諸經要集 15.44

15.44

The Baiyuan jing also says: The Buddha was in the Kalandaka Bamboo Grove in Rājagṛha. At that time, Maudgalyāyana was beneath a tree and saw a hungry ghost whose body was like a scorched pillar, whose belly was as large as a mountain, whose throat was like a fine needle, and whose hair was like awls and knives wrapping around and piercing its body. Flames burned between all its joints; it was parched with thirst to the point of death, its lips and mouth scorched dry. Whenever it approached a river or spring, it would dry up; even if heaven sent down sweet rain, falling upon its body it all turned to fire. Maudgalyāyana immediately asked about its karmic causes. The hungry ghost replied: “I am too parched and exhausted to answer you; go ask the Buddha yourself.” Maudgalyāyana immediately went to the Buddha's place, recounted the previous events in detail, and asked the Buddha at length: “What karma did it commit in a past life to suffer such torment?” At that time, the Bhagavat told Maudgalyāyana: “Listen closely now; I shall analyze and explain it for you. In this Bhadrakalpa, in the country of Vārāṇasī, a Buddha appeared in the world named Kāśyapa. There was a śramaṇa traveling along the road who suffered severely from heat and thirst. At that time, there was a woman named Evil View drawing water beside a well. The monk begged for water from her. The woman replied to him: ‘Even if you die of thirst, I will never give to you; it would diminish my water and I could not carry it away.’ At that time, since the śramaṇa did not receive water, he continued on his way. That woman was furthermore stingy and greedy, and whenever anyone came begging, she never gave. Later, after she died, she fell among the hungry ghosts; because of these karmic causes, she suffers such torment.” The Buddha told Maudgalyāyana: “If you wish to know who that woman was who would not give water at that time, she is this hungry ghost.” When the Buddha explained this karmic condition of Evil View, various bhikṣus abandoned the karma of stinginess and greed, some attaining the four fruits of a śramaṇa, and some giving rise to the mind of unexcelled bodhi. Hearing what the Buddha said, they rejoiced and practiced accordingly.