Thus have I heard:
At one time, the Buddha was in the Jeta Grove, Anathapindika’s park, in the city of Shravasti. At that time, the Buddha spoke to King Prasenajit, saying, “Great King! Now, I will briefly give you a metaphor to explain the taste of life and death, as well as the dangers of attachment. Please listen carefully and reflect on it well. In the past, before countless eons, there was a person wandering in the wilderness, chased by a fierce elephant. In fear and without refuge, this person saw an empty well and a tree root beside it. He climbed down the tree root into the well to hide. Around the well were four venomous snakes, ready to bite him. Below, there was a poisonous nāga. He was terrified of both the poisonous nāga and the snakes, and he worried that the tree root might break at any moment. However, drops of honey from the tree root fell into his mouth, with five drops in total. As the tree swayed, the bees scattered and began to sting him. At the same time, a wild fire spread across the wilderness and began burning the tree.”
King Prasenajit asked, “How could this person endure such endless suffering, merely for a small taste of sweetness?”
At that time, the Buddha replied to him, “Great King! The wilderness is a metaphor for the long, dark night of ignorance. The person represents unenlightened beings. The elephant represents impermanence. The well represents birth and death. The tree root on the dangerous edge of the well represents life. The black-and-white mice represent day and night. The act of gnawing the tree root represents the diminishing of life with each passing moment. The four venomous snakes represent the four great elements that make up the human body. The honey represents the five desires. The bees represent deluded thoughts. The fire represents aging and sickness. The poisonous nāga represents death. Therefore, Great King, you should understand that birth, aging, sickness, and death are extremely terrifying. You should always reflect upon them and not be consumed or forced by the five desires.”
Then, the Buddha repeated this metaphor in verse:
‘In the wilderness of ignorance, ordinary beings wander,
The elephant symbolizes impermanence, the well represents the edge of life and death.
The tree root symbolizes life, the black and white mice are day and night,
Gnawing on the tree root symbolizes the decay of life each moment, while the four snakes represent the four elements.
The honey represents the five desires, the bees symbolize evil thoughts,
The fire represents aging and illness, the poisonous nāga signifies the suffering of death.
The wise reflect on all these, and renounce the cycle of birth and death,
Only those without attachment to the five desires can be called liberated.
Immersed in the ocean of ignorance, constantly driven by the king of death,
How can one obsessed the folly of attachment to pleasure, if they do not leave the ways of ordinary beings?’
At that time, King Prasenajit, hearing the Buddha explain the dangers of life and death, was deeply moved and experienced an unprecedented realization. He developed a profound sense of renunciation, joined his palms in respect, and gazed up at the Buddha, saying, “World-Honored One! The Tathagata’s great compassion has explained such profound and subtle teachings to me. I will regard the Buddha’s teachings as highly as if placing them on my head.”
The Buddha said, “Very good, very good! Great King! You should act according to these teachings and never be negligent.”
At that time, King Prasenajit and the assembly felt joy, accepted the Buddha’s teachings with faith, and followed them.
Dharma Torch 