法苑珠林 77.5

77.5

Now, the delusional afflictions of sentient beings have attachment to self as their origin, and the erroneous delusions of the common sort have greed and stinginess as their foundation. Therefore, good is as light as a fine hair, while evil is as heavy as hills and mountains; blessings are as scanty as spring ice, while poverty is as abundant as autumn rain. The net of the six emotions is not easily transcended; the ford of the three poisons offers no way across. With heavy bodies continually sinking, they are like fish in a river; wishing to beat their wings and fly, they find it difficult to be like birds in the sky. Consequently, poverty follows upon poverty, vying to oppress them; suffering succeeds suffering, contending to bring them harm. They are like flying moths brushing against flames, courting their own burning; like silkworms spinning cocoons, not bound by others. Truly, it is due to stinginess and the obstruction of greed that they endure punishment, hunger, and cold; giving is the cause of wealth, perpetually inviting abundance and joy.