法苑珠林 1.10

1.10

夫劫者。蓋是紀時之名。猶年號耳。然則時無別體。約法而明。所以聖教弘宣多所攸載者。雖非理觀之沖規。亦懲勸之幽旨也。若迺涉迷津於曩識。微塵之數易窮。返覺路於初心。僧祇之期難滿。此迷悟之異也。自有無間獄中等芥城。而限命先行。天上儔衣石。以受形。此善惡之殊也。至若娑婆世界。謂俄頃為百齡。袈裟剎土將永劫以浹日。斯染淨之別也。統而言之。不過大小。大小之內各有三焉。大則水火風而為災。小則刀饉疫以成害。是知六年華觀。終焚煬於沈灰。千梵瓊臺。卒漂淪於驟雨。加復診候無徵。雩祈失効。霜戈接刃。星劍交鋒。酷毒生人崩亡殆盡。恐三界而未悟。嗟六道而悲夫。

Now, a 'kalpa' is a name for recording time, just like an era name. However, time has no separate substantial entity; it is elucidated in terms of dharmas. The reason why the sacred teachings extensively record it is that although it is not the sublime regulation of contemplation on principle, it is nevertheless the profound purport of admonition and encouragement. If one treads the deluded ford with past consciousness, numbers as manifold as specks of dust are easily exhausted; but if one returns to the path of awakening at the initial mind, the period of asaṃkhyeya kalpas is difficult to fulfill. This is the difference between delusion and awakening. Then again, from the fortress of mustard seeds in the Avīci hell, one's lifespan is bounded by past karma; whereas in the heavens, one's bodily form is received for the duration of the cloth rubbing the rock. This is the distinction between good and bad. As for the Sahā world, a fleeting moment is called a century; whereas in the Kāṣāya Buddha-field, an eternal kalpa is regarded as a single day. Such is the difference between defilement and purity. Speaking generally, they do not exceed major and minor. Within both major and minor, each has three. The major calamities are formed by water, fire, and wind; the minor calamities inflict harm through weapons, famine, and pestilence. Thus we know that the splendid sights of six years ultimately burn to submerged ashes, and the thousand Brahma jewelled terraces in the end drift and sink beneath pouring rains. In addition, medical prognostications provide no signs, and rain-seeking prayers lose their efficacy; frosted halberds join blades, and stellar swords cross points. Cruel venom afflicts living beings until they collapse and perish almost entirely. Fearing that the tridhātu has not yet awakened, one laments over the ṣaḍgati with grief!