經律異相 50.17

50.17

Thereupon he forms this thought: 'My body is frail and can no longer bear sensual matters. If I could obtain this sharp sword to sever my heart, would that not be pleasant?' As he forms this thought, his breath ceases, his life ends, and he receives the body of a hungry ghost. Amid the sword trees, iron pellets magically appear; entering his mouth from the crown of his head, they exit, scorching and rotting his intestines and stomach. The hell wardens strike and beat him, driving him to climb the trees. Iron-beaked insects devour him, and in fright he climbs the trees. Revolving in this manner, he passes through the entire sword forest. In a single day and night, there are eighty thousand deaths and births. After his penalty is finished, he is born into an era of famine and a kalpa of epidemics. He becomes a lowly person whose breath is perpetually foul and whom people hate to see. Later, he meets a good spiritual friend and gives rise to the bodhicitta.