翻譯名義集 2.232

2.232

【Pipīlikā】 This translates as ant. The Book of Jin says that Yin Zhongkan's father suffered from sharp hearing; hearing ants moving beneath his bed, he took it to be oxen fighting. The Damamūkanidāna Sūtra says: "The elder Sudatta, together with Śāriputra, went to measure out a monastery. Sudatta held one end of the measuring cord in his own hand, while Śāriputra held the other end, together measuring out the monastery. At that time, Śāriputra smiled joyfully. Sudatta asked: 'Why does the Venerable One smile?' He answered: 'As soon as you began measuring the ground here, your palaces in the six desire heavens were already accomplished.' Thereupon he lent him the divine eye, and Sudatta saw all the adorned, pure palaces of the six heavens (and so on). They then moved the cord again. At that time, Śāriputra took on a sorrowful and worried look. Sudatta then asked the Venerable One: 'Why do you look worried?' He answered: 'Do you now see the ants in this ground?' He replied that he saw them. Śāriputra said: 'In the past, under Vipaśyin Buddha, you also built a monastery on this very ground, and these ants were born in it. Down through the seven Buddhas, you have built monasteries for each Buddha, and these ants were likewise born in it; down to the present ninety-one kalpas, they have received this same body without attaining liberation. Saṃsāra is long and vast; only merit is essential—one must not fail to plant it.'" The Erya says: "Those with feet are called insects; those without feet are called reptiles; those with two feet and feathers are called birds; those with four feet and fur are called beasts." How could the kinds of insects, fish, birds, and beasts ever be exhausted? The realms of mountains, waters, sky, and land are boundless. Cycles pass imperceptibly; chasing after things is mad and foolish. If a single thought becomes clear, the ten thousand kinds all cease; one ought to illuminate one's original nature and not give rise to deviant notions.