諸經要集 12.93

12.93

第十三中陰有者。地獄眾生。希有難得生於天上。餘善因緣。如業成熟。是地獄人以業盡故。將欲得脫。從此地獄臨命終時則有相現。命欲終時。若諸獄卒擲置鑊中。猶如水沫滅已不生。若以棒打。隨打即死不復更生。若置鐵函。置已即死。不復更生。若置灰河。入已消融。不復更生。若鐵棒打。隨打即死滅已不生。若諸鐵鳥食已不生。若諸惡獸噉已不生。是地獄人惡業既盡。命終之後。不復見於閻羅獄卒。如油炷盡則無燈發。地獄中陰有相不現。忽於虛空中見有第一歌舞戲笑。香風觸身受第一樂。欲近生有。或生三十三天。或生四天王天。是名第十三中陰有也。

Thirteenth, regarding the intermediate existence: it is rare and difficult for beings in hell to be reborn in heaven. Through the causes and conditions of residual good [karma], as their karma ripens, because their karma is exhausted, these hell-dwellers are about to gain release. When their life in this hell is about to end, signs appear. When life is about to end, if the hell wardens throw them into a cauldron, like water foam, once extinguished they are not reborn [there]. If they strike them with clubs, they die immediately upon being struck and are not reborn [there] again. If placed in an iron casket, having been placed in it they die immediately and are not reborn [there] again. If placed in the River of Ashes, having entered it they dissolve and are not reborn [there] again. If struck with iron clubs, they die immediately upon being struck and, having ceased, are not reborn [there]. If eaten by iron birds, they are not reborn [there]. If devoured by vicious beasts, they are not reborn [there]. When the evil karma of these hell-dwellers has been exhausted, after death they no longer see the hell wardens of Yama. Just as when oil and wick are exhausted no lamp flares, the intermediate existence of hell does not appear. Suddenly in empty space they see supreme singing, dancing, playing, and laughing; a fragrant breeze touches their bodies, and they experience supreme bliss. Wanting to approach the existence of birth, they are reborn either in the Heaven of the Thirty-Three or in the Heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings. This is called the thirteenth intermediate existence.