法苑珠林 70.9

70.9

又雜寶藏經說。時有一鬼。白目連言。大德。我腹極大如甕。咽喉手足甚細如鍼。不得飲食。何因緣故受如此苦。目連答言。汝前世時作聚落主。自恃豪貴飲食從衡。輕欺餘人。奪其飲食。飢困眾生。由是因緣。受如此罪。此是華報。地獄苦果方在後也。

Furthermore, the *Saṃyuktaratnapiṭaka-sūtra* says: At that time there was a ghost who said to Maudgalyāyana: "Venerable One! My belly is huge like a vat, while my throat, hands, and feet are as thin as needles, so that I cannot eat or drink. What was the cause for receiving such suffering?" Maudgalyāyana answered: "In your previous life you were a village chieftain. Relying on your nobility, you indulged freely in food and drink, looked down upon and cheated other people, snatched their food and drink, and starved sentient beings. Due to this cause, you receive such punishment. This is [only] the preliminary blossom of retribution; the bitter fruit of hell lies yet in the future."