The Seller of Food

“Also, next, Oh Kasyapa! For example, there is a man who spreads utensils filled with food at a crossroads; the color, fragrance and taste (of food) are perfect. He wants to sell them. A man comes from a far-off place and is hungry and weak. He feels taken by the perfect color, fragrance and taste. He points out the food and asks: 'What food is this?' The seller of food says: 'This is the best of foods, it has color and fragrance. If one eats it, one’s physique and strength will increase. It indeed ends up with hunger, and one [who eats it] will certainly see heaven. But there is a problem. For this, one has to die!’ On hearing this, the man says to himself: 'I do not need any physical strength to see heaven, and also I don't care for death'. Then he says: ‘If I eat this food, I will die. How can you sell this food to everyone here?’ The seller of food says: 'He who is wise does not buy it at all. Only the ignorant do not know this. They give me a lot (of money) and greedily eat this food’. Then, he can sell. The same is the case with the Bodhisattva-Mahasattva. He does not wish to be born in heaven. He does not wish to have a great physique, strength, and see all the devas. Why not? Because he knows that they (the gods) are not free from all worries there (in heaven). Common mortals and the ignorant, wherever there is life to be lived, greedily devour it, since they do not see old aging, sickness and death.”

Read More on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 19 - On Holy Actions 1.