English
English version: The ghost swallowed a mouthful. Maudgalyāyana (目连) said, 'Because of this cause and condition, the axe will chop your tongue.' Another ghost said to Maudgalyāyana (目连), 'I constantly have seven hot iron balls that directly enter my mouth. After entering my abdomen, my five internal organs are scorched and rotten. After exiting, they re-enter. What cause and condition leads me to suffer such a punishment?' Maudgalyāyana (目连) replied, 'In your previous life, you were a Śrāmaṇera (沙弥, Buddhist term for a young male novice), bringing fruits to your teacher. Out of respect for your teacher, you favored him by giving more. In reality, you gave seven extra fruits, and therefore you suffer this punishment. This is just a minor retribution (花报, a lighter consequence), and you will later endure the retribution of hell.' Another ghost said to Maudgalyāyana (目连), 'I constantly have two hot iron wheels spinning under my armpits, scorching and rotting my body. What is the cause of this?' Maudgalyāyana (目连) replied, 'In your previous life, you made cakes for the Sangha (众僧, Buddhist monastic community). Out of greed, you stole two cakes and hid them under your armpits, and therefore you suffer this punishment. This is just a minor retribution, and you will later endure the retribution of hell.' Another hungry ghost said to Maudgalyāyana (目连), 'My flesh ball is extremely large, like a jar. When walking, I carry it on my shoulder, and when stopping, I sit on it. Advancing and retreating are both painful. What is the cause of this?' Maudgalyāyana (目连) replied, 'In your previous life, you were a market administrator. You often used light scales and small measures to give to others, and heavy scales and large measures to take from others. You always sought to gain great profit for yourself, encroaching on the benefits of others, and therefore you suffer this punishment. This is just a minor retribution, and the bitter retribution of hell is yet to come.' Another ghost said to Maudgalyāyana (目连), 'I constantly have eyes on both shoulders, and a mouth and nose on my chest, but I constantly have no head. What is the cause of this?' Maudgalyāyana (目连) replied, 'In your previous life, you were often an assistant to the executioner. Whenever you killed a criminal, you always felt joy in your heart, and you used a rope to tie up the criminal's hair and pull it. Because of this cause and condition, you suffer this punishment. This is just a minor retribution for your evil deeds, and the bitter retribution of hell is yet to come.' Another ghost said to Maudgalyāyana (目连), 'I constantly have hot iron needles entering and exiting my body, and I suffer endlessly. What is the cause of this?' Maudgalyāyana (目连) replied, 'In your previous life...' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
，作调马师，或作调象师。象马难制，汝以铁针刺脚；又时牛迟，亦以针刺，是故受罪如是。此恶行华报，地狱苦果方在后耳。” 复有一鬼，白目连言：“我身常有火出，焦热懊恼。何因缘故尔？” 目连答言：“汝前世时，作国王夫人。更一夫人，王甚幸爱，常生妒心，伺欲危害。值王卧起去，时所爱夫人眠，犹未起着衣。即生恶心，正值作饼，有热麻油，即以灌其腹，腹烂即死。以是因缘，受罪如是。” 复有一鬼，白目连言：“常有旋风，回转我身，不得自在，随意东西，心常恼闷。何因缘故尔？” 目连答言：“汝前世时，常作卜师，或时实语，或时妄语，迷惑人心，不得随意，是故受如此罪。此是华报，地狱苦果在后。” 复有一鬼，白目连言：“我身常如块肉，无有手脚、眼、耳、鼻等，恒为虫、鸟所食，罪苦难堪。何因缘故尔？” 目连答言：“汝前世时，常与他药，堕他儿胎，是故受如此罪。此是华报，地狱苦果方在后耳。” 复有一鬼，白目连言：“常有热铁笼，笼落我身，焦热懊恼。何因缘故，受如此罪？” 目连答言：“汝前世时，常以罗网掩捕鱼鸟，是故受如此罪。此是恶行华报，苦果在后。” 复有一鬼，白目连言：“我以物 现代汉语译本： ‘你曾做过驯马师，或驯象师。大象和马难以驯服，你就用铁针刺它们的脚；有时牛行动迟缓，你也用针刺它们，所以才受这样的罪。这只是恶行的现世报，地狱的苦果还在后面呢。’ 又有一个鬼，对目连（Maudgalyayana）说：‘我的身上常常有火冒出，焦热难耐，这是什么缘故呢？’ 目连（Maudgalyayana）回答说：‘你前世是国王的夫人。因为国王非常宠爱另一位夫人，你常生妒忌之心，伺机想要加害她。一次国王起身离开，那位受宠的夫人还在睡觉，没有穿好衣服。你当时生起恶念，正好在做饼，有热的麻油，你就用麻油灌她的肚子，导致她腹部溃烂而死。因为这个因缘，你才受这样的罪。’ 又有一个鬼，对目连（Maudgalyayana）说：‘常常有旋风，回旋我的身体，让我不得自在，随意东西飘荡，心中常常烦恼郁闷。这是什么缘故呢？’ 目连（Maudgalyayana）回答说：‘你前世常常做占卜师，有时说真话，有时说假话，迷惑人心，使人不得随意，所以才受这样的罪。这只是现世报，地狱的苦果还在后面。’ 又有一个鬼，对目连（Maudgalyayana）说：‘我的身体常常像一块肉，没有手脚、眼睛、耳朵、鼻子等，经常被虫鸟所食，罪苦难当。这是什么缘故呢？’ 目连（Maudgalyayana）回答说：‘你前世常常给人堕胎药，堕掉别人的孩子，所以才受这样的罪。这只是现世报，地狱的苦果还在后面呢。’ 又有一个鬼，对目连（Maudgalyayana）说：‘常常有热铁笼，从上落下罩住我的身体，焦热难耐。因为什么缘故，受这样的罪呢？’ 目连（Maudgalyayana）回答说：‘你前世常常用罗网捕捉鱼鸟，所以才受这样的罪。这只是恶行的现世报，苦果还在后面。’ 又有一个鬼，对目连（Maudgalyayana）说：‘我用东西’
English
English version: 'You used to be a horse tamer or an elephant tamer. Elephants and horses were difficult to control, so you would prick their feet with iron needles; and when oxen were slow, you would also prick them with needles. That is why you suffer such punishment. This is just the present-life retribution for your evil deeds; the bitter fruit of hell awaits you later.' Then another ghost said to Maudgalyayana (目连): 'Fire constantly emanates from my body, causing scorching heat and distress. What is the cause of this?' Maudgalyayana (目连) replied: 'In your previous life, you were a king's wife. Because the king favored another wife, you were constantly jealous and sought to harm her. Once, when the king got up and left, the favored wife was still asleep, not yet dressed. You then harbored evil thoughts, and just as you were making cakes with hot sesame oil, you poured the hot oil on her abdomen, causing it to rot and kill her. Because of this cause, you suffer such punishment.' Then another ghost said to Maudgalyayana (目连): 'A whirlwind constantly spins around my body, preventing me from being free, tossing me east and west at will, and my heart is constantly troubled and depressed. What is the cause of this?' Maudgalyayana (目连) replied: 'In your previous life, you often worked as a diviner, sometimes telling the truth and sometimes telling lies, confusing people's minds and preventing them from acting freely. That is why you suffer such punishment. This is just the present-life retribution; the bitter fruit of hell awaits you later.' Then another ghost said to Maudgalyayana (目连): 'My body is constantly like a lump of flesh, without hands, feet, eyes, ears, or nose, and is constantly eaten by insects and birds. The suffering is unbearable. What is the cause of this?' Maudgalyayana (目连) replied: 'In your previous life, you often gave people abortifacient drugs, causing them to lose their children. That is why you suffer such punishment. This is just the present-life retribution; the bitter fruit of hell awaits you later.' Then another ghost said to Maudgalyayana (目连): 'A hot iron cage constantly falls upon my body, causing scorching heat and distress. For what reason do I suffer such punishment?' Maudgalyayana (目连) replied: 'In your previous life, you often used nets to catch fish and birds. That is why you suffer such punishment. This is just the present-life retribution for your evil deeds; the bitter fruit awaits you later.' Then another ghost said to Maudgalyayana (目连): 'I used things' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
自蒙笼头，亦常畏人来杀我，心常怖惧，不可堪忍。何因故尔？” 目连答言：“汝前世时，淫犯外色，常畏人见，或畏其夫主捉缚打杀，或畏官法戮之都市，常怀恐怖相续，是故受此罪。此是恶行华报，后方受地狱果耳。” 复有一鬼，问曰：“我受此身，肩上常有铜瓶。满中洋铜，手捉一杓，取自灌头，举体焦烂，如是受苦，无数无量。有何因缘，罪咎如此？” 目连答言：“汝前身时，出家为道，典僧饮食，以一酥瓶，私着余处。有客道人来者，不与之。去已，出酥，行与旧僧。此酥是招提僧物，一切有分。此人藏隐，虽与不等。由是缘故，受此罪也。” 目连复见一天女，坐一莲华上，纵广百由旬。此华独妙，殊于余者，所欲资生之具堂殿、饮食随念欲得，尽从华出，进止随身。目连问言：“作何善行，受报如此？” 天女答言：“迦叶佛灭度后，遗全舍利。诸弟子辈，建七宝塔，高广四十里。时我作女人，出见宝塔中佛像相好，信敬情发，念佛功德，脱头上华，奉献于像。以是因缘故，受报独妙如此。” 舍利弗夏盛热时，游行至庵罗园中。有一客作人，汲井水溉灌于树。此人于佛无有大信，见舍利弗发小信心。唤舍利弗言：“大德！来脱衣树下坐，我当以水浇之， 现代汉语译本：‘我总是蒙着头，而且经常害怕有人来杀我，内心总是充满恐惧，无法忍受。这是什么原因造成的呢？’ 目连（Maudgalyayana）回答说：‘你前世的时候，犯了邪淫，经常害怕被人看见，或者害怕她的丈夫捉住你并殴打杀害，或者害怕官府在都市里处决你，总是怀着持续的恐惧，所以才会受到这种罪报。这只是恶行的花报，之后还要承受地狱的果报。’ 又有一个饿鬼，问道：‘我受这种身形，肩膀上总是有一个铜瓶，里面装满了熔化的铜，手里拿着一个勺子，用来自己灌头，全身焦烂，像这样受苦，无数无量。有什么因缘，罪过如此深重呢？’ 目连（Maudgalyayana）回答说：‘你前世的时候，出家修行，负责僧众的饮食，把一瓶酥油，私自藏在别的地方。有外来的修行人来，不给他吃。等他走了以后，才拿出酥油，分给原来的僧人。这酥油是常住僧众的物品，每个人都有份。这个人藏起来，即使分了也不公平。因为这个缘故，所以受到这种罪报。’ 目连（Maudgalyayana）又看见一个天女，坐在一朵莲花上，纵横一百由旬（yojana，古印度长度单位）。这朵莲花非常奇妙，胜过其他的莲花，所有想要的生活用品、宫殿、饮食，随着念头就能得到，都从莲花中出来，行动起居都伴随着她。目连（Maudgalyayana）问道：‘做了什么善行，受到这样的果报呢？’ 天女回答说：‘迦叶佛（Kasyapa Buddha）灭度后，留下完整的舍利（sarira，佛教圣物）。各位弟子们，建造了一座七宝塔，高广四十里。当时我是一个女人，出来看见宝塔中佛像的庄严相好，信敬之心油然而生，想到佛的功德，就摘下头上的花，供献给佛像。因为这个因缘，所以受到如此殊胜的果报。’ 舍利弗（Sariputra）在夏天最炎热的时候，来到庵罗园（Amra garden）中。有一个做工的人，从井里打水浇灌树木。这个人对佛没有很大的信心，看见舍利弗（Sariputra）生起了一点信心。叫舍利弗（Sariputra）说：‘大德！来脱下衣服在树下坐，我用水浇你，’
English
English version: 'I always cover my head, and I am constantly afraid that someone will come to kill me. My heart is always filled with fear, which is unbearable. What is the cause of this?' Maudgalyayana (目连) replied, 'In your previous life, you committed adultery and were constantly afraid of being seen, or afraid that her husband would catch you and beat you to death, or afraid that the government would execute you in the city. You were always filled with continuous fear, which is why you receive this punishment. This is just the flower-like retribution of evil deeds; later, you will suffer the fruit of hell.' Another hungry ghost asked, 'I receive this body, and there is always a copper pot on my shoulder, filled with molten copper. I hold a ladle in my hand and use it to pour the molten copper on my head, causing my whole body to be scorched. I suffer like this, countless and immeasurable times. What is the cause and what sins have I committed to deserve this?' Maudgalyayana (目连) replied, 'In your previous life, you left home to practice the Way and were in charge of the Sangha's food and drink. You secretly hid a pot of ghee (clarified butter) elsewhere. When visiting practitioners came, you did not give it to them. After they left, you took out the ghee and gave it to the original monks. This ghee belonged to the Sangha (招提僧物), and everyone was entitled to a share. This person hid it, and even if he gave some, it was not equal. Because of this reason, you receive this punishment.' Maudgalyayana (目连) also saw a celestial maiden sitting on a lotus flower, one hundred yojanas (由旬, ancient Indian unit of distance) in length and width. This lotus flower was extremely wonderful, surpassing all others. All the necessities of life, palaces, and food that she desired could be obtained as soon as she thought of them, all coming from the lotus flower. Her movements and activities were always accompanied by it. Maudgalyayana (目连) asked, 'What good deeds did you perform to receive such a reward?' The celestial maiden replied, 'After Kasyapa Buddha (迦叶佛) passed away, he left behind complete relics (舍利, sarira, Buddhist sacred objects). The disciples built a seven-jeweled pagoda, forty li (里, Chinese unit of distance) in height and width. At that time, I was a woman, and when I came out and saw the magnificent features of the Buddha's image in the pagoda, faith and reverence arose in my heart. Thinking of the Buddha's merits, I took off the flower from my head and offered it to the image. Because of this cause, I receive such a unique reward.' Sariputra (舍利弗) came to the Amra garden (庵罗园) during the hottest time of summer. There was a laborer drawing water from a well to irrigate the trees. This person did not have great faith in the Buddha, but when he saw Sariputra (舍利弗), a little faith arose in him. He called out to Sariputra (舍利弗) and said, 'Virtuous One! Come, take off your clothes and sit under the tree, and I will pour water on you.' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------