[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [宗鏡錄](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt) › 63.8 # 宗鏡錄 63.8 English (machine translation) 63.8 - **Language:** English ### [63.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.63.8) The answer is: Because of lack of correspondence. What does this mean? There are five meanings according to which the hell masters, crows, dogs, and the like are not sentient beings. What are the five? First, just as the sinful sentient beings in hell experience diverse sufferings, if the hell masters and the like were sentient beings, they also should experience diverse sufferings in this way. Yet they exclusively do not experience such diverse sufferings and afflictions. For this reason, they are not sentient beings. Second, if the hell masters and the like were sentient beings, they would mutually kill and harm one another, and it would be impossible to distinguish, 'This is a sinful person, and this is a master, etc.' Yet in reality they do not mutually kill and harm one another, and it is possible to distinguish, 'This is a sinful person, and this is a hell master.' For this reason, they are not sentient beings. Third, if the hell masters and the like were sentient beings, having physical forms and strengths \[like others\], they should mutually kill and harm one another, and they should not be feared only by those undergoing retribution for sins. Yet in reality they are feared exclusively by sinful persons. For this reason, they are not sentient beings. Fourth, the ground of that hell is constantly burning iron. If the hell masters and the like were sentient beings, they would be unable to endure the pain; how could they harm those persons undergoing retribution for sins? Yet in reality they are able to harm those persons undergoing retribution for sins. For this reason, they are not sentient beings. Fifth, if the hell masters and the like were sentient beings and not persons undergoing retribution for sins, they should not be born in that hell. Yet in reality they are born in that hell. For this reason, they are not sentient beings. What does this mean? Those sentient beings undergoing suffering in that hell have created the evil sinful karma of the five inexpiable offenses and the like, and are born therein. The hell masters and the like have not created evil karma; how could they be born there? Due to these five meanings, it is called 'lack of correspondence'. - [Previous: 63.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.63.7) - [Next: 63.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.63.9) - [Up: 63](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.63) ## Linked texts (1) - [宗鏡錄](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016.63.8) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.63.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2016~en-mt.63.8) · Pramāṇa