法苑珠林 87.5

87.5

Now, the tridhātu lacks peace, like a burning house. To eradicate suffering and bestow happiness, one must revere the precepts. The scriptures contain diverse metaphors; here a few are briefly set forth. For being able to traverse distant roads, they are compared to legs and feet. For excelling in upholding all things, they are compared to the great earth. For bringing forth and nourishing myriad things, they are compared to timely rain. For being good at curing all illnesses, they are compared to a skilled physician. For being able to extinguish hunger and thirst, they are compared to sweet dew. For rescuing those who are drowning, they are compared to a bridge. For carrying one across the great ocean, they are compared to a floating raft. For illuminating and dispelling darkness, they are compared to the light of a lamp. For guarding against errors and stopping evil, they are compared to the virtue of the precepts. For turning toward and reaching liberation, one ultimately relies on śīla. For adorning the Dharmakāya, they are compared to neck-jewels. Metaphors such as these are boundless. How could one not revere them and strive with determination to uphold them?