Taisho: Chinese Buddhist Canon
This is the Chinese Buddhist Canon known as the Taisho, or more specifically the “Taisho Revised Tripitaka” (Takakusu Junjiro 1988). The collection consists of thousands of scrolls including foundational texts such as Agamas, Mahayana Sutras, Vinaya, Abhidharma, Tantras, Jatakas and Avadanas (former birth stoeries), commentaries, histories, catalog...
Sutta 28: Desire as the Root of All Fears and Sufferings
[full title]: Scroll 1 (nr. 28)
[full title]: Sutra on Seven Places and Three Subjects for Contemplation; 七處三觀經 [qī chù sān guān jīng] (qi chu san guan jing)
[parallels]: A collection of 47 sūtras, 30 which have counterparts in the Aṅguttara-nikāya.
[parallels]: Date 148-170 and detailed contents from Lancaster (2004, 'K 738')
[parallels]: Vetter, T. tr. 1998, "An Shigao's Chinese translation of the Saptasthāna-sūtra," Indica-et-Tibetica-Verlag.
[parallels]: References: FGDB, s.v. 七處三觀經.; Lancaster 2004, s.v. K 738.; Nanjio 1883, 157.; Zürcher 2013, p. 442.
[primary source]: An Shigao, translator, 《七處三觀經》 'Qi Chu San Guan Jing,' in Taishō shinshū Daizōkyō 《大正新脩大藏經》, in Takakusu Junjiro, ed., (Tokyo: Taishō Shinshū Daizōkyō Kankōkai, 1988), Vol. 2, No. 150a
[colophon]: 七處三觀經 後漢 安世高譯 共 1 卷 Sutra on Seven Places and Three Subjects for Contemplation; Saptasthānasūtra; Qi Chu San Guan Jing; Translated by An Shigao in the Later Han in 1 scroll
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0879c22] Thus I have heard:
At one time, the Buddha (佛 [fu]) was in Śrāvastī (舍衛國 [she wei guo]), dwelling in the Jetavana Anāthapiṇḍada Garden (祇樹給孤獨園 [qi shu gei gu du yuan]). At that time, the Buddha (佛 [fu]) told the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]): "All fears (諸畏 [zhu wei]) are called desire (欲 [yu]). Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! All sufferings (諸苦 [zhu ku]) are called desire (欲 [yu]). Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! All diseases (諸疾病 [zhu ji bing]) are called desire (欲 [yu]). Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! All fetters (諸結 [zhu jie]) are called desire (欲 [yu]). Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! All sores (諸瘡 [zhu chuang]) are called desire (欲 [yu]). Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! All defilements (諸染泥 [zhu ran ni]) are called desire (欲 [yu]). Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! All attachments (諸著 [zhu zhe]) are called desire (欲 [yu]). Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! All falling into the mother's womb (諸墮母腹中 [zhu duo mu fu zhong]) are called desire (欲 [yu]).
[0879c22] 聞如是:
一時,佛在舍衛國,行在祇樹給孤獨園.彼時佛告比丘: “諸畏是謂為欲.比丘! 謂諸苦是謂為欲.比丘! 諸疾病是謂為欲.比丘! 諸結是謂為欲.比丘! 諸瘡是謂為欲.比丘! 諸染泥是謂為欲.比丘! 諸著是謂為欲.比丘! 諸墮母腹中是謂為欲.
[0879c22] wén rú shì:
yī shí, fú zài shě wèi guó, xíng zài qí shù gěi gū dú yuán. bǐ shí fú gào bǐ qiū: “zhū wèi shì wèi wèi yù. bǐ qiū! wèi zhū kǔ shì wèi wèi yù. bǐ qiū! zhū jí bìng shì wèi wèi yù. bǐ qiū! zhū jié shì wèi wèi yù. bǐ qiū! zhū chuāng shì wèi wèi yù. bǐ qiū! zhū rǎn ní shì wèi wèi yù. bǐ qiū! zhū zhe shì wèi wèi yù. bǐ qiū! zhū duò mǔ fù zhōng shì wèi wèi yù.
[0879c22] wen ru shi:
yi shi, fu zai she wei guo, xing zai qi shu gei gu du yuan. bi shi fu gao bi qiu: "zhu wei shi wei wei yu. bi qiu! wei zhu ku shi wei wei yu. bi qiu! zhu ji bing shi wei wei yu. bi qiu! zhu jie shi wei wei yu. bi qiu! zhu chuang shi wei wei yu. bi qiu! zhu ran ni shi wei wei yu. bi qiu! zhu zhe shi wei wei yu. bi qiu! zhu duo mu fu zhong shi wei wei yu.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0879c28] " Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! Why are all fears called desire (欲 [yu])? Because foolish people in the world are enslaved by desire (貪欲所泆 [tan yu suo yi]), bound by desire (貪欲所縛 [tan yu suo fu]), and thus cannot be liberated from all fears in this life, nor can they be liberated in future lives. Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! For this reason, all fears are called desire (欲 [yu]).
[0879c28] “比丘! 何以故諸畏為欲?用世間癡人為貪欲所泆,為貪欲所縛,用現世不得脫諸畏,後世亦不得脫.比丘! 以是故諸畏為欲.
[0879c28] “bǐ qiū! hé yǐ gù zhū wèi wèi yù? yòng shì jiān chī rén wèi tān yù suǒ yì, wèi tān yù suǒ fù, yòng xiàn shì bù dé tuō zhū wèi, hòu shì yì bù dé tuō. bǐ qiū! yǐ shì gù zhū wèi wèi yù.
[0879c28] "bi qiu! he yi gu zhu wei wei yu? yong shi jian chi ren wei tan yu suo yi, wei tan yu suo fu, yong xian shi bu de tuo zhu wei, hou shi yi bu de tuo. bi qiu! yi shi gu zhu wei wei yu.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0880a01] " Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! Why are all sufferings called desire (欲 [yu])? Because foolish people in the world are enslaved by desire (貪欲所泆 [tan yu suo yi]), bound by desire (貪欲所縛 [tan yu suo fu]), and thus cannot be liberated from all fears in this life, nor can they be liberated in future lives. Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! For this reason, all sufferings are called desire (欲 [yu]).
[0880a01] “比丘! 何以故諸苦為欲?用世間癡人為貪欲所泆,為貪欲所縛,用現世不得脫諸畏,後世亦不得脫.比丘! 以是故諸苦為欲.
[0880a01] “bǐ qiū! hé yǐ gù zhū kǔ wèi yù? yòng shì jiān chī rén wèi tān yù suǒ yì, wèi tān yù suǒ fù, yòng xiàn shì bù dé tuō zhū wèi, hòu shì yì bù dé tuō. bǐ qiū! yǐ shì gù zhū kǔ wèi yù.
[0880a01] "bi qiu! he yi gu zhu ku wei yu? yong shi jian chi ren wei tan yu suo yi, wei tan yu suo fu, yong xian shi bu de tuo zhu wei, hou shi yi bu de tuo. bi qiu! yi shi gu zhu ku wei yu.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0880a04] " Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! Why are all diseases called desire (欲 [yu])? Because foolish people in the world are enslaved and bound by desire (貪欲所泆所縛 [tan yu suo yi suo fu]), and thus cannot be liberated from all fears in this life, nor can they be liberated in future lives. Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! For this reason, all diseases are called desire (欲 [yu]).
[0880a04] “比丘! 何以故諸病為欲?用世間癡人為貪欲所泆所縛,用現世不得脫諸畏,後世亦不得脫.比丘! 以是故諸病為欲.
[0880a04] “bǐ qiū! hé yǐ gù zhū bìng wèi yù? yòng shì jiān chī rén wèi tān yù suǒ yì suǒ fù, yòng xiàn shì bù dé tuō zhū wèi, hòu shì yì bù dé tuō. bǐ qiū! yǐ shì gù zhū bìng wèi yù.
[0880a04] "bi qiu! he yi gu zhu bing wei yu? yong shi jian chi ren wei tan yu suo yi suo fu, yong xian shi bu de tuo zhu wei, hou shi yi bu de tuo. bi qiu! yi shi gu zhu bing wei yu.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0880a07] " Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! Why are all fetters (結 [jie]) called desire (欲 [yu])? Because foolish people in the world are enslaved by desire (貪欲所泆 [tan yu suo yi]), bound by desire (貪欲所縛 [tan yu suo fu]), and thus cannot be liberated from all fears in this life, nor can they be liberated in future lives. For this reason, all fetters (結 [jie]) are called desire (欲 [yu]).
[0880a07] “比丘! 何以故諸結為欲?用世間癡人為貪欲所泆,為貪欲所縛,用現世不得脫諸畏,後世亦不得脫.以是故諸結為欲.
[0880a07] “bǐ qiū! hé yǐ gù zhū jié wèi yù? yòng shì jiān chī rén wèi tān yù suǒ yì, wèi tān yù suǒ fù, yòng xiàn shì bù dé tuō zhū wèi, hòu shì yì bù dé tuō. yǐ shì gù zhū jié wèi yù.
[0880a07] "bi qiu! he yi gu zhu jie wei yu? yong shi jian chi ren wei tan yu suo yi, wei tan yu suo fu, yong xian shi bu de tuo zhu wei, hou shi yi bu de tuo. yi shi gu zhu jie wei yu.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0880a10] " Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! Why are all sores (瘡 [chuang]) called desire (欲 [yu])? Because foolish people in the world are enslaved by desire (貪欲所泆 [tan yu suo yi]), bound by desire (貪欲所縛 [tan yu suo fu]), and thus cannot be liberated from all fears in this life, nor can they be liberated in future lives. Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! For this reason, all sores (瘡 [chuang]) are called desire (欲 [yu]).
[0880a10] “比丘! 何以故諸瘡為欲?用世間癡人為貪欲所泆,為貪欲所縛,用現世不得脫諸畏,後世亦不得脫.比丘! 以是故諸瘡為欲.
[0880a10] “bǐ qiū! hé yǐ gù zhū chuāng wèi yù? yòng shì jiān chī rén wèi tān yù suǒ yì, wèi tān yù suǒ fù, yòng xiàn shì bù dé tuō zhū wèi, hòu shì yì bù dé tuō. bǐ qiū! yǐ shì gù zhū chuāng wèi yù.
[0880a10] "bi qiu! he yi gu zhu chuang wei yu? yong shi jian chi ren wei tan yu suo yi, wei tan yu suo fu, yong xian shi bu de tuo zhu wei, hou shi yi bu de tuo. bi qiu! yi shi gu zhu chuang wei yu.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0880a13] " Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! Why are all defilements (染泥 [ran ni]) called desire (欲 [yu])? Because foolish people in the world are enslaved by desire (貪欲所泆 [tan yu suo yi]), bound by desire (貪欲所縛 [tan yu suo fu]), and thus cannot be liberated from all fears in this life, nor can they be liberated in future lives. Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! For this reason, all defilements (染 [ran]) are called desire (欲 [yu]).
[0880a13] “比丘! 何以故諸染泥為欲?用世間癡人為貪欲所泆,為貪欲所縛,用現世不得脫諸畏,後世亦不得脫.比丘! 以是故諸染為欲.
[0880a13] “bǐ qiū! hé yǐ gù zhū rǎn ní wèi yù? yòng shì jiān chī rén wèi tān yù suǒ yì, wèi tān yù suǒ fù, yòng xiàn shì bù dé tuō zhū wèi, hòu shì yì bù dé tuō. bǐ qiū! yǐ shì gù zhū rǎn wèi yù.
[0880a13] "bi qiu! he yi gu zhu ran ni wei yu? yong shi jian chi ren wei tan yu suo yi, wei tan yu suo fu, yong xian shi bu de tuo zhu wei, hou shi yi bu de tuo. bi qiu! yi shi gu zhu ran wei yu.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0880a16] " Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! Why are all attachments (著 [zhe]) called desire (欲 [yu])? Because foolish people in the world are enslaved by desire (貪欲所泆 [tan yu suo yi]), bound by desire (貪欲所縛 [tan yu suo fu]), and thus cannot be liberated from all fears in this life, nor can they be liberated in future lives. Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! For this reason, all attachments (著 [zhe]) are called desire (欲 [yu]).
[0880a16] “比丘! 何以故諸著為欲?用世間癡人為貪欲所泆,為貪欲所縛,用現世不得脫諸畏,後世亦不得脫.比丘! 以是故諸著為欲.
[0880a16] “bǐ qiū! hé yǐ gù zhū zhe wèi yù? yòng shì jiān chī rén wèi tān yù suǒ yì, wèi tān yù suǒ fù, yòng xiàn shì bù dé tuō zhū wèi, hòu shì yì bù dé tuō. bǐ qiū! yǐ shì gù zhū zhe wèi yù.
[0880a16] "bi qiu! he yi gu zhu zhe wei yu? yong shi jian chi ren wei tan yu suo yi, wei tan yu suo fu, yong xian shi bu de tuo zhu wei, hou shi yi bu de tuo. bi qiu! yi shi gu zhu zhe wei yu.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0880a19] " Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! Why are all falling into the mother's womb (墮母腹中 [duo mu fu zhong]) called desire (欲 [yu])? Because foolish people in the world are enslaved by desire (貪欲所泆 [tan yu suo yi]), bound by desire (貪欲所縛 [tan yu suo fu]), and thus cannot be liberated from all fears in this life, nor can they be liberated in future lives. Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! For this reason, all falling into the mother's womb (墮母腹中 [duo mu fu zhong]) are called desire (欲 [yu])." The Buddha (佛 [fu]) said this, and then spoke further:
[0880a19] “比丘! 何以故諸墮母腹中為欲?用世間癡人為貪欲所泆,為貪欲所縛,用現世不得脫諸畏,後世亦不得脫.比丘! 是故諸墮母腹中為欲.” 佛以說是,從後說絕:
[0880a19] “bǐ qiū! hé yǐ gù zhū duò mǔ fù zhōng wèi yù? yòng shì jiān chī rén wèi tān yù suǒ yì, wèi tān yù suǒ fù, yòng xiàn shì bù dé tuō zhū wèi, hòu shì yì bù dé tuō. bǐ qiū! shì gù zhū duò mǔ fù zhōng wèi yù.” fú yǐ shuō shì, cóng hòu shuō jué:
[0880a19] "bi qiu! he yi gu zhu duo mu fu zhong wei yu? yong shi jian chi ren wei tan yu suo yi, wei tan yu suo fu, yong xian shi bu de tuo zhu wei, hou shi yi bu de tuo. bi qiu! shi gu zhu duo mu fu zhong wei yu." fu yi shuo shi, cong hou shuo jue:
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0880a23] "Fears, sufferings, diseases, fetters (結 [jie]), and sores (瘡 [chuang]) are all called desire (欲 [yu]). Foolish people are bound by these. As for forms, from there they fall into the mother's womb. As mentioned above, bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) who know rightly should not depart from all fears, for they are deeply wise people who have crossed over. One should contemplate the cycle of birth, old age, and suffering in the world."
[0880a23] “畏苦病結瘡是謂為欲,癡人為是所縛已,可色從彼墮母腹中,上頭所說,比丘正意已知莫離諸畏,為深黠人度彼,當觀世間生老行展轉.”
[0880a23] “wèi kǔ bìng jié chuāng shì wèi wèi yù, chī rén wèi shì suǒ fù yǐ, kě sè cóng bǐ duò mǔ fù zhōng, shàng tóu suǒ shuō, bǐ qiū zhèng yì yǐ zhī mò lí zhū wèi, wèi shēn xiá rén dù bǐ, dāng guān shì jiān shēng lǎo xíng zhǎn zhuǎn.”
[0880a23] "wei ku bing jie chuang shi wei wei yu, chi ren wei shi suo fu yi, ke se cong bi duo mu fu zhong, shang tou suo shuo, bi qiu zheng yi yi zhi mo li zhu wei, wei shen xia ren du bi, dang guan shi jian sheng lao xing zhan zhuan."
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0880a26] At that time, the Buddha (佛 [fu]) said this.
[0880a26] 時佛說如是.
[0880a26] shí fú shuō rú shì.
[0880a26] shi fu shuo ru shi.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
[0880a27] "There are eight kinds of sores (瘡有八輩 [chuang you ba bei]): First, the sore of doubt (疑瘡 [yi chuang]); second, the sore of craving (愛瘡 [ai chuang]); third, the sore of greed (貪瘡 [tan chuang]); fourth, the sore of ill will (瞋恚瘡 [chen hui chuang]); fifth, the sore of ignorance (癡瘡 [chi chuang]); sixth, the sore of conceit (憍慢瘡 [jiao man chuang]); seventh, the sore of wrong views (邪瘡 [xie chuang]); eighth, the sore of birth and death (生死瘡 [sheng si chuang])."
[0880a27] “瘡有八輩:一為疑瘡,二為愛瘡,三為貪瘡,四為瞋恚瘡,五為癡瘡,六為憍慢瘡,七為邪瘡,八為生死瘡.”
[0880a27] “chuāng yǒu bā bèi: yī wèi yí chuāng, èr wèi ài chuāng, sān wèi tān chuāng, sì wèi chēn huì chuāng, wǔ wèi chī chuāng, liù wèi jiāo màn chuāng, qī wèi xié chuāng, bā wèi shēng sǐ chuāng.”
[0880a27] "chuang you ba bei: yi wei yi chuang, er wei ai chuang, san wei tan chuang, si wei chen hui chuang, wu wei chi chuang, liu wei jiao man chuang, qi wei xie chuang, ba wei sheng si chuang."