《百喻经》
[The] Sūtra [Of A] Hundred Parables
（一七）债半钱喻
(17) Parable [Of The] Debt [Of] Half [A] Coin
往有商人贷他半钱久不得偿，即便往债。
[In the] past, [there] was [a] merchant [who] lent another [person] half [a] coin. [For] long, not getting [it] repaid, [he] immediately went [to collect the] debt.
前有大河，雇他两钱然后得渡，到彼往债竟不得见，来还渡河复雇两钱。
[As] in front, [there] was [a] great river, [he had to] hire another [person with] two coins, after that getting [to] cross [it. Having] arrived [at] that [place, he] went [to collect the] debt, [but] completely [did] not get [to] see [the debtor]. Returning [to] cross [the] river, [he] again hired [the person with] two coins.
为半钱债而失四钱，兼有道路疲劳乏困，所债甚少所失极多，果被众人之所怪笑。
For half [a] coin’s debt, then losing four coins, both having [to take the] path [with] weariness [and] lack [of] sleep, that debt [was] extremely little [but] that lost [was] extremely much. As a result, [he was] by all people [as] that sneered [at].
世人亦尔，要少名利致毁大行，苟容己身不顾礼义，现受恶名后得苦报。
[The] world’s people [are] likewise thus, [for] wanting little fame [and] benefits, leading [to] destruction [of their] great practices. If permitting oneself [to] not watch over propriety [and] righteousness, [one will] presently receive evil reputation, [and] later attain suffering’s retribution.
[Note: We should not be so shortsighted, as to, for craving a little of that which is worldly, lose much of that which is spiritual, by forgoing our moral principles, values and practices. This is so as the worldly only brings impermanent and unsubstantial joys, while the spiritual leads to complete and lasting bliss. Thus, even a little of that spiritual is more precious than a lot of that worldly.]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
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灌甘蔗喻
[16] The Parable Of Irrigating Sugar Cane
https://purelanders.com/2023/08/01/16-the-parable-of-irrigating-sugar-cane-from-the-sutra-of-a-hundred-parables
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就楼磨刀喻
[18] The Parable Of Accommodating Stairs To Sharpen A Knife
https://purelanders.com/2023/08/03/18-the-parable-of-accommodating-stairs-to-sharpen-a-knife-from-the-sutra-of-a-hundred-parables
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