Man:
In a multi-story mansion you rest on your very comfortable couch, listening to the sweet music of instruments. But at the end of the night before sunrise, you walk towards the cemetery where you experience very painful feelings. What evil deed have you committed by body, speech, or mind that you suffer like this?
Ghost:
In the city of Rajagaha, I was a hunter who was very cruel and had no self-control. I had a very kind friend who was a lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. He felt pity for me and kept advising me again and again, saying, “Do not do bad deeds my friend; do not be reborn in a bad world. If you wish to be reborn in a good world, then stop yourself from killing living beings.
I did not listen to his advice because I took pleasure in killing and was very foolish.
My friend who felt sorry for me advised me again saying, “If you have to kill living beings in the daytime, then please stop yourself from doing so at night.”
So I killed living beings during the daytime and stopped during the night. Because of this, I enjoy heavenly pleasures during the night and during the day, dogs come and eat me.
Even though I only restrained myself from killing at night, I still gained good results from it. Now I imagine the disciples of the Supreme Buddha who practice the Dhamma diligently throughout their lives will surely attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
