慈悲道場懺法 4.3

4.3

Furthermore, a ghost asked Maudgalyāyana: "Throughout my entire life, I have had a large bronze cauldron upon my shoulders filled with molten copper. I scoop it out with a ladle and pour it over my own head, suffering pain that is unbearable. What sin has caused this?" Maudgalyāyana answered: "When you were a human, you acted as the monastery's karmadāna (weina) in charge of the affairs of the monastic community. There was a jar of clarified butter that you hid away in a secluded place, failing to distribute it in accordance with the proper time. You waited until the guest monks had departed and only then distributed it to the permanent residents. Clarified butter is property of the cāturdiśa-saṅgha (monastery of the four quarters), in which all have a share. Because you acted unrighteously and begrudged the communal goods, you have incurred this retribution through these causes and conditions. This present state is merely your preliminary blossom retribution; your full fruit will be in hell."