法苑珠林 50.29

50.29

蓋聞。四生沈溺必假舟航。六趣昏迷本憑獎導。是故三寶大慈俯應蒼民。曲垂提引令脫苦難。況復違背重恩。豈不永沈苦海。是故婦人鴆毒夫蒙王賞。樵人害熊現報臂落。良由違恩業重現受交報。故智度論云。知恩者生大悲之根本。開善業之初門。人所愛敬。名譽遠聞。死得生天。終成佛道。不知恩者甚於畜生也。

We have heard: the four modes of birth sinking in the mire must rely on a boat or raft; the six destinies wandering in confusion originally depend on guidance and leadership. Therefore, the Three Jewels, with great compassion, condescend to respond to the common populace, graciously bending down to guide and draw them forth so that they may be freed from pain and suffering. How much more so if one violates and betrays great kindness—how could one not sink eternally into the ocean of suffering? For this reason, when a woman prepared poison, her husband received the king's reward; when a woodcutter harmed a bear, his arms fell off as immediate retribution. This is truly because the karma of betraying kindness is grave, bringing immediate reciprocal retribution. Thus, the *Mahāprajñāpāramitā-śāstra* says: 'Knowing kindness is the root of great compassion, opening the initial gateway of wholesome karma. One is loved and respected by people, one's fame is heard far and wide, upon death one is born in heaven, and ultimately one achieves the Buddha path. One who does not know kindness is worse than a beast.'