《百喻经》
[The] Sūtra [Of A] Hundred Parables
（九三）老母捉熊喻
[93] Parable [Of The] Old Mother Catching [A] Bear
昔有一老母在树下卧，熊欲来搏，尔时老母绕树走避，熊寻后逐，一手抱树欲捉老母，老母得急，即时合树捺熊两手，熊不得动。
[In the] past, [there] was an old mother at [a] tree below lying [down, when a] bear desired [to] come [and] seize [her]. At that time, [the] old mother [ran] around [the] tree [to] avoid [it. The] bear searched [for and] chased after [her, with] one hand hugging [the] tree, desiring [to] catch [the] old mother. [As the] old mother got anxious, immediately joining [to the] tree, [she] pressed firmly [on the] bear’s two paws, [with the] bear not getting [to] move.
更有异人来至其所，老母语言：「汝共我捉，杀分其肉。」
Further, [there] was [a] stranger [who] came [and] arrived [at] that place. [The] old mother said, ‘[If] you, together [with] me catch [it, we can] kill [and] divide its meat.’
时彼人者信老母语，即时共捉。既捉之已，老母即便舍熊而走，其人后为熊所困。
Then, that person believing [the] old mother’s words, immediately together caught [hold of it]. Thereupon, catching it already, [the] old mother immediately abandoned [the] bear and escaped, [with] that person later by [the] bear [as] that trapped.
如是愚人为世所笑。凡夫之人亦复如是，作诸异论既不善好，文辞繁重多有诸病，竟不成讫便舍终亡，后人捉之欲为解释，不达其意反为其困，如彼愚人代他捉熊反自被害。
Thus, [the] foolish person [was] by [the] world that laughed at. Of ordinary beings’ people, [they are] likewise thus. Writing many different treatises, thereupon not perfecting [them] well, [with] words [and] phrases complicated [and] heavy, [with] much having many faults. In the end not accomplishing completion, then giving up [and] finally dying. [When] later [generations’] people ‘catch’ them [and] desire [to], for [them have] explanations [and] interpretations, not understanding their meanings, instead by them trapped, [they are] like that foolish person replacing another [to] catch [the] bear, instead personally by [it] harmed.
[Note: There should not be overambitious conceiving and creating of seemingly sophisticated but superficial ‘teachings’, that turn out to be awkward, inadequate and erroneous.
Such writings will only waste others’ precious time and efforts, especially when they are passed down to them, as if they are ‘precious’ and ought to be ‘learnt.’
Instead of handing down proper solutions for ending suffering, there is handing down of more unnecessary problems instead, along with empty promises and false hopes.]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
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小儿得欢喜丸喻
[92] The Parable Of The Small Child Getting Joy Pills
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摩尼水窦喻
[94] The Parable Of The Maṇi Or Water Burrow
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