法苑珠林 6.61

6.61

As the *Mahāvibhāṣā* says: Among ghosts, the suffering ones are those ghosts without mighty virtue; constantly hungry and thirsty, for successive years they do not even hear the name of broth or water—how could they ever encounter sweet delicacies? Even if they come upon a great river and wish to drink, it immediately turns into torches of fire; even if it enters their mouths, their bellies immediately rot and scorch. Are not those of this kind truly suffering? The second, those among ghosts who experience joy, are those among the ghosts of mighty virtue who are wealthy and well-supplied, their food and clothing coming naturally; they wear heavenly garments on their bodies and eat heavenly offerings with their mouths; their demeanor is constantly leisurely and unrestrained; riding briskly on mounts, they play and roam as they please—how do they differ from devas? Are not those of this kind truly joyful? Question: 'Since they have such joy, they would be superior to humans. Why then do the sūtras say that humans and ghosts belong to distinct realms?' Answer: 'When the sūtras say that ghosts and spirits are inferior to the human realm, two points are briefly stated: First, the retribution they receive is not as public and prominent as that of humans; because those ghosts and spirits hide by day and roam by night, they are inferior to humans. Second, in cowardice and great fear they are inferior to humans; although they possess mighty virtue, because their karmic retribution is inferior, they constantly fear humans; even if they encounter humans day or night, they always avoid the road and hide themselves secretly.' Question: 'Since they are inferior to humans, how do they obtain retribution of mighty virtue equal to devas?' Answer: 'Because in a previous life they practiced dāna on a grand scale, they attained this retribution of mighty virtue; but because in a previous life they were flattering, crooked, and dishonest, they received this ghost path.'