Part 2 - Tinges and karma

Q. 55. Bhante! Is it a fact that infernal beings with a a black tinge have sometimes less karma, while those with a blue tinge have much karma?

A. 55. Yes, it is sometimes like this.

Q. 56. Bhante! What is the reason for this?

A. 56. Gautama! It is so because of the difference in the span of their remaining life.

Q. 57. Bhante! Is it a fact that infernal beings with a blue tinge have sometimes less karma, while those with a grey tinge have much karma?

A. 57. Yes, it is sometimes like this.

Q. 58. Bhante! What is the reason for this?

A. 58. Gautama! It is so because of the difference in the span of their remaining life. The same holds of the Asurakumāras, who have also a red tinge in addition, and repeat the same, till the Vaimānikas, stating specifically the number of tinges in each case, but the Jyotiṣkas are to be excluded.

Q. 59. Bhante! Is it a fact that the Vaimānikas with a pink tinge have sometimes less karma, while those with a white tinge have more?

A. 59. Yes, it is sometimes like this.

Q. 60. Bhante! What is the reason for this?

A. 60. The sains as stated in the case of the infernal beings.

Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):

Q/A. 55. Here the exceptions have been noticed. Normally a soul with a black tinge lodged at the seventh hell should have greater karma bondage as against another who has a blue, grey or even white tinge. But if the former has already put in many years in the hell and the latter is a fresh entrant, then, the former may have lesser karma bondage.

Q/A. 58. The Jyotiṣkas have been excluded from the list because they take only one tinge which is red.