《百喻经》
[The] Sūtra [Of A] Hundred Parables
卷第二
Second Scroll
（二二）入海取沉水喻
(22) Parable [Of] Entering [The] Ocean [To] Take Water-Sunken [Incense]
昔有长者子，入海取沉水积有年载，方得一车持来归家。
[In the] past, [there] was [an] elder’s son, [who] entered [the] ocean [to] take water-sunken [incense] [i.e. agarwood] [that was] accumulated for years, then getting a carriage [to] hold [them], returning home.
诣市卖之，以其贵故卒无买者，经历多日不能得售，心生疲厌以为苦恼，见人卖炭时得速售，便生念言：「不如烧之作炭，可得速售。」
Arriving [at the] market [to] sell it, with it expensive thus, [in the] end without buyers, [having] experienced many days [of] not [being] able [to] get [it] sold, [his] mind gave rise [to] weariness, with [it] as suffering [with] afflictions. When seeing people selling coal getting [to] quickly sell [it, he] then gave rise [to the] thought, saying, ‘It would be better [to] burn it [to] become coal, [so that I] can get [to] quickly sell [it].’
即烧为炭。诣市卖之，不得半车炭之价直。
Immediately, [he] burnt [it] for coal. Arriving [at the] market [to] sell it, [he could] not get [the] price of half [of the] carriage’s coal.
世间愚人亦复如是，无量方便勤行精进仰求佛果，以其难得便生退心，不如发心求声闻果，速断生死作阿罗汉。
[The] world’s foolish people [are] likewise thus, [with] immeasurable skilful means, then [with] diligent practices, diligently hoping [for and] seeking [the] Buddha fruit, with it ‘difficult’ [to] attain, then giving rise [to] retrogression’s mind, [thinking] it would be better [to] give rise [to the] mind [to] seek [the] Voice-Hearer fruit, [to] quickly sever [from the cycle of] birth [and] death [by] becoming Arhats.
[Note: With invertedness, the foolish, despite having encountered Right Dharma (正法), do not know how to fully appreciate and practise it. For what is truly precious, even if others lack understanding of it, its value does not decrease. However, the very foolish might even desecrate and ‘cheapen’ the precious, thus not benefitting much from it personally.
There are also the less wise, who originally aspired for Buddhahood, but with inadequate understanding of the immeasurable value of Buddhahood for one and all, decide to ‘lower’ their aspiration, for the self-liberation of Arhathood only. They lack awareness of the Pure Land Dharma Door (净土法门), which offers the Easy Practice Path (易行道) for Buddhahood. With the ultimate expedition, it also guarantees non-retrogression of spiritual progress upon reaching of Pure Land. This is thus the swiftest and most skilful path to Buddhahood.]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
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妇女欲更求子喻
[21] The Parable Of The Woman Desiring Again To Seek A Child
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贼偷锦绣用裹氀褐喻
[23] The Parable Of The Thief Stealing Brocade To Use For Wrapping Felt And Coarse Hemp Cloth
https://purelanders.com/2023/08/05/23-the-parable-of-the-thief-stealing-brocade-to-use-for-wrapping-felt-and-coarse-hemp-cloth-from-the-sutra-of-a-hundred-parables
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All Hundred Parables:
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