法苑珠林 52.6

52.6

Examining kinfolk, they drift like duckweed, turning in the cycle of new and old. Departure and remaining are difficult to divine; gatherings are only temporary. Truly this is because good and evil conditions diverge, and rising and sinking lead to different destinies. The good are like Nanda, who abandoned glory and desires to follow the Way, or Rāhula, who renounced the royal throne to sever the fetters. Just as a sandalwood forest is surrounded by sandalwood, beings are crossed over in accordance with their capacities; the excellence of the Tamer can be seen herein. The evil are like Devadatta, who caused a schism in the Saṃgha, or King Ajātaśatru, who murdered his father; they ever harbor poisonous thoughts and constantly make enemies. They are like a forest of thorns, or akin to a brood of vipers. As the paths of good and evil diverge, calamity and fortune can be seen.