宗鏡錄 66.10

66.10

答。從於過去煩惱諸業。得現在身。及以諸根。從今現世復造諸業。以是因緣。得未來身。及以諸根。譬如穀子。眾緣和合。故得生芽。然此種子。實不至芽。種子滅故。芽便增長。子滅故不常。芽生故不斷。佛說受身。亦復如是。雖復無我。業報不失。

Answer: 'From past defilements and actions, one obtains the present body and sense faculties. From the present life, one further creates actions; by these causes and conditions, one obtains a future body and sense faculties. For example, when a grain seed combines with multiple conditions, a sprout is able to grow. Yet this seed does not actually pass into the sprout; because the seed perishes, the sprout then grows. Because the seed perishes, it is not permanent; because the sprout arises, it is not severed. The Buddha's explanation of receiving a body is also like this: although there is no self, karmic retribution is not lost.'