Lecture Notes on the Sūtra of the Collection of the Father and Son (171)

Enlightenment and attaining the fruits of realization can exempt one from the painful retribution of the three lower realms

The evil karma we have created life after life is immense, but after enlightenment and attaining the fruits of realization, one no longer needs to go to the three lower realms to receive retribution; it is enough to undergo suffering among humans. In future lives, one may either be born in the heavens to cultivate, or cultivate among humans, and will no longer fall into the three lower realms. Unless bodhisattvas have the ability and the power of vows to descend into the three lower realms to deliver those sentient beings or disciples whose karmic affinities have matured. For example, if a certain disciple has very deep roots of goodness but occasionally, through carelessness, creates karma leading to the three lower realms and falls into them, a bodhisattva who has the ability can follow him into the three lower realms to deliver him—this is the bodhisattva's aspiration. However, when bodhisattvas descend into the three lower realms, it is not because of evil karma but because of the power of their vows, and their suffering is far lighter than that of the beings who go there due to the power of karma, because bodhisattvas have wholesome vows.