法苑珠林 54.8

54.8

As the *Saṃyuktaratnapiṭaka-sūtra* says: All crafty, flattering, deceitful, and fraudulent persons appear upright on the outside but harbor deceit and selfishness within. Therefore, the wise should discern the true from the false. For example, in the past there was a brāhmaṇa who, already advanced in years, passionately married a young wife. Disliking her husband's old age, the wife constantly committed adultery outside. She urged her husband to hold a gathering and invite young and vigorous brāhmaṇas. The husband suspected foul play and was unwilling to invite them. The son of his previous wife fell into the fire. At that time, the young wife looked on and did not catch him. The brāhmaṇa said, “The child has now fallen into the fire; why do you not catch him?” The wife replied, “Ever since my youth, I have only approached my own husband and never approached any other male. How could you make me touch this male?” Hearing this, the old husband believed her words. He then held a great assembly and gathered the brāhmaṇas. At that time, the young wife had illicit relations with them. Seeing this, the old husband felt hatred in his heart; he took his valuables, abandoned his wife, and left. On his way, he met a brāhmaṇa and they became travel companions. When evening came, they lodged together, and the next morning they proceeded forward. [The companion] said to the old brāhmaṇa, “At the place where we lodged last night, a blade of grass stuck to my clothing. Ever since my youth, I have never encroached upon the belongings of the world. I wish to return this blade of grass to its owner. Please halt and wait for my return.” The old brāhmaṇa deeply believed his words and respected him doubly, agreeing to stay and wait. [The companion] pretending to hold the blade of grass, entered a ditch and lay down. Only after a long while did he return, saying, “The blade of grass has been returned.” Because the old brāhmaṇa had to relieve himself, he entrusted his valuables to him. Immediately afterward, this man took the valuables and ran away. Seeing his goods stolen, the old brāhmaṇa lamented incessantly. Moving forward a little, he rested under a tree. He saw a stork holding grass in its beak, saying to the birds, “Let us take pity on one another, gather in one place, and live together.” At that time, all the birds believed its words and came to gather. Then this stork, as soon as the birds flew off, went to their nests, pecked at their eggs, and ate them. When the birds were about to return, it would hold grass in its beak again. The birds realized its hypocrisy, abandoned it completely, and left. Resting under this tree a little longer, he saw a non-Buddhist renunciant wearing a patched robe, walking calmly with slow steps, saying with his mouth, “Away, away, living beings!” The old brāhmaṇa asked him, “Why do you walk while chanting ‘Away, away’?” The non-Buddhist replied, “I am a renunciant who pities all beings; I fear harming bugs and ants, and that is why.” At that time, hearing these words, the brāhmaṇa conceived deep faith. He then followed him to his home to lodge for the night. Hearing only the sounds of singing and dancing, he went out to see. There he saw the dwelling chamber of the non-Buddhist renunciant: a hole was in the ground, from which a woman emerged, making merry with him, playing the lute, and dancing. Having seen this, the old brāhmaṇa realized that among the myriad things under heaven, not a single one could be trusted. Therefore, he spoke a verse: