慈悲道場懺法 3.48

3.48

Today, assembly sharing this karmic endeavor in the bodhimaṇḍa, once more focus your minds, strain your ears, listen attentively, and reflect well upon it! The *Saṃyuktapiṭaka Sūtra* says: At that time there was a ghost who said to Maudgalyāyana: “I have eyes on my two shoulders, a mouth and nose on my chest, but no head. What sin caused this?”
Maudgalyāyana answered, saying: “In your previous life, you were always the apprentice of an executioner. Whenever a person was killed, you were always joyful, tying the knot and pulling the rope. Because of these causes and conditions, you have received this punishment. This is the flower retribution; the fruit will be in hell.”
There was another ghost who said to Maudgalyāyana: “This body of mine is always like a lump of meat, without hands, feet, eyes, ears, nose, or the like, and is constantly eaten by insects and birds. Such suffering is unbearable and intolerable. What sin caused this?”
Maudgalyāyana answered, saying: “In your previous life, you often gave others drugs so that sentient beings could not survive with their lives intact. Because of these causes and conditions, you incurred this retribution. This is the flower retribution; the fruit will be in hell.”