Discourse on the Pitāputrasamāgama Sūtra (78)

The Ten Evil Karmic Retributions All Manifest at the Time of Death

Original Text: The Buddha said: "O King, so it is, so it is. Ignorant sentient beings, having seen form with their eyes, give rise to delight in their minds. Then, clinging arises, and they are drawn by that form. They create karmic actions driven by greed. There are three kinds of physical karma, four kinds of verbal karma, and three kinds of mental karma. Initially created, these karmic actions perish instantaneously. This karma does not abide in the east, west, south, north, the four intermediate directions, above, below, or in the middle. At the brink of death, when the life faculty ceases, the karmic retribution created by oneself will all manifest. It is like awakening from a dream and recollecting the events of the dream."

Explanation: The Buddha said: "O King, so it is, so it is, truly so. Ignorant sentient beings, after seeing form with their eyes, give rise to delight in their minds. Then they cling to the form, their minds being drawn by it, creating karmic actions driven by craving. Physical karma consists of three kinds: killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct. Verbal karma consists of four kinds: false speech, frivolous speech, divisive speech, and harsh speech. Mental karma consists of three kinds: greed, hatred, and delusion.

After the actions of body, speech, and mind are created, the karmic actions perish as soon as they are made. Finally, when the karmic actions cease entirely and are no longer being created, the karma does not abide in the east, west, south, north, the four intermediate directions, above, below, or in the middle—it does not go to any direction or any place. However, at the time of death when the faculties are about to cease, the karmic retribution created by oneself will fully manifest. It is just like awakening from a dream and still recollecting the events of the dream."