法苑珠林 6.5

6.5

Now, discussing the nature of ghosts and spirits, they are particularly fond of the bizarre and demonic; in their dark obscurity, transgressions and evils are especially abundant. Some dwell in secluded crags, or temporarily abide on high mounds, within deep ravines and thick groves, or amidst desolate wilds and overgrown fields. With strange kinds of voices and peculiar appearances, they agitate common consciousness and terrify foolish sentiments. Assuming majesty and radiance, they falsely create monstrous forms: either bird-shaped, fish-bodied, human-faced with beastly hearts; or drumming music with stringed songs, beating mallets and ringing bells. All such kinds as these make confession. As for the shrines and temples of the Nine Provinces and the spirits of the myriad states—Taibo of Gusu, Jizi of Yanling, Wenming of the rivers of Yu, Xuzhu of the cave-marshes, the Water God Ruo and mountain spirits, the Wind Master and Rain Count, Fenglong and Lieque, Huilu and Linghou—whether mounting bamboo as dragons or making flying ducks substitute for wild geese, their forms rely on high shrines, their bodies adhere to multistoried pavilions; sending rain back and forth, dividing the wind above and below; reaching to the Yellow-Headed Great Generals, needle-haired ghosts and spirits, Śūlī, Lekhna, Bandha, rākṣasas, their three thousand retinues and five hundred partisans—for all of them, confession is made. Furthermore, there are those with the heaviest obstructions, named hungry ghosts: their eyes gleam like lightning, their gullets are narrow like needles; they do not hear the name of water or broth, and are forever cut off from the taste of non-glutinous grain. Fire bursts out from their joints at once, and their movements sound like five hundred carts. May today's wholesome roots all shower upon them; let us vow that hungry and thirsty ghosts will find food and drink naturally, that demonic and seductive ghosts and spirits will no longer be flattering and deceitful, that they will glorify the Buddha-Dharma and protect the worldly realm, guarding images and defending sūtras, constantly extending offerings, recording goodness and noting evil, forever receiving spiritual cultivation.