大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 29.16

29.16

疏「生老病死猶四山臨人」等者，《涅槃》二十九中釋八喻非喻，云「云何非喻？如我昔告波斯匿王云：『大王！有親信人從四方來，各作是言：大王！有四大山，從四方來，欲害人民。王若聞者，當設何計？』王言：『世尊！設有此來，無逃避處，唯當專心持戒布施。』我即讚言：『善哉大王！我說四山，即是眾生生老病死。生老病死常來害人，云何大王不修施戒？』」即其事也。故賢與不肖、豪強羸弱同為四遷，一無脫者。梵王帝釋貧窮下賤，堯舜桀紂三苗四凶，併歸灰壞，皆為苦依。

Regarding the commentary's statement that "birth, old age, sickness, and death are like four mountains bearing down upon people," in fascicle twenty-nine of the Nirvāṇa [Sūtra], explaining eight analogies and non-analogies, it says: "How are they non-analogies? It is like when I formerly told King Prasenajit: 'Great King! Suppose trustworthy men arrive from the four quarters, and each speaks thus: "Great King! Four great mountains are coming from the four quarters, seeking to crush and harm the people. If the King hears of this, what strategy will you devise?"' The King said: 'World-Honoured One! If such an event should occur, there would be nowhere to flee; one could only wholeheartedly observe the precepts and practice generosity.' I then praised him, saying: 'Well said, Great King! What I call the four mountains are sentient beings' birth, old age, sickness, and death. Birth, old age, sickness, and death constantly come to harm people; why, Great King, would you not practice generosity and precepts?'" This refers to that incident. Therefore, the virtuous and the unworthy, the mighty and the frail, are all alike subject to the four transitions, with none escaping. Brahma-kings, Śakra, the poor and the destitute, Yao and Shun, Jie and Zhou, the Sanmiao and the Four Evils, all alike return to dust and ruin; all serve as the locus of suffering.