The Same Ten, Differently Practiced

"Child of the Buddha! This bodhisattva mahāsattva thinks further in this way: 'The ten courses of unwholesome action are the cause of birth in the hells, among animals, and among hungry ghosts; the ten courses of wholesome action are the cause of birth among humans and gods, on up to the summit of existence. Further, these same ten courses of wholesome action at their highest degree, cultivated with wisdom — because the mind is narrow and inferior, because one dreads the three realms, because great compassion is lacking, and because understanding is arrived at through hearing another's voice — become the śrāvaka vehicle. Further, these same ten courses of wholesome action at their highest degree, cultivated and purified — because one does not follow another's teaching but awakens for oneself, because great compassion and skillful means are not complete, and because one awakens to and understands the profound dharma of causes and conditions — become the pratyekabuddha vehicle.

Further, these same ten courses of wholesome action at their highest degree, cultivated and purified — because the mind is broad and measureless, because pity and compassion are complete, because they are gathered in by skillful means, because great vows are given rise to, because beings are not abandoned, because one seeks the great wisdom of the buddhas, because the bodhisattva grounds are purified and prepared, and because all the pāramitās are cultivated in purity — become the vast practice of a bodhisattva. Further, these same ten courses of wholesome action at their highest degree — because they are purified in every mode, on up to the realization of the ten powers and the four fearlessnesses — bring every buddha-dharma to accomplishment. Therefore I now practice the ten wholesome courses equally, and should cause them all to be complete and pure. Such is the skillful means a bodhisattva ought to learn.'

"Child of the Buddha! This bodhisattva mahāsattva thinks further in this way: 'Of the ten courses of unwholesome action, the highest degree is a cause of the hells, the middling a cause of the animal realm, and the lowest a cause of the hungry ghosts. Among them, the offence of killing is able to make beings fall into the hells, the animal realm, or the hungry ghosts; and should they be born among humans, they obtain two kinds of fruit — the first, a short life; the second, much sickness. The offence of stealing likewise makes beings fall into the three evil destinies; and should they be born among humans, they obtain two kinds of fruit — the first, poverty; the second, having no freedom over property held in common.

The offence of sexual misconduct likewise makes beings fall into the three evil destinies; and should they be born among humans, they obtain two kinds of fruit — the first, a spouse who is not faithful; the second, not obtaining the household they would wish. The offence of false speech likewise makes beings fall into the three evil destinies; and should they be born among humans, they obtain two kinds of fruit — the first, being much slandered; the second, being deceived by others. The offence of divisive speech likewise makes beings fall into the three evil destinies; and should they be born among humans, they obtain two kinds of fruit — the first, a household that falls apart; the second, kin who are corrupt.