仁王護國般若波羅蜜多經疏 3.660

3.660

Exposition: 'Like a shadow following a form': the shadow is simultaneous with the body, which illustrates [retribution] in the present life. 'Like an echo responding to a sound': the sound ceases and the echo responds, which illustrates [retribution] in the next life. 'Like a person writing at night—when the fire is extinguished, the writing remains': the fire illustrates the creation of karma, and the writing illustrates perfuming. The two visible manifestations of fire and writing illustrate the one visible manifestation and the seed; by citing the seen aspect, the unseen is revealed. Although the fire of karma is extinguished, the seed of writing does not perish, inviting subsequent retribution that will inevitably ripen sooner or later. Furthermore, how many present and other [retributions] are there, and what karma definitely invites them? Tainted and wholesome supreme causes are distinguished as usual. From here, the fifth [part] is the admonition that the Buddha's teaching will not endure for long. The text is divided into three: first, identifying the persons who institute regulations.