Metaphors of Sensual Indulgence : หน้า 32/263

Commentorial Metaphors: Indulgence in sensual pleasures: 1. A pig content to wallow in dung: Indulging in sensual pleasures is rather like a pig, which spends all its life wallowing in the warm mud and dung of its pigsty because it thinks that this is the ultimate happiness.The Buddha also compared the pleasures of the five senses to sewerage, also beloved of pigs. He said that the pleasures of the senses are suitable only for householders and are not suitable for those leading the monastic life. 2. A corpse abandoned to rot in a cemetery: Indulging in sensual pleasures as a state of being is base and unprofitable, comparable to a rotting corpse abandoned in a cemetery. 3. A dog chewing on the bones of a fleshless skeleton: Indulging in the pleasures of the five senses is comparable to a skeleton and the person who indulges in the pleasures of the five senses can be compared to a dog which enjoys chewing at the dry and fleshless bones of that skeleton. The dog feels a few moments satisfaction as the result of its chewing — but the satisfaction is short-lived. 4. Enjoying a dream: The pleasures of the senses can be compared to a dream — again because they are transitory and soon disappear. 5. The red-hot glowing embers of a fire: The pleasures of the senses can also be compared to red-hot glowing embers — and those who indulge in the pleasures of the senses are like someone who has fallen into the flames — if the victim is not burned to death instantly, he will experience nothing but excruciating torture. In just the same way, those drunken with indulgence of their sensual desires will have to continue to endure the excruciating torture of rebirth in the cycle of existence.