Pv 45A Large Group of Ghosts

– GHOST STORIES

– GREAT CHAPTER

4.10

BJT 791"You there, you are ugly in form, emaciated, covered all over with veins, with ribs protruding, gaunt — who are you?"

BJT 792"Venerable sir, we are petas consigned to punishment, belonging to the realm of Yama. Having done evil deeds, from here we have gone to the world of petas."

BJT 793"Then what evil conduct was done — by body, by speech, by mind? Through the accomplished fruit of what karma have you gone from here to the world of petas?"

BJT 794"At bathing-places that were not forbidden, we gathered up half-māsaka coins one by one. While objects of generosity were present, we did not establish an island of refuge for ourselves.

BJT 795Afflicted by thirst, we went near a river and the river became dry. In times of heat, we went near some shade and the shade became blazing sunlight.

BJT 796And a wind, bearing the appearance of fire, blew and scorched us with heat. And, venerable sir, we are deserving of this and of other things worse than that.

BJT 797We wander many leagues, tormented by hunger, with longing for food, and receiving nothing, we turn back. Alas, how meager is our store of merit!

BJT 798Hungry, dizzy, staggering, collapsing onto the ground, exhausted we lie on our backs, we fall and crumple down.

BJT 799And there in that very place, having fallen, collapsed upon the ground, we beat our chests and our heads. Alas, how meager is our store of merit!

BJT 800And, venerable sir, we are deserving of this and of other things worse than that. While objects of generosity were present, we did not establish an island of refuge for ourselves.

BJT 801Surely we, having departed from this place, having attained a birth in the human realm, will be compassionate persons, fully endowed with virtue, and will perform many good deeds."

The Story of a Large Group of Ghosts is the tenth.