《百喻经》
[The] Sūtra [Of A] Hundred Parables
（二）愚人集牛乳喻
(2) Parable [Of The] Foolish Person Collecting Cow Milk
昔有愚人将会宾客，欲集牛乳以拟供设，而作是念：「我今若豫于日日中(上殻+下牛)取牛乳，牛乳渐多卒无安处，或复酢败。不如即就牛腹盛之，待临会时当顿(上殻+下牛)取。」
[In the] past, [there] was [a] foolish person, [who] will [be] meeting guests, desiring [to] collect cow milk, with [it] planning [for] setting up [and] giving [a feast. He] then had this thought, ‘I now, if beforehand, within every day squeeze [to] obtain cow milk, [the] cow milk [will] gradually [be] much, [in the] end without [a] place [to put it], perhaps then souring [to be] spoilt. [This is] not as good as then just [letting the] cow’s belly contain it, waiting [for], when approaching [the] feast, then immediately squeezing [to] obtain [the milk].’
作是念已，便捉牸牛母子，各系异处。
Having this thought already, [he] then caught [the] cow mother [and] child, [with] each fastened [at] different places.
却后一月，尔乃设会迎置宾客，方牵牛来欲(上殻+下牛)取乳，而此牛乳即干无有。时为众宾或瞋或笑。
Afterwards, one month [later], thereupon setting up [a] feast [to] welcome [and] receive guests, then leading [the] cow [to] come, desiring [to] squeeze [to] obtain milk, yet this cow’s udders [are] then dry without having [any]. Then, are all guests perhaps angry or laughing.
愚人亦尔，欲修布施，方言待我大有之时，然后顿施。
[The] foolish person [is] likewise thus, desiring [to] cultivate giving, then saying [to] wait [for] when I have much, after that immediately giving.
未及聚顷，或为县官水火盗贼之所侵夺，或卒命终不及时施，彼亦如是。
Yet [to] have time [to] gather [much], in a short while, perhaps by those of county officials, floods, fires [and] thieves plundered, perhaps suddenly [at] life’s end [with] not enough time [to] give, those [are] likewise thus.
[Note: With the shortness, impermanence and unpredictability of this life, there should not be procrastination when practising generosity (布施), with the giving of cash and kind (财施) (and efforts), fearlessness (无畏施) and the Dharma (法施). Thus, there should be regular giving of what we can in a sustainable way now. Likewise, all other key aspects of the Dharma should be practised now.]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
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愚人食盐喻
[1] The Parable Of The Foolish Person Eating Salt
https://purelanders.com/2023/07/24/1-the-parable-of-a-foolish-person-eating-salt-from-the-sutra-of-a-hundred-parables
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Next Parable:
以梨打头破喻
[3] The Parable Of With Pears Hitting Breaking The Head
https://purelanders.com/2023/07/25/3-the-parable-of-with-pears-hitting-breaking-the-head-from-the-sutra-of-a-hundred-parables
全百喻
All Hundred Parables:
https://purelanders.com/baiyu
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How Should All Aspiring For Buddhahood Eat And Drink?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2016/10/how-should-all-aspiring-for-buddhahood-eat-and-drink
