諸經要集 19.79

19.79

又雜寶藏經云。昔日有一婆羅門。事廟室天。晝夜奉事。天即問言。汝求何等。婆羅門言。我今求作此天祀主。天言彼有群牛。汝問最前行者。即如天語。往問彼牛。汝今何似為苦為樂。牛即答言。極為大苦。刺刺兩𦟯柴戾脊破。駕挽載重無休息時。復問言。汝以何緣受是牛形。牛答之言。我是天祀主。自恣極意用天祀物。命終作牛受是苦惱。聞是語已即還天所。天即問言。汝今欲得作天主不。婆羅門言。我觀此事。實不敢作。天言。人行善惡自得其報。婆羅門悔過。即修諸善改往前惡。

Furthermore, the Zabaozang jing states: Formerly, there was a brahman who served the god of a temple shrine, worshipping him day and night. The god asked him, 'What do you seek?' The brahman said, 'I now seek to become the master of this god's shrine.' The god said, 'Over there is a herd of cattle. Go ask the one walking at the very front.' In accordance with the god's words, he went and asked that ox, 'How is it with you now? Is it suffering or pleasure?' The ox replied, 'It is exceedingly great suffering. Pointed goads prick both my flanks; my spine is broken and sore. Harnessing and pulling heavy loads, there is never a time of rest.' He asked again, 'By what cause did you receive this ox's body?' The ox answered, 'I was the master of this god's shrine, and unrestrainedly indulged my desires using the shrine's goods. When my life ended, I became an ox and suffered this affliction.' Having heard these words, he returned to the god's presence. The god asked, 'Do you now still wish to become the god's shrine master or not?' The brahman said, 'Observing this matter, I truly do not dare to do it.' The god said, 'When a person practices good or evil, he naturally receives his retribution.' The brahman repented of his transgression, immediately cultivated all good deeds, and corrected his former evils.