摩訶止觀 2.119

2.119

次句得道根利而罪積障重。佛世之時闍王、央掘示其人也。逆罪遮重，應入地獄；見佛聞法，豁爾成聖，以根利故，遮不能障。今時行人於惡法中修止觀者，即此意也。以起惡故，未來有遮；修止觀故，後世根利。若遇知識鞭入正道，云何而言惡法乖理，不肯修止觀耶？

The next phrase refers to those whose faculties for attaining the Way are sharp, yet whose accumulated offenses and obstacles are heavy. In the Buddha's time, King Ajātaśatru and Aṅgulimāla exemplified such persons. Their hindrances of rebellious offenses were heavy, and they should have fallen into hell; yet upon seeing the Buddha and hearing the Dharma, they suddenly became sages, because their faculties were sharp and the hindrances could not obstruct them. Practitioners of the present day who cultivate calming and contemplation in the midst of unwholesome dharmas share this same principle: because they give rise to unwholesome states, there will be hindrances in the future; but because they cultivate calming and contemplation, their faculties will be sharp in future lives. If they encounter a spiritual friend who whips them into the correct Way, how can you say that unwholesome dharmas run contrary to the principle and refuse to cultivate calming and contemplation?