法苑珠林 89.32

89.32

As the Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra states: The Buddha said, 'Virtuous ones, by refraining from taking life, one obtains ten kinds of merits. What are the ten? First, one attains fearlessness toward all sentient beings. Second, one attains great compassion toward all sentient beings. Third, one severs evil habits. Fourth, one has few illnesses and afflictions, and is decisive in handling affairs. Fifth, one attains long life. Sixth, one is protected by non-humans. Seventh, one rests peacefully in sleep without evil dreams. Eighth, one is free from enemies and grudges. Ninth, one does not fear the evil destinies. Tenth, upon the dissolution of the body and the end of life, one is reborn in wholesome destinies. Virtuous ones, this is called obtaining ten merits by refraining from taking life. If one can dedicate these roots of goodness toward unsurpassable bodhi, before long, when this person realizes unsurpassable wisdom and reaches bodhi, that land will be free from all slaughter, and long-lived sentient beings will come to be reborn in that land.'