Udanavarga 3.43

3.43

佛說偈已告諸比丘：「往昔久遠無數世，時有五通比丘名精進力，在山中樹下閑寂求道。時有四禽依附左右常得安隱：一者鴿，二者烏，三者毒蛇，四者鹿。是四禽者，晝行求食暮則來還。四禽一夜自相問言：『世間之苦何者為重？』烏言：『飢渴最苦，飢渴之時身羸目冥神識不寧，投身羅網不顧鋒刃，我等喪身莫不由之，以此言之飢渴為苦。』鴿言：『婬欲最苦，色欲熾盛無所顧念，危身滅命莫不由之。』毒蛇言：『瞋恚最苦，毒意一起不避親踈，亦能殺人復能自殺。』鹿言：『驚怖最苦，我遊林野心恒怵惕，畏懼獵師及諸豺狼，髣髴有聲奔投坑岸，母子相捐肝膽悼悸，以此言之驚怖為苦。』比丘聞之即告之曰：『汝等所論是其末耳，不究苦本。天下之苦無過有身，身為苦器憂畏無量，吾以是故捨俗學道，滅意斷想不貪四大，欲斷苦原志存泥洹。泥洹道者寂滅無形，憂患永畢爾乃大安。』四禽聞之心即開解。」佛告比丘：「爾時五通比丘，則吾身是；時四禽者今，汝四人是也。前世已聞苦本之義，如何今日方復云爾？」比丘聞之慚愧自責，即於佛前得羅漢道。

Having uttered these words, Buddha explained how that in ages gone by there was a certain Bhikshu possessed of the five supernatural powers (iddhi), who dwelt in the mountains under a tree, practising austerities with a view to final release. Whilst dwelling thus, four animals also came and took up their abode near him, namely, a small bird (sparrow?), a large bird (quail?), a poisonous snake, and a deer. On one occasion the Bhikshu heard these creatures also contending between themselves which was the greatest misery in the world, and they also, from their various dispositions, assigned the same causes of suffering as you have, namely, lust, hunger, anger, and fear. Whereupon the Bhikshu explained to them also, as I have done to you, that the body, the source of all sorrow, is the greatest misery, and therefore the greatest happiness is to get rid of the body and obtain Nirvāna. And on this they were able to understand the truth. Now at that time I was the Bhikshu, and ye were the four creatures. On hearing this the mendicants were filled with holy fear and self-upbraidings, after which they were able to come to the condition of Rahats.