法苑珠林 71.9

71.9

We first discuss mixed karma, and later elucidate pure merit. However, various mixed karmas naturally have coarse and subtle aspects: the coarse consists of doing evil that concurrently harms others; the subtle consists of acting for oneself, merely seeking worldly retribution. First, discussing the coarse-mixed: if considered in terms of giving, there are those who take wealth unlawfully to give, such as stealing others' goods to use for giving; this induces a future retribution that is also constantly diminished and exhausted. If one gives and subsequently feels regret, the fruit obtained is also like this. Hence the Upāsaka-śīla Sūtra states: 'If a person, having given, conceives a regretful mind, or robs others' wealth and uses it for giving, this person, even though obtaining wealth in the future, will constantly suffer depletion and never accumulate.' There are also those whose giving concurrently harms others; that is, if when giving they lack right mindfulness of good, or give rise to anger, or generate arrogance, they shall fall into the evil destinies. Although they receive meritorious retribution, they experience it separately among animals and do not induce rebirth among humans or devas. Therefore, a verse in the Sutra on Distinguishing Karmic Retribution states: