經律異相 18.28

18.28

佛在舍衛精舍。時有四新學比丘。至柰樹下坐禪修道。柰華榮茂色好且香。因相謂曰。世間萬事何者可樂。一人言。仲春之月百卉榮華。遊戲原野此最為樂。一人言。宗親吉會觴酌交錯。音樂歌舞此最為樂。一人言。多積財寶所欲即得。車馬服飾與眾有異。出入光顯行者屬目。此最為樂。一人言。妻妾端正綵服鮮明。香熏芬馥恣意縱情。此最為樂。佛知可化。往為宣說。此最為苦。言昔有國王。名曰普安。與隣國四王共為親友。請此四王宴會一月。飲食娛樂。臨別之日。普安王問曰。人居世間。以何為樂。四王所對。與汝不異。時普安王為體。四王聞之歡喜信解。時普安王我身是也。時四王者汝四人是。前已論之今又不解。生死延長何由休息。時四比丘。重聞此義慚愧悔過。心意開寤得羅漢道（出法句喻經第四卷）。

When the Buddha was at the vihāra in Śrāvastī, four newly ordained monks went beneath an apple tree to practice seated meditation and cultivate the Way. The apple blossoms were flourishing, beautiful in color and fragrant. They said to one another, “Of all the myriad things in the world, what is pleasurable?” One said, “In mid-spring, when the hundred plants bloom and one disports oneself in the fields—this is the most pleasurable.” Another said, “When kin and clansmen gather auspiciously, passing cups of wine, with music, singing, and dancing—this is the most pleasurable.” Another said, “Amassing great wealth and treasures so that whatever one desires is obtained, with carriages, horses, and finery differing from the common crowd, going out and coming in with brilliant glory, observed by all wayfarers—this is the most pleasurable.” Another said, “Having wives and concubines who are upright and beautiful, wearing bright silk attire, perfumed with fragrant scents, indulging one’s desires and giving rein to one’s passions—this is the most pleasurable.” Knowing they could be transformed, the Buddha went to explain to them that these were, in fact, the greatest suffering. He said: “Formerly, there was a king named Puan (Universal Peace), who was close friends with the kings of four neighboring states. He invited these four kings to a banquet for a month, feasting and making merry. On the day of parting, King Puan asked, ‘Living in the world, what do you consider pleasurable?’ The replies of the four kings were no different from yours. Then King Puan [explained the reality of suffering] to them. Hearing it, the four kings rejoiced with faithful understanding. King Puan at that time was myself, and the four kings were you four men. We debated this before, yet today you still do not understand. Transmigration stretches long—how will it ever cease?” Then the four monks, hearing this meaning again, were ashamed and repented their errors; their minds were awakened, and they attained the Way of arhatship (from the fourth fascicle of the *Dharmapada-avadāna-sūtra*).