法苑珠林 52.20

52.20

佛語長者。死不可離。去不可追。長者白佛。此兒宿命罪福云何。佛言。此兒前世好喜布施。尊敬於人。緣此福德生豪富家。喜獵傷害。令身命短。罪福隨人如影隨形。長者踊躍逮得法忍。

The Buddha told the elder: 'Death cannot be avoided; what is gone cannot be pursued.' The elder addressed the Buddha: 'What were this child's past karmic offenses and merits?' The Buddha said: 'In a previous life, this child took joy in giving and respected others; by virtue of this merit, he was born into an eminent and wealthy family. Yet he took joy in hunting and injuring life, causing his life to be short. Offenses and merit follow a person like a shadow following a form.' Overjoyed, the elder attained the acceptance of phenomena.