諸經要集 18.60

18.60

"Eighteenth, there are sentient beings who have no sons from birth to old age, living lonely and solitary lives. What sin brought this about?" The Buddha said: "In their past lives, it was due to being violent and evil, not believing in sin and merit; when myriad birds were hatching their broods, they took bottles and vessels and went along the shores of great waters seeking and gathering the eggs of swans, cranes, parrots, geese, and various birds, carrying them home on shoulder poles to boil and eat them, so that the birds lost their young and cried out in agony until blood wept from their eyes. Therefore they incurred this sinful retribution."