Sutras

[90] The Parable Of From The Ground Getting Gold From The Sūtra Of A Hundred Parables《百喻经》之地得金钱喻

close up photo of a gold coin
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《百喻经》
[The] Sūtra [Of A] Hundred Parables

(九〇)地得金钱喻
[90] Parable [Of From The] Ground Getting Gold


昔有贫人在路而行,道中偶得一囊金钱,心大喜跃即便数之,数未能周,金主忽至,尽还夺钱,其人当时悔不疾去,懊恼之情甚为极苦。

[In the] past, [there] was a poor person on [the] road then walking, [in the] middle [of the] path accidentally getting a bag [of] gold coins. [His] mind [was with] great enthusiastic joy, immediately counting them. [With the] counting yet able [to be] thorough, [the] gold’s owner hurriedly arrived, [with them] completely returned [to him as he] snatched [the] coins. That person, [at] that time, [was] regretful [and did] not swiftly leave, [with] his feelings upset, [he had] extreme suffering.

遇佛法者亦复如是,虽得值遇三宝福田,不勤方便修行善业,忽尔命终堕三恶道,如彼愚人还为其主夺钱而去。如偈所说:

Those meeting [the] Buddha’s Dharma [teachings are] likewise thus. Although getting [to] meet with [the] Triple Gem’s blessing field, not diligent [with] skilful cultivating [of] practices [for] good karmas, suddenly thus [at] life’s end, falling [into the] three evil paths, [they are] like that foolish person, returning to that owner, [with the] snatched coins then gone. Like [in] verses that spoken,

[Note 1: The Triple Gem (三宝) are the (i) Buddhas (佛陀), who are the fully enlightened and completely liberated ones, the (ii) Dharma (法), which is the Buddhas’ teachings for the path to Buddhahood (佛果), and the (iii) Saṃgha (僧), which is the community of realised monastic and lay practitioners.]

[Note 2: The three evil paths (三恶道) are the (i) hell-beings’ path (地狱道), (ii) hungry ghosts’ path (饿鬼道) and (iii) animals’ path (畜生道).]

「今日营此事,明日造彼事,
乐着不观苦,不觉死贼至。


‘Today managing this matter, tomorrow creating that matter, [to] joy attached, not contemplating suffering, not aware [that] death’s thief [has] arrived.

匆匆营众务,凡人无不尔,
如彼数钱者,其事亦如是。 」


Hurriedly managing many affairs, ordinary persons [are] without [those] not thus, like that one counting coins, their matters [are] likewise thus.’

[Note 3: Most in this world are easily distracted by fleeting and thus false worldly joys. Longing to indulge in them to no end, before they know it, sooner than expected, they run out of time, while it might be too late to learn and practise for attaining a better rebirth then, such as in Pure Land (净土), since direct liberation (解脱) is too distant.

As none of the worldly joys (including a single cent) can be brought over to the next life, they are not really ours to have and to hold at will. Excessive busyness to acquire, maintain and multiply them is thus much ado about nothing substantial in the long run.]

[Note 4: If there is regretful attachment or aversion in terms of the worldly when dying and/or after death, there might even be lingering around to become indefinitely wandering spirits (孤魂野鬼: lonely spirits and wild ghosts), to suffer for a very long time.]

Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an

上个喻
Previous Parable:

得金鼠狼喻
[89] The Parable Of Getting A Golden Weasel
https://purelanders.com/2023/10/12/89-the-parable-of-getting-a-golden-weasel-from-the-sutra-of-a-hundred-parables

下个喻
Next Parable:

贫儿欲与富等财物喻
[91] The Parable Of The Poor Person Desiring To, With The Rich Have Equal Wealth And Property
https://purelanders.com/2023/10/12/91-the-parable-of-the-poor-person-desiring-to-with-the-rich-have-equal-wealth-and-property-from-the-sutra-of-a-hundred-parables

全百喻
All Hundred Parables:

https://purelanders.com/baiyu

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