Sutta 5: The story of My Possessions

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0073b11] Thus I have heard:

At one time, the Buddha (佛 [fu]) was residing in the Jeta Grove, Anathapindika's Garden (祇樹給孤獨園 [qi shu gei gu du yuan]) in Sravasti (舍衛 [she wei]), accompanied by a great assembly of twelve hundred and fifty bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]). At that time, there was a respected elder (尊長者 [zun zhang zhe]) who had immeasurable wealth, countless gold, silver, and precious treasures. He diligently engaged in business, enduring hunger, thirst, cold, and heat, encountering various difficulties and worries, accumulating this wealth without proper means. Although wealthy, he did not clothe or feed himself, could not give dana (布施 [bu shi]), could not provide for and serve his parents, and could not adequately support his wife, children, and servants. He did not benefit his inner and outer family and relatives; how could he give dana (布施 [bu shi]) for merit? His clothes were coarse, his food was bad, his heart was stingy, his parents were impoverished, his wife and children were naked and freezing, and he had no communication with his family, inside or out. They each went their separate ways, constantly fearing annoyance and requests, acting with avarice (慳貪 [qian tan]). Being so stingy, with little merit and no wisdom, he was extremely proud, possessing nothing to carry with him. When he originally engaged in business, he might have been sincere or not sincere, accumulating countless treasures, but unable to clothe or feed himself. When his life ended, he had no children, and all his wealth was confiscated by the government.

[0073b11] wén rú shì:

yī shí fú yóu shě wèi qí shù gěi gū dú yuán, yǔ dà bǐ qiū zhòng qiān èr bǎi wǔ shí rén jù. ěr shí yǒu yī zūn zhǎng zhě, cái fù wú liàng, jīn yín zhēn bǎo, bù kě chēng shù. qín kǔ zhì shēng, jī kě hán rè, chù mào zhū nán, yōu qī zhū huàn, bù yǐ dào lǐ, jī cǐ cái yè. suī wèi cái fù, bù zì yī shí,, bù néng bù shī,, bù néng gōng yǎng fèng shì èr qīn,, bù néng gěi zú qī zi pú shǐ. wú yì zhōng wài jiā shì qīn lǐ, ān néng bù shī wèi fú dé hū? yī jí cū yī,, shí jí è shí,, yì zhōng lìn xī,, fù mǔ qióng fá,, qī zi luǒ dòng,, jiā shì nèi wài bù yǔ jiāo tōng. gè zì liǎng suí, cháng kǒng fán ráo, yǒu suǒ qiú suǒ, suǒ zuò qiān tān. lìn xī rú cǐ, shǎo fú wú zhì, dì yī jīn jīn, wú suǒ jī chí. běn zhì shēng shí huò néng zhì chéng huò bù zhì chéng, jī lèi cái bǎo bù kě chēng jì, bù néng yī shí. yú shí shòu zhōng, jì wú zi xìng, suǒ yǒu cái bǎo, jiē méi rù guān.

[0073b11] wen ru shi:

yi shi fu you she wei qi shu gei gu du yuan, yu da bi qiu zhong qian er bai wu shi ren ju. er shi you yi zun zhang zhe, cai fu wu liang, jin yin zhen bao, bu ke cheng shu. qin ku zhi sheng, ji ke han re, chu mao zhu nan, you qi zhu huan, bu yi dao li, ji ci cai ye. sui wei cai fu, bu zi yi shi,, bu neng bu shi,, bu neng gong yang feng shi er qin,, bu neng gei zu qi zi pu shi. wu yi zhong wai jia shi qin li, an neng bu shi wei fu de hu? yi ji cu yi,, shi ji e shi,, yi zhong lin xi,, fu mu qiong fa,, qi zi luo dong,, jia shi nei wai bu yu jiao tong. ge zi liang sui, chang kong fan rao, you suo qiu suo, suo zuo qian tan. lin xi ru ci, shao fu wu zhi, di yi jin jin, wu suo ji chi. ben zhi sheng shi huo neng zhi cheng huo bu zhi cheng, ji lei cai bao bu ke cheng ji, bu neng yi shi. yu shi shou zhong, ji wu zi xing, suo you cai bao, jie mei ru guan.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0073b24] The World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) told the bhikkhus: "Listen to the foolish and lowly person who obtains subtle treasures but cannot clothe or feed himself, nor provide for his parents, wife, children, or servants. After ten thousand parts, there is no further benefit but only loss." When the bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) heard this, they fully reported to the Buddha: "Indeed, World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun])! There is an elder (長者 [zhang zhe]), whose name is so-and-so, with immeasurable wealth, but he cannot clothe or feed himself, nor provide for his parents, wife, children, or servants, nor can he give dana (布施 [bu shi]). Once his life ends, his wealth is confiscated by the government."

[0073b24] shì zūn gào bǐ qiū: “qiě tīng yú míng xià shì dé wēi miào bǎo, bù néng yī shí, bù gōng fù mǔ qī zi nú kè. wàn fēn zhī hòu, wú suǒ fù yì ér yǒu jiǎn sǔn.” bǐ qiū wén cǐ, jù zú qǐ fú: “wéi rán, shì zūn! yǒu yī zhǎng zhě, míng hào yuē mǒu, cái fù wú liàng, bù néng yī shí,, bù gōng fù mǔ qī zi pú shǐ,, bù néng bù shī, yī dàn shòu zhōng, cái wù méi rù guān.”

[0073b24] shi zun gao bi qiu: "qie ting yu ming xia shi de wei miao bao, bu neng yi shi, bu gong fu mu qi zi nu ke. wan fen zhi hou, wu suo fu yi er you jian sun." bi qiu wen ci, ju zu qi fu: "wei ran, shi zun! you yi zhang zhe, ming hao yue mou, cai fu wu liang, bu neng yi shi,, bu gong fu mu qi zi pu shi,, bu neng bu shi, yi dan shou zhong, cai wu mei ru guan."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0073c01] The Buddha told the bhikkhus: "This respected elder (尊長者 [zun zhang zhe]), not only in this life was he stingy and attached to wealth, but it was also the same in a previous life. In the distant past, in countless kalpas, there was a great fragrant mountain, where countless long pepper (蓽茇 [bi ba]) and other medicinal plants, as well as pepper trees (胡椒樹 [hu jiao shu]), grew. On a long pepper tree (蓽茇樹 [bi ba shu]), there was a bird named 'My Possessions' (我所 [wo suo]), dwelling there. If it was spring and the medicinal fruits were ripe, people would gather them and eat them to cure diseases. At that time, the bird 'My Possessions' (我所 [wo suo]) would cry out mournfully: 'These fruits are mine! Do not take them! My heart does not wish for people to gather them.' It would screech and cry out, but people continued to take them, not listening to its voice. That bird, with little merit, cried out in sorrow, its voice ceaseless, and because of this, it died."

[0073c01] fú gào zhū bǐ qiū: “jīn cǐ zūn zhǎng zhě, fēi dàn jīn shì qiān tān ài xī cái bǎo, qián shì yì rán. nǎi wǎng guò qù wú shù shì shí, yǒu dà xiāng shān, shēng wú yāng shù bì bá zhū yào, jí hú jiāo shù, bì bá shù shàng, shí yǒu yī niǎo, míng yuē wǒ suǒ, zhǐ dùn qí zhōng. jiǎ shǐ chūn yuè yào guǒ shú shí, rén jiē cǎi qǔ, fú shí liáo jí. shí wǒ suǒ niǎo, huàn hū bēi míng: ‘cǐ guǒ wǒ suǒ, rǔ děng wù qǔ! wú xīn bù yù lìng rén cǎi zhī.’ suī jiào huàn hū, zhòng rén xù qǔ, bù tīng qí shēng. bǐ niǎo báo fú, chóu yōu jiào hū, shēng bù xiū jué, yuán shì mìng guò.”

[0073c01] fu gao zhu bi qiu: "jin ci zun zhang zhe, fei dan jin shi qian tan ai xi cai bao, qian shi yi ran. nai wang guo qu wu shu shi shi, you da xiang shan, sheng wu yang shu bi ba zhu yao, ji hu jiao shu, bi ba shu shang, shi you yi niao, ming yue wo suo, zhi dun qi zhong. jia shi chun yue yao guo shu shi, ren jie cai qu, fu shi liao ji. shi wo suo niao, huan hu bei ming: 'ci guo wo suo, ru deng wu qu! wu xin bu yu ling ren cai zhi.' sui jiao huan hu, zhong ren xu qu, bu ting qi sheng. bi niao bao fu, chou you jiao hu, sheng bu xiu jue, yuan shi ming guo."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0073c10] The Buddha said: "Thus it is, thus it is! Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! In this world, the foolish person is the lowly one (下士 [xia shi]). He seeks wealth by righteous or unrighteous means, accumulating countless treasures. Once his life ends, his wealth does not follow him. Just like that bird named 'My Possessions' (我所 [wo suo]), seeing the long pepper tree (蓽茇樹 [bi ba shu]) and other medicinal trees, about to ripen, it cried out mournfully: 'They are all mine!' But people continued to gather them, and it could not stop them."

[0073c10] fú yán: “rú shì, rú shì! bǐ qiū! yú shì zhī jiān, yú ái zhī zi wèi xià shì, zhì xíng qiú cái, huò zhèng huò xié, jī lèi cái bǎo, yī dàn mìng jǐn, cái bù suí shēn. yóu rú bǐ niǎo míng wǒ suǒ zhě, jiàn bì bá shù jí zhū yào shù, qiě yù chéng shú, jiào huàn bēi míng: ‘jiē shì wǒ suǒ! ’ rén suì cǎi qǔ, bù néng jìn zhì.”

[0073c10] fu yan: "ru shi, ru shi! bi qiu! yu shi zhi jian, yu ai zhi zi wei xia shi, zhi xing qiu cai, huo zheng huo xie, ji lei cai bao, yi dan ming jin, cai bu sui shen. you ru bi niao ming wo suo zhe, jian bi ba shu ji zhu yao shu, qie yu cheng shu, jiao huan bei ming: 'jie shi wo suo! ' ren sui cai qu, bu neng jin zhi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0073c14] At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) recited a gatha (頌 [song]), saying:

"There is a bird named 'My Possessions' (我所 [wo suo]),
Dwelling on the fragrant mountain,
When the medicinal trees ripen,
It cries out: 'They are mine!'
Hearing its cries,
Other birds all gather,
People take the medicine,
The bird 'My Possessions' (我所 [wo suo]) is vexed.
Thus, if a person,
Accumulates immeasurable treasures,
But does not think of eating or drinking,
Nor giving dana (施 [shi]), like this bird.
Government officials and thieves,
Enemies, water, fire, and sons,
Will seize or burn and destroy them,
Like the medicinal fruits of 'My Possessions' (我所 [wo suo]).
Unable to eat well,
Bedding and furnishings are the same,
Fragrant flowers and all offerings,
All are like this.
Having obtained a human body,
Returning to one's kind,
When life ends, all is abandoned,
Not one thing follows the body.
Therefore, one should cultivate virtue,
Think of the afterlife,
The merit that a person creates,
Will await them in the afterlife.
Do not, when life is ending,
Have a heart filled with fiery thoughts,
I was previously unrestrained,
Therefore, I should create the root of virtue."

[0073c14] yú shí shì zūn, zé shuō sòng yuē:

“yǒu niǎo míng wǒ suǒ,　　chù zài yú xiāng shān,
　zhū yào shù chéng shú,　　jiào huàn shì wǒ suǒ.
　wén bǐ jiào huàn shēng,　　yú niǎo jiē jí huì,
　zhòng rén qǔ yào qù,　　wǒ suǒ niǎo ào nǎo.
　rú shì jiǎ shǐ rén,　　jī jù wú liàng bǎo,
　jì bù niàn yǐn shí,　　bù shī rú sī niǎo.
　xiàn guān jí dào zéi,　　yuàn jiā shuǐ huǒ zi,
　duó zhī huò shāo méi,　　rú wǒ suǒ yào guǒ.
　bù néng hǎo yǐn shí,　　chuáng wò jù yì ěr,
　xiāng huā zhū gōng yǎng,　　suǒ yǒu jiē rú shì.
　jì zhì dé rén shēn,　　lái guī yú zhǒng lèi,
　mìng jǐn jiē shě qù,　　wú yī suí qí shēn.
　shì gù dāng zhí dé,　　gù niàn yú hòu shì,
　rén suǒ zuò gōng dé,　　hòu shì qiě dài rén.
　wú dé lín shòu zhōng,　　xīn zhōng huái tāng huǒ,
　wú qián wèi fàng yì,　　gù dāng zào dé běn.”

[0073c14] yu shi shi zun, ze shuo song yue:

"you niao ming wo suo, chu zai yu xiang shan,
zhu yao shu cheng shu, jiao huan shi wo suo.
wen bi jiao huan sheng, yu niao jie ji hui,
zhong ren qu yao qu, wo suo niao ao nao.
ru shi jia shi ren, ji ju wu liang bao,
ji bu nian yin shi, bu shi ru si niao.
xian guan ji dao zei, yuan jia shui huo zi,
duo zhi huo shao mei, ru wo suo yao guo.
bu neng hao yin shi, chuang wo ju yi er,
xiang hua zhu gong yang, suo you jie ru shi.
ji zhi de ren shen, lai gui yu zhong lei,
ming jin jie she qu, wu yi sui qi shen.
shi gu dang zhi de, gu nian yu hou shi,
ren suo zuo gong de, hou shi qie dai ren.
wu de lin shou zhong, xin zhong huai tang huo,
wu qian wei fang yi, gu dang zao de ben."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0074a03] The Buddha told the bhikkhus: "Do you want to know? At that time, the bird 'My Possessions' (我所 [wo suo]) is now this respected elder (尊長者 [zun zhang zhe])! Therefore, bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]), you should cultivate and learn this, not be stingy, remove the defiled mind, and always cultivate purity. These are all the Buddha's (佛 [fu]) teachings!"

[0074a03] fú gào zhū bǐ qiū: “yù zhī, ěr shí wǒ suǒ niǎo zhě, zé jīn cǐ zūn zhǎng zhě shì! shì gù bǐ qiū dāng xiū xué cǐ, bù dāng qiān xī, chú gòu zhuó xīn, cháng xiū qīng jìng, shì zhū fú jiào! ”

[0074a03] fu gao zhu bi qiu: "yu zhi, er shi wo suo niao zhe, ze jin ci zun zhang zhe shi! shi gu bi qiu dang xiu xue ci, bu dang qian xi, chu gou zhuo xin, chang xiu qing jing, shi zhu fu jiao! "

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0074a05] When the Buddha finished speaking, everyone was delighted.

[0074a05] fú shuō rú shì, mò bù huān xǐ.

fú shuō yě jī jīng dì liù

[0074a05] fu shuo ru shi, mo bu huan xi.

fu shuo ye ji jing di liu