譬喻品第十二
Chapter 12: Parables
佛告善業：「譬若大海中船卒壞，其船中人不取板檣，不能得渡，必於水死。若得板若檣，有健者乘騎，便不死。當知順隨海水出也。闓士大士有信樂、有定行、有精進，欲得無上正真道而不得明度，變謀明慧不得學，當中道得應儀、緣一覺道。其有信樂、定行、精進，欲逮無上正真道，得學明度權慧者，終不中道懈，過出應儀、緣一覺去，正在無上正真道中立。譬若士女持坏瓶取水，知不久必壞。所以然者，未成故。學不逮此深法，終不能逮一切智，便中道厭却，墮二道中。譬若持瓦瓶行擔水，安隱歸至。何以故？已成故。學得深法，知終不中道息，恣心上無上正真道。譬若大海中船，不善護，以財物着中，至於道壞，財物離散，亡其重寶。如是闓士大士正使至意學，不得深法，當知中道厭，便亡名寶，中道懈怠，墮二道中。譬若有人施張大海中故船，補治，持財物著中，有所至，不中道壞，必到其處。如是闓士大士有信樂、定行、精進學，又得深法，終不中懈，正上無上正真道中立，終不墮兩道，正向佛門。譬如人年老而身病。云何，是人能從床自起不？」
The Buddha told Subhuti: "Suppose a ship in the middle of the ocean suddenly breaks apart. If the people on board do not grab a plank or a beam, they cannot reach the shore and will surely drown. But if they find a plank or a beam and a strong person can ride on it, they will not die. Know that by following the boards, they will go with the current and reach the shore.
Similarly, if a great being has faith, stable practice, and diligence, and wishes to attain the supreme and perfect enlightenment, yet does not study profound wisdom, skillful means, and insight, they will in mid-course attain the states of Arhat or Pratyekabuddha. But if they have faith, stable practice, and diligence, and wish to attain the supreme and perfect enlightenment, and they do study profound wisdom and skillful means, they will never falter in mid-course; they will surpass the paths of Arhat and Pratyekabuddha and firmly establish themselves in the path of supreme and perfect enlightenment.
It is like a person using an unfired clay pot to fetch water. They know it will soon break, because it is not yet formed. If a practitioner does not reach this profound Dharma, they will never reach all-knowing wisdom, and will grow weary and retreat in mid-course, falling into the two inferior paths. But it is like using a finished pottery jar to carry water; the jar returns safely home. Why? Because it is already fully formed. One who studies and attains the profound Dharma knows they will never rest in mid-course, and with a free mind, they press on toward supreme and perfect enlightenment.
Again, consider a ship on the ocean that is poorly maintained. Goods placed inside it are lost when the ship breaks apart; valuable treasures are destroyed. In the same way, even if a great being intently studies, if they do not attain the profound Dharma, they will grow weary in mid-course, lose their precious name and treasure, and fall into the two inferior paths with slackened effort.
But imagine someone repairing an old ship, setting it on the ocean, putting goods on board, and setting out. It will not break in mid-course, and will certainly reach its destination. So too, a great being with faith, stable practice, and diligence, who studies and attains the profound Dharma, will never slacken in mid-course. They will firmly stand in supreme and perfect enlightenment, never falling into the two inferior paths, and go directly toward the gate of Buddhahood.
Consider an old, sick person. Can such a person rise from their bed by themselves?"
善業言：「不能，天中天！或時起無力，不能自致，正使病愈能自起，會不能行步。」
Good deeds cannot, O World-Honored One! At times one rises without strength, unable to reach on one's own. Even if the sickness heals enough to get up, one still cannot walk.
佛言：「如是，闓士大士具如上所行學，不得深法而欲逮無上正真道，終不至佛，當中道懈，墮二道中。譬如老病人除愈，欲起行，有健人來扶持之，告曰：『無恐，我自相送，終不中道相棄，送著所樂處。』如是，具有上行闓士學得此深明度無極、變謀明慧，當知終不中道懈，必能究竟於中得無上正真道。」
The Buddha said: "Thus, a bodhisattva who practices and studies as described, yet fails to grasp the profound truth while striving for unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, will ultimately not reach Buddhahood. They will grow discouraged midway and fall into the two lower paths.
Consider a person who has recovered from a severe illness and wishes to walk again. A strong person comes to support them and says, 'Don't be afraid. I will accompany you and will never abandon you along the way. I will bring you safely to your desired destination.'
In the same way, a bodhisattva who upholds sublime conduct, studies this profound Perfection of Wisdom and practices skillful means, should know that they will never become disheartened midway. They will certainly complete the path and attain unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment."