舊雜譬喻經卷上
Old Miscellaneous Parables Sutra, Volume One
吳天竺三藏康僧會譯
Translated by Kang Senghui of the Wu Dynasty, Tripitaka Master of the Three Baskets
（一）
(1)
昔無數世有一商人，號曰薩薄，時適他國賣齎貨，所止近住佛弟子家。佛弟子家時作大福，安施高座眾僧說法講論罪福，善惡由心身口所行，及四諦非常苦空之法。遠道賈人時來寄聽，心解信樂便受五戒，曰優婆塞，上座以法勸樂之，言：「善男子！護身口心十善具者，戒有五神，五戒有二十五神，現世衛護令無枉橫，後世自致無為大道。」賈人聞法重喜無量，後還本國，國中都無佛法，便欲宣化恐無受者，以所受法教化父母兄弟妻子及諸中外，皆便奉法。去賈人土千里有國，民多豐樂寶物饒好，二國否塞絕不復通百餘年中，所以故有閱叉居其道中，得人便噉前後無數，是故斷絕無往來者。賈人自念：「吾奉佛戒，如經所道，及有二十五神見助不疑，聽彼鬼唯一人耳，吾往伏之必獲也。」時有同賈五百餘人，便語眾人：「吾有異力能降伏鬼，汝等能行詣彼者，不及有大利。」眾人自共議：「二國不通從來大久，若得達者所得不訾，便相可適進道而去。」來至中路見鬼食處，人骸骨髮狼籍滿地，薩薄自念：「鬼神前後所可食人今證驗現，我死職當，恐此眾人。」便語眾輩：「汝等住此吾欲獨進，得勝鬼者當還相迎，不得來者知為遇害，便各還退勿復進也。」於是獨前，方行數里，逢見鬼來，正心念佛志定不懼。鬼到問曰：「卿是何人？」答曰：「吾是通道導師也。」鬼大笑曰：「汝聞我名不？而欲通道。」薩薄曰：「知汝在此故來相求，當與卿鬪，若卿勝者便可食我，若我得勝，通萬姓道，益天下利矣。」鬼言：「誰應先下手乎？」賈人言：「吾來相求，故應先下。」鬼聽可之。以右手扠之，手入鬼腹堅不可出，左手復打亦入，如是兩脚及頭都入鬼中不能復動。於是閱叉即以頌而問曰：
Long ago, in countless past lives, there was a merchant named Sabao. Once, while traveling to another country to sell his goods, he stayed near the home of a Buddhist disciple. That disciple’s family was holding a great merit-making ceremony, with a high seat prepared for the monks, who were expounding on the doctrines of good and evil, how the mind, body, and speech determine one’s fate, and the Four Noble Truths—impermanence, suffering, and emptiness. The merchant from afar happened to come and listen, and his heart was opened with faith and joy. He then took the Five Precepts and became a lay disciple. The elder monk encouraged him with these teachings: “Good man! If you uphold the body, speech, and mind with the Ten Good Deeds, the precepts are guarded by five spirits each, and the Five Precepts together have twenty-five spirits. In this life, they will protect you from harm and misfortune, and in the future, you will attain the effortless path of Nirvana.”
Hearing this, the merchant was filled with immense joy. Later, he returned to his homeland, where Buddhism was completely unknown. He wished to spread the teaching but feared no one would accept it. So he began by teaching his parents, brothers, sisters, wife, children, and all his relatives, and they all embraced the Dharma.
About a thousand miles away from the merchant’s land, there was a prosperous country with abundant treasures and pleasures. However, for over a hundred years, the two countries had been cut off from each other with no communication whatsoever, because a band of yakshas (man-eating demons) dwelled along the road between them, devouring countless travelers who passed by. Thus, no one dared to make the journey.
Sabao thought to himself: “I have taken the Buddhist precepts, and as the scriptures say, the twenty-five spirits will surely protect me. That demon is just one being—I can defeat it.” At the time, there were more than five hundred fellow merchants traveling together. Sabao said to them, “I have a special power to subdue demons. If you are willing to come with me to that country, we will gain great benefits.” The merchants discussed among themselves: “The two countries have been cut off for so long. If we can reach it, the rewards will be immeasurable.” So they agreed and set off together.
As they traveled, they came to a place where the demon had feasted—human bones, hair, and remains were scattered everywhere across the ground. Sabao thought, “This demon has devoured people before, as clearly shown here. I may die in this endeavor, but I fear for these travelers.” So he said to the group, “Stay here. I will go ahead alone. If I defeat the demon, I will return to bring you across. If I do not return, you will know I have been killed, and you should all turn back and not proceed any further.”
With that, he went forward alone. After walking several miles, he saw the demon approaching. He fixed his mind on the Buddha, his resolve unwavering, and felt no fear. The demon came and asked, “Who are you?” Sabao replied, “I am a guide who opens the way.” The demon laughed aloud and said, “Have you heard of my name? And you still want to open the road?” Sabao said, “I know you are here, and that is why I have come to face you. We will fight. If you win, you may eat me. If I win, I will open the way for the people and bring benefit to the world.” The demon said, “Who strikes first?” The merchant said, “I came seeking you, so I should go first.” The demon agreed.
Sabao thrust his right hand at the demon, but his hand sank into the demon’s belly and could not be pulled out. He struck with his left hand, and it too stuck fast. Then both his feet and finally his head all sank into the demon’s body, and he could not move at all.
Then the yaksha spoke this verse, asking him:
「手足及與頭， 五事雖絆覊，
但當前就死， 跳踉復何為？」
「手足及與頭， 五事雖被繫，
執心如金剛， 終不為汝擘。」
「吾為神中王， 作鬼多力𢬜，
前後噉汝輩， 不可復稱數。
今汝死在近， 何為復闇語？」
「是身為無常， 吾早欲棄離，
魔今適我願， 便持相布施。
緣是得正覺， 當成無上智。」
「志妙摩訶薩， 三界中希有，
畢為度人師， 得備將不久。
願以身自歸， 頭面禮稽首。」
Though hands and feet, and head as well, Are bound by fivefold bonds today, Death stands before me, face to face— Why struggle, twist, or run away?
Though hands and feet, and head as well, Are bound by fivefold cords for me, My mind is firm, like diamond hard— You shall not break or master me.
I am the lord of all the gods, A demon mighty in my might, I've devoured countless souls like yours, Too many to recount or write. Your death is near, it's at your door— Why speak in riddles, dark and blind?
This body is impermanent, I've longed to cast it off for long. Now you, O demon, grant my wish— I give this form, to right the wrong. From this I'll reach true awakening, And gain the highest wisdom's song.
O noble one, of pure intent, So rare throughout the triple world, You'll soon become a guide for all, A teacher great, your flag unfurled. I bow to you with all my heart, My head and face, in reverence, bowed.
於是閱叉前受五戒慈心眾生，即為作禮退入深山。薩薄還呼眾人，前進彼土，於是二國並知，五戒十善降鬼通道，乃識佛法至真無量，皆共奉戒延敬三尊國致太平。後昇天得道，乃五戒賢者直信之恩力也。佛告諸比丘：「時薩薄者我身是。菩薩行尸波羅蜜，所度如是。」
Thus the yaksha came forward, received the five precepts, and with a heart of kindness toward all beings, bowed in respect and retreated deep into the mountains. The caravan leader then called everyone forward, and they continued on to that land. In this way, both kingdoms came to know that the five precepts and the ten good deeds had subdued the demons and opened the road. They recognized that the Buddha's teaching was true and immeasurable, and all together embraced the precepts, honoring the Three Treasures, and the land enjoyed peace. Later, they were reborn in heaven and attained the Way—all through the power of the faithful virtue of the wise layman who upheld the five precepts.
The Buddha told the monks: "At that time, the caravan leader was I myself. This is how a bodhisattva practices the perfection of ethical conduct, crossing living beings to liberation."