人雖爲惡 積久必衰 善常以善 受福無量 以善入善 以惡入惡 汝今種惡 後自受苦 妖孽見福 其惡未熟 至其惡熟 自受罪苦
rén suī wéi è jī jiǔ bì shuāi shàn cháng yǐ shàn shòu fú wú liàng yǐ shàn rù shàn yǐ è rù è rǔ jīn zhǒng è hòu zì shòu kǔ yāo niè jiàn fú qí è wèi shú zhì qí è shú zì shòu zuì kǔ
Key Message
Even when evil's fruit has not yet ripened, the law of cause and effect is immutable — what is sown in evil will in time be reaped in suffering, without the slightest deviation.
▸The Pāpavagga (Chapter on Evil) provides a sustained teaching on the law of karma as it operates through evil deeds and their inevitable ripening.
The Pāpavagga (Chapter on Evil) provides a sustained teaching on the law of karma as it operates through evil deeds and their inevitable ripening. Even if a person commits evil repeatedly, it may at first appear that prosperity continues; yet evil accumulated over time must eventually lead to ruin. Conversely, those who consistently act with goodness receive blessing without measure. Evil action leads to evil rebirth; good action to good rebirth. The seed of evil planted now will bear the fruit of suffering for oneself in the future. Most importantly, when an evildoer appears to enjoy good fortune, it is only because the karma of their evil has not yet ripened — but when the time comes, they will reap what they have sown.