..续本文上一页. While doing this he said, "Madam, it is marvellous indeed! Even in such great old age, your arms and legs are so very beautiful! I can guess how beautiful you were in your youth!" In this way he exaggerated her beauty again and again, for many days.

　　Gradually, desire began to arise in the old lady”s mind. Even though she knew she was blind and her body was rotten from old age, she thought, "No doubt this young man would like to live with me like a husband." So she asked him, "Do you want to be with me, just like a husband and wife

　　"

　　The man replied, "Oh yes of course, madam. I want to very much. But how can I

　　 Your son is my teacher and he is very respectable. It would cause such a scandal! I will not dishonour my teacher."

　　Then the teacher”s mother said, "Well in that case, if you really want to be with me, then kill my son!"

　　The student said, "How can I kill him when I have been studying with him for so long

　　 How can I kill him just because of this desire for you

　　" Then she said, "If you will stay with me and not desert me, I will kill him myself!"

　　As he had agreed, the student went to the world famous teacher and told him all that had taken place. Amazingly, the teacher did not seem surprised. He said, "You have done well to tell me this, my pupil. I appreciate your good work."

　　Then he examined his mother”s horoscope and discovered that this was to be the day of her death. He said, "I will arrange a test for her."

　　The teacher carved a statue from the softwood of a tree limb. He made it look exactly like himself, life-size. He laid it in his own bed and pulled the sheet up over it. He attached a long string to it and gave it to his pupil. He told him, "Now take this string and axe to my mother. Tell her it is time to do the killing."

　　Obediently the student returned to the blind old lady. He said, "Madam, my master is sleeping in his bed. If you follow this string it will lead you to him. Then kill him with this axe, if you really can do such a thing!"

　　She replied, "If you do not abandon me, I will do it." He said, "Why should I abandon you

　　"

　　Then she took the axe in her hands. She trembled as she stood up. Slowly she followed the string to her son”s bed. She felt the statue and thought she recognised her son. She pulled down the sheet from the head and raised the axe. Thinking to kill him with one blow she struck the neck as hard as she could with the axe. But it made a thumping sound, so she knew it had struck wood.

　　The teacher asked, "What are you doing, my mother

　　" Suddenly she realised she had been deceived and discovered. The shock was so overwhelming that she dropped dead on the spot! This time the horoscope had been correct.

　　The world famous teacher respectfully burned his mother”s body and offered flowers on her ashes.

　　Then he said to his pupil, "My son, there really is no such thing as the ”Unhappiness Degree”. Wicked women cause unhappiness. You are fortunate to have such a good and wise mother. By sending you here to earn the Unhappiness Degree, she wanted you to learn how evil some women can be.

　　"You have seen with your own eyes how my mother was filled with craving and vanity. She has taught you this lesson. Now return to your wise mother, who cares so much for your well-being."

　　When he arrived home his mother asked, "My dear son, have you finally earned the high degree in the subject of Unhappiness

　　" He replied, "Yes mother."

　　Then she said, "I ask you again, my son, do you wish to leave the worldly life and go into the forest to worship the fire god

　　 Or do you wish to marry and lead the family life

　　"

　　Her son replied, "I do not wish to lead the family life. I have seen with my own eyes how evil some women can be. There is no limit to their craving and vanity. Therefore I want nothing to do with family life. I will seek peace as a forest monk."

　　He respectfully took leave of his parents. After many years of peaceful meditation in the forest, he eventually died and was reborn in a high heaven world.

　　The moral is: Wickedness between women and men brings unhappiness to both.

《Two Mothers (Renunciation)》全文阅读结束。