百喻经之二五：水火喻

　　英文：

　　Once upon a time, there was a man who needed fire and cold water in caring out his household duties. he built a fire in his room. he filled a kettle with water and put it on the fire. afterwards, the fire went out and the cold water turned hot. he got neither fire nor cold water.

　　So are the people at large who, devoted to the attainment of buddhism, seek the enlightened way by becoming monks. but afterwards, they still keep ties to their wives, children and relatives; maintain their concern with the worldly affairs and their enjoyment of the five desires as well. for these reasons, they lose their meritorious blessings like the fire. they also break their commandments like the cold water.this is held to be true with greedy men.

　　古文：

　　昔有一人，事须火用，及以冷水，即便宿火，以澡盥盛水，置于火上。后欲取火，而火都灭；欲取冷水，而水复热。火及冷水，二事俱失。

　　世间之人，亦复如是。入佛法中，出家求道。既得出家，还复念其妻子眷属，世间之事，五欲之乐。由是之故，失其功德之火，持戒之水，念欲之人亦复如是。

　　译文：

　　往昔有一人做事，需用火和冷水，就取来了火，以澡盥盛水，放在火上。后来想取火用，而火都灭了；要取冷水用，而水又烧热了。火及冷水，两样东西都失却了。

　　世上的人也是这般，归依了佛法，出家求道，既已出家了，又回首怀念妻子、儿女、父母、眷属，以及俗世的情事、财色名食睡这五欲的怡乐，因此而失却了他原有的功德精进的火苗、持受戒律的清净之水。念恋情欲的人，两样都失，也是这般。