佛說罪業應報教化地獄經
Sutra on the Retribution of Karma and the Teaching of Hell Realms
後漢安息三藏安世高譯
Translation by An Shigao, Tripitaka Master from Parthia, Later Han Dynasty
如是我聞：
Thus I have heard:
一時佛住王舍城耆闍崛山中，與大菩薩摩訶薩及聲聞眷屬俱，亦與比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷及諸天、龍、鬼神等皆悉集會。爾時信相菩薩白佛言：「世尊！今有地獄、餓鬼、畜生、奴婢、貧富、貴賤種類若干，唯願世尊具演說法！若有眾生聞佛說法，如孩子得母、如病得醫、如羸得食、如暗得燈，世尊說法利益眾生亦復如是。」
Once, the Buddha was staying at Vulture Peak in Rajagriha, together with a great assembly of Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas, and their accompanying disciples, along with monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen, as well as various devas, dragons, spirits, and other beings—all gathered together.
At that time, the Bodhisattva Trustworthy Appearance said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, there are beings in the hells, hungry ghosts, animals, servants, the poor and rich, the noble and lowly—so many different kinds. I only ask that the World-Honored One explain the Dharma fully. If beings hear the Buddha teach the Dharma, it will be like a child finding its mother, like a sick person finding a doctor, like the weak finding food, like those in darkness finding a lamp. The World-Honored One’s teaching of the Dharma benefits beings in just this way."
爾時世尊觀時已至，見斯菩薩勸請慇懃，即放眉間白毫相光照于世界——地獄休息，苦痛安寧。爾時一切受罪眾生尋佛光明，來詣佛所；遶佛七匝，為佛作禮；勸請世尊，敷演道化，令此眾生得蒙解脫。
At that time, the World-Honored One saw that the moment had arrived, and recognized the earnest request of this bodhisattva. He then released a white hair-mark light from between his eyebrows, illuminating the worlds—causing suffering in the hells to cease and painful afflictions to become peaceful. Then all beings enduring retribution, following the Buddha’s light, came to where the Buddha was. They circumambulated him seven times, paid him respects, and earnestly implored the World-Honored One: “Please spread the teachings of the Way, so that these beings may attain liberation.”
爾時信相菩薩為諸眾生而作發起，前白佛言：「世尊！今有受罪眾生，為諸獄卒剉碓斬身，從頭至足乃至其頂；斬之已訖，巧風吹活，而復斬之。何罪所致？」
At that time, the bodhisattva Trustworthy Appearance spoke up on behalf of all beings, and asked the Buddha: "World-Honored One! There are now sentient beings undergoing punishment. Prison guards cut and hack their bodies—from head to foot, all the way to the crown of the head. After they have been cut apart, a skillful wind revives them, and then the cutting begins again. What wrongdoing has caused this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐不信三尊、不孝父母、屠兒魁膾斬截眾生，故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "This suffering is the result of actions in past lives—not believing in the Three Jewels, being unfilial to parents, and working as a butcher or executioner who slaughtered living beings and cut them apart."
「第二，復有眾生身體頑痺，眉鬚墮落舉身洪爛，鳥栖鹿宿人跡永絕，沾污親族人不喜見，名之癩病。何罪所致？」
"Second, there are beings whose bodies become numb and stiff, their eyebrows and hair fall out, their entire bodies fester and rot. Birds roost near them, deer bed down beside them, and human footprints are never seen near them. They bring shame to their families, and no one wants to look at them. This is called leprosy. What offense causes this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐不信三尊、不孝父母，破壞塔寺、剝脫道人，斬射賢聖、傷害師長，常無返復、背恩忘義，常行苟且、婬匿尊卑無所忌諱，故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "In past lives, these beings did not believe in the Three Jewels, were unfilial to their parents, destroyed stupas and temples, robbed monks, killed or wounded sages and teachers, betrayed kindness and forgot righteousness, behaved carelessly and immorally, and committed illicit acts without respect for rank or status. That is why they now receive this retribution."
「第三，復有眾生身體長大，聾騃無足宛轉腹行，唯食泥土以自活命，為諸小蟲之所唼食，常受此苦不可堪處。何罪所致？」
"Third, there are beings with enormous bodies, deaf and dim-witted, with no feet, crawling on their bellies. They survive only by eating mud, all the while being bitten and eaten by small insects. They endure this suffering constantly, with no relief. What sin causes this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐為人自用、不信好言善語，不孝父母、反戾時君；或為帝主大臣、四鎮方伯、州郡令長、吏禁督護，恃其威勢侵奪民物，無有道理，使民苦悴吁嗟而行。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "In a past life, as a human, they acted willfully, not believing in good advice and wholesome words. They were unfilial to their parents, and resistant to their rightful rulers. Or perhaps as an emperor, a high minister, a regional governor, a district magistrate, or an official in charge of law enforcement, they relied on their power and authority to encroach upon and seize people's property, without any sense of justice, causing the people to suffer in hardship and cry out in sorrow as they went about their lives. Therefore, they have incurred this offense."
「第四，復有眾生兩目盲瞎，都無所見，或觝樹木或墮溝坑，於時死已，更復受身亦復如是。何罪所致？」
"Fourth, there are beings who are born blind in both eyes, able to see nothing at all. They may bump into trees or fall into ditches and pits. When they die, they are reborn in the same condition. What karmic offense causes this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐不信罪福障佛光明，縫鷹眼合、籠繫眾生，皮囊盛頭不得所見。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "In a previous life, this person sat in disbelief of the teachings on karma and blessings. They blocked the Buddha's light, sewed together the eyes of a hawk, caged and imprisoned living beings, and put a leather bag over a head so it could see nothing. Therefore, they received this karmic retribution."
「第五，復有眾生謇吃瘖瘂，口不能言；若有所說，閉目舉手乃不言了。何罪所致？」
"Fifth, there are those who stutter, are mute, or cannot speak; if they try to say something, they can only close their eyes and raise their hands, unable to express themselves in words. What offense causes this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐誹謗三尊、輕毀聖道，論他好醜、求人長短，強誣良善、憎嫉賢人。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "In a past life, this person slandered the Triple Gem, despised the sacred path, gossiped about others' merits and faults, sought out people's flaws, falsely accused the innocent, and resented worthy people. This is why they now receive this retribution."
「第六，復有眾生腹大頸細，不能下食；若有所食，變為膿血。何罪所致？」
"Sixth, some beings have enormous bellies but scrawny necks, unable to swallow food; whatever they eat turns into pus and blood. What crime causes this?"
佛言：「以前世時偷盜僧食，或為大會福食屏處偷噉；悋惜己物，但貪他財；常行惡心，與人毒藥，氣息不通。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "Because in a past life, they stole food meant for the monastic community, or secretly ate food prepared for a great gathering of merit; they were stingy with their own possessions, yet always greedy for others' wealth; they constantly harbored malicious intent, giving poison to others and cutting off their breath. That is why they suffer this punishment now."
「第七，復有眾生，常為獄卒熱燒鐵釘釘人百節骨頭，釘之已訖自然火生，焚燒身體悉皆焦爛。何罪所致？」
"Seventh, there are beings who are constantly subjected to being pierced through all their joints with red-hot iron nails by prison guards. After being nailed through, a fire naturally ignites, burning their bodies until they are completely charred and ruined. What sin brings this about?"
佛言：「以前世時坐為針灸醫師，針人身體不能差病；誑他取財，徒受苦痛，令他苦惱。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "In a past life, this person worked as an acupuncturist or doctor. He performed treatments on people's bodies but could not cure their illnesses. He deceived others to obtain their money, causing them only pain and suffering, and making them miserable. For this reason, he now receives this punishment."
「第八，復有眾生常在鑊湯中，為牛頭阿傍以三股鐵叉，叉人內著鑊湯中，煮之令爛，還復吹活而復煮之。何罪所致？」
"Eighth, there are beings who constantly find themselves in boiling cauldrons. Ox-headed demons with three-pronged iron forks spear them and throw them into the cauldrons, boiling them until they fall apart. Then the demons blow on them to bring them back to life and boil them again. What wrongdoing caused this?"
佛言：「以前世時信邪倒見，祠祀鬼神屠殺眾生，湯灌搣毛、鑊湯煎煮，不可限量。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "In previous lives, these beings held wrong and inverted views. They believed in and worshipped spirits and ghosts, slaughtered living beings, scalded them with hot water to remove their hair, and boiled them in cauldrons without limit. Therefore, they now receive this retribution."
「第九，復有眾生常在火城中，煻煨齊心，四門俱開，若欲趣向，門即閉之，東西馳走，不能自免，為火燒盡。何罪所致？」
Ninth: There are beings who are constantly trapped in a blazing city of fire. The burning coals are piled high as their hearts, and all four gates stand wide open. But when they try to rush toward a gate, it immediately slams shut. They run east and west, desperate, but cannot escape, and are burned to ashes by the flames. What crime causes this?
佛言：「以前世時坐焚燒山澤、火煨雞子、燒他村陌，燒煮眾生身爛皮剝。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "This punishment comes from past lives—setting fire to mountains and marshes, roasting eggs in hot ashes, burning down villages and roads, or cooking living beings until their skin blisters and peels. That is why they face this suffering now."
「第十，復有眾生常在雪山中，寒風所吹，皮肉剝裂，求死不得。何罪所致？」
"Tenth, there are beings who constantly dwell in the snowy mountains, where icy winds cut through them, tearing their skin and flesh, and they cannot die even when they wish to. What offense leads to this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐橫道作賊，剝脫人衣，使冬月之日令他凍死；生㓟牛羊痛不可堪。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said, "In a past life, this person sat by the roadside and robbed people, stripping off their clothes and leaving them to freeze to death on a winter's day. He also flayed cows and sheep alive, causing them unbearable pain. Therefore, he now experiences this karmic retribution."
「第十一，復有眾生常在刀山、劍樹上，若有所投，即便割傷，支節斷壞。何罪所致？」
Question 11: "Furthermore, there are beings constantly dwelling on mountains of knives and trees of swords. Wherever they fall, they are immediately cut and wounded, their limbs broken and destroyed. What sin causes this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐屠殺為業，烹害眾生，屠割剝裂，骨肉分離，頭脚星散，懸於高格，稱量而賣；或復生懸眾生苦痛難處。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "In a past life, their occupation was butchery—they boiled and killed living beings, cut them open and skinned them, tore their bones and flesh apart. Heads and limbs were scattered, hung on high racks, weighed and sold. They also hung creatures up alive, forcing them to suffer extreme pain. For these deeds, they now suffer this punishment."
「第十二，復有眾生五根不具。何罪所致？」
"Twelfth, there are beings who are born with incomplete or impaired faculties—blind, deaf, or otherwise disabled. What past wrongdoing causes this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐飛鷹走狗彈射禽獸，或斷其頭，或斷其足，生搣鳥翼。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "In past lives, these people rode horses, hunted with falcons and hounds, and shot at birds and animals. They either cut off their heads, broke their limbs, or tore the wings off living birds. That is why they now receive this punishment."
「第十三，復有眾生，攣躄背僂，腰髖不遂，脚跛手拘，不能操涉。何罪所致？」
"Thirteenth: there are also beings whose limbs are twisted and crippled, whose backs are hunched, whose waists and hips do not function properly, who are lame in the feet and whose hands are deformed, unable to move about freely. What offense leads to this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐為人憯剋，行道安槍；或安射窠，施張弶穽陷墜眾生，頭破脚折，傷損非一。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "In past lives, because people were cruel and harsh, they set spears and stakes along the path; or they set traps and snares, spread nets and pits to make beings fall, so that their heads were split and their legs broken, injuring and harming them in countless ways. Thus they have brought this suffering upon themselves."
「第十四，復有眾生，常為獄卒桎梏其身，不得免脫。何罪所致？」
"Fourteenth: there are also beings whose bodies are constantly bound in shackles by the prison guards, unable to escape. What offense causes this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐網捕眾生，籠繫而畜，飢窮困苦；或為宰主、令長貪取財錢，枉繫良善，怨苦號天，不得縱意。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "This is because in past lives they trapped and netted living beings, caging and confining them in captivity, leaving them hungry and destitute in hardship. Or as rulers and magistrates, they greedily seized money and property, falsely imprisoning the good and innocent, so that the wronged cried out in bitterness to heaven and could not act freely. Thus they incurred this offense."
「第十五，復有眾生或癲、或狂、或癡、或騃，不別好醜。何罪所致？」
"Fifteenth: There are also beings who are insane, or deranged, or dull-witted, or foolish, unable to tell good from ugly. What offense brings this about?"
佛言：「以前世時坐飲酒醉亂，犯三十六失，後得癡身如似醉人，不識尊卑不別好醜。八萬劫墮沸屎地獄，獄卒斬剉，求死不得求生不得，五窮六極長夜受苦，以坐貪酒過。受罪已，始得為人，癃殘跛蹇，為人之所憎嫉；行逢接他橫事，常無樂時。以酒過犯，故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "Because in past lives people sat drinking alcohol until drunk and confused, committing the thirty-six faults, afterward they receive a foolish body, like someone intoxicated, unable to distinguish the honored from the lowly, unable to tell the beautiful from the ugly. For eighty thousand kalpas they fall into the Boiling Excrement Hell, where the hell-guards cut and grind them—they cannot seek death and cannot seek life, utterly destitute and wretched, suffering through the long night. This is because they sat in the fault of craving alcohol. After they have endured that punishment, they only then attain human birth—crippled, lame, and deformed, hated and envied by others. Wherever they go they meet with misfortunes brought on by others, and they never have a time of happiness. Because of the fault of alcohol, they reap this punishment."
「第十六，復有眾生其形甚小，陰藏甚大；挽之身疲，皆復進引；行立坐臥，以之為妨。何罪所致？」
"Sixteenth: there are also beings whose bodies are very small but whose hidden organs are very large. Pulling at them wearies the body, yet they keep pressing forward. Walking, standing, sitting, and lying down, these get in the way. What offense causes this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐治生販賣，自譽己物，毀呰他財；囂升弄㪷，躡秤前後，欺誑於人。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "This is because in past lives they made their living through trade and commerce, praising their own goods and belittling others' wares; they used rigged measures and manipulated the scales, cheating people. Thus they incur this offense."
「第十七，復有眾生男根不具，為黃門身，不得妻娶。何罪所致？」
"Seventeenth: there are also beings whose male organ is incomplete, who have the body of a eunuch and cannot take a wife. What offense causes this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐喜犍象、馬、牛、羊、猪、狗，不可稱數，令此眾生苦痛難忍，死而復穌。故獲斯罪。」
The Buddha said: "It is because in past lives they took pleasure in goading elephants, horses, oxen, sheep, pigs, and dogs beyond counting, causing these beings intolerable pain, so that they died and were revived again and again. Therefore they have incurred this offense."
「第十八，復有眾生從生至老，無有兒子孤立獨存。何罪所致？」
"Eighteenth: there are also beings who, from birth to old age, have no sons and remain alone and isolated. What offense causes this?"
佛言：「以前世時坐為人暴惡，不信罪福；百鳥產乳之時，齎持瓶器，循大水渚，求拾鴻鵠、鸚鵡、鵝、鴈諸鳥子卵，擔歸煮噉；諸鳥失子，悲鳴叫裂，眼中血出。故獲斯罪。」
「第十九，復有眾生少小孤寒，無有父母、兄弟，為他作使，辛苦活命；長大成人，橫羅殃禍，縣官所縛，繫閉牢獄；無人追餉，飢窮困苦，無所告及。何罪所致？」
佛言：「以前世時坐喜捕拾鵰、鷲、鷹、鷂、熊、羆、虎、豹，枷鎖而畜，孤此眾生，父母、兄弟常恒憂念，悲鳴叫裂，哀感人心；不能供養，常苦飢餓，骨立皮連，求死不得。故獲斯罪。」
「第二十，復有眾生其形甚醜，身體黑如漆，兩目復青，頭頰俱垖，皰面平鼻，兩目黃赤，牙齒踈缺，口氣腥臭，矬短癰腫，大腹腰髖，脚復繚戾，僂脊匡肋，費衣健食，惡瘡膿血、水腫乾痟、疥癩癰疽種種諸惡集在其身；雖親附人，人不在意；若他作罪，橫羅其殃；永不見佛、永不聞法、永不識僧。何罪所致？」
佛言：「以前世時坐為子不孝父母，為臣不忠其君，為君不敬其下，朋友不以其信，鄉黨不以其齒，朝廷不以其爵；趣為趣作，心意顛倒，無有其度；不信三尊，殺君害師；伐國掠民、攻城破塢、偷寨過盜，惡業非一；美己惡人，侵陵孤老，誣謗賢聖，輕慢尊長，欺誑下賤。一切罪業悉具犯之。眾惡集報，故獲斯罪。」
爾時一切諸受罪眾生聞佛作如是說，悲㘁動地，淚下如雨，而白佛言：「唯願世尊久住說法，令我等輩而得解脫！」
佛言：「若我久住，薄德之人不種善根，謂我常在，不念無常。善男子！譬如孩兒，母常在側，不生難遭之想；若母去者，便生渴仰思戀之心；母方還來，乃生歡喜。善男子！我今亦復如是，知諸眾生善惡業緣、受報好醜，故般涅槃。」
爾時世尊即為此諸受罪眾生而說偈言：
「水流不常滿， 火盛不久然，
日出須臾沒， 月滿已復缺。
尊榮豪貴者， 無常復過是，
念當勤精進， 頂禮無上尊。」
爾時世尊說斯偈已，諸受罪眾生白佛言：「世尊！修何善行得離斯苦？」
佛言：「當勤孝順父母，敬事師長，歸奉三尊；勤行布施、持戒、忍辱、精進、禪定、智慧，慈悲喜捨，怨親平等，同己無二；不欺孤老，不輕下賤，護彼如己。汝等若能如是修行，則為已得報佛之恩，永離眾苦。」
說是經已，菩薩摩訶薩即得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，聲聞、緣覺即得六通、三明、具八解脫，有得法眼淨。若有眾生得聞是經不墮三塗、八難之處，地獄休息，苦痛安寧。
爾時信相菩薩白佛言：「當何名此經？云何奉持？」
佛告信相菩薩：「善男子！此經名為『罪業報應教化地獄經』，當奉持之，廣令流布，功德無量！」
諸天大眾聞經歡喜，五體投地，作禮奉行。
佛說罪業應報教化地獄經