諸經要集 4.31

4.31

又雜譬喻經云。昔者兄弟二人居勢富貴資財無量。父母終亡無所依仰。雖為兄弟志念各異。兄好道議弟愛家業。其弟見兄不親家業。恒嫌恨之。共為兄弟父母早終。勤念生活。反棄家業追逐沙門。聽受佛經。沙門豈能與汝衣食財寶耶。家轉貧困財物日耗。人所嗤笑懈廢門戶。繼續父母乃為孝耳。兄報之曰。五戒十善供養三寶。以道化親乃為孝耳。道俗相反自然之願。道之所樂俗之所惡。俗之所珍道之所賤。智愚不同謀猶明冥。是故慧人去冥就明。以道致真卿今所樂苦惱之偽。豈知苦辛。其弟含恚俾頭不信。兄見如是便謂弟曰。卿貪家事以財為貴。吾好經道以慧為珍。今是捨家歸命福田。計命寄世忽若飛塵。無常卒至為罪所纏。是故捨世避欲就安。弟見兄意志趣道義。寂然無報。兄則去家作沙門。夙夜精進坐禪思惟。行合經法成道果證。弟聞此言瞋恚更盛。弟貪家業未曾為法。其後壽終墮於牛中。肥盛甚大賈客買取。載鹽販之往還數迴。牛遂羸頓不能復前。上坂困頓躄臥不起。賈人撾打搖頭纔動。時兄遊行飛在虛空。遙見其弟便謂之曰。弟居田宅今為所在。而自投身墮牛畜中。即以威神照示本命。即自識知淚出自責。由行不善慳貪嫉妬。不信佛法輕慢聖眾。不信兄語觝突自用。故墮牛中疲頓困劣。悔當何逮。兄知心念愴然哀傷。即為牛主說其本末。賈人聞之便以施與。即將牛去送至寺中。使念三寶。飯食隨時。其命終盡得生忉利天。時眾賈客各自念言。我等治生不能施與。不識道義死亦恐然。便共出舍捐其妻子。棄所珍翫行作沙門。精進不懈皆亦得道。由是觀之。世間財寶不益於人。奉敬三尊修身學道。世世獲安。

Furthermore, the *Za piyu jing* states: In the past, there were two brothers who dwelt in great wealth and status, with immeasurable property and goods. When their parents died, they had nothing to rely upon. Although they were brothers, their aspirations and thoughts were different. The elder brother loved discourses on the Way, while the younger brother loved the family estate. Seeing that his elder brother did not attend to the family estate, the younger brother constantly resented him: "Being brothers whose parents died early, we should diligently consider our livelihood; instead, you abandon the family estate to chase after śramaṇas and listen to Buddhist scriptures. Can śramaṇas give you clothing, food, and wealth? The household becomes increasingly impoverished and property is depleted daily, bringing ridicule from people for neglecting and abandoning the family lineage. Only continuing what our parents left behind is filial piety!" The elder brother replied to him, saying: "Upholding the five precepts and ten good deeds, making offerings to the Triratna, and transforming one's parents with the Way—only this is filial piety. The Way and the secular are opposed, as is their natural aspiration. What the Way delights in, the secular detests; what the secular treasures, the Way disdains. The wise and the foolish do not share the same counsel, just as light and darkness. Therefore, the wise person departs from darkness and approaches light, reaching the truth through the Way. What you now delight in is the deception of suffering and distress; how could you know its bitterness?" His younger brother harbored resentment, shook his head, and did not believe him. Seeing this, the elder brother said to the younger brother: "You covet household affairs and value wealth; I love the scriptural Way and treasure wisdom. Now I will abandon the household and take refuge in the field of merit. Reckoning life's lodging in this world, it is swift as flying dust. When impermanence suddenly arrives, one is bound by sin. Therefore, I abandon the world, avoid desire, and pursue peace." Seeing his elder brother's will was set upon the meaning of the Way, the younger brother was silent and did not respond. The elder brother then left home to become a śramaṇa. Day and night he was vigorous, sitting in meditation and contemplating. His practice conformed with the scriptural Dharma, and he realized the fruit of the Way. Hearing of this, the younger brother's anger burned even more. The younger brother was greedy for the family estate and never practiced the Dharma. Later, when his life ended, he fell among cattle. He grew very fat and large, and merchants bought him to transport and trade salt, traveling back and forth several times. The ox subsequently became emaciated and exhausted, unable to advance further. Ascending a slope, he was utterly spent and collapsed, lying down unable to rise. The merchants beat him, but he could barely move his head. At that time, the elder brother was traveling, flying in the sky. Seeing his younger brother from afar, he said to him: "Where are the fields and houses where you, my brother, dwelt now? Yet you cast yourself down into the cattle beasts!" He immediately illuminated his past life with spiritual power, and [the ox] recognized it himself, weeping and reproaching himself: "Due to unwholesome actions, stinginess, greed, and jealousy, not believing in the Buddha's Dharma, slighting the noble assembly, not believing my elder brother's words, and stubbornly following my own will, I therefore fell among cattle, exhausted and feeble. How can regret overtake it now?" Knowing his thoughts, the elder brother was sorrowful and grieved. He immediately explained the background to the ox's owner. Hearing this, the merchant gave [the ox] to him as a gift. He then took the ox away and sent it to the monastery, causing it to be mindful of the Triratna and fed in accordance with the proper times. When its life came to an end, it attained birth in the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven. At that time, the assembly of merchants all thought to themselves: "We manage livelihoods and are unable to give; not knowing the meaning of the Way, we fear that in death we will also be like this." Thereupon, they together left their homes, abandoned their wives and children, gave up their treasured playthings, and went forth to become śramaṇas. Vigorous and untiring, they all likewise attained the Way. Viewed from this, worldly wealth and treasures do not benefit people. Revering the Three Honored Ones, cultivating oneself, and studying the Way—one will attain peace and security life after life.