經律異相 46.62

46.62

Yet another ghost asked, saying, 'Having received this body, on my shoulder there is always a copper vessel filled with molten copper. In my hand I hold a ladle and pour it over my own head, and my whole body is scorched and rotted away. I suffer countless and boundless agony like this. What offense is it?' He answered, saying, 'In your previous life, you went forth into the religious life to practice the Way. You were in charge of food and drink for the Saṅgha. You secretly placed a vessel of ghee in another place; when visiting monks arrived, you did not give it to them. After they left, you brought out the ghee and distributed it only to the resident monks. This ghee belonged to the universal Saṅgha and all had a share in it. You concealed it and, though you distributed it, did not do so equally. It is due to this cause that you suffer this retribution.' (Extracted from the Za zang jing)