經律異相 14.33

14.33

When Maudgalyāyana first attained the Way, wishing to deliver his parents to repay the kindness of being suckled, he saw his deceased mother born among hungry ghosts, seeing neither drink nor food, with her skin and bones clinging together. Maudgalyāyana was deeply grieved, and immediately filled a bowl with food and went to feed his mother. His mother took the bowl of food, but before it entered her mouth, it turned into blazing coals. Maudgalyāyana hurried back and recounted this matter in full. The Buddha said: 'Your mother's roots of sin are deeply entrenched; it is beyond the power of your lone self. You must rely on the awesome spiritual power of the assembly of monks to attain deliverance. On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, for one's parents of seven lifetimes who are in distress, prepare food, the five fruits, water-drawing jars, basins and vessels, incense, oil, candles, couches, mats, and bedding—exhausting the sweet and delicious things of the world—to make offerings to the assembly of monks. On that day, all the holy ones—śrāvakas of the six supernatural knowledges, pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas manifesting as monks within the great assembly—all with one mind receive the bowl and patra, complete with pure precepts. For whoever makes offerings to these monks, their parents of seven lifetimes and five kinds of relatives will escape the three wretched destinies, immediately obtain deliverance, and receive clothing and food naturally.' The Buddha instructed the assembly of monks that they must all practice dhyāna concentration for the sake of the donor's parents of seven lifetimes, and only then eat the offerings (from the *Ullambana-sūtra*).