Ananda, it all comes from the karmic responses which living
beings themselves invoke. They create ten habitual causes and undergo
six interacting retributions.
What are the ten causes? Ananda, the first consists of habits of
lust and reciprocal interactions which give rise to mutual rubbing.
When this rubbing continues without cease, it produces a tremendous
raging fire within which movement occurs, just as warmth arises between a
person's hands when he rubs them together.
Because these two habits set each other ablaze, there come into
being the iron bed, the copper pillar, and other such experiences.
Therefore the Thus Come Ones of the ten directions look upon the
practice of lust and name it the 'fire of desire.' Bodhisattvas avoid
desire as they would a fiery pit.
The second consists of habits of greed and intermingled scheming
which give rise to a suction. When this suction becomes dominant and
incessant, it produces intense cold and solid ice where freezing occurs,
just as a sensation of cold is experienced when a person draws in a
blast of wind through his mouth.
Because these two habits clash together, there come into being
chattering, whimpering and shuddering; blue, red, and white lotuses;
cold and ice; and other such experiences. Therefore the Thus Come Ones
of the ten directions look upon excessive seeking and name it "the water
of greed". Bodhisattvas avoid greed as they would a sea of pestilence.
The third consists of habits of arrogance and resulting friction
which give rise to mutual intimidation. When it accelerates without
cease, it produces torrents and rapids which create restless waves of
water, just as water is produced when a person continuously works his
tongue in an effort to taste flavors.
Because these two habits incite one another, there come into
being the river of blood, the river of ashes, the burning sand, the
poisonous sea, the molten copper which is poured over one or which must
be swallowed, and other such experiences.
Therefore, the Thus Come Ones of the ten directions look upon
self-satisfaction and name it 'drinking the water of stupidity.'
Bodhisattvas avoid arrogance as they would a huge deluge.
The fourth consists of habits of hatred which give rise to
mutual defiance. When this defiance binds one without cease, one's heart
becomes so hot that it catches fire, and the molten vapor turns into
metal.
From it is produced the mountain of knives, the iron cudgel, the tree of
swords, the wheel of swords, axes and halberds, and spears and saws. It
is like the intent to kill surging forth when a person meets a mortal
enemy, so that he is roused to action.
Because these two habits clash with one another, there come into
being castration and hacking, beheading and mutilation, filing and
sticking, flogging and beating, and other such experiences.
Therefore, the Thus Come Ones of the ten directions look upon
hatred and name it 'sharp knives and swords.' Bodhisattvas avoid hatred
as they would their own execution.
The fifth consists of habits of deception and misleading
involvements which give rise to mutual guile. When such maneuvering
continues without cease, it produces the ropes and wood of a gallows for hanging, like the grass and trees that grow when water saturates a field.
Because the two habits perpetuate one another, there come into
being handcuffs and fetters, cangues and locks, whips and clubs, sticks
and cudgels, and other such experiences.
Therefore, the Thus Come Ones of the ten directions look upon
deception and name it a 'treacherous crook.' Bodhisattvas fear deception
as they would a savage wolf.
The sixth consists of habits of lying and combined fraudulence
which give rise to mutual cheating. When false accusations continue
without cease, one becomes adept at corruption.
From this there come into being dust and dirt, excrement and urine,
filth, stench, and impurities. It is like the obscuring of everyone's
vision when the dust is stirred up by the wind.
Because these two habits augment one another, there come into
being sinking and drowning, tossing and pitching, flying and falling,
floating and submerging, and other such experiences.
Therefore, the Thus Come Ones of the ten directions look upon
lying and name it 'robbery and murder.' Bodhisattvas regard lying as
they would treading on a venomous snake.
The seventh consists of habits of animosity and interconnected
enmity which give rise to grievances. From this there come into being
flying rocks, thrown stones, caskets and closets, cages on wheels, jars
and containers, and bags and rods. It is like someone harming others
secretly, he harbors, cherishes, and nurtures evil.
Because these two habits swallow one another up, there come into
being tossing and pitching, seizing and apprehending, striking and
shooting, casting away and pinching, and other such experiences.
Therefore, the Thus Come Ones of the ten directions look upon animosity and name it a 'disobedient and harmful ghost.'Bodhisattvas regard animosity as they would drinking poisonous wine.
The eighth consists of habits of views and the admixture of
understandings, such as satkayadrishti, views, moral prohibitions,
grasping, and deviant insight into various kinds of
karma, which bring about opposition and produce mutual antagonism. From
them there come into being court officials, deputies, certifiers, and
registrars. They are like people traveling on a road, who meet each
other coming and going.
Because these two habits influence one another, there come into
being official inquiries, baited questions, examinations,
interrogations, public investigations, exposure, the youths who record
good and evil, carrying the record books of the offenders' arguments and
rationalizations, and other such experiences.
Therefore, the Thus Come Ones of the ten directions look upon
evil views and name them the 'pit of views.' Bodhisattvas regard having
false and one-sided views as they would standing on the edge of a steep
ravine full of poison.
The ninth consists of the habits of injustice and their
interconnected support of one another; they result in instigating
false charges and libeling. From them are produced crushing between
mountains, crushing between rocks, stone rollers, stone grinders,
plowing, and pulverizing. It is like a slanderous villain who engages in
persecuting good people unjustly.
Because these two habits join ranks, there come into being
pressing and pushing, bludgeons and compulsion, squeezing and straining,
weighing and measuring, and other such experiences.
Therefore, the Thus Come Ones of the ten directions look upon
harmful accusations and name them 'a treacherous tiger.' Bodhisattvas
regard injustice as they would a bolt of lightning.
The tenth consists of the habits of litigation and the mutual
disputations which give rise to covering. From them there are produced a
look in the mirror and illumination by the lamp. It is like being in
direct sunlight: there is no way one can hide one's shadow.
Because these two habits bicker back and forth, there come into
being evil companions, the mirror of karma, the fiery pearl, exposure of
past karma, inquests, and other such experiences.
Therefore, all the Thus Come Ones of the ten directions look
upon covering and name it a 'hidden villain.' Bodhisattvas regard
covering as they would having to carry a mountain atop their heads while
walking upon the sea.