The Ten Karmic Punishments Arising from Killing


From Nagarjuna's Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom
(Dharmamitra Translation)

Moreover, of all who are honored throughout the three periods of time and ten directions, the Buddha is foremost. As told by the Buddha to the upaasaka Nandika, "There are ten punishments which accrue from killing beings." What are the ten?

The first is that in life after life and without cease, one's mind always nurtures a poisonous disposition.
The second is that beings detest, regard as evil, and do not find any joy in seeing such a person.
The third is that one constantly cherishes malicious thoughts and constantly contemplates evil endeavors.
The fourth is that beings fear one in the same way as if they had encountered a snake or a tiger.
The fifth is that when sleeping one is frightened and on waking one is not at peace either.
The sixth is that one always has bad dreams.
The seventh is that when one's life comes to an end one experiences madness and fright and horror at death.
The eighth is that one plants the karmic causes and conditions for a short life.
The ninth is that when the body is destroyed and the life comes to an end one falls into niraya (the hells).
The tenth is that if one emerges and becomes a human again, one is bound to always have a short life.