法句譬喻經 23.p4

23.p4

In days of old, when Buddha was residing in the Jetavana, at Śrāvastī, there were four Bhikshus seated under a tree, who conversed together thus: “What think you is the greatest misery to bear in all the world?” One said the greatest misery in the world is lust; another said the greatest misery is hunger and thirst; another said it was anger; another said it was fear. Whilst they were thus disputing, without any hope of agreement, Buddha, knowing the case, transported himself to the spot, and inquired what their disputation was about. On this the Bhikshus, having arisen and paid him homage, explained how the case stood. On this the World-honoured explained that they had not got to the bottom of the matter, but that the body itself was the greatest misery, for from the body comes the misery of hunger and thirst, cold and heat, anger, and pride, and lust; and therefore our aim should be to get rid of the body, and thus attain the perfect rest of Nirvāna. And then he added these stanzas:—