每一个人有每一个人的因果报应，自己造哪种业，就要受哪种果报。不仅人要受果报，一切一切众生，都是因为往昔造了业，所以现在就要受果报。如果我们造了恶业，堕入畜生道，或其它恶道中，就很难再恢复人身，所以说：

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，万劫不复。

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

世界上有两种因：一种是善因，一种是恶因。种善因就结善果，种恶因就结恶果。种善因的人，处处都是克己复礼、屈己待人，时时不占便宜，愿意吃亏，旁人有什么困难，就去帮忙。他志在做善立功修德，不像一般人只知利己，而不知利人。一个人善功德具足了，就往上升，这就叫“种善因，结善果。”由人道升到天道，由天道升到阿罗汉道、辟支佛道、菩萨道，一路一路往上升，这股气总是非常旺盛的。做什么功，就得什么果报，这是功不唐捐的。

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.

“种恶因，结恶果”，又是怎么样的呢？就是尽造罪作孽，犯许多过错。这种人将来就要受地狱、饿鬼、畜生的果报。这种恶的因，是谁教他去做的呢？没有人教，都是自己造成的。所以说：“自作孽，不可活。”自己造罪作孽，旁人无法原谅你的。所以种恶因的人，就堕落到三恶道中。总之，为善就往上升，做恶就往下降，这一切一切都要自己有主宰，不能依赖他人的。

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.

究竟最大的恶因是什么呢？就是杀生。人若犯了五戒──杀、盗、邪淫、妄语、饮酒，就很容易堕落到三恶道去，也很容易流落到世智辩聪、邪知邪见，不相信佛法僧三宝这类的人。堕落到三恶道中，是苦不堪言的，他所犯的最大罪过是什么呢？就是杀生、吃肉。你吃他的肉，他就吃你的肉，互相食噉；互相吃，就互相堕落，一堕落就不容易再往上升了，这是很危险的，所以叫“险道”。又说：

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.”

三界无安，犹如火宅。

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

虽然是火宅，可是人们还是处之泰然，觉得很自在。

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

今天做盂兰盆法会，各位想一想，我们哪一个人有目犍连尊者那么大的修行道德？佛为了超度目连尊者的母亲，特别设立了盂兰盆法会，来超度七世的父母祖先。我们试将自己与目连尊者比较，根本就不能比，那么我们的父母祖先，更等着我们去超度啊！所以我们更不应该把光阴空过，如果不小心好好地做人，一旦失落人身，后悔就晚了！

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开示
于万佛圣城