法苑珠林 6.11

6.11

As for the second, the peripheral abodes: as the *Mahāvibhāṣā* says, they are also variable, having two kinds: first, those with majesty and virtue; second, those without majesty and virtue. Those with majesty and virtue live in mountain valleys, or in mid-air, or on the seashore; all possess palaces and their retribution surpasses that of humans. Those without majesty and virtue may dwell dependent on impure filth and dung, or take lodging in grasses, trees, and tombs, or dwell in hidden latrines and derelict sites; none possess houses, and their retribution is inferior to that of humans. Furthermore, as the treatise says, ghosts dwell throughout all four continents. In the eastern and western directions, there are ghosts both with and without majesty and virtue. In the northern direction, there are only ghosts with majesty and virtue, and none without majesty and virtue, because their retribution is superior like this. Up to the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, there are also ghosts and spirits of majesty and virtue dwelling there, answering to the bidding of those devas; from above that, in the higher heavens, there are no more abodes [for them]. Therefore, the newly translated *Mahāvibhāṣā* also says: "Among the assemblies of the Four Great Heavenly Kings and in the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, there are only ghosts of great majesty and virtue, who serve with the assemblies of devas as gatekeepers, patrol guards, guides, attendants, and servants." Some say: "To the west of this Jambudvīpa there are five hundred islets arranged in two rows. (According to the old *Mahāvibhāṣā*, to the west of Jambudvīpa there are five hundred ghost cities, and among these five hundred there are naturally two distinctions.) Among the two rows of islets there are five hundred cities: two hundred and fifty cities have ghosts with majesty and virtue dwelling in them, and two hundred and fifty cities have ghosts without majesty and virtue dwelling in them. For this reason, in the past there was a wheel-turning king (cakravartin) named Nimi who said to his charioteer Mātali: 'I wish to go touring; you should guide the chariot along this road, so that I may see sentient beings receiving the fruits of good and evil.' Then Mātali followed the king's instruction and guided the chariot between the two rows of islets. At that time, the king saw those ghosts with majesty and virtue, with flower garlands on their heads, celestial garments on their bodies, eating sweet and delicious food just like sons of devas, riding on elephants, horses, and carriages, each sporting and amusing themselves. He saw the ghosts without majesty and virtue, with dishevelled hair, naked without clothing, of withered and emaciated complexion, covering themselves with their hair, holding earthenware vessels and going about begging. Having seen this, he deeply believed in the karmic fruits of good and evil." Question: "What are the shapes of those in the ghost destiny?" Answer: "The majority are like humans, but there are also animal-like forms; some have faces like pigs, or like various other vicious birds and beasts, just like the painted figures on walls today." Question: "What is their language?" Answer: "When the kalpa first formed, all spoke the sacred tongue (Āryan speech). Later, according to place, they spoke various languages. Some say: depending on where they die and are born here, they take that form and make that speech." The critique says: "One should not speak thus. If someone dies in the formless realm (ārūpyadhātu) and comes to be born in this destiny, could they be without form and without speech? One should say: corresponding to the place where they are born, their speech and form are likewise."