法苑珠林 70.5

70.5

Furthermore, the Bodhisattvabhūmi-śāstra states: The sin of killing living beings can cause sentient beings to fall into the three evil destinies. If born among humans, they obtain two kinds of fruits and retributions: first, a short life; second, many sicknesses. The ten unwholesome actions (daśākuśala) each fully possess five kinds of fruits and retributions: First, why does killing living beings cause one to suffer the pain of hell? Because by killing living beings, one causes suffering to sentient beings; therefore, when the body breaks down and life ends, all the pains of hell come to torment oneself. Second, why does one emerge from hell after killing living beings to become an animal? Because killing living beings lacks compassion and pity, and such conduct violates human relations; hence, when the sins of hell are exhausted, one receives an animal body. Third, why does killing living beings further make one a hungry ghost? Because killing living beings invariably stems from a stingy mind and a craving attachment to flavours, one again becomes a hungry ghost. Fourth, why does killing living beings cause one to obtain a short lifespan when born as a human? Because by killing living beings, one harms and destroys living creatures; thus one obtains a short lifespan. Fifth, why does killing living beings additionally bring about many illnesses? Because killing living beings violates their well-being and causes various afflictions to gather together; thus one obtains many sicknesses. One should know that killing living beings is great suffering.