法苑珠林 23.44

23.44

Furthermore, the Sūtra on the Four Grades of Study says: Ordinary worldly folk may sometimes be inferior to beasts, and beasts may sometimes surpass humans. Why is this? If a human commits offenses without stopping, upon death he enters hell; when the retribution for his offenses is finished, he only then becomes a hungry ghost; when the offenses of the hungry ghost are finished, he changes into a beast; when the offenses of the beast are finished, he then returns to human form. Because he finishes his offenses while among beasts, he then attains human form. Therefore, one should do good and honor the teachings of the Three Honored Ones, departing forever from the three evil destinies, enjoying the blessings of devas and humans, and ultimately attaining everlasting liberation.