鹹水喻經

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Bhagavān was dwelling in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park, in the country of Śrāvastī. At that time the World-Honored One addressed the bhikṣus:

"I shall expound for you the seven similes of water. Listen well and reflect upon them carefully. I shall now speak."

The bhikṣus replied:

"Yes, O World-Honored One."

Thereupon the bhikṣus followed the World-Honored One to receive his instruction. The World-Honored One said:

"Bhikṣus, what are the seven similes of water? There may be a person who is submerged beneath the water; there may be a person who emerges from the water yet sinks back again; or one who, having emerged from the water, does not sink back again; or there may be a person who wishes to come out of the water; or there may be a person who wishes to reach the farther shore; or there may be a person who has already reached the farther shore—this is called one of pure resolve who stands upon the farther shore.

"What is meant by a person submerged beneath the water? It is that there may be a person who binds his own body tightly with unwholesome dharmas. When his evil deeds have ripened, he straightaway falls into hell for a whole kalpa to undergo his punishment, and there is no way to rescue him. This is called the first kind of person, who is forever submerged beneath the water.

"What is meant by a person who emerges from the water yet sinks back into the water again? It is that there may be a person who has brought about this drowning; although he has faith in wholesome dharmas and harbors a sense of shame so as to seek the means, yet he harbors a sense of shame regarding the wholesome dharmas (because he cannot carry them out). Such a one has emerged from the water but sinks back again. This is called the second kind of person, who is submerged in the water.

"What is meant by a person who emerges from the water and then gazes about in the four directions? It is that there may be a person who emerges from the water; such a one has faith in wholesome dharmas, has a mind of shame and conscience, has a resolute intent, and toward all unwholesome dharmas he has shame and conscience. Such a one, having emerged from the water, no longer sinks back again. O virtuous ones, this is the simile for the third kind of person, who emerges from the water.

"What is meant by a person who emerges from the water and then stands firm? There may be a person who has emerged from the water; such a one has faith in wholesome dharmas, has a mind of shame and conscience, has a heart of diligence, and toward wholesome dharmas he harbors a sense of shame. Such a one, with respect to the three fetters, has put an end to them and become a Srotāpanna, no longer subject to backsliding; he must be reborn again among humankind and then attain the Way. This is the simile for the fourth kind of person, who emerges from the water and then stands firm.

"What is meant by a person who emerges from the water and then wishes to reach the farther shore? It is that there is a person who has already emerged from the water; such a one has faith in wholesome dharmas, has a mind of shame and conscience, has a resolute intent, and toward wholesome dharmas he harbors a sense of shame. Such a one has cut off the three fetters—greed, hatred, and delusion—and, having become resolute, attains the state of Sakṛdāgāmin; he is reborn once more among humankind and only then puts an end to the root of suffering. This is the simile for the fifth kind of person, who has emerged from the water and then wishes to reach the farther shore.

"What is meant by a person who has reached the farther shore? It is that there may be a person who has emerged from the water; such a one has faith in wholesome dharmas, and toward wholesome dharmas he harbors a sense of shame. Such a one has cut off the five lower fetters and become an Anāgāmin; in that very place he realizes Nirvāṇa and no longer returns to humankind. This is the simile for the sixth kind of person, who has emerged from the water and reached the farther shore.

"What is meant by a person who has reached the farther shore, one of pure resolve who stands upon the farther shore? It is that there may be a person who, having emerged from the water, stands upon the shore; such a one has faith in wholesome dharmas, has a mind of shame and conscience, has a resolute intent, and toward wholesome dharmas he harbors a sense of shame. There may be a person who has wholly exhausted the outflows and become free of outflows, with the liberation of mindfulness and the liberation of wisdom; within the present dharma he swiftly attains penetrating realization, and rejoicing in himself, he puts an end to the root of birth and death.

The holy life has been established, what was to be done has been done, and he enters the mother's womb no more. This is the simile for the seventh kind of person, who has emerged from the water and stands upon the farther shore.

"Thus, bhikṣus, these are the seven kinds of persons. I have now expounded for you the simile of the seven kinds of persons in the water. The World-Honored Ones, together with the Śrāvakas, when they expound the Dharma, should expound it with a heart of great compassion, wishing to cause all people to attain peace and security, and to bring them to realization. That is to say: dwelling in tranquility beneath the roots of trees, sitting in open and empty places, you should practice seated meditation and do not be indolent. If now you are unwilling to be diligent, later you will come to regret it. This is my instruction and admonition."

At that time the bhikṣus, having heard what the Buddha taught, rejoiced and reverently put it into practice.

THE BUDDHA SPEAKS THE SŪTRA OF THE SIMILE OF THE OCEAN WATER