一切經音義 97.177

97.177

翳蟷（下音當集中作甞非也案翳蟷者地穴中蜘𫋀𮔪蟷蟲也居止地穴常閉其戶故號翳蟷背明而居黑暗喻無明羅剎死王食食眾生惠命故云覺翳蟷之附後豺狼喻貪慾之心故云見野狼之對前知危亡之期逼切貪情遂息即能守持齋戒）。

Trapdoor spider 翳蟷 (the lower character has the sound 當 [dāng]). The edition under collation writes 甞, which is incorrect. Note: The yidang is an insect resembling a burrowing spider (蜘蛛/𮔪蟷). It dwells in holes in the ground and always shuts its entrance; hence it is called 'hidden door' (翳蟷). Turning its back to the light and dwelling in darkness, it serves as a metaphor for ignorance (avidyā), the rākṣasa, and the King of Death consuming the wisdom-life of sentient beings. Hence it says: 'Aware of the trapdoor spider creeping up from behind.' The jackal or wolf represents the mind of greedy desire; hence it says: 'Seeing the wild wolf confronting one ahead.' Knowing the moment of ruin and death is pressing near, greedy passions are calmed, and one is immediately able to uphold the precepts.