觀音義疏 1.18

1.18

Regarding "shared karma," taking for example the single realm of hells, in general it is the same, yet within it what measure is there to the gradations of superiority and inferiority? A single hell further has hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of distinct categories, and each category further has hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of sinners. Because their sinful karma is precisely identical, they together undergo the bitter punishment of one grade. Applying this understanding broadly through the hungry ghosts, animals, asuras, humans, and devas, all are likewise so. Therefore, know that this number indicates the meaning of shared karma. The reason for citing a vast number is to clarify that when hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of kinds of karma encounter suffering and recite the name, simultaneously possessing capacity, they can simultaneously be responded to and all attain liberation. How much more so could a single person with a single karma and a single capacity coming alone not be saved? This cites the vastness of objects, multitudes, and capacities to reveal the depth of contemplation and the greatness of response.