..續本文上一頁"Go, O monk, and tell the monk Ari.t.tha, formerly of the vulture killers, that the Master calls him." — "Yes, Lord," replied the monk. He went to the monk Ari.t.tha and spoke to him: "The Master calls you, friend Ari.t.tha." — "Yes, friend," replied Ari.t.tha and he went to meet the Blessed One. Having arrived, he saluted the Blessed One respectfully and sat down at one side. When he was seated the Blessed One addressed him thus:

　　"Is it true, Ari.t.tha, that you have conceived this pernicious view: ”There are things called "obstructions" by the Blessed One. As I understand his teaching those things are not necessarily obstructive for him who pursues them”

　　" — "Yes, indeed, Lord, I understand the teaching of the Blessed One in this way that those things called ”obstructions” by the Blessed One, are not necessarily obstructive for him who pursues them."

　　6. "Of whom do you know, foolish man, that I have taught to him the teaching in that manner

　　 Did I not, foolish man, speak in many ways of those obstructive things that they are obstructions indeed, and that they necessarily obstruct him who pursues them

　　 Sense desires, so I have said, bring little enjoyment, and much suffering and disappointment. The perils in them are greater. Sense desires are like bare bones, have I said; they are like a lump of flesh... they are like a snake”s head, have I said. They bring much suffering and disappointment. The perils in them are greater. But you, O foolish man, have misrepresented us by what you personally have wrongly grasped. You have undermined your own (future) and have created much demerit. This, foolish man, will bring you much harm and suffering for a long time."[3]

　　7. Then the Blessed One addressed the monks thus: "What do you think, O monks: has that monk Ari.t.tha, formerly of the vulture killers, produced any spark (of understanding) in this teaching and discipline

　　"[4] — "How should that be, Lord

　　 Certainly not, O Lord."

　　After these words the monk Ari.t.tha, formerly of the vulture killers, sat silent, confused, with his shoulders drooping and his head bent, brooding and incapable of making a rejoinder.

　　Then the Blessed One, knowing (his condition), spoke to him: "You will be known, foolish man, by what is your own pernicious view, I shall now question the monks about this."

　　8. Then the Blessed One addressed the monks: "Do you, O monks, also understand the teaching proclaimed by me, in the same manner as this monk Ari.t.tha does, who misrepresents us by what he personally has wrongly grasped; who has undermined his own (future) and created much demerit

　　"

　　"Certainly not, Lord. For in many ways has the Blessed One told us of those obstructive things that they are obstructions indeed, and that they necessarily obstruct him who pursues them..."

　　"Good, monks. It is good that you thus understand the teaching proclaimed by me.[5] For in many ways have I spoken of those obstructive things that they are obstructions, indeed, and that they necessarily obstruct him who pursues them. Sense desires, so have I said, bring little enjoyment, and much suffering and disappointment. The perils in them are greater. Sense desires are like bare bones, have I said; they are like a lump of flesh, like a torch of straw, like a pit of burning coals, like a dream, like borrowed goods, like a fruit-bearing tree, like a slaughter-house, like a stake of swords; like a snake”s head are sense desires, have I said. They bring much suffering and disappointment. The perils in them are greater. But this monk Ari.t.tha, formerly of the vulture killers, misrepresents us by what he personally has wrongly grasped; he undermines his own (future) and creates much demerit. This will bring to this foolish man much harm and suffering for a long time.

　　9. "Monks, it is…

《The Discourse on the Snake Simile:Alagaddupama Sutta (MN 22)》全文未完，請進入下頁繼續閱讀…