法苑珠林 47.7

47.7

如維摩經云。故以若干苦切之言乃可入律。書云。聞諫如流。斯言可錄。佷戾不信惡馬難調。撫膺多愧常以自箴。庶有聞論致序心曲。今欲緘其言而整其身者。未若先挫其心而次折其意。故經云。制之一處無事不辦。譬如金山之窟狐兔所不敢停渟淵澄海蛙龜所不肯宿。故知潔其心而淨其意者。則三塗報息四德常滿。防意如城守口如瓶。可謂金河遺寄屬在伊人。玉門化廣信於斯矣。既策斯三業。則能除四患。何等四患。謂生老病死也。故受胎經云。眾生受胎之時備盡艱難。冥冥漠漠狀若浮塵。十月將滿母胎知苦。業風催促頭向產門。墮地鞭觸如在刀山。風激冷觸如似寒氷。當爾之時生為實苦。又涅槃經云。譬如燈炷唯賴膏油。膏油既盡勢不久停。人亦如是。唯賴壯膏。壯膏既盡。衰老之炷何得久住。又出曜經。佛說老苦偈云。

As the Vimalakīrti-sūtra says: "Therefore, only with a number of bitter and cutting words can one enter into the discipline." The Book says: "Hearing admonition like flowing water"—these words are worthy of note. The stubborn and obstinate who lack faith are like wild horses hard to tame. Beating the breast with much shame, one should constantly use this to admonish oneself. It is hoped that those who hear these treatises will express their innermost feelings. Now, if one wishes to seal one's speech and regulate one's body, it is best first to curb one's mind and next to subdue one's intention. Thus scripture says: "Restrain it in one place, and there is nothing that cannot be accomplished." For example, foxes and hares dare not dwell in the caves of golden mountains; frogs and turtles refuse to lodge in deep, clear oceans. Thus we know that if one cleanses one's mind and purifies one's intention, then the retribution of the three wretched paths will cease and the four virtues will always be fulfilled. Guard the mind like a city; watch over the mouth like a jar. One may say that the final entrustment at the Golden River belongs to such a person; the broad transformation at the Jade Gate is truly verified herein. Having spurred these three karmas, one can then eliminate the four afflictions. What are the four afflictions? They are birth, old age, sickness, and death. Thus the Garbhāvakrānti-sūtra says: "When sentient beings enter the womb, they experience all hardships. In murky obscurity, like floating dust. When the ten months are nearly full, the mother's womb experiences suffering. The winds of karma urge it on, directing the head toward the birth canal. Falling to the ground, the whip-like touch is as if upon a mountain of knives; the wind's biting cold touch is like freezing ice. At that moment, birth is truly suffering." Moreover, the Nirvāṇa-sūtra says: "For example, the wick of a lamp relies solely on grease and oil; once the grease and oil are exhausted, its light cannot last long. Man is also like this; he relies solely on the grease of vitality; once the grease of vitality is exhausted, how could the wick of decrepit old age remain long?" Moreover, in the Udāna-sūtra, the Buddha spoke a verse on the suffering of old age, saying: