《百喻经》
[The] Sūtra [Of A] Hundred Parables
卷第三
Third Scroll
（四二）估客驼死喻
(42) Parable [Of The] Merchant [With His] Camel’s Death
譬如估客游行商贾，会于路中而驼卒死，驼上所载多有珍宝，细软上㲲种种杂物。
For example, like [a] merchant guest [who is a] travelling merchant, [when] meeting on [the] road, then [with his] camel suddenly dying, [on the] camel above, those carried are many precious treasures, fine [and] soft cotton cloth [and] all kinds [of] mixed objects.
驼既死已即剥其皮，商主舍行坐二弟子而语之言：「好看驼皮莫使湿烂。」
[With the] camel since dead already, immediately peeling its skin, [the] merchant leader left [to] walk. [To his] staying two disciples, [he] then spoke [to] them, saying, ‘Look well [after the] camel skin [and do] not cause [it to get] wet [and] rot.’
其后天雨，二人顽嚚尽以好㲲覆此皮上，㲲尽烂坏，皮㲲之价理自悬殊，以愚痴故以㲲覆皮。
That day after tomorrow, [with] rain, [the] two persons, stupid [and] ignorant [to the] utmost, with [the] good, fine [and] soft cotton cloth covered this skin above, [with the] fine [and] soft cotton cloth completely rotting [and] spoiling. [As the] value of [the] skin [and the] fine [and] soft cotton cloth [is by] reason far apart, [they] with ignorance thus, with [the] fine [and] soft cotton cloth covered [the] skin.
世间之人亦复如是，其不杀者喻于白㲲，其驼皮者即喻财货，天雨湿烂喻于放逸败坏善行。
People of [the] world [are] likewise thus. That [of] not killing [is] analogous to [the] white, fine [and] soft cotton cloth. That camel skin [is] thus [an] analogy [for] wealth [and] goods. [That] sky’s rain’s wetting [and] spoiling [is] analogous to heedless ruining [of] good practices.
不杀戒者即佛法身最上妙因，然不能修，但以财货造诸塔庙供养众僧，舍根取末不求其本，漂浪五道莫能自出，是故行者应当精心持不杀戒。
That precept [of] not killing [is] thus [the] Buddha’s Dharma Body’s most supreme wonderful cause. However, [those] not able [to] cultivate [it], only with wealth [and] goods build many stūpas [and] make offerings [to the] Saṃgha, abandoning [the] roots [to] obtain [the] branches, not seeking that fundamental, [they] drift [on the] waves [of the] five paths, [and are] not able [to] personally exit [them]. Therefore, practitioners should [be with the] utmost careful mind [in] upholding [the] precept [of] not killing.
[Note 1: Upholding of the precepts taught by the Buddha is the foundation of all good and pure practices. As the First Precept (第一戒) is to not kill, it is the foremost cause for moral conduct, that leads to purification for Buddhahood. All other good deeds are secondary.]
[Note 2: The five paths (五道) are essentially the same as the six paths (六道) of rebirth, with the (i) hell path (地狱道), (ii) hungry ghost path (饿鬼道), (iii) animal path (畜生道), (iv) human path (人道), (v) asura path (阿修罗道) and (vi) heavenly path (天道), but without (v), as this path can also arise within any of the other five paths (五道).]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
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