Section on Parables – Theme Two: Greed and Desire

Parable 1: Craving and Clinging is Likened to Planting a Tree
 
How does suffering grow bigger and bigger, like a rolling snowball? In the Saṃyukta Āgama No. 283, the Buddha used the analogy of planting a tree to expound on the concept of suffering to his disciples. If, regarding "objects fettered by the bonds" – that is, things bound by various vexations – one greedily delights in their pleasurable taste, one gives rise to craving and clinging. This clinging results in the arising of wholesome and unwholesome karma. This in turn is followed by the arising of a series of subsequent physical and mental changes: aging, sickness, death, worry, grief, irritation, and distress. Together, these states lead to the accumulation of great suffering.
 
The Buddha told his disciples that such craving is like constantly fertilizing and watering a young sapling, carefully tending to it, and always keeping it at the right temperature. Under such causes and conditions, the sapling will gradually grow and thrive into a large tree.
 
Conversely, if one can practice the contemplations of impermanence, arising and ceasing, freedom from desire, cessation, and equanimity, –the mind will not be fettered. Then when craving ceases, clinging also no longer exists. When clinging ceases, karmic existence does not arise, and the subsequent series of physical and mental changes will not arise either. Thus, suffering ceases. It is like planting a sapling but, in its early stages, not allowing it to receive care or nutrients; cutting off its roots, stems, and leaves one by one; leaving it to the wind and sun, then burning it to ashes with fire and letting strong winds scatter the ashes; or even throwing them into a river to be carried away by the current. Could the sapling ever grow again?
 
Through this parable, the Buddha tells us that if we do not wish to be bound by the suffering of endless cycle of birth and death, we must, at the very moment when contact and feeling arise, practice the contemplation of impermanence and the contemplation of arising and ceasing. This is like severing the roots and cutting the branches of a newly sprouted sapling. In this way, the deeply entangled afflictions and the great tree symbolizing the accumulation of suffering will have no opportunity to form.

Parable 2: The Eight Parables of Sensual Pleasure, which bring about the fruits of suffering

In the Madhyama Āgama 203: a householder named Potaliya came to the Pāvārika Mango Grove where the Buddha was staying. Potaliya considered himself to be a renunciant who had "left the household life, severed household ties, and abandoned all worldly matters." However, the Buddha did not agree. He addressed Potaliya as "householder" three times and explained to him that in the Buddha's discipline and Dharma, one must fully abstain from killing, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct, lying, craving, harming others, harboring anger, being jealous or resentful, and being arrogantly conceited. Only then can one be said to have completely severed the eight worldly entanglements.
 
Then the Buddha gave Potaliya eight similes to illustrate the faults and dangers of worldly sensual pleasures. The Buddha taught that if a butcher were to throw a bare, fleshless, blood-smeared bone to a hungry, weak dog, the dog, chewing on it vigorously, would not satisfy its hunger but would instead injure its own mouth and teeth, even its throat. Sensual pleasures are like that blood-smeared bone: they offer little joy but much suffering, and ultimately bring pain and despair.
 
The Buddha then said: suppose a vulture, heron, or hawk, carrying a piece of meat, flies away, and many other birds chase after it, pecking and clawing at it to seize the meat. If the bird carrying the meat does not quickly let go of the meat in its beak, will it not eventually meet death? When Potaliya agreed, the Buddha told him that sensual pleasures are like that piece of meat, giving rise to vexations and many calamities; therefore, one should abandon sensual desires and unwholesome deeds.
 
The Buddha gave another simile: "If someone were to walk against the wind while holding a torch, not only would their hand be burned by the fire, but their arm and other parts of the body might also get scorched. Desire is like that torch. If one does not discard it, there will only be little pleasure and much suffering, with many calamities to follow. One should stay away from it." Following the same logic, the Buddha said: "For example, there is a pit of glowing coals. Anyone who knows how to avoid pain and seek happiness knows that falling into the pit would cause agony and death. Worldly sensual pleasures are also like a pit of coals, bringing extreme pain and danger." Furthermore, the Buddha said sensual pleasures are like a poisonous snake; being bitten by it leads to death or injury, just as clinging to desires will inevitably bring suffering.
 
Sensual pleasures are like a dream, like borrowed goods. The Buddha said: "It is like dreaming of entering a beautiful environment, becoming intoxicated by it, but upon waking, finding it all gone. This delightful dream scenario is like various sensual pleasures; one thinks they can be pursued and clung to, but they only bring disappointment in the end. It is also like borrowing a splendid carriage and jewels from others. Surrounded by these borrowed things, one experiences extreme enjoyment and happiness. However, the owner will take them back, leaving behind only loss and melancholy."
 
The Buddha again used a fruit tree as a simile: "Not far from a village, there was a fruit tree laden with fruit. A hungry man came to the tree wanting to eat the fruit to satisfy his hunger, but no fruit had fallen under the tree. So he thought to climb the tree, enjoy the fruit to his heart's content, and then fill his pockets with them to take away. Later, another man with an axe came, also wanting to eat the fruit to satisfy his hunger. But he couldn't climb the tree, so he thought to chop the tree down to enjoy and take the fruit freely. If the person in the tree does not come down quickly, when the tree is felled, he might break his limbs or even die. Therefore, sensual pleasures are like the fruit on the tree, driving people to chase after them while forgetting the danger."
 
Through these eight parables, the Buddha makes it clear that the various sensual pleasures of the world may seem to be an enjoyment that brings happiness. However, upon careful observation, one can understand that they give rise to much distress and affliction.
(Chen Tingjun陳亭君)