佛祖歷代通載 8.35

8.35

Appraisal: Cui Hao's lack of wisdom has been discussed in detail by Duke Sima Wen. Generally speaking, the Tuoba clan arose from the sandy wastes before moving their capital; their nature was cruel, and they killed people as if eating delicious food and drink, for such was their custom. Earlier, when Crown Prince Huang was slandered, several monks including Xuan'gao were executed, which clearly showed they were innocent. And when it came to abolishing the Śākya clan, how could one ever count the monks who were executed or buried alive! Although this was due to the fierce nature of the barbarians, it was also because Cui Hao held power and administered the laws in this manner. Soon after, Hao was slandered; tracing what he was condemned for, it was merely the fault of compiling a history. In the Tang period, it would have been nothing more than dismissal from official rank and banishment to a remote wilderness. Even if he were executed, it would not have extended beyond his own person. Why, then, were his five clans wiped out? It is because when one inflicts [harm] upon the innocent, the deeper it goes, the heavier the retribution that must fall upon oneself. This is the constant and unalterable principle of the Way of Heaven. As for the scriptures and images of our Śākya, what harm did they ever do to Hao? Yet whenever Hao saw them, he would stop his carriage and urinate on them. And before Hao could turn on his heels, his corpse was likewise urinated on by others until it decomposed and dissolved before they stopped. Alas! Hao did not fear the words of the sages, and his deceit of Heaven was like this. Therefore Heaven returned him a swift retribution to alarm and stir the human world. How can one not take warning? How can one not take warning?