釋氏要覽 2.376

2.376

They are also called *asura*. The *Sāgara-nāgarāja-paripṛcchā-sūtra* says: 'Here this means spirits without goodness.' The *Mahāvibhāṣā-śāstra* states: '*Asura* here means "non-god" (*feitian*). Furthermore, *sura* means handsome, and *a* means non-; this refers to their bodily forms not being handsome.' The *Śūraṅgama-sūtra* states: 'If, within the ghost destiny, through the power of protecting the Dharma they attain supernormal powers and enter into space, being born from eggs, they are subsumed under the ghost destiny. If their virtue declines from among the gods and they fall, taking up residence adjacent to the sun and moon, being born from wombs, they are subsumed under the human destiny. If through the power of sustaining the world, with penetrating fearlessness, they are able to contend for power with Brahmā, Śakra, and the Four Heavenly Kings, existing by transformation, they are subsumed under the divine destiny. There is a low and inferior kind that is born in the depths of the great ocean, submerged in the mouths of watery caves, wandering in empty space by morning and returning to roost in the water by evening; born from moisture, they are subsumed under the animal destiny.'