法苑珠林 69.12

69.12

'Furthermore, within the womb, either due to the power of past karma or due to the power of the mother not avoiding uneven [conditions], which generates an accordant wind, this embryo is made to be born with abnormalities in hair, colour, skin, and other limbs. As for the abnormal birth of hair, this is caused by bad and unwholesome karma done in past lives that can induce this, as well as by the mother often consuming tastes such as ash and salt in her drinking or eating, which causes this embryo's hair to be sparse and few. As for the abnormal birth of colour, this is caused by past karmic causes as explained before, and due to present conditions such as the mother frequenting smoke and heat, which causes the embryo to be born with a dark complexion. Moreover, if the mother frequents extremely cold rooms and the like, this causes the embryo to be born extremely pale. Moreover, because the mother eats much hot food, this causes the embryo to be born extremely red. As for the abnormal birth of skin, this is caused by past karmic causes as explained before, and due to present conditions such as the mother frequently engaging in sexual desire, which causes the embryo to be born with foul skin such as scabies, tinea, or leprosy. As for the abnormal birth of limbs, this is caused by past karmic causes as explained before, and due to present conditions such as the mother frequently running and leaping, and not avoiding uneven [conditions], which causes the embryo to be born with missing or defective faculties and limbs. Furthermore, if the embryo is to become female, it abides in the mother's right flank, leaning against the backbone and facing the belly; if it is to become male, it abides in the mother's left flank, leaning against the belly and facing the backbone. Furthermore, when this embryo is fully formed, the mother cannot bear this heavy womb; internal winds then arise, producing great pain and distress. Moreover, aroused by this embryo's karmic retribution, the wind of the birth part arises, causing the head to point downward and the feet upward. Wrapped in the amniotic membrane, it approaches the birth canal. When it is actually coming out, the amniotic membrane then tears and separates under the two armpits. When it emerges from the birth canal, this is called the stage of actual birth. After birth, it gradually comes into contact with the contacts of the birth part, namely eye-contact up to mind-contact.'