宗鏡錄 21.15

21.15

答。畜生所以得與人同踐石沙者。良由一毫微善同人。俱免燒煮之痛。以善微故。不及人為苦。然鑪鑊與石沙。為善。輕重雖異。而事實相隣。所以猶與人同踐石沙之地。善勝事精。而域絕故。石沙之人。絕階於七珍之土也。

Answer: The reason animals are able to tread upon stone and sand together with humans is truly because a single thread of slight goodness is shared with humans, both being spared the torment of boiling and roasting. Because their goodness is slight, it does not equal that of humans, and they suffer [more] pain. However, though the weight of goodness between the cauldrons [of hell] and stone and sand differs, their actual circumstances are adjacent. Therefore [animals] still tread the ground of stone and sand together with humans. Because superior goodness produces refined states, their realms are separated; thus people of stone and sand are cut off from ascending to the land of the seven precious treasures.