諸經要集 20.72

20.72

The Buddha told the monks: 'In the time of Vipaśyin Buddha, there was a group of merchants who entered the sea to gather jewels. Having obtained great treasures, they returned safely. Selecting the finest of the jewels, they offered them to the saṃgha to provide for the saṃgha's meals. The saṃgha received the jewels and entrusted them to a monastery steward (māmaka). Later, when the saṃgha's provisions were running out, they asked him for them, but he would not give them. When the monks urgently demanded them, the steward grew angry and said to them: “You eat shit! These jewels belong to me; on what grounds do you demand them?” Because of his deceit of the saṃgha and his harsh scolding, when his body broke up and life ended, he fell into the Avīci Hell. His body constantly rolled about in boiling excrement for ninety-one kalpas. Then, emerging from hell, he fell into this place now. From the time of the seven Buddhas onward, he has always been this worm, and up to the thousand Buddhas of the Fortunate Kalpa, it will be so for each and every one.'