法苑珠林 34.28

34.28

Furthermore, the Saṃyuktāgama says: At that time, the World-Honoured One addressed the bhikṣus: "In the past, there was grass in a river wherein a tortoise dwelt. At that time, a hungry jackal was wandering about seeking food. Seeing the tortoise from afar, it rushed over to seize it. Seeing it coming, the tortoise immediately drew in its six limbs. The jackal kept watch, waiting for its head or feet to emerge so that it might seize and eat it. Having watched for a long time, the tortoise never put out its head nor its feet. Starving, exhausted, and enraged, the jackal went away. O bhikṣus, you today are also like that: know that Māra Pāpīyān is constantly lying in wait for your vulnerability, hoping that your eye will attach to sights, your ear hear sounds, your nose smell scents, your tongue taste flavours, your body attach to tangibles, and your mind think of phenomena, desiring to engender attachment to the six sense objects. Therefore, bhikṣus, you today must constantly abide by observing the discipline of the eye faculty. If you observe the discipline of the eye faculty, the evil Māra will find no vulnerability. When [the mind] goes out and grasps conditions, it is likewise with the ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind: if one does not let him find vulnerability when the six faculties go out or grasp conditions, it will be just like the jackal finding no vulnerability with the tortoise." At that time, the World-Honoured One uttered this gāthā: