法苑珠林 72.30

72.30

次依論引施設論說。若彼父母福業增上。子福業劣不得入胎。若彼父母福劣薄。子福業勝不得入胎。要父母子三福業等方得入胎。問若富貴丈夫與貧賤女合。或富貴女人與貧賤男合。如何中有亦得入胎。答富貴男子與貧賤女人合時。必於自身起下劣想。於彼女人生尊勝想。富貴女人與貧賤男子合時。必於自身生下劣想。於彼男子起尊勝想。貧賤男子與富貴女人合時。必於自身生尊勝想。於彼女人起下劣想。貧賤女人與富貴男子合時。必於自身起尊勝想。於彼男子生下劣想。子於父母將入胎位。應知亦然。故入胎時皆有等義。

Next, relying on the treatise, it cites the Prajñapti-śāstra as saying: If the meritorious karma of the parents is superior and the child's meritorious karma is inferior, the child cannot enter the womb. If the parents' merit is inferior and meager and the child's meritorious karma is superior, the child cannot enter the womb. Only when the meritorious karma of the parents and child, all three, are equal can the child enter the womb. Question: If a wealthy, noble man unites with an impoverished, lowly woman, or a wealthy, noble woman unites with an impoverished, lowly man, how can an intermediate being also enter the womb? Answer: When a wealthy, noble man unites with an impoverished, lowly woman, he will certainly give rise to a conception of inferiority regarding himself and a conception of venerability and superiority regarding that woman. When a wealthy, noble woman unites with an impoverished, lowly man, she will certainly give rise to a conception of inferiority regarding herself and a conception of venerability and superiority regarding that man. When an impoverished, lowly man unites with a wealthy, noble woman, he will certainly give rise to a conception of venerability and superiority regarding himself and a conception of inferiority regarding that woman. When an impoverished, lowly woman unites with a wealthy, noble man, she will certainly give rise to a conception of venerability and superiority regarding herself and a conception of inferiority regarding that man. One should know that it is also like this when the child is about to enter the womb in relation to the parents. Therefore, when entering the womb, there is an aspect of equality in all cases.