諸經要集 15.53

15.53

Now, the four serpents agitate and stir; the three poisons rush forth; the six thieves mutually invade; and the hundred sorrows gather together. Sometimes from past conditioning people detest one another, watching and seeking out faults; or harboring long-standing resentment, they concentrate solely on harming each other. Utterly lacking benevolence and righteousness, they suddenly lose maitrī-karuṇā. Employing methods of killing and conditions for killing, they instruct others to die and praise death; or they secretly administer poison and covertly dispatch maledictions and sorcery, thereby causing the harbored venom to strike deep within, tearing liver and heart as poison birds do, causing the victim to bear grief through the long night and endure pain in the dark springs. Writhing in torment, what words can they utter? To whom can they lament their troubled resentment? Therefore, a sūtra says: 'In the elder's house many poisonous trees grow; on the rākṣasa's sea, he repeatedly begs for a floating bag.' It is also like ten thousand bundles of dry firewood that a tiny spark can burn, or a dark room of a hundred years that a single lamp can dispel. Thus we know that the mind of hatred is worse than a fierce fire; practitioners should guard themselves against it. Among the thieves that plunder merit, none surpasses this harm. If a single thought of the fire of malice arises, it burns the merits of all good deeds. For this reason, humans and beasts alike dread a person of evil nature. Making no distinction of good people, their words turn to venom; they delight in ruining the hearts of others and causing them disgust. No one loves them; all fear and avoid them as they would avoid wolves and tigers. In the present life they are despised and humbled; upon death, they fall into hell. Therefore, the wise, seeing such faults, extinguish them with patience and do not fear the myriad sufferings.