(14) OFFERING THE GUIDE UP AS SACRIFICE TO GOD

Once upon a time there was a group of merchants who wanted to go to the sea. A guide was required. They set out in quest of such a man. After finding such a man, they started the trip and saw a temple when they reached a land of wilderness. A man had to be immolated to cross it.

After consultation, the group of merchants said that they could not choose anyone in the company to be killed, for they were all related. The only one fit to be sacrificed was the guide. So they killed him. After performing the rites, they soon lost their way and knew not which direction to go. They then died one after another.

So are the people in general.

Those who seek to fish for treasure in the sea of Dharma should keep the commandments of doing good deeds as their guide. If they break them, they will end their lives in the wilderness and can never be rescued. Furthermore, they will have to go through the Three Evil Paths of Transmigration and suffer forever and ever.

Such men are just like the group of merchants who killed the guide and died in a body as a result.

14杀商主祀天喻

昔有贾客，欲入大海。入大海之法，要须导师，然后可去。即共求觅，得一导师。既得之已，相将发引，至旷野中，有一天祠，当须人祀，然后得过。于是众贾共思量言：「我等伴党，尽是亲属，如何可杀?唯此导师，中用祀天。」即杀导师，以用祭祀。祀天已竟，迷失道路，不知所趣，穷困死尽。

一切世人，亦复如是，欲入法海，取其珍宝，当修善法行以为导师。毁破善行，生死旷路，永无出期。经历三涂，受苦长远。如彼商贾，将入大海，杀其导者，迷失津济，终致困死。

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