經律異相 45.10

45.10

Formerly, to the east of Rājagṛha, there was an old mother who was stingy, greedy, and lacked faith. Her maidservant was diligent, constantly practicing a compassionate mind, thinking of benefiting sentient beings in two ways: first, not pouring hot water on the ground; second, always giving leftover grains from washing vessels to others. The old mother fell ill and barely had breath; her spirit was led into hell. She saw carriages of fire, charcoal pits, boiling cauldrons, mountains of knives, and trees of swords, with ten thousand kinds of suffering and torment. The old mother, seeing this, asked, "What is this place?" The hell wardens replied, "This is hell. East of Rājagṛha there is a stingy, greedy old mother who should enter here." Knowing it was herself, the old mother was terrified, sorrowful, and shaken. Proceeding a little further forward, there were palaces made of the seven treasures, hundreds of thousands of courtesans, and all kinds of rare treasures. She asked, "What is this place?" They answered, "A heavenly palace. East of Rājagṛha, a stingy, greedy old mother has a maidservant who is diligent; when her life ends, she will be born here." The old mother suddenly revived, clearly remembered what had just happened, and said to the maid, "You are destined to be born in heaven. You are my maidservant; how could you enjoy it alone? You must share it with me!" The maid replied, "If such a thing were possible, I would certainly obey your command. But I fear that good and evil follow one's form like a shadow, and they cannot be shared." The mother thereupon ceased to be stingy or greedy, and extensively cultivated meritorious deeds (from the Miscellaneous Avadāna Sūtra).