Udanavarga 3.56

3.56

昔有一人無有兄弟，為小兒時父母憐愛，赤心慺慺欲令成就，將詣師友勸之書學。其兒憍蹇永不用心，朝受暮棄初不誦習，如是積年無所知識。父母呼歸令治家業，其兒憍誕不念勤力，家道遂窮眾事妨廢。其兒放縱無所顧錄，糶賣家物快心恣意，亂頭徒跣衣服不淨，慳貪搪揬不避恥辱，愚癡自用人所惡賤，國人咸憎謂之凶惡，出入行步無與語者。不自知惡反咎眾人，上怨父母次責師友，先祖神靈不肯祐助，使我賴帶轗軻如此，不如事佛可得其福。即到佛所為佛作禮，前白佛言：「佛道寬弘無所不容，願為弟子乞蒙聽許。」佛告此人：「夫欲求道當行清淨行，汝齎俗垢入我道中，唐自去就何所長益？不如歸家孝事父母，誦習師教沒命不忘，勤修居業富樂無憂，以禮自將不犯非宜，沐浴衣服慎於言行，執心守一所作事辦，敏行精修人所歎慕，如此之行乃可為道耳。」

There was once a man who had no brothers, but only one little son, who was much beloved by both his parents. They procured for him means of instruction, and fondly hoped that he would be an honour to their house. But, alas! he was careless and negligent, and learned nothing. In consequence of this his parents took him to their home, and hoped he would be useful in the management of the house. But he was idle and dirty in his ways, and altogether a grief to them. In consequence of this he was slighted by all the neighbours, and became an object of contempt amongst his friends, and almost hateful to his parents. Deeply touched by this, he sought some comfort in religious exercises, but found no help in all his penances and prayers to the gods. At last, hearing that Buddha was the all-wise Teacher who could meet the necessities of his case, he came to him and begged his help. To whom Buddha replied, “If you would find comfort in my society, the first thing for you to learn is purity of conduct. Go back, therefore, to your home, and learn to obey your parents, recite your prayers, be diligent in your daily occupations, let no love of ease tempt you to neglect cleanliness of person or decency of dress; and then, having learned this, come back to me, and you may perhaps be allowed to enter into the companionship of my followers.” And then the World-honoured added these stanzas:—