法苑珠林 68.18

68.18

First, explaining the arising of unwholesomeness with respect to the hells. According to the Abhidharma treatises, there are five courses of karma: 1. harsh speech, 2. frivolous speech, 3. covetousness, 4. malice, 5. wrong view. Among them, harsh speech, frivolous speech, and malice are in active operation in these three ways when they undergo suffering. Because they curse the hell wardens, harsh speech is in active operation. This harsh speech, being untimely, contrary to the Dharma, and improper, falls under frivolous speech. Their wrath at that time is malice. These three unwholesome actions are in active operation in the hells. If one speaks of covetous karma and wrong view, their possession exists in the mind but they are not in active operation. Because those coarse worldlings have not yet severed afflictions, covetousness and wrong view are possessed in their minds. Men and women in that place constantly undergo suffering individually; there are no men and women engaging together in sexual misconduct, so there is no active operation of this covetous mind. Because they constantly undergo suffering, their mental consciousness is dim and dull, unable to investigate whether cause and effect exist or not; therefore there is also no active operation of wrong view. The remaining [courses of karma]—killing, stealing, false speech, and divisive speech—do not operate in that place, which is entirely Avīci. If the hells do not have covetousness and wrong view as active courses of karma, why is it said that they possess these two? The answer is: as long as the mental factors of affliction have not yet been severed, although they are not in active operation, they are always inherently possessed. They are not like the corporeal karmas of the seven branches of body and speech, which are coarse actions and are only formed when initiated; where there is no execution, they are not said to be established. Therefore the Saṃyuktābhidharmahṛdaya-śāstra states: Because in the hells there is no mutual killing, there is no course of karma of killing. Because no property is taken, there is no course of karma of stealing. Because no women are held, there is no course of karma of sexual misconduct. Because of speaking with an altered thought it is called false speech; they have no altered thoughts, hence no false speech. Because they constantly desire to be separated, there is no divisive speech. Being oppressed by suffering, there is harsh speech. Because of speaking out of turn, there is frivolous speech. Covetousness and wrong view are possessed, but do not operate.