宋高僧傳 28.35

28.35

When the Buddhas appear in the world and scriptures are translated in their times, the essential point lies in cause and effect, which boil down to sin and merit. Sin is the staircase leading down to the three bad destinies. Merit is the staircase leading up to the noble ones. The staircases are identical; the upward and downward directions alone differ. The reason this chapter is entitled 'Cultivating Blessings' is to benefit others. Just like the rising and falling of a balance, or the light and darkness of a room, one knows that the two things cannot exist at the same time. It is also like: 'Fragrant and foul herbs are not stored in the same vessel; Yao and Jie do not govern the same state.' In the ordinary person's temperament, they speak only of abundant sins; among the ranks of the noble ones, one hears only of abundant merit. Because it conforms to worldly nature, sin is easy to create; because it goes against desires, merit is difficult to cultivate.