场面壮观！飞禽走兽竞相诉苦丨龟兹菱格故事汇
龟兹菱格故事汇第20期
克孜尔第171窟 精进力比丘论苦之本
精进力比丘论苦之本
古时候，有个名叫精进力的比丘，获五神通，于山中修道。当时，有一鸽、一乌鸦、一毒蛇和一老鹿常常守侯在他的身边。
一天傍晚，四只禽兽聚在一起，议论道：“世间之苦，何苦为最？”乌鸦说：“饥渴最苦。饥渴时，四肢无力，因此饥渴最苦。”鸽子说：“淫欲最苦。淫欲盛时，毫无顾念，危身亡命，无不由此而来。”毒蛇说：“嗔恚最苦。毒意一起，既伤别人，也害自己。”老鹿说：“惊恐最苦。我游山林，经常担心碰上猎人和虎豹豺狼，母子受惊，狂奔不已，肝胆俱裂。由此观之，惊恐最苦。”比丘听完后，便耐心地告诉四兽：“你们所论之苦，都是其末，没有说到苦之根本。天下之苦，莫过人身。身为苦器，忧愁畏惧无数。因此，我才舍俗学道，灭意断想。要想断绝苦源，必须学佛求法，最后达到涅槃，走向极乐世界。这个道，能让人们摆脱一切忧患和烦恼，获取世上最大的安宁。”
四兽听了比丘的论说，豁然开朗，明白了苦之根源。
《法句譬喻经》卷三
Bhiksu Viriya Discusses the Essential of the Pain
In ancient times, there was a Bhiksu (Buddhist monk) named Viriya who had got the Abhibba (five supernatural powers). At that time, he practiced Buddhism in the mountain with a pigeon, a crow, a serpent and an old deer accompanying around.
At dusk, the four beasts gathered and discussed which is the most painful in the world. The crow said, “Hunger and thirst are the most painful. In such situation, you will get the weakness of limbs. Hence, being hungry and thirsty is the most painful.” The pigeon said, “Lust is the most painful. Because of the burning desire, you will fling caution to the winds that would make you in danger or even carry away your life.” The serpent said, “Fury is the most painful. With hostility, you will hurt yourself when you attack someone else.” The old deer said, “Panic is the most painful. Walking in the forest, my child and I are always afraid of hunters and wild beasts like tigers, leopards, and wolves, which terrify us and force us to flee in disorder.” After listening to various thoughts, Bhiksu told them patiently, “All the pains you discussed are nonessential side issues. Nothing in the whole world is more painful than corporeity. The corporeity is the carrier of pain, which contains innumerable depression and fear. Therefore, I abandon the desire and pursue the truth. In order to cut off the pain, you should learn from Buddha and pursue the truth so as to get the nirvana and reach Pure Land. This principle can assist people in shuffling off all mortal coil and gaining the supreme peace.”
After listening, the four beasts were suddenly enlightened and understood the essential of the pain.
Excerpts from The Dharmapada
克孜尔第171窟 精进力比丘论苦之本
局部 精进力的比丘
克孜尔第171窟 精进力比丘论苦之本
局部 四只禽兽
克孜尔第17窟 精进力比丘论苦之本
克孜尔第17窟 精进力比丘论苦之本
局部 精进力比丘
克孜尔第17窟 精进力比丘论苦之本
局部 鸽子乌鸦毒蛇老鹿
资料提供：新疆龟兹研究院
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新疆克孜尔石窟位于新疆拜城县克孜尔镇东南7千米明屋塔格山的悬崖上，是中国开凿最早、地理位置最西的大型石窟群。克孜尔石窟大约开凿于公元3世纪，在公元8-9世纪逐渐停建，延续时间之长在世界各国绝无仅有。1961年，克孜尔石窟入选第一批全国重点文物保护单位。