經律異相 48.59

48.59

Through their right view they do not fall into hell; beings such as these, after their lifespans end, are all reborn among the nāgas. The Buddha told the nāga king: 'In the time of Krakucchanda Buddha, ninety-eight hundred million householders and renouncers transgressed their prohibitions and precepts; all were reborn among the nāgas. In the time of Kanakamuni Buddha, eighty hundred million householders and renouncers broke the precepts and indulged their minds; after their lifespans ended, all were reborn among the nāgas. In the time of Kāśyapa Buddha, sixty-four hundred million householders and renouncers violated the precepts; all were reborn among the nāgas. In my world, nine hundred and ninety hundred million householders have quarreled, disputed, and slandered the sūtras and precepts, dying to be reborn among the nāgas—some have already been born. For this reason, the wives, children, and retinues of the nāgas in the great ocean are beyond count. After my nirvāṇa, many evil upāsakas who violate and lose the prohibitions and precepts shall be reborn among the nāgas, or fall into hell.' (Extracted from the Sūtra of the Sāgara Nāga King, Fascicle 2).