（一四）
Chapter 14
復次，見此事已應生驚悟，尊豪榮位無得常者。
Furthermore, upon witnessing this, one should awaken with a sense of urgency—realizing that high status and worldly glory are not permanent.
我昔曾聞，栴檀罽尼吒王將欲往詣罽尼吒城，於其中路見五百乞兒，同聲乞匃言：「施如我。」王聞是語便生悟解，即作是念：「彼覺寤我，我於往日曾更貧苦，今若不施後亦如彼。」即說偈言：
I once heard a story. King Chandaniketu was on his way to the city of Ketumati when he encountered five hundred beggars along the road. They cried out together, "Give to us as you would to yourself!" Hearing these words, the king was awakened to understanding. He thought to himself, "They have awakened me. In past lives, I too have experienced poverty. If I do not give now, in the future I will be just like them." And so he spoke this verse:
「由其先世時，多饒錢財寶，
說言無可施，今獲斯貧賤，
設我今言無，後亦同於彼。」
In their past life, they had abundant wealth and treasures, yet they claimed there was nothing to give. Now they have fallen into poverty and lowliness. If I too say I have nothing to give, I will end up just like them in the future.
時有輔相名曰天法，下馬合掌而白王言：「此諸乞兒咸言如我。」王答臣言：「我聞其語，然我所解與汝有異。汝之所解，謂為乞索錢財雜物。我所解者當為汝說，汝今善聽！」即說偈言：
At that time, there was a minister named Heavenly Law. He dismounted from his horse, joined his palms, and addressed the king, saying, "These beggars all say they are like me."
The king replied to his minister, "I hear their words, but my understanding differs from yours. What you understand is that they are begging for money and various goods. Let me explain what I understand—listen carefully now!" And he spoke this verse:
「此諸乞兒等，故來覺寤我，
以斯貧賤形，示我令得見。
自言受此身，慳不惠施故，
放逸所欺誑，受是苦惱形，
愚劣諸乞兒，示我如此義。
自言曾為王，猶如星中月，
寶蓋覆頂上，左右眾妓直，
侍從悉莊嚴，聞者皆避路。
雖有如此等，種種眾妙事，
由不布施故，今受貧賤苦。
福樂迷汝心，不覺後有苦，
人帝應當知，我今甚毒苦，
宜當修布施，莫使後如我。」
"These beggars have come to awaken me, appearing before me in this destitute form. They say they suffer this body because of stinginess, deceived by carelessness, enduring this painful shape. These humble beggars show me this truth: they say they were once kings, like the moon among stars, with jeweled canopies above their heads, surrounded by attendants and musicians, their retinue splendid, making all give way. Though they had such glory and abundance, from failing to give, they now endure poverty. Pleasure and fortune blinded your heart, you did not foresee future suffering. O ruler of men, know my bitter pain now. Cultivate generosity, lest you end up like me."
輔相天法聞是偈已，深生歡喜，合掌白王：「如佛言曰：『見他受苦當自觀察。』王於今者實合佛意，見彼乞兒則能覺寤。善哉大王！意細乃爾，能覺是事，善解分別佛所說義。大王稱實能持大地，真是地主不虛妄也。所以者何？能善分別佛法深義，聰慧明達，是故稱王為大地主。」即說偈言：
The Minister of Heavenly Law, upon hearing this verse, was filled with deep joy. He pressed his palms together and addressed the king: "As the Buddha taught: 'When seeing others suffer, one should reflect upon oneself.' Your Majesty, you have truly embodied the Buddha's intent, for upon seeing that beggar, you were awakened. Excellent, great king! Your mind is so subtle and keen, able to awaken to this matter and skillfully discern the meaning of the Buddha's words. Your Majesty, you truly uphold the earth and are indeed a lord of the land—this is no empty claim. Why is this so? Because you skillfully distinguish the profound meaning of the Buddha's Dharma, wise and clear in understanding. Therefore, you are called a lord of the earth." Then he spoke this verse:
「地主常應爾，此意為無上，
此意難可恒，能自利亦難。
人身極難得，信心亦難生，
財寶難可足，福田復難遇。
如是一一事，極難得聚會，
譬如大海中，盲龜值浮孔。
如斯之難事，大王盡具有，
是故於今者，不應恣心意。
人身如電光，暫發不久停，
雖復得人身，危脆不可保。
臨終兩肩垂，諸節皆舒緩，
雖有四威儀，進止不自由。
眼目已上眄，將為死毒中，
親屬在其側，覩之咸悲泣。
以手觸其身，安慰言勿懼，
既見親慰喻，益更增悲感。
決定知已去，涉於死長途，
雖有眾財物，不可為資糧。
諸脈斷絕時，顏色皆變異，
命來催促已，如油盡燈滅。
當於如斯時，誰能修布施，
持戒及忍辱，精進禪智等？
如斯時未至，宜應勤用心。」
A ruler should always hold this in mind: this intention is supreme, Yet this intention is hard to maintain, and self-benefit is also difficult.
A human body is extremely hard to obtain, and faith is hard to arise. Wealth and treasure are hard to satisfy, and fields of merit are hard to encounter.
All these things, each one so difficult, Rarely come together—like a blind turtle in the vast ocean Meeting a floating log with a hole.
Such difficult conditions, great king, you now possess. Therefore, from this day forward, do not indulge your whims.
The human life is like a flash of lightning—brief, not lasting long. Though you have gained this human form, it is fragile and cannot be preserved.
At life’s end, both shoulders droop, all joints grow slack. Though the four dignified postures remain, movement is no longer free.
The eyes gaze upward, seized by the poison of death. Relatives gather at the bedside, watching with sorrowful tears.
They touch the body, comforting, saying, “Do not fear.” Yet seeing their kind words only deepens the grief.
Knowing for certain one must go, embarking on death’s long road, Though surrounded by abundant wealth, none of it serves as provision.
When the pulses cease, the complexion changes entirely. Life’s summons has arrived—like a lamp whose oil is spent.
At such a time, who can practice generosity, Uphold precepts, cultivate patience, diligence, meditation, or wisdom?
Before such a time arrives, you should diligently apply your heart.