Viyahapannatti 29.1.995

29.1.995

“Venerable Sir! Did souls begin [experiencing] evil karma at the same time and conclude [it] at the same time? Did they begin [it] at the same time and conclude [it] at different times? Did they begin [it] at different times and conclude [it] at the same time? Did they begin [it] at different times and conclude [it] at different times?”
“Gautama! Some began [it] at the same time and concluded [it] at the same time, up to some began [it] at different times and concluded [it] at different times.”
“Venerable Sir! For what reason is it said that some began [it] at the same time and concluded [it] at the same time, and so forth?”
“Gautama! Souls are declared to be of four kinds, namely: some have equal lifespan and are born at the same time; some have equal lifespan and are born at different times; some have unequal lifespan and are born at the same time; some have unequal lifespan and are born at different times. Therein, those who have equal lifespan and are born at the same time begin [experiencing] evil karma at the same time and conclude [it] at the same time. Therein, those who have equal lifespan and are born at different times begin [experiencing] evil karma at the same time and conclude [it] at different times. Therein, those who have unequal lifespan and are born at the same time begin [experiencing] evil karma at different times and conclude [it] at the same time. Therein, those who have unequal lifespan and are born at different times begin [experiencing] evil karma at different times and conclude [it] at different times. For that reason, Gautama, it is said thus.”
“Venerable Sir! Do souls possessing lesyā [experience] evil karma…?” Exactly the same; in this way in all places, up to those with formless application. All these terms should be stated according to this exposition.
“Venerable Sir! Did inhabitants of hell begin [experiencing] evil karma at the same time and conclude [it] at the same time?—[and so forth].”
“Gautama! Some began [it] at the same time…” Just as for souls, so it should be stated, up to those with formless application. In this way up to the Vaimānikas; whatever belongs to whichever should be stated by this very sequence, as in the series of twenty-four places for evil [karma]. Following this sequence, in all eight karma-types, eight series of twenty-four places should be stated, beginning with souls and concluding with the Vaimānikas. This first uddeśaka should be spoken as comprehending the nine series of twenty-four places. “Truly so, Venerable Sir! Truly so, Venerable Sir!”—[he said].