金光明經文句 2.3

2.3

The retribution obstacle can be understood as explained above. What about afflictions and karma? The Abhidharma theorists say: that which arises frequently and is light is called affliction; that which arises frequently and is heavy is called karma. Master Tiantai says: that which is naturally and constantly present is affliction; that which suddenly arises with a resolute mind, setting body and speech into motion and inevitably pulling in a future retribution, is karma. If so, evil stars and ominous calamities do not concern the mind at all; how are they the obstacle of karma? These are the external signs indicating that karma is about to arise; they are the signs of karma demanding its retribution, and thus they can be called the obstacle of karma. If afflictions and karma are transformed, the retribution is not necessarily transformed; if the retribution transforms karma, the afflictions must be transformed. Speaking generally, afflictions of view and thought both have grief, sorrow, and terror; speaking specifically, grief and sorrow belong to afflictions of view, while terror belongs to afflictions of craving. They are not fully recorded now (and so forth).