釋氏要覽 3.90

3.90

This refers to sights, sounds, scents, tastes, and tangibles. The Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa states: "The five desires are called flower arrows, or the five arrows, because they destroy various wholesome deeds. The practitioner should admonish them, saying: 'Pitiable are sentient beings, who are constantly afflicted by the five desires yet seek them without ceasing; they are about to fall into a great pit! Obtaining them only makes it worse, like warming scabies by the fire. The five desires bring no benefit, like a dog gnawing on a bone. The five desires increase disputes, like birds fighting over meat. The five desires burn people, like carrying a torch against the wind. The five desires harm people, like treading on a poisonous snake. The five desires have no reality, like what is obtained in a dream. The five desires do not last, like something borrowed for a moment. These five desires bring momentary pleasure, but upon their loss, immense suffering.'" The Saṃyuktāgama states: "The brāhmaṇa Channa asked Ānanda: 'For what purpose do you renounce the household life under the Buddha's teaching?' He answered: 'In order to sever evil and generate good.' He further asked: 'What evil is severed?' He answered: 'Severing greed, desire, anger, and delusion.' He asked: 'What fault is there in these?' He answered: 'The taint and attachment of craving and desire can produce vexation and turmoil; in the present life they increase evil phenomena, from which grief, sorrow, suffering, and distress are born; in future lives, it is likewise so.'"