緇門警訓 8.35

8.35

I have an iron pātra, crafted according to proper standard, measuring a peck and a half: neither too large nor too small, cured with bamboo smoke, solely lustrous and pure. It resembles a bright pearl of two parts, like the luminous moon about to wax round. Entering the settlement at dawn, the minds of the multitude are aroused; yellow millet poured out is like golden sand, polished white rice piled high is just like accumulated snow. In no way different from the manifestations of the Kitchen of Fragrance, how does it differ from spontaneous heavenly offerings? Ah, you who share this boat, you should correct and regulate yourselves! You neither plow nor weed, neither hoe nor reap: by what does this living life survive? Moreover, the mouth and belly know no satiety; the source of greed is hard to exhaust. If right mindfulness strays slightly, rākṣasas have already seized it; relishing the sweetness of a moment causes hunger and thirst for ten thousand kalpas. That ten thousand gold coins may be received does not guarantee you are thoroughly clear; that a cup of water is hard to bear is clearly spoken in the holy teaching. Therefore, one should not violate the five contemplations, and keep moderation in the three spoonfuls. Be careful not to wrongly take those faithful alms to nourish a foul body; you must certainly rely on these sustaining conditions early on to seek self-deliverance.