“Bhikkhus, I have given this simile in order to convey a meaning.
This is the meaning: ‘The great low-lying marsh’ is a term for sensual
pleasures. ‘The large herd of deer’ is a term for beings. ‘The man
desiring their ruin, harm, and bondage’ is a term for Māra the Evil One.
‘The false path’ is a term for the wrong eightfold path, that is: wrong
view, wrong intention, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood,
wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong concentration. ‘The decoy’ is
a term for delight and lust. ‘The dummy’ is a term for ignorance. ‘The
man desiring their good, welfare, and protection’ is a term for the
Tathāgata, accomplished and fully enlightened. ‘The safe and good path
to be traveled joyfully’ is a term for the Noble Eightfold Path, that
is: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right
livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
“So,
bhikkhus, the safe and good path to be traveled joyfully has been
reopened by me, the wrong path has been closed off, the decoy removed,
the dummy destroyed.
from M 19
“What
should be done for his disciples out of compassion by a teacher who
seeks their welfare and has compassion for them, that I have done for
you, bhikkhus. There are these roots of trees, these empty huts.
Meditate, bhikkhus, do not delay or else you will regret it later. This
is our instruction to you.”
