經律異相 50.22

50.22

As for the Hell of the Iron Cavern: It is the supreme method of suffering among the hungry ghosts. There is an iron mountain, measuring exactly twenty-five yojanas in length and breadth. On the mountain there are further five million billion large, red-hot iron pellets, each round iron pellet measuring exactly thirteen yojanas across. Amid the mountain there are also hundreds of thousands of swords and blades. At that time, a small hole opens on the eastern side of that mountain, the size of a Magadhan drona, emitting only black smoke. Because of stinginess and craving, binding attachments, and a mind like adamantine, seeking only for gain without satiety, giving nothing to parents, wives, or children, viewing the instructions of teachers and elders as filth, and giving no food or clothing to slaves, relatives, or friends—such a stingy person does not reflect on impermanence, but protects his wealth as he would his own eyes. When his life is about to end, his sense organs close up, his mouth is shut and he cannot speak, and he silently thinks in his heart: 'After I die, these evil people will consume my wealth like eating iron pellets and reside in my cavern dwelling as if in a dark room.' Having formed this thought, the hell warden transforms into a stingy man who collects much wealth and burns it with fire. The sinner's heart rejoices; his breath ceases and his life ends, and he is born on the fire mountain, as if inside an iron cavern cast of molten copper. Sword-insects and blade-insects devour his torso; smoke blurs his eyes so that he cannot see the flames. Running back and forth, he smashes his head against the iron mountain. Iron pellets penetrate from the crown of his head through his feet; he dies and is born in an instant. When his penalty is finished, he emerges to be born among hungry ghosts, his body tens of yojanas tall, his throat like a needle-case, and his belly like a great mountain. Seeking food everywhere, molten copper is poured down his throat for eight thousand years. He is born among ghosts that eat pus, saliva, and blood, and is further born as an outhouse deity, a pig, a dog, and the like. When his penalty is finished, he is finally born in a poor, lowly place without clothing or food. Meeting a good spiritual friend, he gives rise to the bodhicitta.