諸經要集 14.5

14.5

Now, those who receive bodily form across the six destinies without exception cling passionately to life and covet living; those endowed with physical substance between the two modes of heaven and earth are all alike anxious and terrified of death. Although ascending and descending through ten thousand varieties, and differentiated into a thousand extremes of folly and wisdom, when it comes to fleeing suffering and seeking ease, how could this sentiment differ? Therefore, the frightened bird flew to the desk, still pleading for its life before the ruler of Wei; the desperate beast entered the hut, thereby begging for survival from Master Ou. The Han emperor cast aside the bait, and thereupon was rewarded with the gift of a luminous pearl; Yang Bao gave freedom to the bird, and so received the recompense of white jade rings. Even to a novice saving ants, who in this life attained longevity; or Flowing Water rescuing the fish, when heaven showered down precious gems: how could matters of this kind be completely enumerated? How could one indulge this insatiable desire to provide for this transient body, cutting off another's breath of life and severing their aggregate-body, thus causing them to embrace suffering unto death and harbor grief toward their demise? Though the great earth is broad, there is nowhere to flee and hide; though the vast heaven is high, there is no place to submit one's appeal. Thus the sūtras say: 'All tremble at the rod; none do not love life. Taking oneself as a comparison, do not kill, do not strike.' Yet ordinary mortals are topsy-turvy, possessed of wrong views and ignorance. Sometimes for auspicious or inauspicious, public or private sacrifices, or for entertaining guests, they manage the kitchen, cooking and slaughtering the bodies of various creatures to prepare meals for the multitude. Or again, as the year shifts and the season grows late, during lulls in affairs and periods of leisure, when the sky turns grim with falling frost and the wilderness is blazed with encroaching fires, they mount swift steeds that chase the wind and carry fine falcons swift as lightning; their swords are Juque and Ganjian, and their bows are Wuhao and Fanruo. Thereupon they lay waste to marshes and thickets, exhausting the forests and groves, overturning arboreal nests and shattering burrows and dens. Trapping-nets stretch across the wilderness, and bird-nets cover the mountains. Either the road ahead is lightly blocked, or they intercept from the left and cut off from the right; dust obscures the sun and smoke and fire surge toward the heavens. Birds, losing their mates, fly in terror; beasts, separated from their herds, bolt and scramble. Wild geese, hearing the twanging string, vie to drop; apes, clutching trees, wail in sorrow. None fail to cry out in grief overlooking precipitous valleys, or shriek in anguish facing the lofty woods. Then arrows are not loosed in vain, and bows are not drawn for naught: piercing the armpit and penetrating the chest, severing the head and smashing the brain. Or again, dangling a fishing line over muddy shallows, or scattering bait into clear deep pools, learning to angle for carp at the river crossing, or joining to shoot minnows in wellspring valleys: once the vermilion scales are caught, they have no further power to wait for a promise; when the pale form is suspended, the auspicious omen of leaping into the boat is forever ended. Minced fine, the flesh and body scatter like rain over the cutting board and platter. Or again, when the Xianyun flare up intensely, punitive campaigns should properly be launched; when border frontiers rebel against commands, reliance is placed on divine martial might. Although worthy and good sovereigns still employ weapons of war, and wise monarchs and enlightened rulers must still launch expeditions—so the campaign at Shen'er won great renown, and the army at Muye was praised for sublime virtue—among them, some command a million men and stride across the land, or lead five thousand deep into enemy territory. Cao Cao was shattered at Red Cliff; Xiang Yu was struck down at the Wu River; Wang Mang's head was suspended from a high terrace; Dong Zhuo's corpse was laid out in the marketplace. All were heroes exhibiting martial might for a time, yet instances of this kind cannot be fully recorded: bones piled up into mountains, and blood flowed deep enough to float pestles. Now the royal army moves like thunder to sweep away and exterminate treacherous rebels, raising weapons and holding tally-banners, watching frontiers and spying on borders. Already participating in the vanguard or presuming to hold the elite rear guard, beneath the cloud-banners how could one dare feel secure? Amidst the frosty blades, truly there is much peril! Thus under the knife they knock their heads, and beneath the spear they beg for life. Offenses such as these cannot be fully recounted. Whenever sentient beings harm one another, becoming enemies and developing feuds, incurring debts of life and bodily injury, they create causes for short lifespans, which then bring about the fruition of many diseases. We vow that from this day forward, this continuity will be severed forever, and unto the end of the future, we will become companions of bodhi and mutually equal comrades in the city of the Dharma that does not destroy good causes.