Dhyāna Samādhi Sūtra (Part III)

Among the four requisites, know moderation and contentment.

Since the great terrors are not yet eliminated, one should diligently strive with vigor.

When all sufferings arrive, regret will be of no avail.

Sit beneath a tree in monastic robes, eating food as rightfully obtained.

Do not ruin yourself for the sake of craving flavors.

After eating, know that all tastes are the same, whether fine or coarse.

Attachment gives rise to sorrow and suffering; therefore, do not create attachment.

In the realm of karmic deeds, nothing—good or bad—remains unchanged.

Having experienced all, one should thereby restrain oneself.

Explanation: You should know contentment and avoid excessive demands regarding the four requisites—food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. Since the great fear and anxiety of birth and death have not yet been eliminated, you should diligently practice with vigorous effort. Do not wait until all sufferings arrive, when regret will overwhelm you and escape will be impossible. You should sit beneath a tree in monastic robes, contemplating the Dharma, eating food as rightfully obtained. Do not ruin your spiritual practice for the sake of craving delicious flavors. After eating, know that all objects of taste, whether good or bad, are ultimately the same; do not be picky about flavors. Where there is affection, there is sorrow and suffering; therefore, do not create karmic actions of craving. Living in the great chiliocosm, there is no experience—good or bad—that you have not undergone; having fully experienced all things, you should subdue and control your own mind, ceasing further cravings.

When among beasts and animals, chewing grass is considered the finest flavor.

In hell, one swallows iron balls—burning intensely and spitting sparks.

Among hungry ghosts, pus, vomit, fire, feces, urine,

snot, saliva, and all impurities are regarded as supreme delicacies.

In the celestial palaces, within seven-jeweled pavilions,

one feasts on ambrosia, the flavor of heaven, entertained by celestial maidens.

Among humans in noble households, seven delicacies offer all manner of tastes.

Having experienced all this before, why cling to it now?

Roaming through the worlds, weary of alternating joys and sorrows,

though not yet attaining Nirvana, diligently seek this benefit.

Explanation: In your past lives, you were once reborn among beasts and animals, eating wild grass as the finest food. Reborn in hell, you swallowed iron balls as sustenance—burning intensely and spitting sparks—yet compelled by evil karma to consume them. Reborn among hungry ghosts, you fed on human pus, vomit, fierce fire, feces, urine, snot, and other impurities as supreme delicacies.

Reborn in the seven-jeweled palaces of the heavens, you feasted on ambrosia and other celestial nectars, entertained by heavenly maidens. Reborn among wealthy humans, you enjoyed seven precious delicacies with all manner of colors, fragrances, and flavors. Having experienced all these varied states, why now cling to them through craving, cycling through the six realms to endure joys and sorrows anew? You have not yet attained the bliss of Nirvana; you should strive diligently to attain this supreme benefit and merit.