SA 1079（一〇七九） 丘冢

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Buddha was at the Kalandaka Bamboo Grove in Rājagṛha.

At that time, a certain bhikṣu went to the bank of the Toraṇavatī River in the latter part of the night, took off his robe and placed it on the bank, entered the water to bathe, and after bathing, returned to the bank, put on one robe, and waited for his body to dry.

At that time, a certain bhikṣu went to the bank of the Toraṇavatī River in the latter part of the night, took off his robe and placed it on the bank, entered the water to bathe, and after bathing, returned to the bank, put on one robe, and waited for his body to dry.

At that time, the bhikṣu, having heard this treatise from that god, went to the World-Honored One, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, and sat to one side. He asked the World-Honored One in detail about the treatises that had been asked by the god: "What is a burial mound for monks? What is meant by 'at night it emits smoke'? What is meant by 'during the day it burns with fire'? What is meant by 'brāhmaṇas'? What is meant by 'digging it up'? What is meant by 'wise'? What is meant by 'sword'? What is meant by 'large turtle'? What is meant by 'woolen blanket'? What is meant by 'piece of meat'? What is meant by 'slaughterhouse'? What is meant by 'large snake'? What is meant by 'two paths'? What is meant by 'door panel'? What is meant by 'large dragon'?"

The Buddha told the bhikṣu, "The burial mound for monks refers to the body of sentient beings, the coarse four great elements, the body inherited from parents, food, clothing, covering, bathing, massaging, and nourishing. All of these are subject to change, decay, and destruction. 'At night it emits smoke' means that when a person arises at night, they follow their awareness and contemplation. During the day, they practice their teachings, with bodily and verbal actions. 'Brāhmaṇas' refers to the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One. 'Digging it up' means diligently applying skillful means. 'Wise' refers to the learned noble disciples. 'Sword' refers to the sword of wisdom. 'Large turtle' refers to the five hindrances. 'Woolen blanket' refers to anger and resentment. 'Piece of meat' refers to stinginess and jealousy. 'Slaughterhouse' refers to the five sense pleasures. 'Large snake' refers to ignorance. 'Two paths' refers to doubt. 'Door panel' refers to the conceit of self. 'Large dragon' refers to the arhat who has exhausted the taints. Thus, bhikṣu! If the great teacher has done what is to be done for the śrāvakas, out of compassion and pity, with meaningful consolation, then you should do what is to be done. You should spread grass and tree leaves in the open, in the forest, in empty houses, in mountains, fields, and caves, and contemplate and meditate, without being negligent, so as not to regret it later. This is following my teachings.' He then spoke a verse:

The body is said to be a burial mound for monks, and awareness and contemplation
are like smoke rising at night. During the day, actions are like fire burning. The
brāhmaṇas are the true and correct enlightenment. Diligent effort is like digging it up. The
wise and intelligent ones are those who are clearly wise. The sharp sword of wisdom
is used to cut off the five hindrances, which are like a large turtle. Anger
and resentment are like a woolen blanket. Stinginess and jealousy are like a piece of
meat. The five sense pleasures are like a slaughterhouse. Ignorance is like a large snake
Doubt is like the two paths. The conceit of self is like a door panel
The arhat who has exhausted the taints is like a large dragon. Having thoroughly cut
off all discussions, I speak thus.

Having spoken this sūtra, the Buddha finished. The bhikṣu, having heard the Buddha's words, rejoiced and practiced accordingly.