相应部第 35 相应（Sujato 英译）第 200 阅读页 · SN35.246 · The Simile of the Harp

Linked Discourses 35.246Linked Discourses 35.24619. The Simile of the Vipers19. The Simile of the Vipers

The Simile of the HarpThe Simile of the Harp“Mendicants, any monk or nun who has desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion come up for sights known by the eye should shield their mind from them:“Mendicants, any monk or nun who has desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion come up for sights known by the eye should shield their mind from them:‘This path is dangerous and perilous, thorny and tangled; it’s a wrong turn, a bad path, in poor condition.‘This path is dangerous and perilous, thorny and tangled; it’s a wrong turn, a bad path, in poor condition.

This path is frequented by untrue persons, not by true persons.This path is frequented by untrue persons, not by true persons.It’s not worthy of you.’It’s not worthy of you.’The mind should be shielded from this when it comes to sights known by the eye.The mind should be shielded from this when it comes to sights known by the eye.

Any monk or nun who has desire or greed or hate or delusion or repulsion come up for sounds … smells … tastes … touches …Any monk or nun who has desire or greed or hate or delusion or repulsion come up for sounds … smells … tastes … touches …ideas known by the mind should shield their mind against them:ideas known by the mind should shield their mind against them:‘This path is dangerous and perilous, thorny and tangled; it’s a wrong turn, a bad path, a sorry state.‘This path is dangerous and perilous, thorny and tangled; it’s a wrong turn, a bad path, a sorry state.

This path is frequented by untrue persons, not by true persons.This path is frequented by untrue persons, not by true persons.It’s not worthy of you.’It’s not worthy of you.’The mind should be shielded from this when it comes to ideas known by the mind.The mind should be shielded from this when it comes to ideas known by the mind.

Suppose the crops have ripened,Suppose the crops have ripened,but the caretaker is negligent. If an ox fond of crops invades the crops they’d indulge themselves as much as they like.but the caretaker is negligent. If an ox fond of crops invades the crops they’d indulge themselves as much as they like.In the same way, when an unlearned ordinary person doesn’t exercise restraint when it comes to the six fields of contact, they indulge themselves in the five kinds of sensual stimulation as much as they like.In the same way, when an unlearned ordinary person doesn’t exercise restraint when it comes to the six fields of contact, they indulge themselves in the five kinds of sensual stimulation as much as they like.

Suppose the crops have ripened, and the caretaker is diligent. If an ox fond of crops invades the cropsSuppose the crops have ripened, and the caretaker is diligent. If an ox fond of crops invades the cropsthe caretaker would grab them firmly by the muzzle.the caretaker would grab them firmly by the muzzle.Then they’d grab them above the hump and hold them fast there.Then they’d grab them above the hump and hold them fast there.

Then they’d give them a good thrashingThen they’d give them a good thrashingbefore driving them away.before driving them away.For a second time,For a second time,

and even a third time, the same thing might happen.and even a third time, the same thing might happen.As a result, no matter how often they might stand or sit in a village or wilderness, that ox fond of crops would never invade that crop again,As a result, no matter how often they might stand or sit in a village or wilderness, that ox fond of crops would never invade that crop again,remembering the beating they got earlier.remembering the beating they got earlier.

In the same way, when a mendicant’s mind is straightened up, well straightened up when it comes to the six fields of contact, becomes stilled internally; it settles, unifies, and becomes immersed in samādhi.In the same way, when a mendicant’s mind is straightened up, well straightened up when it comes to the six fields of contact, becomes stilled internally; it settles, unifies, and becomes immersed in samādhi.Suppose a king or their chief minister had never heard the sound of an arched harp.Suppose a king or their chief minister had never heard the sound of an arched harp.When he first hears the sound,When he first hears the sound,

he’d say,he’d say,‘Oh my, what is making this sound, so arousing, sensuous, intoxicating, infatuating, and captivating?’‘Oh my, what is making this sound, so arousing, sensuous, intoxicating, infatuating, and captivating?’They’d say to him,They’d say to him,

‘That, sir, is an arched harp.’‘That, sir, is an arched harp.’He’d say,He’d say,‘Go, worthy sir, fetch me that arched harp.’‘Go, worthy sir, fetch me that arched harp.’

So they’d fetch itSo they’d fetch itand say,and say,‘This, sir, is that arched harp.’‘This, sir, is that arched harp.’

He’d say,He’d say,‘I’ve had enough of that arched harp! Just fetch me the sound.’‘I’ve had enough of that arched harp! Just fetch me the sound.’They’d say,They’d say,

‘Sir, this arched harp is made of many components assembled together,‘Sir, this arched harp is made of many components assembled together,which make a sound when they’re played. That is,which make a sound when they’re played. That is,it depends on the soundbox, the leather resonator, the neck, the tuning cords, the strings, the plectrum, and a person to play it properly. That’s how an arched harp is made of many components assembled together,it depends on the soundbox, the leather resonator, the neck, the tuning cords, the strings, the plectrum, and a person to play it properly. That’s how an arched harp is made of many components assembled together,

which make a sound when they’re played.’which make a sound when they’re played.’But he’d split that harp into ten pieces or a hundred pieces, then splinter it up.But he’d split that harp into ten pieces or a hundred pieces, then splinter it up.He’d burn the splinters with fire, and reduce them to ashes.He’d burn the splinters with fire, and reduce them to ashes.

Then he’d whisk away the ashes in a strong wind, or glide them down a swift stream.Then he’d whisk away the ashes in a strong wind, or glide them down a swift stream.Then he’d say,Then he’d say,‘It seems that there’s nothing to this thing called an arched harp or whatever’s called an arched harp! But people waste their time with it, negligent and heedless!’‘It seems that there’s nothing to this thing called an arched harp or whatever’s called an arched harp! But people waste their time with it, negligent and heedless!’

In the same way, a mendicant searches for form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness anywhere they might be reborn.In the same way, a mendicant searches for form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness anywhere they might be reborn.As they search in this way,As they search in this way,their ideas of ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’ are no more.”their ideas of ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’ are no more.”