諸經要集 19.92

19.92

Furthermore, the *Dṛṣṭānta-sūtra* (*Piyu jing*) says: The Buddha was walking by a riverbank with Ānanda, when they saw five hundred hungry ghosts singing and chanting as they walked. They also saw several hundred fine people weeping and crying as they passed. Ānanda asked the Buddha: 'Why are the ghosts singing and dancing, while the humans are weeping and crying?' The Buddha answered Ānanda: 'The children and relatives of the hungry ghosts' families have made merit on their behalf, so that they are about to attain liberation; therefore they sing and dance. The children and relatives of the fine people's families only engage in slaughter, with none making merit for them, and afterward the great fire will press upon them; therefore they weep and cry.'