諸經要集 17.86

17.86

又雜譬喻經云。有十八事於世甚難。一值佛世難。二正使值佛得為人難。三正使成人在中國生難。四正使在中國生種姓家難。五正使在種姓家。四支六情完具難。六正使四支六情完具。得財產難。七正使得財產值善知識難。八正使值善知識具智慧難。九正使得智慧具善心難。十正使得善心能布施難。十一正使能布施。欲得賢善有德人難。十二正使得賢善值有德人。往至其所難。十三正使至其所得宜適難。十四正使得宜適。得受聽說難。十五正使聽說。得正解智慧難。十六正使得解能受深經難。十七正使能受深經。得如說修行難。十八正使能受深經。得如說修行。得證聖果難。是為十八事難。

The Za piyu jing also says: There are eighteen things in the world that are extremely difficult: First, it is difficult to encounter the era of a Buddha. Second, even if one encounters a Buddha, it is difficult to attain a human form. Third, even if one becomes a human, it is difficult to be born in the Central Country. Fourth, even if one is born in the Central Country, it is difficult to be born into a noble clan. Fifth, even if one is born into a noble clan, it is difficult for the four limbs and six sense faculties to be complete and intact. Sixth, even if the four limbs and six sense faculties are complete and intact, it is difficult to acquire wealth. Seventh, even if one acquires wealth, it is difficult to encounter a good spiritual friend (kalyāṇamitra). Eighth, even if one encounters a good spiritual friend, it is difficult to be endowed with wisdom. Ninth, even if one is endowed with wisdom, it is difficult to be endowed with a good mind. Tenth, even if one is endowed with a good mind, it is difficult to be able to practice giving (dāna). Eleventh, even if one is able to practice giving, it is difficult to find a worthy, good, and virtuous person [as recipient]. Twelfth, even if one finds a worthy, good, and virtuous person, it is difficult to go to their dwelling place. Thirteenth, even if one reaches their dwelling place, it is difficult to obtain an opportune circumstance. Fourteenth, even if one obtains an opportune circumstance, it is difficult to be able to listen to the exposition [of the Dharma]. Fifteenth, even if one listens to the exposition, it is difficult to attain correct understanding and wisdom. Sixteenth, even if one attains understanding, it is difficult to be able to uphold the profound scriptures. Seventeenth, even if one is able to uphold the profound scriptures, it is difficult to practice in accordance with what is taught. Eighteenth, even if one is able to uphold the profound scriptures and practice in accordance with what is taught, it is difficult to realize the noble fruition. These are the eighteen difficult things.