諸經要集 13.61

13.61

Therefore the Bodhisattvabhūmi says: The sin of meaningless speech also causes sentient beings to fall into the three evil destinies. If born among humans, they receive two kinds of retribution: first, none of their words are trusted and accepted by others; second, whatever they say cannot be clearly understood. Why does meaningless speech lead to falling into hell? Since the speech is devoid of meaning, it results in harm to others; therefore, at the end of life they suffer the pains of hell. Why does meaningless speech lead to emerging as an animal? Because their speech was meaningless, it contradicted human principles; therefore, emerging from hell they receive an animal's body. Why does meaningless speech further lead to becoming a hungry ghost? Because their speech was meaningless, they were obstructed by stinginess and delusion; due to stinginess and delusion, they become hungry ghosts. Why does the sin of meaningless speech cause one born as a human to have their words distrusted and rejected by others? Because their speech was meaningless, it was not worthy of acceptance. Why does meaningless speech cause whatever is said to be unclear? Since their speech was meaningless, it all stemmed from dim obscurity; as the retribution of dim obscurity, it cannot be clear. One should know that meaningless speech brings about the seventh great suffering.