法苑珠林 70.13

70.13

故地持論云。妄語之罪亦令眾生墮三惡道。若生人中得二種果報。一者多被誹謗。二者為人所誑。何故妄語墮於地獄。緣其妄語不實。使人虛爾生苦。是以身死受地獄苦。何故妄語出為畜生。以其欺妄乖人誠信。所以出獄受畜生報。何故妄語復為餓鬼。緣其妄語皆因貪欺。慳欺罪故復為餓鬼。何故為人多被誹謗。以其妄語不誠實故。何故妄語為人所誑。以其妄語欺誘人故。當知妄語四大苦也。

Therefore the *Bodhisattvabhūmi-śāstra* says: "The sin of false speech also causes sentient beings to fall into the three evil destinies. If born among humans, one receives two kinds of retribution: first, frequently being slandered; second, being deceived by others." Why does false speech lead to a fall into hell? Because false speech is untrue and causes people to suffer in vain; therefore, when the body dies, one receives the suffering of hell. Why does false speech lead to emerging as an animal? Because deceit and falsehood violate human good faith; therefore, emerging from hell, one receives animal retribution. Why does false speech lead to becoming a hungry ghost? Because false speech is always rooted in greed and deceit; due to the sin of stinginess and deceit, one becomes a hungry ghost. Why, as a human, is one frequently slandered? Because of one's false speech and lack of sincerity. Why, through false speech, is one deceived by others? Because through false speech one deceived and misled others. One should know that false speech brings four great sufferings.