諸經要集 13.50

13.50

Therefore, the Bodhisattvabhūmi-sūtra states: "The sin of robbery also causes sentient beings to fall into the three evil destinies. If born among humans, they receive two kinds of retributions: first, poverty; second, common property over which they have no control. Why does robbery lead to falling into the hells? Because robbery strips away and steals other people's wealth, tormenting sentient beings; hence, when the body dies, one immediately enters the Cold Ice Hell, undergoing all kinds of suffering. Why does robbery lead to emerging as an animal? Because one did not practice the human path; hence one receives the retribution of an animal, one's body constantly bearing heavy burdens, repaying one's past debts by offering one's flesh to humans. Why does one further fall among hungry ghosts? Because robbery is committed out of stinginess and greed; therefore, when the animal retribution is exhausted, one further becomes a hungry ghost. Why is one poor as a human? Because one's robbery depleted others' possessions; therefore one is poor. Why does one lack control over common property? Because by robbery, one stole, seized, and caused goods to be confiscated by officials; if one has wealth and coins, it is shared with the five enemies and one has no control over it. One should know that robbery is the second great suffering."