法苑珠林 72.31

72.31

Next, relying on the treatise, it asks: An intermediate being is subtle; all walls, cliffs, trees, and the like cannot obstruct it. Do these intermediate beings obstruct one another? Some say: These intermediate beings also do not obstruct one another, because they are extremely subtle, and when their bodies touch one another, they do not perceive it. Others say: These intermediate beings also obstruct one another, because when they encounter each other, they speak with one another. Question: If so, how can one say that an intermediate being is unobstructed? Answer: It is unobstructed with respect to other things, not with respect to other intermediate beings. Question: Do all intermediate beings obstruct one another? Answer: Those of the same class obstruct one another, but not those of different classes. That is, a hell-destined intermediate being only obstructs another hell-destined intermediate being, and so forth up to a heaven-destined intermediate being only obstructing another heaven-destined intermediate being. Some say: The inferior obstructs the superior because it is coarse and heavy; the superior does not obstruct the inferior because it is subtle and light. That is, a hell-destined intermediate being obstructs five kinds of intermediate beings, an animal intermediate being obstructs four kinds of intermediate beings, a hungry-ghost intermediate being obstructs three kinds of intermediate beings, a human intermediate being obstructs two kinds of intermediate beings, and a heavenly intermediate being obstructs only heavenly intermediate beings.