法苑珠林 57.5

57.5

Exhorting good and reproving fault is the constant mind of the great being; abandoning evil to cultivate blessings is the perpetual vow of the bodhisattva. Therefore, the operations of good and evil karma are like body and shadow that must correspond. The calamity and blame of debts plant the bitter fruit of the three retributions: there are debts in the present life with retribution in the present life, debts in the present life with retribution in the next life, and debts in the present life with retribution in subsequent lives. In this manner, throughout the three times, if one incurs a debt even by a single hair and refuses to repay it, one will certainly suffer torment. Therefore, the sūtra states: "A person who commits theft will first enter the hells, animals, and hungry ghosts. Later, upon obtaining a human rebirth, he receives two kinds of retribution: first, he constantly abides in poverty; second, although he gains a little wealth, it is always seized by others." These words are verified; examine yourself and consider others.