每一個人有每一個人的因果報應，自己造哪種業，就要受哪種果報。不僅人要受果報，一切一切眾生，都是因為往昔造了業，所以現在就要受果報。如果我們造了惡業，墮入畜生道，或其他惡道中，就很難再恢復人身，所以說：

Each person has his or her own history of causes and effects. You have to undergo the retribution for whatever karma you create. Not only people, but all living beings have to undergo retribution for the karma they have created in the past. However, it is not easy for them to understand this. It is extremely difficult for beings who fall into the realm of animals or the other evil destinies to regain human bodies.

一失人身，萬劫不復。

Once you lose your human body,
You may not regain it for tens of
thousands of eons.

世界上有兩種因：一種是善因，一種是惡因。種善因就結善果，種惡因就結惡果。種善因的人，處處都是克己復禮、屈己待人，時時不佔便宜，願意吃虧，旁人有什麼困難，就去幫忙。他志在做善立功修德，不像一般人只知利己，而不知利人。一個人善功德具足了，就往上昇，這就叫「種善因，結善果。」由人道昇到天道，由天道昇到阿羅漢道、辟支佛道、菩薩道，一路一路往上昇，這股氣總是非常旺盛的。做什麼功，就得什麼果報，這是功不唐捐的。

There are two kinds of causes in the world: good causes and bad causes. If you create good causes, you'll reap good results; if you create bad causes, you'll reap bad results. People who create good causes always regulate their conduct according to the laws of propriety, and humble themselves to be courteous to others. They never take advantage of others, but are happy to take a loss. If they see others in difficulty, they offer their help. Their minds are intent on doing good deeds, earning merit, and cultivating virtue. They are not like ordinary people who know how to benefit themselves, but not how to benefit others. When they have enough wholesome merit and virtue, they will ascend to a higher level. This is to create good causes and reap good results. From the human realm, they ascend to the heavens, and from there to the realm of Arhats, Pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas. On a vigorous sweep of energy, they ascend continuously. They receive the reward for whatever meritorious deeds they have performed, and their efforts do not go to waste.

「種惡因，結惡果」，又是怎麼樣的呢？就是盡造罪作孽，犯許多過錯。這種人將來就要受地獄、餓鬼、畜生的果報。這種惡的因，是誰教他去做的呢？沒有人教，都是自己造成的。所以說：「自作孽，不可活。」自己造罪作孽，旁人無法原諒你的。所以種惡因的人，就墮落到三惡道中。總之，為善就往上昇，做惡就往下降，這一切一切都要自己有主宰，不能依賴他人的。

What is meant by creating bad causes and reaping bad results? People who create many offenses and commit many transgressions will eventually have to undergo the retribution of being hell-dwellers, hungry ghosts, and animals. Who told them to commit those evil deeds? No one. They did them of their own accord. Thus, it is said, “Those who sin of their own will should not be allowed to live.” If you commit offenses on your own, it's impossible for other people to forgive you. People who create evil causes will fall into the three evil destinies. In general, doing good deeds allows you to ascend, while doing evil causes you to descend. In everything you do, you must take the responsibility yourself; you cannot rely on others.

究竟最大的惡因是什麼呢？就是殺生。人若犯了五戒──殺、盜、邪淫、妄語、飲酒，就很容易墮落到三惡道去，也很容易流落到世智辯聰、邪知邪見，不相信佛法僧三寶這類的人。墮落到三惡道中，是苦不堪言的，他所犯的最大罪過是什麼呢？就是殺生、吃肉。你吃他的肉，他就吃你的肉，互相食噉；互相吃，就互相墮落，一墮落就不容易再往上昇了，這是很危險的，所以叫「險道」。又說：

Ultimately, what is the greatest evil cause? Killing. It's very easy for someone who violates the five precepts, which prohibit killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and taking intoxicants, to fall into the three evil destinies. It is also very easy for him to be ensnared by worldly knowledge and sophistry. Thus, full of improper knowledge and opinions, he does not believe in the Triple Jewel—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. He falls into the three evil destinies, where the sufferings are inexpressible. What are his greatest offenses? Killing animals and eating their flesh. If you eat the flesh of others, they will eat your flesh. Mutually devouring each other, you fall together. Once you fall, it's not easy to ascend. This is very dangerous, and so we refer to it as a “dangerous path.”

三界無安，猶如火宅。

There is no peace in the Triple Realm;
It is like a house on fire.

雖然是火宅，可是人們還是處之泰然，覺得很自在。

Although the house is on fire, the people living in it are very relaxed and think it's very comfortable.

今天做盂蘭盆法會，各位想一想，我們哪一個人有目犍連尊者那麼大的修行道德？佛為了超度目連尊者的母親，特別設立了盂蘭盆法會，來超度七世的父母祖先。我們試將自己與目連尊者比較，根本就不能比，那麼我們的父母祖先，更等著我們去超度啊！所以我們更不應該把光陰空過，如果不小心好好地做人，一旦失落人身，後悔就晚了！

Today, as we hold this Ullambana Dharma Assembly, everyone should consider for a moment: Who among us has the great virtue and cultivation of the Venerable Maudgalyayana, who asked the Buddha to establish the Ullambana Celebration to rescue his mother, father, and ancestors from seven lives past? We could never match up to the Venerable Maudgalyayana, so how much the more are our parents and ancestors waiting for us to rescue them! Therefore, we should definitely not waste time. If we are not careful to be good people, we will be sorry when we lose our human bodies!

一九八二年八月廿九日開示
於萬佛聖城