經律異相 19.68

19.68

There was a monk who was wandering everywhere for alms, and happened to enter a courtesan's house. Seeing him enter, the courtesan leaped for joy, came out to greet him, bowed her head at his feet, and invited him to come in and sit down. She also asked the monk: "Where has the virtuous one come from?" The monk replied: "My duty is to collect alms; thus I have come begging." She then set out delicacies of various flavors, filled his bowl to overflowing, and presented it to him. Having received it, the monk withdrew. Receiving such delicious food, he rejoiced exceedingly in his heart and could not contain himself, visiting her frequently. The woman thought to herself: "Consider that this monk's keeping of the rules is hard to match." She repeatedly prepared sweet, delicate, rich, and delicious food and bestowed it upon him. His coming and going did not cease. His learning was not yet clear, his cultivation not accomplished, and his sense faculties not yet subdued. Seeing the woman's wondrous beauty, lustful thoughts arose in him. Gentle and affectionate words of endearment issued from his mouth, and his heart harbored intimacy. Hearing and seeing this, the monk became bewildered and confused by lust, unable to be self-aware. At that time, the Bhagavat said: "Even when looking upon women, regard elder ones as mothers, middle-aged ones as sisters, younger ones as younger sisters, and those of tender age as daughters. One must internally contemplate the body, being mindful that all of it is foul matter, with nothing lovable about it. Outwardly it is like a painted vase filled inside with impurity. Contemplate the conditional combination of these four great elements as fundamentally having no existence." At that time, that monk did not understand the contemplation of emptiness, but only contemplated outward appearance. Confused by lustful desire, he spoke a verse to the woman: