法苑珠林 62.30

62.30

Furthermore, the Mahāvibhāṣā-śāstra says: Suppose a person seeks wealth unlawfully, and when obtaining it, due to stinginess, has no intention of giving even to their own family members, much less to other people. Because they lack the intention to give, when the body breaks up at the end of life, they fall among the hungry ghosts. If they reside near their original house in an impure latrine of feces and filth, their relatives give rise to a pained mind and think: "They accumulated wealth and goods without using them themselves, nor did they give them to others." Out of distress, wishing to give them food, they invite relatives, close friends, acquaintances, śramaṇas, and brāhmaṇas to provide food and drink. At that time, the hungry ghost sees it in person and, regarding the relatives and wealth as their own, thinks: "Such wealth was accumulated by me; now it is given to others," feeling great joy in their heart and giving rise to faith and reverence toward the field of merit (puṇyakṣetra). If they are born in other destinies, they mostly do not obtain its power. Even if the deceased person does not obtain this merit, performing wholesome deeds for their sake brings great benefit to oneself, just as giving rise to loving-kindness always brings merit to oneself.