佛言 夫為道者 如牛負重 行深泥中 疲極不敢左右顧 得離泥塗 乃可蘇息 沙門當觀情欲 甚於淤泥 直心念道 可免衆苦
fó yán fū wèi dào zhě rú niú fù zhòng xíng shēn ní zhōng pí jí bù gǎn zuǒ yòu gù dé lí ní tú nǎi kě sū xī shā mén dāng guān qíng yù shèn yú yū ní zhí xīn niàn dào kě miǎn zhòng kǔ
Key Message
Desire's mire is deeper than mud. Only through a straightforward mind aimed at the Way can purity be received.
▸Like an ox bearing a heavy load through deep mud, the practitioner is exhausted yet dare not look aside — only escaping the mud brings rest.
Like an ox bearing a heavy load through deep mud, the practitioner is exhausted yet dare not look aside — only escaping the mud brings rest. Monks should see that emotional desire is even deeper than mud; with a straightforward mind fixed on the Way, all suffering can be avoided. Removing the defilement of desire is the prerequisite for receiving purity.