法苑珠林 66.41

66.41

Furthermore, the Nirvāṇa-sūtra says: 'If non-Buddhists who practice self-starvation and austerities could attain the Way, then all animals should also attain the Way. For this reason, non-Buddhists adopt practices of self-starvation, casting themselves into abysses, throwing themselves into fire, leaping from high cliffs, constantly standing on one leg, exposing their bodies to the five fires, and constantly lying on ashes, thorns, wooden stakes, leaves, noxious weeds, and cow dung; wearing coarse garments, hemp clothes, rags from dunghills, coarse woolen fabrics, and kamala robes; eating wild vegetables, feeding on fruits, lotus roots, and oil dregs; when begging for food, limiting themselves to a single household, and if the owner says there is none, immediately turning away, never looking back even if called back; abstaining from salt, meat, and the five pungent roots; constantly drinking and eating gruel, cane sugar, and boiling liquids. To claim that these things can serve as the cause for unsurpassed liberation is impossible. One never sees bodhisattva mahāsattvas practicing such methods and attaining liberation. Therefore, one must first tame the mind; not exclusively tormenting the body, one will then attain the fruits of the Way.' Furthermore, the Yogācārabhūmi-sūtra says: For example, a young boy catches a sparrow and holds it, tormenting it; binding it with a long thread, he lets it fly away. Thinking it has escaped and will no longer face distress, it goes to a tree or pond to drink, enjoying itself in peace. When the thread runs out, he pulls it back and torments it as before, without any difference. The practitioner is like this, reflecting to himself: 'Though I reach the Brahmā heaven, I will still return to the desire realm to suffer as before.' Thereupon he spoke a verse: