經律異相 46.53

46.53

復有一鬼言。我常有七枚熱鐵丸直入我口。入腹五藏燋爛。出還復入。何因故受此罪。目連答言。汝前世時作沙彌。行果瓜子到其師所。敬其師故偏心多與實長七枚。

Another ghost said, "I constantly have seven red-hot iron pellets go straight into my mouth, enter my belly, and scorch and rot my five internal organs; after coming out, they go back in again. Due to what cause do I receive this retribution?" Maudgalyāyana replied, "In your former life, you were a novice monk (śrāmaṇera). When distributing fruits and melons to your teacher, out of reverence for your teacher you were partial and gave him more, specifically an excess of seven pieces."