相应部第 35 相应（Sujato 英译）第 194 阅读页 · SN35.240 · The Simile of the Tortoise

Linked Discourses 35.240Linked Discourses 35.24019. The Simile of the Vipers19. The Simile of the Vipers

The Simile of the TortoiseThe Simile of the Tortoise“Once upon a time, mendicants, a tortoise was grazing along the bank of a river in the afternoon.“Once upon a time, mendicants, a tortoise was grazing along the bank of a river in the afternoon.At the same time, a jackal was also hunting along the river bank.At the same time, a jackal was also hunting along the river bank.

The tortoise saw the jackal off in the distance hunting,The tortoise saw the jackal off in the distance hunting,so it drew its limbs and neck inside its shell, and kept passive and silent.so it drew its limbs and neck inside its shell, and kept passive and silent.But the jackal also saw the tortoise off in the distance grazing.But the jackal also saw the tortoise off in the distance grazing.

So it went up to the tortoise and waited nearby, thinking,So it went up to the tortoise and waited nearby, thinking,‘When that tortoise sticks one or other of its limbs or neck out from its shell, I’ll grab it right there, rip it out, and eat it!’‘When that tortoise sticks one or other of its limbs or neck out from its shell, I’ll grab it right there, rip it out, and eat it!’But when that tortoise didn’t stick one or other of its limbs or neck out from its shell, the jackal left disappointed, since it couldn’t find a vulnerability.But when that tortoise didn’t stick one or other of its limbs or neck out from its shell, the jackal left disappointed, since it couldn’t find a vulnerability.

In the same way, Māra the Wicked is always waiting nearby, thinking:In the same way, Māra the Wicked is always waiting nearby, thinking:‘Hopefully I can find a vulnerability in the eye,‘Hopefully I can find a vulnerability in the eye,ear, nose, tongue, body, orear, nose, tongue, body, or

mind.’mind.’That’s why you should live with sense doors guarded.That’s why you should live with sense doors guarded.When you see a sight with your eyes, don’t get caught up in the features and details.When you see a sight with your eyes, don’t get caught up in the features and details.

If the faculty of sight were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, practice restraint, protecting the faculty of sight, and achieving its restraint.If the faculty of sight were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, practice restraint, protecting the faculty of sight, and achieving its restraint.When you hear a sound with your ears …When you hear a sound with your ears …When you smell an odor with your nose …When you smell an odor with your nose …

When you taste a flavor with your tongue …When you taste a flavor with your tongue …When you feel a touch with your body …When you feel a touch with your body …When you know an idea with your mind, don’t get caught up in the features and details.When you know an idea with your mind, don’t get caught up in the features and details.

If the faculty of mind were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, practice restraint, protecting the faculty of mind, and achieving its restraint.If the faculty of mind were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, practice restraint, protecting the faculty of mind, and achieving its restraint.When you live with your sense doors guarded, Māra will leave you disappointed, since he can’t find a vulnerability,When you live with your sense doors guarded, Māra will leave you disappointed, since he can’t find a vulnerability,just like the jackal left the tortoise.just like the jackal left the tortoise.

A mendicant should collect their thoughtsA mendicant should collect their thoughtsas a tortoise draws its limbs into its shell.as a tortoise draws its limbs into its shell.Independent, not disturbing others,Independent, not disturbing others,

quenched: they wouldn’t blame anyone.”quenched: they wouldn’t blame anyone.”