Excerpts

[48] The Parable Of That Jackal By A Broken Tree Branch Hit From The Sūtra Of A Hundred Parables《百喻经》之野干为折树枝所打喻

jackal walking in wild nature
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譬如野干在于树下,风吹枝折堕其脊上,即便闭目不欲看树,舍弃而走到于露地,乃至日暮亦不肯来。

For example, there was a jackal at a tree below. When the wind blew, a branch broke and fell on his spine above. He immediately closed his eyes, not desiring to see the tree. Abandoning it and walking to open ground, and even at sunset, he was also not willing to come back.

遥见风吹大树枝柯动摇上下,便言唤我,寻来树下。

From afar seeing the wind blowing the big tree, with its branches and twigs shaking up and down, he then said, ‘It is calling me, to immediately come to the tree below.’

愚痴弟子亦复如是,已得出家得近师长,以小呵责即便逃走,复于后时遇恶知识恼乱不已,方还所去,如是去来是为愚惑。

Ignorant disciples are likewise thus, having already attained leaving of the household life and getting close to teachers and seniors, with a little berating, immediately fleeing to go. Again at a later time, meeting evil-knowing friends, who disturb and confuse them endlessly, they then return to those gone away from. Thus going and coming is because of ignorance and confusion.

[Note: Some easily take offence at what they should not, due to their own pettiness and misunderstanding, even at those who mean them well with their kind but strict admonishments.

Sometimes, there is no admonishment at all, but with themselves being oversensitive and taking things personally. Leaving after taking offence, they do not realise that they have abandoned good-knowing friends (善知识) who are precious for their spiritual progress.

While some might rightly rationalise, even if accidentally, on why they should return to them later, there are those who are so wilful and prideful, that they never do, even when there are open and forgiving invitations. They might even foolishly rationalise why they are better off with potentially or actually evil-knowing friends.]

全百喻
All Hundred Parables:

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Please Be Mindful Of Your Speech, Namo Amituofo!

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