諸經要集 20.96

20.96

As the *Samantapāsādikā* states: “There are four kinds of dreams: first, dreams from an imbalance of the four great elements; second, dreams of what was previously seen; third, dreams caused by devas; fourth, dreams of mental impressions. What are dreams from an imbalance of the four great elements? When sleeping, one dreams of mountains collapsing, or soaring into the empty sky, or seeing tigers, wolves, lions, or robbers pursuing oneself. These are dreams from an imbalance of the four great elements, and are false and unreal. What are dreams of what was previously seen? Answer: things seen during the daytime, whether white or black, male or female, and then dreamed of at night. These are called dreams of what was previously seen, and these too are not real. What are dreams caused by devas? If good spiritual friends among devas manifest good dreams to cause a person to attain goodness, or if bad spiritual friends manifest bad dreams—these are real. What are dreams of mental impressions? Answer: this person in a previous life had either merit or sinful hindrances; if merit, good dreams are manifested; if sins, bad dreams are manifested. For instance, when the Bodhisattva’s mother was about to have him enter her womb, she dreamed of a white elephant descending from the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven and entering her right flank; this was a dream of mental impressions. If one dreams of paying homage to the Buddha, chanting sūtras, observing precepts, practicing dāna, and various merits, these are also dreams of mental impressions. Question: Are dreams wholesome, unwholesome, or indeterminate? Answer: They are wholesome, unwholesome, and indeterminate. If one dreams of paying homage to the Buddha, listening to the Dharma, or explaining the Dharma, these are wholesome merits. If one dreams of killing, stealing, or sexual misconduct, these are unwholesome dreams. If one dreams of blue, yellow, red, white colors, and the like, these are indeterminate dreams. Question: If so, should one receive karmic retribution? Answer: One does not receive karmic retribution. Why? Because the mental karma is weak and feeble, it does not induce retribution. Therefore the Vinaya states: ‘Excepting what occurs in dreams, there is no transgression.’”