《百喻经》
[The] Sūtra [Of A] Hundred Parables
(三八)饮木筩水喻
(38) Parable [Of] Drinking [The] Wooden Bucket’s Water
昔有一人,行来渴乏,见木筩中有清净流水,就而饮之,饮水已足即便举手语木筩言:「我已饮竟,水莫复来。」
[In the] past, [there] was a person, [with] walking coming [to be] thirsty [and] exhausted. Seeing [a] wooden bucket, within having pure flowing water, [he] right away then drank it. [Having] drunk [the] water already, [he] immediately raised [his] hand [and] spoke [to the] wooden bucket, saying, ‘[As] I [have] already drunk completely, [may the] water not come again.’
虽作是语水流如故,便瞋恚言:「我已饮竟,语汝莫来,何以故来?」
Although [having] made this statement, [the] water flowed as before. [He] then angrily said, ‘[As] I [have] already drunk completely, [and have] told you not [to] come, why [are you] still coming?’
有人见之言:「汝大愚痴无有智慧!汝何以不去,语言莫来?」即为挽却牵余处去。
[There] was [a] person, seeing him, saying, ‘You [have] great ignorance, without having [any] wisdom! Why [do] you not leave, [instead of] speaking words [about] not coming?’ [He was] then by [him] driven away, pulled [to] another place.
世间之人亦复如是,为生死渴爱,饮五欲咸水,既为五欲之所疲厌,如彼饮足,便作是言:「汝色声香味莫复更来使我见也。」
People of [the] world [are] likewise thus, for [the cycle of] birth [and] death thirsting [with] attachment, [having] drunk [the] five desires’ salty water, already by [the] five desires as those wearied, [they are] like that [person, having] drunk enough, then making this statement, ‘You, sights, sounds, smells [and] tastes, [do] not come again, [to] make me see [you].’
[Note 1: With craving for pleasures from the five desires (五欲) (for wealth, sex, fame, food and sleep [财色名食睡]), they do not give rise to lasting satisfaction. They lead to more craving, just as drinking salty water cannot quench thirst, only worsening it. Yet, too much of them does become sickening, then with craving for them to ‘end’. However, when the sickening feeling has dissipated and is forgotten, there is craving for them again.]
然此五欲相续不断,既见之已便复瞋恚:「语汝速灭莫复更生,何以故来使我见之?」
However, [with] these five desires [in] continuous succession uninterrupted, since seeing them already, then again [becoming] angry, ‘[Having] told you [to] quickly cease [and] not again arise, why [are you] still coming, making me see you?’
时有智人而语之言:「汝欲得离者,当摄汝六情闭其心意,妄想不生便得解脱。何必不见、欲使不生?」如彼饮水愚人等无有异。
Then, [there] was [a] wise person, [who] then said these words, ‘[If] you desire [to] get those cut off, [you] should gather your six passions, [to] close your mind’s thoughts, [and] false thoughts [will] not arise, then attaining liberation. Why must [there be those] not seen, [and the] desire [to] make [them] not arise?’ Like that foolish person drinking water equally, without having differences.
[Note 2: Although abstaining from the five desires when needed is wise, the way to overcome the five desires is not to physically rid the objects of desire, but by gathering all six roots (都摄六根) (of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and thought [眼耳鼻舌身意]) for purification, to prevent the six passions (六情) or forms of attachment from arising. The easiest way to do so is to be mindful of Āmítuófó’s (阿弥陀佛) name with pure mindfulness in continuous succession (净念相继). Thus will craving for these desires fade away and eventually cease.]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
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[37] The Parable Of Killing A Herd Of Cows
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