法苑珠林 68.12

68.12

The commentary says: Although the above has cited sūtras and treatises to explain multiple types of karmic causes, when it comes to judging misdeeds, their weight has not yet been clarified. Therefore, the Upāsakaśīla-sūtra is specially cited to distinguish the differences in karma. There are four distinct cases: first, matching object with intention, which has four [variations]; second, differences in weight, which has eight [variations]; third, differences of upper, middle, and lower, which again has eight [variations]; fourth, based on the Sarvāstivāda treatises, differences between intentional and unintentional, which again has eight [variations]. When assessing misdeeds, all are completely subsumed. Thus the first [fascicle] of the sūtra says: There is heavy object with light intention; there is light object with heavy intention; there is heavy object with heavy intention; and there is light object with light intention. First, 'heavy object with light intention' is, for instance, killing one's parents without an evil mind. Second, 'light object with heavy intention' is, for instance, killing an animal with an evil mind. Third, 'heavy object with heavy intention' is, for instance, killing one's mother with an extremely evil mind. Fourth, 'light object with light intention' is, for instance, killing an animal with a slight mind.