The Numerical Discourses
Chapter 12: The Single-Entry Path
| (九) 皮 | 9. Skin |
|---|---|
| 聞如是： 一時，佛在舍衞國、祇樹、給孤獨園。 | 1. Thus I have heard:1 One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī. |
| 爾時世尊告諸比丘： 「受人利養甚重、不易，令人不得至無為之處。 所以然者？ 利養之報斷入人皮。 以斷皮，便斷肉。 以斷肉，便斷骨。 以斷骨，便徹髓。 | 2. It was then that Bhagavān addressed the monks, “Someone taking profit is a serious thing, not an easy thing, for it prevents a person from reaching the unconditioned abode. Why is that? The reward of profit cuts into a person’s skin. Cutting through skin, it cuts into their flesh. Cutting into their flesh, it cuts into their bones. Cutting into bone, it cuts into their marrow. |
| 「諸比丘，當以此方便，知利養甚重。 若未生利養心，便不生。 已生，求令滅之。 如是，諸比丘，當作是學。」 | 3. “Therefore, monks, in this way, you should know that profit is a very serious thing. If thoughts of profit have yet to arise, then don’t produce them. If they’ve already arisen, then work to stop them. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.” |
| 爾時，諸比丘聞佛所説歡喜，奉行。 | 4. When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved. |
Notes
For the source text, cf. T125.2.570c26-1a4. This sūtra is similar to SN 17.28. [back]
Translator: Charles Patton
Last Revised: 30 June 2023
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