法苑珠林 71.44

71.44

As the *Mahāprajñāpāramitā-śāstra* states: A practitioner should reprimand the five desires, saying: 'How pitiable are sentient beings! Constantly afflicted by the five desires, they pursue them without ceasing and will fall into a great pit. Obtaining them only worsens [their plight], like applying fire to an itch. The five desires bring no benefit, like a dog gnawing on a bone. The five desires increase contention, like birds fighting over meat. The five desires burn a person, like carrying a torch against the wind. The five desires harm a person, like treading upon a vicious snake. The five desires have no reality, like what is gained in a dream. The five desires do not last, like something borrowed for a mere moment. People of the world are foolishly deluded and greedily attached to the five desires, refusing to cast them off until death, and because of this they suffer limitless pain in future lives. When one gains these five desires, there is momentary pleasure; when one loses them, there is great suffering. It is like licking a honey-smeared blade: one hungers for the sweetness and does not realise the tongue will be wounded.' These five desires are called sights, sounds, scents, tastes, and tangibles. These five items are direct hindrances to the meditator; if one wishes to cultivate meditative absorption, one must abandon all of them.