We were abusive and scornful of others,

We were greedy and stingy to many,

We didn’t make even the smallest offerings. 

That’s how we came to enter into the land of the Hungry Ghosts where there is no water and no food.

We were intoxicated with the pride of good health, 

We were intoxicated with the pride of wealth and indulgence.  

By day we crushed the lives of others, by killing and eating animals.

The result of all these actions is that we now experience good and evil.  

We were entranced by other’s wives and committed adultery,

We turned our back on the dharma of morality.

So now we live in this land of Hungry Ghosts. 

The noble Mahākātyāyana, out of compassion for us, came and said to us many times, “Friend, the consequences of your deeds will be most undesirable.  Stop your evil practices that go against the true dharma.”  

But we didn’t take his advice. That is how we came to enter into the land of Hungry Ghosts where there is no water or food.

 — the Divyāvadāna