法苑珠林 62.21

62.21

Furthermore, the Dīrgha-āgama says: "In all the dwellings and houses inhabited by the people, there are ghosts and spirits; none is empty. In the alleys, lanes, highways, slaughterhouses, markets, and upon the mountains and graves, there are ghosts and spirits; there is no empty place. All ghosts and spirits take their names according to that upon which they depend. When a person is newly born, there are always ghosts and spirits who follow and protect them. When a person is about to die, ghosts collect their vital energy. For a person who commits the ten unvirtuous actions (daśākuśala), hundreds or thousands share a single spirit to protect them. For one who practices the ten virtuous actions, it is as if a king were guarded and attended by hundreds of thousands of men." Furthermore, the Shifang piyu jing says: "The ghosts and spirits in the heavens above and beneath the heavens know human life spans, sins, and merits, whether they are yet to arrive or have already arrived. But they cannot give life to humans, they cannot kill humans, and they cannot make humans wealthy, noble, poor, or lowly. They merely wish to cause humans to do evil and commit slaughter. Taking advantage of human decline and exhaustion, they go to cause disturbance, speaking of their misfortunes and fortunes so as to make humans inclined to offer sacrifices." (Hence we know that in vainly sacrificing to ghosts and spirits to seek present blessings, it is difficult to obtain any effect.) Furthermore, in the Lalitavistara, at that time Kāśyapa reported to the Buddha in verse: