The Ghosts
“Ananda, for the beings who fell into the hells because of violating the precepts, slandering the Buddha’s teachings, or other various kinds of offenses, after having been burned in the inferno for eons, they will then be reborn as ghosts.
“If originally it was greed for material possessions that led one to commit offenses, once the time in hell is up, one will become a shape-shifting ghost that attaches to whatever object one comes across.
“If originally it was craving for lust that led one to commit offenses, then once the time in hell is up, one will become a drought ghost that assumes the form of wind.
“If originally it was indulgence in deception that led one to commit offenses, once the time in hell is up, one will become a sorcery ghost that assumes the form of animal.
“If originally it was hatred that led one to commit offenses, once the time in hell is up, one will become a hex-poison ghost that assumes the form of poisonous insect.
“If originally it was deep-seated enmity that led one to commit offenses, once the time in hell is up, one will become a pestilence ghost that assumes the form of plague.
“If originally it was arrogance that led one to commit offenses, once the time in hell is up, one will become a hungry ghost that assumes the form of restless energy.
“If originally it was slandering that led one to commit offenses, once the time in hell is up, one will become a paralysis ghost that assumes the form of gloomy energy.
“If originally it was indulgence in conspiracy theories or the sort that led one to commit offenses, once the time in hell is up, one will become an elf ghost that assumes the form of perversive energy.
“If originally it was profiting from fraudulence that led one to commit offenses, once the time in hell is up, one will become a servant ghost controlled by spells.
“If originally it was attachment to groups and gangs that led one to commit offenses, once the time in hell is up, one will become a messenger ghost that possesses mediums or wizards.
“Ananda, what made these beings fall into the hells are totally emotions. After their karmic fires have exhausted, they rise up to become ghosts. All of it, however, is created by delusion. If only one could realize Bodhi, one would see only wondrous, perfect brightness and nothing else.”
復次阿難是諸眾生非破律儀。犯菩薩戒毀佛涅槃。諸餘雜業歷劫燒然。後還罪畢受諸鬼形。若於本因。貪物為罪是人罪畢。遇物成形名為魅鬼。貪色為罪是人罪畢。遇風成形名為魅鬼。貪惑為罪是人罪畢。遇畜成形名為魅鬼。貪恨為罪是人罪畢。遇蟲成形名蠱毒鬼。貪憶為罪是人罪畢。遇衰成形名為癘鬼。貪慠為罪是人罪畢。遇氣成形名為餓鬼。貪罔為罪是人罪畢。遇幽為形名為魘鬼。貪明為罪是人罪畢。遇精為形名魍魎鬼。貪成為罪是人罪畢。遇明為形名役使鬼。貪黨為罪是人罪畢。遇人為形名傳送鬼。阿難是人皆以純情墜落。業火燒乾上出為鬼。此等皆是自妄想業之所招引。若悟菩提則妙圓明本無所有。
Buddha Mind 