諸經要集 20.19

20.19

"What is meant by the suffering of not getting what one seeks? One expends the wealth within one's household to pursue favor with high officials, petty clerks, and the people, hoping to attain wealth and nobility. One seeks it through tireless toil, never ceasing until an opportunity arises. Having obtained an appointment, one becomes a magistrate in a frontier region. Before long, greedily seizing the property of the people, one is denounced by others. In a single morning an incident occurs, and a caged prisoner-cart stands waiting. When on the verge of being executed, the grief and anguish are boundless, not knowing which day one will live or die. Is this suffering or not?" One replies: "Truly, it is great suffering."