法苑珠林 23.14

23.14

Therefore we know: from all that has been recorded above, whether monastics or laypeople, one must constantly apply attention and maintain right mindfulness in the present. One must not, upon gaining a minor understanding of a little Dharma, immediately give rise to arrogance and fail to produce shame and modesty. Even persons of the four fruits cannot escape individual retribution, though they do not undergo total collective retribution. Hence the *Damamūka-nidāna-sūtra* states: Because Aṅgulimāla killed nine hundred and ninety-nine people, although he encountered the Buddha and became an arhat, while staying in his chamber the fire of hell came forth from his pores, causing him extreme suffering and pain. How much more so for ordinary worldlings who have not generated counteragents! In accordance with any single karma created, they will definitively fall into the three bad destinies. Yet a human body is difficult to obtain, and upon meeting evil causes and conditions it is easily lost. Because evil is abundant and good is scarce, within a single day sinful thoughts number hundreds of thousands, while wholesome thoughts are not even one.