四十二章經 1.20

1.20

佛言：「人懷愛欲不見道，譬如濁水，以五彩投其中，致力攪之，眾人共臨水上，無能覩其影者；愛欲交錯，心中為濁，故不見道；水澄穢除，清淨無垢，即自見形。猛火著釜下，中水踊躍，以布覆上，眾生照臨，亦無覩其影者；心中本有三毒涌沸在內，五蓋覆外，終不見道；要心垢盡，乃知魂靈所從來，生死所趣向，諸佛國土、道德所在耳。」

without stain. When there is nothing in the ten directions, from before the formation of heaven and earth up until now, that is not seen, known, or heard, and when all knowing is obtained, that is called the pinnacle of brilliance.”

[13] The Buddha said, “Those who cherish desires do not perceive the Way. Just as people cannot perceive their reflections in water that has been polluted by the [objects of] five colors and stirred vigorously, so the Way cannot be perceived by those whose minds are polluted by interwoven love and desire. However, when the water is allowed to settle and the filth is removed, so that the water becomes clean and pure, one sees one’s form. If someone looks down at a cloth-covered kettle boiling over a raging fire, no reflection can be seen. [Similarly,] those who are boiling internally with the three poisons (greed, anger, and ignorance) and externally covered by the five hindrances will never perceive the Way. Only after the mire of the mind is cleared away will one come to know the source of consciousness, where birth and death lead to, and where the buddha lands are and what morality is.”

[14] The Buddha said, “A person who follows the Way is like one who enters a dark room with a torch. The darkness is immediately dispelled and only light remains. [Similarly,] by studying the Way and perceiving the truth, a person dispels ignorance and nothing is unknowable.”

[15] The Buddha said, “My awareness is awareness of the Way, my practice is practice of the Way, and my speech is speech of the Way. I am continually aware of the truth of the Way without even a single moment’s lapse.”

[16] The Buddha said, “Be mindful of impermanence upon seeing heaven and earth. Be mindful of impermanence upon seeing rivers and mountains. Be mindful of impermanence upon seeing the abundant forms of myriad things. Being thus mindful, you can quickly attain the Way.”

[17] The Buddha said, “If in daily activity, one constantly remembers and practices the Way, the root of faith will be attained. Its blessings are immeasurable.”

[18] The Buddha said, “Be aware that though the four physical elements all have their own names, even they do not exist. The self is only conventionally existent, and such existence is not permanent. All things are like a mirage.”

[19] The Buddha said, “Complying with their desires, people seek fame. It is like burning incense. Many people can smell its fragrance but the incense itself is consumed. Foolish beings crave worldly fame without adhering to the truth of the Way. Calamity attends such worldly fame, causing later regret.”

[20] The Buddha said, “For men, wealth and lust are like a child’s attraction to honey on the blade of a knife. There is not even a meal’s worth, yet there is danger that the child will cut his tongue.”

[21] The Buddha said, “The misfortune of attachment to wife, children, possessions, and home is worse than that of being shackled and chained in prison.

A prisoner may someday be pardoned but the longings for wife and children are as dangerous as the jaws of a tiger, and the fault of succumbing to them is unpardonable.”

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