昔有一贫人少有财物，见大富者意欲共等，不能等故，虽有少财欲弃水中。
In the past, there was a poor person who had little wealth and property. Seeing those with great riches, with the intention desiring to together have that equal, not able to have that equal thus, although having little wealth, desired to throw it away, within water.
傍人语言：「此物虽尠，可得延君性命数日，何故舍弃掷着水中？」
A bystander said, ‘These objects, although are very few, with them, you can get to prolong your life for a number of days. For what reason are you giving them up, tossing them to fall within water?’
世间愚人亦复如是，虽得出家少得利养，心有悕望常怀不足，不能得与高德者等，获其利养。
The world’s foolish persons are likewise thus, although getting to leave the household life, getting little profit and gain, with their minds having hope, constantly thinking of not having enough, not able to get that with those highly virtuous equal, to obtain their profit and gain.
见他宿旧有德之人，素有多闻多众供养，意欲等之不能等故，心怀忧苦便欲罢道，如彼愚人欲等富者自弃己财。
Seeing others senior who have virtue, those persons, always having much learning, with many people giving offerings, with the intention desiring to have that equal to them, not able to have that equal thus, with the mind thinking of worries and suffering, then desiring to give up the path, they are like that foolish person desiring to have that equal to those rich, personally throwing away his own wealth.
[Note: It is only natural for beginner Dharma practitioners, that their offerings received are initially little. Yet, the little can already be sufficient if treasured and used frugally. It is often only with greed that they are deemed inadequate.
Again naturally, when there is spiritual advancement with more sincere and diligent Dharma learning, practice and teaching, along with growth in personal virtue, their offerings should karmically grow to meet their changing needs.
As a saying goes, ‘There are clothing and food within the path’s mind, but there is no path’s mind within clothing and food.’ (道心之中有衣食，衣食之中无道心).
At no point should there be greed for offerings, that overwhelms the pure aspiration to walk the path to Buddhahood with one and all. With greed, there will be loss of focus, throwing away whatever little precious virtue remaining. The Dharma is meant for spiritual attainments anyway, not mere material gains, which are incidental and supportive only.]
全百喻
All Hundred Parables:
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