諸經要集 18.45

18.45

"Third, there are sentient beings whose bodies are long and large, deaf and foolish, lacking feet and writhing along on their bellies, sustaining their lives solely by eating mud and earth, and being bitten and eaten by small insects. They constantly suffer this unbearable agony. What sin brought this about?" The Buddha said: "In their past lives, it was due to being willful and refusing to believe in good and wholesome words, not being filial to parents, and defying the lords of their time. If they were emperors, kings, ministers, regional governors, commandery or county magistrates, or prison superintendents, they relied on their power and prestige to seize the people's property without any justification, making them suffer emaciation and weep as they walked. Therefore they incurred this sinful retribution."