佛說觀佛三昧海經 5.30

5.30

The Buddha said to Ānanda: "What is called the Iron Pellet Hell? As for the Iron Pellet Hell: it is eighty yojanas across, filled with an iron city of eighty-eight partitions. Within each partition there are five sword-mountains used to cover it above; below are eighteen greatly evil iron serpents. The serpents all stick out their tongues, and from their tongues issue iron swords, with fire burning at the tips of the swords. In the world there are foolish sentient beings who slander and revile generosity, saying that giving has no retribution, and encourage people to hoard and store up. Such foolish people speak to kings, ministers, śramaṇas, brāhmaṇas, and all the multitude, saying that giving has neither cause nor fruit of retribution. When such a sinner is about to die, their neck stiffens, their pulse contracts, they turn away without speaking, and, disliking the sight of people, they lie looking downwards, thinking only in their heart: 'If only the treasures I have amassed could stay with me, how unspeakably delightful that would be!' The hell-warden rākṣasas transform into their wife, holding hot iron pellets disguised as precious vessels, and in front of that person they say: 'I shall follow you in death, clinging to you, and we shall never part.' Their breath ceases, their life ends, and they are born in the iron city. Running east and west, the iron serpents emit venom and coil around their bodies, fire burning at each of their joints. They immediately form this thought: 'May Heaven have pity on me and send down a shower of sweet rain!' In response to their thought, there immediately rains down great hot iron pellets, which enter through the crown of their head and exit beneath their feet. When their retribution is complete, they become poor, solitary, and mute persons; the number of years this person spends is as described for the Iron Cavern. Later, they meet a kalyāṇamitra and give rise to the bodhicitta."