法苑珠林 70.16

70.16

故地持論云。惡口之罪亦令眾生墮三惡道若生人中得二種果報。一者常聞惡音。二者所可言說常有諍訟。何故惡口墮於地獄。以其惡口皆欲害人。人聞為苦。所以命終受地獄苦。何故惡口出為畜生。以其惡口罵人以為畜生。所以出獄即為畜生。何故惡口復為餓鬼。緣其慳悋干觸則罵。所以畜生苦畢復為餓鬼。何故惡口為人常聞惡音。以其發言麁鄙所聞常惡。何故惡口所可言說常有諍訟。以其惡口違逆眾德。有所說言常致諍訟。當知惡口六大苦也。

Therefore the *Bodhisattvabhūmi-śāstra* says: "The sin of harsh speech also causes sentient beings to fall into the three evil destinies. If born among humans, one receives two kinds of retribution: first, constantly hearing harsh sounds; second, whatever one says always leads to disputes." Why does harsh speech lead to a fall into hell? Because harsh speech always intends to harm people, and people suffer upon hearing it; therefore, at the end of life, one receives the suffering of hell. Why does harsh speech lead to emerging as an animal? Because with harsh speech one scolded people as animals; therefore, emerging from hell, one becomes an animal. Why does harsh speech lead to becoming a hungry ghost? Because of stinginess, whenever offended, one scolds; therefore, when animal suffering ends, one becomes a hungry ghost. Why does harsh speech cause one, as a human, to constantly hear harsh sounds? Because one uttered coarse and base words, what one hears is constantly harsh. Why does whatever one says always lead to disputes? Because harsh speech goes against all virtues, whatever one says always brings about disputes. One should know that harsh speech brings six great sufferings.