諸經要集 9.40

9.40

Another ghost said: 'My body is covered all over with tongues growing upon it; an axe comes to chop off the tongues, and as soon as they are cut off, they grow back continuously. It goes on like this without end. What is the reason for this?' Maudgalyāyana replied: 'In your former life, you were a man of the Way. The Saṃgha appointed you to make honey syrup and rock sugar. The chunks were large and hard to dissolve, so you chopped them with an axe, and with a larcenous mind you ate a mouthful. By these causal conditions, your tongues are chopped in return.'