《百喻经》
[The] Sūtra [Of A] Hundred Parables
（五三）师患脚付二弟子喻
(53) Parable [Of The] Teacher’s Suffering Feet Handed Over [To His] Two Disciples
譬如一师有二弟子，其师患脚，遣二弟子人当一脚随时按摩。
For example, a teacher has two disciples. [As] this teacher [has] suffering feet, [he] sent [the] two disciples, [to be with each] person supporting one leg, at all times massaging [it].
其二弟子常相憎嫉，一弟子行，其一弟子捉其所当按摩之脚以石打折；彼既来已，忿其如是，复捉其人所按之脚寻复打折。
These two disciples [were] constantly hateful [and] jealous [of] one another. [When] one disciple [was] travelling, that [other] one disciple grabbed his that supported [and] massaged leg, with [a] rock hitting [and] breaking [it. When] that [disciple has] since come [back] already, angry [at] him thus, again grabbed that person’s massaged leg, immediately again hitting [and] breaking [it].
佛法学徒亦复如是，方等学者非斥小乘，小乘学者复非方等，故使大圣法典二途兼亡。
[The] Buddha’s Dharma’s disciples [are] likewise thus, [with] those learning [the] Right [And] Equal [i.e. Vaipulya] reproaching [and] rejecting [the] Small Vehicle, [and] those learning [the] Small Vehicle [are] again reproaching [the] Right [And] Equal, thus causing [the] Great Sage’s Dharma scriptures’ two paths [to] simultaneously [be] destroyed.
[Note 1: The ‘Vaipulya (方等) teachings’ is the general name of the Great Vehicle’s (大乘) teachings, that are ‘right (方正) and equal (平等)’, ‘vast and extensive (广)’, ultimately about all and for all sentient beings’ attainment of Buddhahood.]
[Note 2: Just as those from the Great Vehicle (大乘) might misunderstand and thus disparage those from the Small Vehicle (小乘), those from the Small Vehicle might misunderstand and thus disparage those from the Great Vehicle.
However, as the Small Vehicle’s teachings (for self-liberation) are already included in the Great Vehicle’s teachings (for complete liberation of one and all), those of the Small Vehicle should not feel belittled, while they should rejoice in the Great Vehicle’s teachings and try to advance with them.
Likewise, as the Great Vehicle’s teachings also include the Small Vehicle’s teachings, those of the Great Vehicle should not belittle them, while they should rejoice in them, even as they learn and practise the Great Vehicle’s advanced teachings.]
[Note 3: It is from not understanding and appreciating how the Buddha skilfully taught different teachings to those with different spiritual capacities in the moment, that those of different vehicles might slander one another, thus destroying the Buddha’s teachings on the whole. Instead of upholding them well, they betray the Buddha’s entrustment of his teachings.
Not only can such so-called ‘disciples’ be said to not understand the harmonious nature of the Buddha’s complete teachings, they also do not truly understand the partial teachings they are ‘learning and practising.’ This is so as the Buddha’s true disciples will have reverence for all of his teachings, which are for the welfare of all beings.]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
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伎儿作乐喻
[52] The Parable Of The Musician Making Music
https://purelanders.com/2023/09/13/52-the-parable-of-the-musician-making-music-from-the-sutra-of-a-hundred-parables
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Next Parable:
蛇头尾共争在前喻
[54] The Parable Of The Snake’s Head And Tail Together Disputing Who To Be At The Front
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All Hundred Parables:
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相关教理
Related Teaching:
大乘者不可轻视小乘教 (反之亦然)
Those Of The Great Vehicle Must Not Look Down On The Small Vehicle’s Teachings (And Vice Versa)
https://purelanders.com/2021/08/23/those-of-the-great-vehicle-must-not-look-down-on-the-small-vehicles-teachings
