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(36) TO BLIND AN IMMORTAL

Once upon a time, there was a man who went to the mountains to learn Buddhist Priesthood. He succeeded in becoming an Immortal possessing five supernatural powers. His divine vision could perceive all hidden sundry treasures. Upon hearing it, the king said to one of his ministers excitedly:
"In order to add more valuable things to my treasury, could you make this man live permanently in our country?"

The stupid minister went to this man soon afterwards and took his eyes. He then went back to the king and said, "I have gouged out his eyes so he couldn't go away but stay in this country forever."
The king exclaimed, "What is important for his staying in this country is that he could perceive all hidden treasures. Now that you have gouged out his eyes, he is useless to me."

So are the people at large. Upon seeing a monk making strenuous efforts to meditate on the Fourfold stage of Mindfulness and the impurities or the human body on mountain groves, among tombs, in the wilderness or under a tree, a layman invited him home to practice by making various offerings. But in so doing, he destroys the monk's good works done before and his chance of attaining Nirvana. Therefore, he makes him lose the benefit of the eyes of Enlightenment without obtaining anything.
This is just like the fatuous minister blinding the man with no avail.

36破五通仙眼喻

昔有一人,入山学道,得五通仙,天眼彻视,能见地中一切伏藏种种珍宝。国王闻之,心大欢喜,便语臣言:「云何得使此人常在我国,不余处去,使我藏中得多珍宝?」有一愚臣,辄便往至,挑仙人双眼,持来白王:「臣以②挑眼,更不得去,常住是国。」王语臣言:「所以贪得仙人住者,能见地中一切伏藏。汝今毁眼,何所复任?」

世间之人亦复如是,见他头陀苦行,山林旷野,塚间树下,修四意止③及不净观④,便强将来,种种供养。毁他善法,使道果不成,丧其道眼,已失其利,空无所获。如彼愚臣,唐毁他目也。

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