SA 1324（一三二四） 箭毛

Thus have I heard:

Once, the Buddha was traveling in the human realm of Magadha and spent the night in a place inhabited by the Needle-Hair Ghost. At that time, the Needle-Hair Ghost had gathered all the ghosts and spirits in one place.

At that time, a flaming ghost saw the World-Honored One spending the night in the dwelling of the Needle-Hair Ghost. Having seen this, he went to the Needle-Hair Ghost and said, "Village Chief! You have now gained great benefits. The Tathāgata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One is spending the night in your house."

The Needle-Hair Ghost said, "Let us see if it is the Tathāgata or not."

At that time, the Needle-Hair Ghost and the ghosts and spirits gathered together, returned to his own house, and rushed towards the Buddha. At that time, the World-Honored One stepped aside to avoid him. This happened three times, and the Buddha also stepped aside to avoid him three times.

At that time, the Needle-Hair Ghost said, "Are you afraid, Śramaṇa?"

The Buddha said, "Headman, I am not afraid, but your touch is evil."

The Needle-Hair Ghost said, "I have a question to ask. If you can answer it to my satisfaction, that's good. If you cannot, I will destroy your heart, tear open your chest, make hot blood gush from your face, grab your two hands, and throw you to the other shore of the Ganges River."

The Buddha said to the Needle-Hair Ghost, "Headman, I do not see any gods, demons, Brahmas, śramaṇas, brahmins, devas, or worldly people who can destroy the Tathāgata's mind, tear open his chest, make hot blood gush from his face, grab his two arms, and throw him to the other shore of the Ganges River. Just ask me now, and I will explain it to you, to your satisfaction."

At that time, the Needle-Hair Ghost spoke a verse to ask the Buddha:

All greedy and angry minds, what is their cause? Why do
I not enjoy it, my body hair standing on end? From
where does fear arise? The thoughts and perceptions of the mind
from where do they arise? Like a newborn child, relying on
a wet nurse.

At that time, the World-Honored One spoke a verse in reply:

Love gives rise to one's own growth, like a banyan
tree, mutually binding and pulling, like a tangled thicket. If
one knows their cause, one should awaken the ghosts, to
cross the flowing sea of birth and death, and not
increase existence again.

At that time, the Needle-Hair Ghost heard the World-Honored One speak the verse, and his mind was delighted. He repented towards the Buddha and upheld the Three Refuges.

After the Buddha spoke this sutra, the Needle-Hair Ghost heard what the Buddha said and joyfully upheld it.