Parable: Water and Fire
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Hundred Parables Sutra
Parable: Water and Fire
There was a man who needed fire and cold water to carry out his household chores. He built a fire in his room, filled a kettle with water, and put it on top of the fire. Afterwards the fire burned out, and the water was hot. He ended up getting neither the fire nor the cold water.
Many people make a similar mistake. They enter the Buddhadharma and leave the home-life, they still pine for their wives, children, and relatives, as well as the pleasures of the five desires. From this they lost the fire of meritorious virtues, also the pure water from holding the precepts. This is what happens to those mindful of desires.
