法苑珠林 70.10

70.10

Furthermore, there was a ghost who said to Maudgalyāyana: "Constantly there are two burning-hot iron wheels turning under my two armpits, and my body is scorched and rotting. What was the cause of this?" Maudgalyāyana answered: "In your previous life, when making cakes for the saṃgha, you stole two pieces and clutched them under your two armpits; therefore you receive such punishment. This is the preliminary blossom of retribution; later you will receive the bitter retribution of hell." Furthermore, because of stealing, one's mind is unchaste and unrighteous, and one gives free rein to lust and debauchery. If one is lustful and debauched in the present life, one meets peril and danger in this very life, constantly frightened. Or, when discovered by a husband or neighboring people, one meets misfortune on the spot, weapons and staves applied to the body, head and feet severed, even losing one's life. At death one enters hell, lying on iron beds or embracing bronze pillars, while the hell-ghosts kindle fire to burn one's body. When the sins of hell are exhausted, one must undergo [rebirth as] animals—chickens, ducks, birds, sparrows, dogs, pigs, and flying moths—through immeasurable births and deaths like these, enduring various pains and afflictions for distant kalpas. Once this suffering has ended, by the original cause, if one encounters slight goodness, one may barely regain a human body, but the inner chambers will be lewd and disorderly, one's wives and concubines unchaste, and if there is a favorite, she will be snatched by others; one constantly harbors terror, having much danger and little peace. One should know that danger and suffering are entirely due to sexual misconduct.