王見詩，遂詔法師一行，入內宮著賞。僧行入內，見香花滿座，七 寶層層：兩行盡是女人，年方二八，美皃輕盈，星眼柳眉，朱唇榴齒 ，桃臉蟬發，衣服光鮮，語話柔和，世間無此。一見僧行入來，滿面 含笑，低眉促黛，近前相揖：「起咨和尚，此是女人之國，都無丈夫 。今日得覩僧行一來，奉為此中，起造寺院，請師七人，就此住持。 且緣合國女人，早起晚來，入寺燒香，聞經聽法，種植善根；又且得 見丈夫，夙世因緣。不知和尚意旨如何？」法師曰：「我為東土眾生 ，又怎得此中住院？」女王曰：「和尚師兄，豈不聞古人說：『人過 一生，不過兩世。』便只住此中，為我作個國主，也甚好一段風流事 ！」和尚再三不肯，遂乃辭行。兩伴女人，淚珠流臉，眉黛愁生，乃 相謂言：「此去何時再覩丈夫之面？」女王遂取夜明珠五顆、白馬一 疋，贈與和尚前去使用。僧行合掌稱謝，乃留詩曰： 願王存善好修持，幻化浮生得幾時？ 一念凡心如不悟，千生萬劫落阿鼻。 休喏綠（上「髟」下「眉」）桃紅臉，莫戀輕盈與翠眉。 大限到來無處避，髑髏何處問因衣。 女王與女眾，香花送師行出城，詩曰： 此中別是一家仙，送汝前程往竺天。 要識女王姓名字，便是文殊及普賢。 入王母池之處第十一 登途行數百裏，法師嗟嘆。猴行者曰：「我師且行，前去五十裏地， 乃是西王母池。」法師曰：「汝曾到否？」行者曰：「我八百歲時， 到此中偷桃吃了；至今二萬七千歲，不曾來也。」法師曰：「願今日 蟠桃結寔，可偷三五個吃。」猴行者曰：「我因八百歲時，偷吃十顆 ，被王母捉下，左肋判八百，右肋判三千鐵棒，配在花果山紫雲洞。 至今肋下尚痛。我今定是不敢偷吃也。」法師曰：「此行者亦是大羅 神仙。元初說他九度見黃河清，我將謂他妄語；今見他說小年曾來此 處偷桃，乃是真言。」 前去之間，忽見石壁高芩萬丈；又見一石盤， 闊四五裏地；又有兩池，方廣數十裏，瀰瀰萬丈，鴉鳥不飛。七人才 坐，正歇之次，舉頭遙望萬丈石壁之中，有數株桃樹，森森聳翠，上 接青天，枝葉茂濃，下浸池水。法師曰：「此莫是蟠桃樹？」行者曰 ：「輕輕小話，不要高聲！此是西王母池。我小年曾此作賊了，至今 由怕。」法師曰：「何不去偷一顆？」猴行者曰：「此桃種一根，千 年始生，三千年方見一花，萬年結一子，子萬年始熟。若人吃一顆， 享年三千歲。」師曰：「不恠汝壽高！」猴行者曰：「樹上今有十餘 顆，為地神專在彼此守定，無路可去偷取。」師曰：「你神通廣大， 去必無妨。」說由未了，攧下三顆蟠桃入池中去。師甚敬惶。問：「 此落者是何物？」答曰：「師不要敬，此是蟠桃正熱，攧下水中也。 」師曰：「可去尋取來吃。」 猴行者即將金鐶杖向盤石上敲三下，乃見一個孩兒，面帶青色，爪似 鷹鷂，開口露牙，從池中出。行者問：「汝年幾多？」孩曰：「三千 歲。」行者曰：「我不用你。」又敲五下，見一孩兒，面如滿月，身 掛繡纓。行者曰：「汝年多少？」答曰：「五千歲。」行者曰：「不 用你。」又敲數下，偶然一孩兒出來。問曰：「你年多少？」答曰： 「七千歲。」行者放下金鐶杖，叫取孩兒入手中，問：「和尚，你吃 否？」和尚聞語，心敬便走。被行者手中旋數下，孩兒化成一枝乳棗 ，當時吞入口中。後歸東土唐朝，遂吐出於西川。至今此地中生人參 是也。 空中見有一人，遂吟詩曰： 花菓山中一子方，小年曾此作場乖。 而今耳熱空中見，前次偷桃客又來。 入沉香國處第十二 師行前邁，忽見一處，有牌額雲：「沉香國」。只見沉香樹木，列占 萬裏，大小數圍，老殊高侵雲漢。「想我唐土，必無此林。」乃留詩 曰： 國號沉香不養人，高低聳翠列千尋。 前行又到波羅國，專往西天取佛經。 入波羅國處第十三 入到波羅國內，別是一座天宮： 美女雍容，人家髣髴；大孩兒鬧攘攘，小孩兒袞毬嬉嬉。獅子共龍吟 ，怫喦（山在上）與虎嘯。 見此一國瑞氣，景象異常，乃成贊曰： 波羅別是一仙宮，美女人家景象中。 大孩兒，小孩兒，辛苦西天心自知。 東土眾生多感激，三年不見淚雙垂。 大明皇，玄奘取經壯大唐。 程途百萬窮天日，迎請玄微請法王。 入優缽羅國處第十四 行次入到優缽羅國，見藤蘿繞繞，花萼紛紛，萬裏之間，都是花木。 遂問猴行者曰：「此是何處？」答曰：「是優缽羅國。滿國瑞氣，盡 是優缽羅樹菩提花。自生此樹，根葉自然，無春無夏，無秋無冬，花 枝常旺，花色常香，亦無猛風，更無炎日，雪寒不到，不夜長春。」 師曰：「是何無夜？」行者曰： 佛天無四季，紅日不沉西。 孩童顏不老，人死也無悲。 壽年千二百，飯長一十圍。 有人到此景，百世善緣歸。 來時二十歲，歸時歲不知。 祖宗數十代，眷屬不追隨。 桑田變作海，山嶽卻成溪。 佛天住一日，千日有誰如。 我師詣竺國，前路只些兒。 行者再吟詩曰： 優缽羅天瑞氣全，誰如此景近西天。 殷勤到此求經教，竺國分明只在前。 入竺國度海之處第十五 法師行次，行者啟曰：「我師不知，來時方昨日，今已過三年，此是 西天竺國也；近雞足山。」 行之三日，見一座城門。門上牌額雲「竺國」。入見街市數臺，忩忩① 瑞氣，人民馬轎往來紛紛。只見香煙裊裊，花菓重重，百物皆新，世 間罕有。次見一寺，寺號「福仙寺」。遂入寺中，參見知客。彼中僧 行，五千餘人。次謁主事，又參廚頭。寺內香花搖曳，蟠蓋紛紜。佛 具齊全，七寶間雜。才㨔金鈴一下，即時齋饌而來。 法師問行者曰：「此齋食，全不識此味。」行者曰：「此乃西天佛所 供食，百味時新，凡俗之人，豈能識此？」僧行食了，四大豁然。 至晚，寺主延請法師，敘問人情。茶湯周匝，遂問法師：「遠奔來此 ，有何所為？」法師起曰：「奉唐帝詔敕，為東土眾生未有佛教，特 奔是國求請大乘。」時寺僧聞語，冷笑低頭道：「我福仙寺中，數千 餘年，經歷萬代，佛法未聞。你道求請佛法，法在何處？佛在何方？ 你是癡人！」法師問曰：「此中即無佛法，因何有寺有僧？」僧曰： 「此中人周歲教經，法性自通。豈用尋情？」法師白曰：「此中仙景 ，最是聰明。佛教方所，望垂旨示！」答曰：「佛主雞足山中，此處 望見。西上有一座名山，靈異光明，人所不至，烏不能飛。」法師曰 ：「如何人不至？」答曰：「此去溪千裏，過溪至山五百餘裏。溪水 番浪，波闌萬重。山頂一門，乃是佛居之所。山下幹余裏方到石壁， 次達此門。除是法師會飛，方能到彼。」法師見說，猶悶低頭；乃問 猴行者曰：「此去佛所，山嵓②萬裏，水浪千裏，作何計度？」行者 曰：「待我來日別作一計。」 至天曉，猴行者曰：「此中佛法，亦是自然。我師至誠，爐藝多香， 地鋪坐具，面向西竺雞足山禱祝，求請法教。」師一依所言，虔心求 請。福仙僧眾盡來觀看。法師七人，焚香望雞足山禱告，齊聲動哭。 此日感得唐朝皇帝，一國士民，鹹思三藏，人人發哀。天地陡黑，人 面不分。一時之間，雷聲喊喊，萬道毫光，只見耳伴鈸聲而響。良久 ，漸漸開光，只見坐具上堆一藏經卷。一寺僧徒，盡皆合掌道：「此 和尚果有德行！」 三藏頂禮，點檢經文五千四十八卷，各各俱足，只無《多心經》本。 法師收拾，七人扶持，牽馬負載，起程回歸告辭。竺國僧眾，合城盡 皆送出，祝付法師回程百萬，經涉艱難，善為攝養，保護玄文；回到 唐朝，作大利益。相別之次，各各淚流。七人辭別發途，遂成詩曰： 百萬程途取得經，七人扶助即回程。 卻應東土人多幸，唐朝明皇萬歲膺。 建造經函興寺院，塑成佛像七餘身。 深沙幽暗並神眾，乘此因緣出業津。 竺國西天都是佛，孩兒周歲便通經。 此回只少《心經》本，朝對龍顏別具呈。 肖毛校註①：「【公心】【公心】」內字為上下結構。 肖毛校註②：「【喦】」：此字原形正相反，「山」在上，「品」在下。 轉至香林寺受心經本第十六 竺國回程，經十個月，至盤律國，地名香林市內止宿。夜至三更，法 師忽夢神人告雲：「來日有人將《心經》本相惠，助汝回朝。」良久 敬覺，遂與猴行者雲：「適來得夢甚異常。」行者雲：「依夢說看經。」 一時間眼瞤耳熱，遙望正面，見祥雲靄靄，瑞氣盈盈；漸覩雲中，有 一僧人，年約十五，容皃端嚴，手執金環杖，袖出《多心經》，謂法 師曰：「授汝《心經》，歸朝切須護惜。此經上達天宮，下管地府， 陰陽莫測，慎勿輕傳；薄福眾生，故難承受。」法師頂禮白佛言：「 只為東土眾生，今幸緣滿，何以不傳？」佛在雲中再曰：「此經才開 ，毫光閃爍，鬼哭神號，風波自息。日月不光，如何傳度？」法師再 謝：「銘感，銘感！」佛再告言：「吾是定光佛，今來授汝《心經》 。回到唐朝之時，委囑皇王，令天下急造寺院，廣度僧尼，興崇佛法 。今乃四月，授汝《心經》；七月十五日，法師等七人，時至當返天 堂。汝記此言，至十五日，早起浴身，告辭唐帝；午時採蓮舡至，亦 有金蓮花坐，五色祥雲，十二人玉音童子，香花幡幢，七寶瓔珞，來 時迎汝等七人歸天。天符有限，不得遲遲。汝且諦聽，深記心懷！」 法師七人，泣淚拜訖。定光佛揭起雲頭，向西而去。僧行七人，密記 於心。舉具裝束，乃成詩曰： 竺國取經回東土，經今十月到香林。 三生功果當緣滿，密授真言各諦聽。 定光古佛雲中現，速令裝束急回程。 謂言七月十五日，七人僧行返天庭。 到陜西王長者妻殺兒處第十七 回到河中府，有一長者姓王。平生好善，年三十一。先喪一妻，後又 娶孟氏。前妻一子，名曰癡那；孟氏又生一子，名曰居那。長者一日 思念考妣之恩，又憶前妻之分；廣修功果，以薦亡魂。又與孟氏商議 ：「我今欲往外國經商，汝且小心為吾看望癡那。此子幼小失母，未 有可知，千萬一同看惜。」遂將財帛分作二分，「一分與你母子在家 ，榮謀生計；我將一分，外國經商。回來之日，修崇無遮大會，廣布 粱緣，薦拔先亡，作大因果。」祝付妻了，擇日而行。妻送出門，再 三又祝看望癡那，無令疏失。去經半載，逢遇相知人回，附得家書一 封，系鼓一面，滑石花座，五色繡衣，怨般戲具。孟氏接得書物，拆 開看讀，書上只雲與癡那收取。再三說「看管癡那」，更不問著我居 那一句！孟氏看書了，使生嗔恨，毀剝封題，打碎戲具；生心便要陷 害癡那性命。 一日，與女使春柳言說：「我今欲令癡那死卻，汝有何計？」春柳答 雲：「此是小事。家中有一鈷䥈，可令癡那入內坐上，將三十斤鐵蓋 蓋定，下面燒起猛火燒煮，豈愁不死？」盂氏答曰：「甚好！」 明日，一依如此，令癡那入內坐，被佗蓋定，三日三夜，猛火煮燒。 第四日，扛開鐵蓋，見癡那從鈷䥈中起身唱喏。孟氏曰：「於何故在 此？」癡那曰：「母安我此，一釜變化蓮花坐，四伴是冷水池；此中 坐臥，甚是安穩。」孟氏與春柳敬惶，相謂曰：「急須作計殺卻！恐 長者回來，癡那報告。」春柳曰：「明日可藏鐵甲於手，領癡那往後 園討櫻桃吃，待佗開口，鐵甲鉤斷舌根，圖得長者歸來，不能說話。」 明日，一依此計，領去園中，鉤斷舌報，血流滿地。次日起來，遂喚 一聲「癡那」，又會言語。孟氏問曰：「子何故如此？」癡那曰：「 夜半見有一人，稱是甘露王如來，手執藥器，來與我延接舌根。」 春柳又謂孟氏曰：「外有一庫，可令他守庫，鎖閉庫中餓殺。」經一 月日，孟氏開庫，見癡那起身唱喏。孟氏曰：「前日女使鎖庫，不如 子在此中。子一月日間，那有飯食？」癡那曰：「饑渴之時，自有鹿 乳從空而來。」 春柳曰：「相次前江水發，可令癡那登樓看水，推放萬丈紅波之中； 長者回來，只雲他自撲向溪中浸死。方免我等之危。」孟氏見紅水泛 漲，一依所言，令癡那上樓望水，被春柳背後一推，癡那落水。孟氏 一見，便雲：「此回死了！」方始下樓，忽見門外有青衣走報：「長 者回歸。」長者在路中早見人說，癡那落水去了，行行啼哭；才入到 門，舉身自撲。遂乃至孝，擇日解還無遮法會，廣設大齋。 三藏法師從王舍城取經回次，僧行七人，皆赴長者齋筵。法師與猴行 者全不吃食。長者問曰：「師等今日既到，何不吃齋？」法師曰：「 今日中酒，心內只憶魚羹，其他皆不欲食。」長者聞言，無得功果， 豈可不從？便令人尋買。法師曰：「小魚不吃，須要一百斤大魚，方 可充食。」 僕夫尋到漁父舡家，果得買大魚一頭，約重百斤。當時扛回家內，啟 白長者，魚已買回。長者遂問法師：「作何修治？」法師曰：「借刀 ，我自修事。」長者取刀度與法師。法師咨白齋眾、長者：「今日設 無得大齋。緣此一頭大魚，作甚罪過？」 長者曰：「有甚罪過？」法師曰：「此魚前日吞卻長子癡那，見在肚 中不死。」眾人聞語，起身圍定。被法師將刀一劈，魚分二段：癡那 起來，依前言語。長者抱兒，敬喜倍常，合掌拜謝法師：「今日不得 法師到此，父子無相見面！」大眾歡喜。長者謝恩，乃成詩曰： 經商外國近三年，孟氏家中惡意偏。 遂把癡那推下水，大魚存入腹中全。 卻因今日齋中坐，和尚沉吟醉不鮮。 索討大魚親手煮，爺兒再覩信前緣。 法師曰：「此魚歸東土，置僧院，卻造木魚，常住齋時，將槌打肚。 」又成詩曰： 孟氏生心惡，推兒入水中。 只因無會得，父子再相逢。 眾會共成詩曰： 法師今日好因緣，長者癡那再出天。 孟氏居那無兩樣，從今衣祿一般般。 法師七人，離大演之中，旬回到京。京東路遊便探聞法師取經回程。 已次京界，上來奏聞迎接。明皇時當炎暑，遂排大駕，出百裏之間迎 接。法師七人，相見謝恩。明皇共車與法師回朝。是時六月末旬也。 日日朝中設齋，敕下諸州造寺，奉迎佛法。皇王收得《般若心經》， 如獲眼精。內外道場，香花迎請。 又值七月七日，法師奏言：「臣咨 陛下：臣在香林受《心經》時，空中有言，臣僧此月十五日午時為時 ，至必當歸。」大唐帝聞奏，淚滴龍衣。天符有限，不可遲留。法師 曰：「取經歷盡魔難，只為東土眾生。所有深沙神，蒙佗恩力，且為 還恩寺中追拔。」皇王白：「法師委付，可塑於七身佛前護殿。」 至 七月十四日午時五刻，法師受職。皇帝宣謝：「三年往西天，取經一 藏回歸，法師三度受經，封為「三藏法師」。十五日午時五刻，天宮 降下采蓮舡，定光佛在雲中正果。法師宣公，不得遲遲，匆卒辭於皇 帝。七人上舡，望正西乘空上仙去也。九龍興霧，十鳳來迎，幹鶴萬 祥，光明閃爍。皇帝別而報答，再欲大齋一筵，滿座散香，鹹億三藏 。皇帝與太子諸官，遊四門哭泣，代代留名。乃成詩曰： 法師今日上天宮，足襯蓮花步步通。 滿國福田大利益，免教東土墮塵籠。 End of Project Gutenberg's Da Tang Sanzang Qujing Shihua, by Various *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 大唐三藏取經詩話 *** Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed. Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. START: FULL LICENSE THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. 1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without charge with others. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed: This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided that: • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works. • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work. • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. 1.F. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org. This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.