Journeys to the Underworld

Journeys to the Underworld

Journeys to the Underworld

1|Page

Journeys to the Underworld On 15th  day of 8th  Moon 1976 (8th  September 1976), the Jade Emperor  of Heaven, issued a ‘Jade Edict’ to allow deity JiGong to take a medium’s soul by the name of ‘Yang Sheng’ of Sheng’ of the temple ‘Sheng Xian Tang’ to Tang’ to visit the Underworld. After about two years from 9 th September 1976 to 30th July 1978, there were together 62 journeys made to the Underworld. Each visit was recorded immediately through ‘sand writing’ to reveal the extreme sufferings and punishments in Hell. It was then compiled into a book called ‘Journeys to the Underworld’ and this book is not a religious book in any sense. It does not belittle any religion but indeed it encourages readers to continue practising religious beliefs of their own choice. The original version was in the Chinese language and in 1982 Mr Lee Teik Chong started to translate it into English and it was completed in May 1985 for the benefit of the English reading people. The editing was done by Mr Tang Eng Teik, lecturer at the Chinese Studies Department, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The book is published for FREE FREE   distribution and the journeys are real. It serves as a reminder to us that never to make any serious mistake in life and how to live a meaningful life. The descriptions are exactly the same as in the teachings of Tao of Heaven and with due respect to the people who had contributed to this book, I would like to include it,  journey by journey  in my website so that the purpose of the Jade Emperor is further disseminated through the internet for the modern world. Master JiGong in the Temple of Tao of Heaven said,

“The ghostly jailers and the spiritual couriers Of the Underworld Are running around the four corners of the earth Here they come Seizing and arresting ten thousand evils Here they come Cutting off ten thousand loves and passions”

Di Zang Wang Pusa, is the Boddhisattva of the Underworld who made the vow to save all suffering souls in the Underworld before becoming a Buddha.

2|Page

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY No 1

- Date: 9th Sept 1976

To the Cave of ‘Xintou Shan’ (Heart Mountain) JiGong took a medium by the name of ‘Yang Sheng’ of ‘Sheng Xian Tang’ temple to visit the Cave of Xintou Shan. JiGong: Tonight we are going to the Cave of Xintou Shan. Would you like to follow me? Yang Sheng: I am much obliged and I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to visit the Cave. JiGong: Because of your good and charitable works in Sheng Xian Tang, the Jade Emperor in Heaven, ‘Yu Huang’ has chosen you to tour Hell so that when you return to Earth you can write a book on what you have seen, for distribution to human beings so that they can do good deeds. Yang Sheng: I thank you again for choosing me for the honor. I understand that souls of the dead visiting Hell ride on Heavenly H eavenly horses or sit on platforms of lotus flowers. JiGong: Yang Sheng, you are very naïve. The road roa d to Hell is not so pleasant p leasant and easy as you imagine. There is no gateway to Hell and so the souls will have to encounter and overcome many obstacles and hardships before they can reach there. Yang Sheng: Master, I am afraid you have taken too much wine and have got drunk dr unk to say such things. JiGong:  Yes, I have drank too much because, seeing that humanity have now committed many sins, I purposely drink a lot in order to forget their mistakes and evil doings. Now will you join me to drink some more? Yang Sheng: Master, I cannot drink and so please do not tease me. JiGong: Well, let us not waste time. We will make the journey. I will transform a lotus flower into a platform and both of us can travel in it and we will tour Hell. Hell . Yang Sheng: I am much surprised. Your magical powers are so great that by just saying a few prayers you have produced a lotus flower. I dare not step on the lotus platform because my feet are so dirty. JiGong: Do not worry about your feet being dirty. If your heart is pure and clean, that is what we want. Do you know that the lotus grow in ponds which are not clean and yet the lotus flower is very clean. Yang Sheng: Well then, I will follow what you say and will sit on the lotus flower platform; but which direction shall we go? JiGong: There is nothing to worry. Just close your eyes and I will bring you there. Yang Sheng: I will follow you obediently.

3|Page

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Now open your eyes. Yang Sheng: Oh, where is this place? I see a high mountain and at a t the side are three shining golden letters: “Xintou Shan”. JiGong: You do not know. The name of this mountain is Xintou Shan and if you climb up to the top you will reach the gate of Tian Tang (Heaven). However, you can also see that on the side of this mountain there is a cave which is very dark and it is bottomless. This is the Cave of Hell, ‘Diyu Dong’. In the olden days, the Saints said that the heart controls a person, i.e your heart can tell you to do good or to do evil. If one does good, the soul will go to Heaven, but if one does evil the soul will surely be sent to Hell. It all depends upon yourself, to do good or to do evil. Yang Sheng: Oh, I see. Therefore one can choose to go to Heaven or to Hell according to one’s actions. This then means that we can be either immortal or ghost. JiGong: Very true, you have said it. Well, well, well, time is running short for tonight’s visit and so we have to climb back onto the lotus flower platform to bring us back to Earth. Yang Sheng: Master, I will follow your instructions. JiGong: Quickly close your eyes because the wind here is very strong. Yang Sheng: Yes, I agree; I cannot stand this strong wind. JiGong: Now we have reached Earth. Open your eyes and get down from this lotus flower. Your soul will now return to your body. End of Journey No 1

4|Page

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 2 - 12TH September 1976 Touring Qingxin Chi ( Happy Heart Pond ) JiGong: Yang Sheng, are you ready to tour Qingxin Chi in the Underworld? Yang Sheng: My dear Master, I have just returned from ‘Zhang Hua’ in Taiwan and am feeling very tired. Can we postpone this tour to tomorrow? JiGong: You are very lazy. Being a holy man you should be able to endure any inconvenience and hardship. How can one expect you to do more good deeds? Yang Sheng: I am very sorry, Master. That being the case, I have now made up my mind to follow you. JiGong: Very well, now quickly climb up to the platform of the lotus flower and close your eyes…..now open your eyes and get down from the platform. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, why do you bring me to this place today? I see a very big pond; the water is so clear that I can even see its bottom. I also see three words floating at the surface of the water: ‘Qingxin Chi.’ JiGong: During the first journey a few days ago, I took you to the Cave of Xintou Shan and because you have human eyes you could see very little. So now I bring you to this pond Qingxin Chi to wash your eyes so that you will be able to see clearly like the Heavenly spirits. Yang Sheng: It is Autumn now and the water of the pond is so cold that I am afraid to dip in it for fear of catching cold. JiGong: You want to visit the Underworld and yet you are afraid of the cold. Nevertheless, I have to push you into the pond. Yang Sheng: Help me, help me dear Master. I do not know how to swim….You are drowning me; please help me. JiGong: I want the water to clean your mind as well as your heart. ( After JiGong had pushed Yang Sheng into the pond, the officer-in-charge of the pond approached JiGong and said.) Officer: I salute you, JiGong. I respectfully apologise for enquiring about this incident. Just now I saw you pushing a man into this pond; I do not know for what reason.

JiGong: Officer, you do not know that on Earth many human beings are committing much evil and sinful deeds; their original good nature has been lost and by pushing this human being into this pond, the water in it will clean his mind and heart and then he can regain his original good nature. Officer: Very well, because of your explanation I will pull him out.

5|Page

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Quick, quick; please pull him out before he sinks to the bottom of the pond. Officer: I have now rescued him but he is not breathing. How can you bring him back to life? JiGong: This is just a small matter. His evil life has died with his fall into the pond. I will now pass this magic fan over his body and you will soon see that he will come back to life again…… Officer: Look! He is opening his eyes. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, why did you push me into the pond? JiGong: At first, all human beings do not feel like doing good deeds but after some persuasion they generally will do good. I have no time to reason with you now. Yang Sheng: I thank you very much for teaching me. I now feel like a person reborn. By the way, who is this third person? JiGong: He is the officer-in-charge of this pond and his duty is to see that no person bathes in it except Heavenly Spirits. You are indeed very lucky to have bathed in this pond. Officer: JiGong, why did you bring this person here? JiGong: This person Yang Sheng is a righteous medium of the temple Sheng Xian Tang of Taiwan. The Jade Emperor of Heaven has specially chosen him to make this  journey and write a book to be called ‘Journeys to the Underworld’ so that human beings on Earth who are very sinful and evil can read it. They should then repent and try to do good deeds. I have been given the job of conducting this person, Yang Sheng’s soul for this journey. Because he is just a human being his eyes cannot see so many things as the Heavenly Spirits can. That is why I had to push him into the pond in order to wash away any of his earthly sins and be reborn so that what the Heavenly Spirits can see, he also can see. Officer: Oh, I am sorry. I did not know the true reason of your action in pushing him into the pond. JiGong: Time is running out, Yang Sheng, we must continue with our tour. So, goodbye, Officer. Yang Sheng, quickly climb up the platform of the lotus flower. Yang Sheng: My dear Master, where are we going now? JiGong: No need to ask any question. When we arrive then you will know. Therefore, quickly close your eyes…..Now open your eyes and get down from the platform. Yang Sheng: Where is this place which is so windy and full of sand and dust blowing strongly about and making walking unsteady? JiGong: This place is called Human/Devil Territory. Yang Sheng: Oh dear, I see coming from one direction so many beings all crying.

6|Page

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: You do not know; these are the souls of the newly dead persons who have  just arrived into the Underworld. Yang Sheng: I see before me, high up, a board having three words ‘Ying Yang Jie’ What is this place? JiGong: This place is called ‘Yin Yang Jie.’ Yang Sheng: I also see two rows of tall towers. Let us visit the place. JiGong: Of course we will go there and see. Yang Sheng: At the entrance of one of the towers there are three characters: ‘Registration Office’ and there are a number of separate departments. JiGong: Let us proceed. This Records Registration Office is under the charge of a Records Registration Officer. Officer: Welcome, JiGong. I see you have brought along Yang Sheng here. On the 8th Moon 15th day I received Imperial edict from the Jade Emperor from Heaven that JiGong would soon be bringing Yang Sheng of Sheng Xian Tang to tour this place and then return to Earth to write a book on what he had seen. JiGong: The time has now come for us to return to Earth but will come back and see you on our next visit. Officer: You are welcome, goodbye. JiGong: Yang Sheng, we have to return quickly to Earth. Get out of here, climb up the lotus platform and close your eyes. Yang Sheng: Yes, I will obey your instructions. JiGong: We have now returned to Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, now open your eyes and get down; your soul can return to your body. End of Journey No 2

7|Page

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 3 - 16th September 1976 Touring the Registration Office Jigong: Yang Sheng, are you prepared to tour the Underworld? Yang Sheng: I will follow you, Master. I have now climbed up the platform of the lotus flower and have also closed my eyes. JiGong: Proceed….We have arrived; you can alight now. Yang Sheng: Why are there so many people on the road and in such confusion? I see they are human beings and are crying. Why are they here? JiGong: This place is ‘Ying Yang Jie’. All these people are the souls of those human beings who have just died; the souls have to come here to account for their actions on Earth. Please do not ask me so many questions. I will bring you to the Registration Officer and you can ask him as many questions as you like and he will reply. ( JiGong and Yang Sheng on entering the Registration Office went to see the Registrar.) Registrar: Welcome, JiGong and Yang Sheng. On your previous visit you were running out of time and had to leave in a hurry and so I could not entertain you. I now extend to you both a very warm welcome and I will be only too please to answer any question Yang Sheng wishes to ask. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Registrar. Can I ask what kind of place is this Ying Yang Jie? Registrar: Ying Yang Jie is the sorting out place of Ying and Yang where the souls of all dead human beings must come first to report their arrival. When a human being dies his earthly record of actions and deeds is transferred to the Underworld Registration Office for immediate inspection. If, during his lifetime on Earth he did more good deeds than evil deeds his soul would be sent to an Officer-inCharge of the good souls department to tour Heaven, but if he did more evil deeds than good deeds his soul would be taken care of by an Officer-in-Charge of the evil souls department to undergo appropriate punishment at Hell’s First Stage.

Note: See Journey No 1 when Yang Sheng was introduced to the Cave of Hell Yang Sheng: To come to another question. Actually how many stages of existence has a Human being? Registrar: Human beings actually have three original forms of existence. The first one in Heaven, the second on Earth and the third in Hell. On Earth, he goes through the process of living his life doing good or evil as the case may be. Therefore, in his lifetime on Earth if he did many good deeds, his soul will go to Heaven but if he led an evil and sinful life, his soul will be sent to Hell which is like a prison and he will be punished for all his sins committed when alive.

8|Page

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Another question please. When a human being on Earth dies, his relatives burn silver joss paper (called ‘feet paper’) and light oil lamps (called ‘feet lamp’). What is the actual meaning of these kinds of practice? Registrar: When a human being dies his soul is much confused so his relatives burn silver joss paper in the hope that his soul can use the silver joss paper as money to ‘buy’ his way about; and they light the lamps in the hope that the soul’s path may be brightened. In fact there is no need for the silver joss paper or oil lamps because if the dead person in his lifetime did good deeds, his soul would be sent to the Heavenly path and if he did evil deeds his soul would be sent to the path that leads to Hell. Yang Sheng: In this present world there are so many modern and scientific equipments available to human beings. When a person dies his relatives make paper horses, motorcars, radio and TV sets, sofas, spring mattresses and beds and many other modern implements to burn for him. Does the dead person’s soul actually receive such things and are these of any use in the Underworld? Registrar: Human beings living on Earth are very simple-minded and stupid and are like small children. Just think, firstly, does the soul have a licence to drive a motorcar in the Underworld? Secondly, the roads there are narrow and rugged and are not safe for driving. Thirdly, there are no petrol or gas stations. Regarding electric fans, spring mattresses and beds, although these are useful on Earth, they are not required in the Underworld because platforms and wooden bunks are already provided. Their souls should be thankful if there is some orderliness in the place and should not expect to be comfortable and enjoyable. If a person had led an evil and sinful life on Earth how can he expect to use such articles in the Underworld when he will surely be sent to Hell to undergo punishment for his sin? Human beings on Earth do not understand the conditions here and are just dreaming that what is useful on Earth is also useful in the Underworld. Yang Sheng: Master, during the first visit to the Underworld I saw Xintou Shan and now here is Ying Yang Jie. I am very confused. JiGong: Alright I will now bring you to Xintou Shan. Registrar, we are leaving and so Goodbye. Yang Sheng: Registrar, on my part I thank you very much for answering so fully my various questions. I now take leave of you. Master, just now you mentioned about Xintou Shan and Ying Yang Jie, please give some more information about them. JiGong: The first journey we went to Xintou Shan; we are there now. Yang Sheng: Wa! The words Xintou Shan are clearly in front of me. Why is it that the words Ying Yang Jie have suddenly disappeared? JiGong: Because human beings on Earth do more evil deeds than good deeds, Xintou Shan is really Ying Yang Jie. When a human being dies the soul is brought here by the fierce devils of the Underworld. The soul is in a dirty condition and when the eyes are dazed by the brightness of the top of Xintou Shan the soul suddenly falls to the foot of Xintou Shan where there is a dark and bottomless Cave which is called

9|Page

Journeys to the Underworld Wu Di Dong connected by a road to Ying Yang Jie. If a righteous and good soul arrives at Xintou Shan the top of the mountain changes into a big road and there are guardian angels waiting to receive him. Or if the dead person had been an average person and had done a fair amount of good deeds, a guardian spirit will lead his soul to Ying Yang Jie by means of a 20 foot road at the side of the mountain. At Ying Yang Jie, the guiding spirit will bring the soul to report to ‘Ming Wang’ who will inspect the records of his good as well as his evil deeds whilst on Earth. After the records have been inspected and weighed Ming Wang will issue either of the following awards: A] if the dead person was generally a good person whilst on Earth, Ming Wang will direct a Heavenly Spirit to conduct the soul to ‘Ju Shan Suo’ where the soul is left to train himself for perfection. B] if the dead person was average, neither too good nor too evil whilst on Earth, the soul will be placed under the charge of a Heavenly Spirit to undergo further training and improvement. Well, Yang Sheng, there is not much time left so we must return to Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng: As you have ordered, Master. I have already climbed up the lotus flower platform and closed my eyes…. JiGong: We have now arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, quickly open your eyes and get out. Your soul will now re-enter your body. End of Journey 3

10 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 4 - 19th September 1976 Touring Wan Jiao Gui Zong JiGong: Today we will again journey to the Underworld; therefore Yang Sheng quickly climb up to the lotus platform. Yang Sheng: I obey your instruction, Master. I am now securely seated on the lotus platform and am ready to proceed. JiGong: Well, we have arrived. Quickly descend from the platform. Yang Sheng: I see that before me there is a gate of a fort with the words ‘Gui Men Guan’ (Gate to Devil’s Home). In fact, ‘Gui Men Guan’ is here but why is it that the door is shut and yet I can hear a lot of disorder voices coming from within. JiGong: This door is never opened but the souls of the dead manage to enter into this home. But you see, I will wave my fan and the door will automatically open. Yang Sheng: Oh, how wonderful, my respectful Master. You have such powers that by just waving your fan and the door opens immediately. But the souls of human beings do not have fans like yours. How then do they manage to enter? JiGong: When a human being dies he becomes a ghost. When on Earth the body can walk about on the roads but after death, he becomes a devil, and on reaching Gui Men Guan, the gate automatically opens for his soul to enter. When a person is alive, the door of Earth is open and when he dies, the door of Earth is closed and the door of Gui Men Guan is open for his soul to enter. This is one of the wonders of nature. Now walk faster. I will take you to another place. Yang Sheng: As you instruct, but I can still hear a lot of noise coming from inside Gui Men Guan like a market place. I don’t know what the souls inside there are doing. JiGong: The souls are waiting to be escorted to the TEN TRIBUNALS  for the various stages of trials for what they had done whilst on Earth. Now the soldiers of Hell are bringing them there. Today we are not going to see this. So follow me quickly. Yang Sheng: Yes, why is this road so rugged? Actually where are we going? JiGong: After walking two miles then you will know. Yang Sheng: In front of us, I see a soul being led by a soldier of Hell; where is he going? JiGong: When this person was alive on Earth, he was a religious man, staying in a Temple but he was not very truly pious because he often belittled other religions except his own. Now that he is dead, his soul is being led to Hell to be tried. Yang Sheng: In front of us is a pavilion; there are four characters ‘WAN JIAO GUI ZONG’! What is this place?

11 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: At the present time on Earth, there are many religious faiths, but the various followers of one faith are always attacking the religious beliefs of other faiths thus causing the meaning of true ascetic practices to be lost. These people are very evil in speech and so when they die, their souls are brought to Wan Jiao Gui Zong to undergo further indoctrination and instruction in the correct path. In front of us is a Master coming. Yang Sheng quickly approach him and pay your respects. Yang Sheng: I humbly pay my respect to you, Master. Master: Welcome, JiGong and Yang Sheng of Sheng Xian Tang who have arrived here today. Earlier we had received news of your visit. Arise, Yang Sheng, do not stand on ceremony. JiGong: Today, I bring Yang Sheng here in the hope that you, Master will kindly show him this place and explain to him. Master: Please follow me to the Hall inside. Please be seated. Yang Sheng: Wan Jiao Gui Zong has a good meaning but its real function is not known to me. I beg you, Master, to kindly explain the meaning to me. Master: Nowadays, there are five main important religions in the world i.e 1] Taoism 2] Islam 3] Confucianism 4] Christianity and 5] Buddhism. These are the true religions but eventually, Heaven sent down the various Sages to teach human beings throughout the world the true religious beliefs. After the death of these Sages, the followers of one Sage compete with the followers of the other Sages to claim that one particular religion was and is better than any other religions. Now you see this soul being led by the soldiers of Hell. After the death of that person, his soul is brought here. The Jade Emperor is very kind-hearted. He does not want to see souls suffer, that is why the office of Wan Jiao Gui Zong is established so that the souls of religious people are brought here to undergo further indoctrination and instruction. JiGong: Master, what you have said is very true, but Yang Sheng here does not quite understand. If he is brought and shown what you have said, it will be better because, hearing is one thing and seeing is much better and will remain in the memory. Master: Right, then follow me. Yang Sheng: Oh, this Hall is so large. It covers so many hundred ‘mou’ (Chinese equivalent of an acre) and looks like a very big classroom with millions of people waiting for their teacher to come. Master: Yes, they are like students. Please follow me and we will occupy some of the seats reserved for distinguished visitors. Yang Sheng: The stage is so big that we have never seen like this on Earth. In front of us there is a blackboard which reads ‘Wan Jiao Gui Zong’. I see a lecturer getting up onto the stage. He looks like a Buddha or holy man. All the ‘students’ stand up to show their respect.

12 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Lecturer: Today we have a visitor from Earth named Yang Sheng of Sheng Xian Tang, Taiwan, China. Let us all clap hands as a sign of welcome. Yang Sheng: Master, how can all of these students understand the Lecturer who speaks in Chinese. JiGong: The world is so large that there are so many races with so many faiths but when human beings die their souls become enlightened and they can understand any language – like when one sees lightning flashing it is sure to be followed by thunder. Therefore, when they hear the Lecturer speak, all of them know the meaning of what he is saying. Please do not ask so many questions. Let us concentrate on the Lecturer’s speech. Lecturer: There are many kinds of human beings but their hearts are the same. They are born in various parts of the Earth but when they eventually die all of them will gather in one place – the Underworld. There are human beings of various colors and races. When hungry all want to eat, and when tired all will want to sleep or rest. Above our heads, there is the sky and under our feet there is Earth. The Sun and the Moon shine on everything everywhere; human beings, animals and plants all enjoy the effects and benefits of the Sun and the Moon. In the world there are many religions, each one attacking the other saying that only their followers will go to Heaven while the followers of other religions will go to Hell. Religious people who belittle other religions hope to go to Heaven when they die, but instead they will be suspended half-way, neither in Heaven nor in Hell – like a caged bird being hung up half-way. These people think they are already in Heaven but in fact they are in Hell. They are sinful and cannot save themselves but must depend on others to save them. When all of you were alive on Earth, each and everyone of you expected to go to Heaven after death, but actually all of you have now fallen into Hell. When on Earth, all your bodies were of various colors, black, white, brown, red, yellow, etc but after death, only your souls come here. After death, the bodies with various colors do not come here to Hell – the bodies of various colors are left behind but the hearts or souls of only one color come here. When living you attacked each other and had no love for each other. Therefore where is this meaning of universal love and mercy? From the beginning of time until now, the Sun and the Moon have been shining on all human beings, both good and evil. They will continue to shine on everyone so that their blessings will be on this and future generations irrespective of whether they are good or evil. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, all your souls here must be aroused and must have only one heart to work as one body and must not attack each other. Now spread the teaching of Wan Jiao Gui Zong. ‘Gui Zong’ means one heart – all hearts must become one heart and must work towards mutual help and love for each other. All religions have doors wide open to admit those who believe in any particular religion; al though the founders are different , the universal aim is the same – to teach all to do good. I hope all human beings will follow this ‘true path’ so that the troubled world can become happy and peaceful. All the founders of the main religions want to save the souls of human beings but not their bodies. If all of you can first discover your own inner-most hearts and avoid evil doings only then can you attain happiness, leading eventually, to the creation of a united and happy world. Everybody can then become sage-like and attain wisdom. Otherwise they will fall into Hell to undergo another transmigration of soul….

13 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Time’s up. Yang Sheng, say goodbye to Master. We will come on another visit when there is an opportunity. Yang Sheng please pay your respects. Yang Sheng: Master, I am very sorry, time is limited and we have to return to Sheng Xian Tang although the lecture is not finished. Please excuse me for this lack of courtesy. Master: Never mind, we will escort you out. JiGong: Yang Sheng, climb up the lotus flower platform. Having heard the lecture today, what are your impression? Yang Sheng: There is profound meaning in the lecture. On Earth every religion is attacking each other, like the melon seller claiming that only his melon is sweet. The best thing is for the customer to taste the fruit himself to find out. It is also like a person who drinks water; he alone only knows whether the water is hot or cold on drinking. It is best left to the customer to decide what is good or what is bad for him. Then only it is fair. JiGong: Human beings always hold fast to their own wrong beliefs and will not listen to persuasion, therefore they cannot go to Heaven. Fairies and sages are the mouthpieces of Heaven and therefore they are very fair. In future if you are reborn in another country and believe in the religion of that country, do not think that I, JiGong, will not come to your assistance when required. Then only will others know that I am a Sage. This means that I am selfish. I hope that human beings will discard their selfishness and cultivate public-spiritedness, otherwise their Heaven is only five feet wide – how many people can such a five-feet wide Heaven contain? O.K. we have now arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down from the lotus platform. Your soul will return to your body. End of Journey 4

14 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO: 5 - 22nd September 1976 Touring the First Tribunal and conversation with Qin Guang Wang JiGong: Yang Sheng, today we will tour the Underworld; I observe that you are not at ease. Yang Sheng: You do not know, JiGong. I have many problems which I have not been able to solve; that is why I am not very at ease. JiGong: If you are not steady in the head, it is very difficult to tour the Underworld. If today you do not feel like touring the Underworld it will cause delay in the preparation of this book. I will now give you a pill called ‘Ding Xin Wan’ which when swallowed will calm down your mind. Yang Sheng: Thank you, dear Master. I have swallowed the pill and now feel that my mind and heart are more steady. JiGong: Then quickly climb up to the lotus flower platform and we will proceed….We have now arrived. Yang Sheng: Where is this place? In front of us is a big pavilion with many people but I cannot see very clearly. JiGong: This is ‘Hell’s First Tribunal’. Let us go quickly to pay our respect to the Head of this tribunal whose name is Qin Guang Wang. Qin Guang Wang: Welcome, welcome JiGong and Yang Sheng. I’m glad that you have come today. Yang Sheng: I must apologize to you, Qin Guang Wang for coming here with JiGong to bother you. Qin Guang Wang: No need to apologize; just follow me. Please be seated in the Reception Room. I will ask my General to prepare the Heavenly Tea. General: Yes, I will prepare the tea. Qin Guang Wang: JiGong and Yang Sheng, please drink tea. JiGong: Yang Sheng: please do not hesitate – drink the tea quickly. Yang Sheng: I am afraid to drink the tea because I have heard that if a human being drinks the tea his soul cannot return to Earth. Therefore, please both of you drink the tea. Qin Guang Wang: Yang Sheng, you are mistaken. What you have heard is all wrong. Human beings are afraid that if they eat or drink anything of the Underworld, their souls cannot return to Earth. But you must know that you are a distinguished visitor on Heavenly orders to visit the Underworld with JiGong. Therefore, there should be no fear that you cannot return to Earth if you drink the tea.

15 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Yang Sheng, let your mind be at ease. You have a jade amulet with you and if any devil comes to disturb you, this jade amulet will protect you and punish the devil. Therefore, be brave and drink the tea. Qin Guang Wang: Human beings on Earth are very fearful of death and want to continue living. In your case, Yang Sheng, you are afraid of death and therefore do not want to drink the tea. I quite understand the situation and so you are excused. In the world there are many people who know that certain deeds are bad and evil and yet they purposely perform these deeds with their eyes open. They therefore do not deserve any pity. Yang Sheng: After your assurance, I have now drunk the tea. May I ask Qin Guang Wang why are there so many people gathering outside? What is the reason? Qin Guang Wang: I am in charge of the First tribunal. When a human being dies his soul is first sent to Ying Yang Jie to report. The soldiers of Hell then bring his soul to my place with his record file to be placed in the cabinet for me to investigate if he had done more good deeds or more bad deeds. If he had done more good deeds, his soul will be conducted to visit other tribunals, or be brought to more Heavenly places for ascetic practices. But if it is found that he had committed more evil deeds the soldiers of Hell will bring him to the second to be tried. If he had done many evil deeds he will be brought to ‘Nie Jing Tai’, (a reflecting mirror which shows all the evil deeds that one had done on Earth – as a proof to him, of his evil deeds). Yang Sheng: All the souls are crying outside; young and old, men and women and children, all crying. Why is this so? Qin Guang Wang: When human beings were alive, they never thought of doing good, they never believed in punishment for wrong deeds, they never believed in retribution after death. They thought that everything would be forgotten as soon as they died. These are misconceptions. Now after death their souls realize that they will have to pay dearly for their sins and they will be punished for every deed done on Earth. The reason why the souls are crying outside is because they now realize and regret that they have to be punished for their past evil deeds on Earth. Another reason why they cry is because they realize that they have left their beloved ones and family behind and also they cannot bring with them their worldly property after death. They come here alone empty handed to answer for everyone of their past deeds. Yang Sheng: I see the soldiers of Hell are very cruel. They use their spears to poke at the souls and also use whips to thrash them. They are so unkind to the souls who appear to be very frightened and dare not retaliate. Qin Guang Wang: The souls when on Earth were very sinful and performed evil deeds and therefore the soldiers of Hell have no pity when dealing with such souls. This is called well-deserved punishment. If a person does good deeds on Earth, when he dies, the soldiers of Hell and the God of Happiness will show him great respect. If a human being does evil on Earth, he will have to repay for his sins, therefore, Yang Sheng, do not worry about them.

16 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: I understand now. If the future generation of human beings on Earth know that they will be punished for every sin they do, they will be wise and try to do good deeds whenever they can. With this knowledge, the future generation will of course try to do good in the hope that their good deeds will help to lighten the suffering of the dead fore-fathers who had done evil previously. JiGong: If a human being does evil on Earth, his evil deeds will cause more sufferings to his forebears in Hades. This is called ‘casual relations’. In short, if one does good on Earth, his dead relatives in Hades will benefit; but if he does evil, his dead relatives in Hades will suffer. Yang Sheng, time is up, so let us return to Sheng Xian Tang. Qin Guang Wang: I will escort you. JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform….We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down; your soul will return to your body. End of Journey No 5

17 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 6 - 29th September 1976 Touring the ‘Magic Mirror Pavilion’ JiGong: The time has now come for us to tour the Underworld again. Yang Sheng, please be prepared to go. Yang Sheng: Yes, Master, I am ready; let us proceed….. JiGong: We have now arrived; quickly get out of the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Where is this place that we have arrived? I see such a big crowd here. The soldiers of Hell hold so many people in custody, ushering them to the pavilion. JiGong: This place is called the ‘Magic Mirror Pavilion’. When these people were alive, they did many evil deeds and had no morality. Now that they are dead, their souls have to report to the First Tribunal; then they are brought here to this Magic Mirror Pavilion. What each and everyone did on Earth will be reflected on the Magic Mirror for the soul to see for himself what evil deeds he had committed. The soul will then realize that he had broken the Law of Hades by having done evil. All the souls on seeing the Magic Mirror will be much terrified and ashamed. Let us follow and see the Magic Mirror. Yang Sheng: Very well, we will go and see for ourselves. General of the Pavilion: Welcome JiGong and Yang Sheng of Sheng Xian Tang for coming here to visit us. JiGong: Thank you. We have received the Order from the Jade Emperor to visit Hades so that we can write a book about our visits to the Underworld for human beings to read so that they can do good deeds. We have therefore come here today and I would request you, respected General, to kindly show Yang Sheng here, about the Pavilion. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, you must accompany me because I am afraid to go alone in this place. JiGong: Very well, we will follow the General to the Pavilion….Stand aside and see for yourself. Yang Sheng: Oh! I see an old man being brought in front of the Magic Mirror appears a young man climbing up a wall of a house and opening a window, jump into a room where a middle-aged man and a woman are sleeping. The young man opens a trunk and cupboard searching for something. The man wakes up and shouts. The young man draws a knife and stabs the man who cries ‘ahyoh’  and blood flows out. I am afraid to continue seeing this incident. General: Do not be afraid. This is the mystery of the Magic Mirror. This old man you see in front of the Mirror, when he was alive and young, went to a house to steal something, but when discovered by the owner, the young man stabbed the owner.

18 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Now that the old man is dead his soul is brought here for the Magic Mirror to reflect each and every one of his evil deeds on Earth. Yang Sheng: This is very wonderful. How does the Magic Mirror work so mysteriously? JiGong: This Magic Mirror has the combined supernatural powers of Heaven and Earth and can produce every deed a person had done when alive on Earth. In fact it is not the mysterious working of the Magic Mirror but the recording of the individual’s inner soul. A human being, from birth to death, knows through his inner soul every good or evil deed he does because he has his own intelligence and this is like a camera whose lens have snapped up everything he has done. This is called the ‘Heart Mirror’. Although many persons quietly do a lot of evil deeds without the knowledge of others, they themselves are aware of what they have done. The movements of hands and feet and all other actions are directed by the heart. All deeds, whether good or evil are recorded there and everyone has a guardian angel called ‘San Shi Shen’ who is in charge of these recording. When a person dies, and his soul is brought in front of the Magic Mirror, there is a communicating effect between the heart (inner soul) and the Magic Mirror by means of the supernatural power generated by Heaven and Earth. The effect is reflected by the Magic Mirror and every deed done by the person when alive is shown. Yang Sheng: Oh, and so what does the Magic Mirror serve when the soul of a good person is brought here? General: There is no need for the soul of a good person to come here. Look at the board which lists those souls which appear before the Magic Mirror, they are people who had done evil during their lifetime. If a good person dies, his supernatural inner soul is very bright and when his soul appears before the Magic Mirror there is no reflection at all because the heart is pure and so will not cast any shadow whatsoever. Such a person is considered virtuous and the soul is either conducted to Heaven or directed to the various Tribunals to assess his merits or demerits. It is not necessary for him to come here. Yang Sheng: I see that the soldiers of Hell are trying to bring the soul of a young woman before the Magic Mirror but she cries and refuses to follow. What a pity. The soldiers of Hell do not seem to have any pity for this young woman. They use iron fork to force her to go before the Magic Mirror….Oh! Now I see so many men moving about in a house with red lantern and green lights like a brothel we have on Earth. General: This is in fact a replica of an Earthly brothel. You will soon see. Yang Sheng: Inside every room I can hear the voices of women talking and singing and making merry. Dear Master, I don’t want to see such things. Let us return. JiGong: You see this and you have a feeling of shame. You still have sense of propriety, morality, modesty and a sense of shame. No wonder you are a devout disciple of Guan En Zhu, an ascetic/sage. The women inside were prostitutes. They were indecent and vulgar in speech and subsequently by nature of their occupation, contacted venereal diseases and eventually died. Their souls are sent here for punishment, I would therefore advise women of the Earth to have selfrespect and do not do shameful things. They should not allow their two arms to be

19 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld used as pillows by the thousands of men, such a women is not worth a cent. To be a prostitute is to commit boundless and unforgivable sins. In the case of men, frequenting prostitutes is a sin just as great. I hope that men and women will not indulge in prostitution. Yang Sheng, we must prepare to return. General: Don’t you gentlemen want to se some more? Yang Sheng: I am afraid to see some more. I am still a human being of the Earth and I cannot bear to see more of these sufferings. Now let us return home. JiGong: Thank you very much, General for conducting us around. We will now return to Earth. Next time we will visit ‘Bu Jing Suo’. Yang Sheng, prepare to return. Quickly get up on the lotus platform. Yang Sheng: Wa! I am very frightened. JiGong: What is there to be afraid; if you are good person you need not have to come here and suffer. Sheng Xian Tang is here; quickly get down. Yang Sheng, your soul will return to your body. End of Journey No 6

20 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 7 - 2nd October 1976 Touring ‘BU JING SUO’ Rehabilitation of Taoist Monks and Nuns JiGong: It is now time to travel to Hades. Do not be afraid. Yang Sheng: Yes, you are perfectly right, Master; I am not particularly eager to go because I have seen so much sufferings of the souls there. JiGong: Do not have sympathy for those souls. They well deserve the punishments. Let us go now. We have arrived. Quickly alight from the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: This house is rather dark and yet I can hear a lot of moaning coming from inside. JiGong: This place is called ‘Bu Jing Suo’. We will have a look. Yang Sheng: Yes, we will go….At the doorway there are three words which reads ‘Bu Jing Suo’. I saw two generals walking this way. Who are they? JiGong: These generals are the Door Keepers. General: Welcome JiGong and Yang Sheng of Sheng Xian Tang. JiGong: Do not stand on ceremony. Today I bring Sheng Xian Tang’s medium, Yang Sheng to visit Bu Jing Suo. I hope you will be kind enough to show him about. General: Yes, yes, please follow me. Please enter by the side door because the front door will be opened only on every 1st and 15th day of each month. Every month, on these two days, the Western Buddhas, Patriarch of Taoism, various Sages and Prophets and Prelates will come here to give sermons to the souls of dead priests, monks, nuns and Taoists. Yang Sheng: It is already a great honor to be allowed to come here and therefore it does not matter by which door we enter. Inside this Bu Jing Suo it is dark and gloomy. It is already good enough to see it from outside; not necessary to enter. General: Never mind, don’t be afraid. I will conduct you inside. Yang Sheng: Good. This building is made of wood and appears rather old. Some pieces of wood have already decayed and there are many holes as if the building is about to fall down. I see there are a few thousand Taoist monks and nuns inside reading the prayer books under the peanut-oil prayer lamps. It looks very laborious this repeating ‘namo, namo, namo’ endlessly. JiGong: During the lifetime of these Taoists, monks and nuns, they were engaged by people to say prayers for the relief of the souls of the departed, to get rid of calamities but these Taoists, monks and nuns did not pray sincerely – they just wanted to get money quickly. Some cut short the prayers by skipping the sutras and

21 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld did not recite them page by page. Also some prayed incorrectly. Now that they have died, their souls are sent to Bu Jing Suo to make up for what they had cheated in praying. Here, they pray by the light of the firefly and if one word is omitted the culprit must repeat the prayer 100 times. After everything is over, they will be judged for merits or demerits of their prayers. Yang Sheng: If you say about this harsh punishment, who dare recite the two prayer books of our Sheng Xian Tang, namely Yu Huang Pudu Sheng Jing and Tai Shang Wu Ji Hun Yuan Zhen Jing? Many people are eager to read these prayer books but if the pronunciation is not correct, do they have to come here after death, to receive the punishment? General: You are mistaken. The souls who come to Bu Jing Suo belong to those people before death who received payment for saying prayers for the release of souls from calamities but did not say the prayers earnestly or correctly. That is why they are here. If you say prayer free of charge or say any prayers for yourself this is a different matter. If there is a mistake or mistakes, the Heavenly Law will excuse you. Yang Sheng: It is indeed a great pity to see these souls of aged Taoists, monks and nuns straining their eyes to read the small writing of the prayers by means of the light of the firefly and small peanut-oil prayer lamps and also with the cold wind of Hell blowing about. General: If one receives money for praying, one must recite the prayers properly and cut short or cheat, otherwise one must deserve the proper punishment. JiGong: Therefore, I would advise all Taoists, monks and nuns living on Earth to recite prayers correctly and properly so that they can understand these prayers, thus carrying out ascetic practice. Those who cheat and pray for money will surely have to be sent to Bu Jing Suo eventually to be punished for their sins and greed for money. General: When every 1st and 15th of the month comes, the founders of Taoism, and Buddhism bring their personal assistants to Bu Jing Suo to instruct the souls here in the correct pronunciation and rendering of their prayers. In spite of the previous doings of the souls, the founders and their assistants are very generous to come here every 1st  and 15th  day of the month to teach the souls the correct way of reciting the prayers. I would further advise human beings that whatever deed they do, they cannot escape the Laws of Heaven. Yang Sheng: I now fully understand and I teaching.

must thank General for your good

JiGong: Yang Sheng, you can ask this Taoist why he is here. Yang Sheng: Yes, Dear Reverend, why are you here? Taoist: Please do not address me as Reverend. I was just as ordinary Taoist priest wearing the red cap. My job was to conduct services for the departed for which I received payment in money. My education was not good and I did not know much about the Doctrine. I just mumbled something to keep much with the drums, gongs

22 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld and cymbals; the people did not know if I was saying the prayers or not. Sometimes there was a rush for time and I skipped pages of the prayer books. So far as there was money to earn, I did not care whether the soul of the dead reached the Western Paradise or not. Now that I have died, my soul is sent here to the First Tribunal and sentenced to Bu Jing Suo where I have been here for more than one year and two months. Because of my many past sins on Earth, now I am here to receive punishment. Although I have not yet completed the prayers, my eyes are already giving me pain. If I finish reciting the prayers here, probably I will be sent to the Second Tribunal to be tried again because when I was alive I did some charms to harm people. It is now too late for me to repent. I hope that on your return to Earth, you will tell the Taoists, monks and nuns to perform their religious duties properly, correctly and sincerely. Otherwise, like me they will have to undergo punishment and will have to depend on the instructions of the founders of Taoism and Buddhism to help out. Yang Sheng: It is most pitiful to hear this story, my dear Master. Can you in any way help this soul? JiGong: This is a case of well-deserved punishment; he should receive the punishment for his own past sins. When he was alive he enjoyed himself and now he has to undergo punishment. Yang Sheng, do not meddle in other people’s affair. We have been ordered to tour Hades; therefore do not interfere in this matter. This is the Law of Hades. Time is running out and we have to return. Thank you very much, General. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, General. All of you, Taoists, monks and nunsbe good and undergo this retraining. JiGong: Quickly climb up the lotus flower platform…. We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Ynag Sheng quickly get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 7

23 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO: 8 - 9th October 1976 Touring ‘Wang Si Cheng’ JiGong: This year there are two Mid-Autumn Festival Days: [1] On 8th Moon 15th Day (8th September 1976) and [2] On Intercalary 8th Moon 15th Day (8th October 1976)

As you are aware, Yu Huang the Jade Emperor has chosen you to tour Hades so that when you return to Earth you can write a book on what you have seen, for human beings to read so that they can do good deeds. It is already one month past since the Order was received; time has also passed like the flowing of water, in fact too fast – how many times can there be full moon and how many more years can we meet with two Mid-Autumn Festival Days in a year again? On Earth human beings can enjoy the moonlight but in Hades, the souls there are suffering in darkness or semi-darkness. Yang Sheng, let us prepare for our journey. Yang Sheng: Right, time passes very quickly and one month has passed by and yet we have not written one tenth of the book. I am afraid we cannot accomplish this important assignment. JiGong: If there is sincerity in your heart and with determination, the door of the Ten Tribunals of Hades will automatically open to receive you. Quickly climb up the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am ready, Master. Let us start….. JiGong: We have arrived; please alight Yang Sheng: Today we arrive here and I see the words ‘WANG SI CHENG’ City of Those Died Unnaturally Deaths – on the doorpost. Are we touring this place? JiGong: Yes, today we will visit Wang Si Cheng; please follow me. Yang Sheng: The gate is closed, how can we enter? JiGong: The gate works automatically like the ones at supermarkets on Earth, they open automatically when customers come near them. The soldiers of Hell bring here the souls of human beings who have died by accident, not natural death. Such souls have some resentment and when they appear before the gate, their resentment becomes restless. The gate has ‘induction’ and the effect of such resentment causes the gate to open. Things in Hades are creations of Ying and Yang. You will see when I wave my magic rush-leaf fan, the gate will open by itself. Yang Sheng: My dear Master, your power is most wonderful. Can you please give me your fan for use on Earth? I will show the human beings my magic power by using the fan. JiGong: You must not indulge in vain hopes and immoral thoughts. If you have immoral thoughts you will suffer. Those who practise asceticism need not have magic powers; they must control their mind, and their inner soul must also be steady.

24 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld In this way, you can be classified as ‘small fairy’. Why then do you want to ask for my fan? You think you want to show off? Yang Sheng: Alright, Master. I must thank you for teaching me the right thing. I feel very ashamed. I see a group of people coming, who are they? JiGong: They are the Officers, Guards and Generals of Wang Si Cheng. Let us go quickly and see what they are doing. Officer: Welcome JiGong and Yang Sheng of Sheng Xian Tang. Please follow me into the Fort for a look. General: We also welcome JiGong and Yang Sheng for coming here today. Our office had earlier been informed you would be arriving here for the purpose of writing a book to exhort and teach human beings on Earth. Yang Sheng (kneeling): I pay my respect to all you officers. Today I arrive here with Master and I request you to kindly explain to me what is happening here. Officer: I cannot accept your respects; please stand up and follow me into the Fort. Yang Sheng: This place looks like a prison – so very big. Why are there so many people inside? Officer: Everyday the souls of those who have met with accidental death are sent here. I will now take you to the first room to see. Yang Sheng: There are so many babies whose bodies are covered with blood, all of them crying. Some lying down on the ground, so cruel, so pitiful; why not set them free? General: All these were babies of abortion, whose bodies had already been formed and consequently had souls. That’s why they are here. Their parents were not prepared to give birth to them or they were the result of unmarried parents who restored to abortion to get rid of these unwanted babies. Each being has a life. To get rid of an unwanted baby, the parents have to spend some money. When a baby is aborted the baby’s soul will, of course have resentment and will wait until the parents die so that he can confront them to account for the abortion. So, therefore we must advise human beings not to practise abortion because it not only spoils one’s virtue but also encourages immorality among males and females. But unfortunately for those who previously practiced abortion they have yet a means of redemption. They should henceforth practise virtuous deeds to compensate for their past sins against the innocent baby souls. Then only can their sins be partially excused in the eyes of the Law of Hades. YangSheng: Can I ask you another question? Is it a fact that the souls of all those who meet with accidental death are also sent here? General: No. The souls of the soldiers of the Armed Forces who were killed in action sacrificing for their country are specially treated. They are not sent here because such souls are honest, patriotic and righteous. Some are sent to Paradise depending

25 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld on their past deeds on Earth to answer the divine principle of cause and effect, or to be reborn into good families. There are numerous temples to honor past loyal and patriotic Sages so that human beings can visit and pay their respects. Therefore, I beseech all human beings to be loyal and patriotic to their country so that after death they can be famous and be remembered and worshipped by the future generations. Yang Sheng: What you have said is very appropriate. JiGong: From ancient times until now such loyal and patriotic people who had sacrificed their lives for their country were honored and respected, even the world will tremble and devil will weep. Such loyalty and sacrifice for country can be regarded as ascetic practices. Now the time has come for us to return; we will visit again. Yang Sheng, please say goodbye to Officers and General. Yang Sheng: Thank you Officers and General; we are returning now. Officer: In case I have not entertained you properly, I hope you JiGong and Yang Sheng will kindly excuse me. JiGong: You are so courteous, thank you; we must take leave of you. Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, I am safely seated. JiGong: I regret to see that human beings on Earth are very stupid. They fall in love and abort the foetus taking away life, so much so that even Sages cannot bear to see. I earnestly ask human beings to change their thinking and their ways and not commit so much of such sins. Marriage is to perpetuate one generation after another so that there can be ‘home sweet home’. Spiritual love between man and woman is more rewarding than physical love and must be cultivated and encouraged whenever possible. You, therefore have to use your energy to the best advantage for the benefit of your society and human beings. We have reached Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, please get down. Your soul will return to your body. End of Journey No 8

26 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 9 - 12th October 1976 Continuing Tour of Wang Si Cheng - City of those who died of Unnatural Deaths. JiGong: The present day trend of human beings is towards science and they do not believe in temples, spirits, faiths and religious beliefs. They do not understand the substance and composition of eternal life. To go to Paradise or Hades depends on the actions, intentions and deeds of oneself. Paradise is not far and can be reached as quickly as the turning of one's head. Hades however is not so near as Paradise and can be avoided through ascetic practices. Inside Wang Si Cheng there is a lot of sufferings and the surroundings are very gloomy. Yang Sheng, today we will tour Hades again; step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, I am already prepared; let us proceed... JiGong: We have arrived. Yang Sheng: It looks as if we had previously visited this place. Why is it that we suddenly enter this place Wang Si Cheng just like this, unlike the previous visit when we had to enter stage by stage. JiGong: Because we possess the 'Four Virtues of Buddhism' we can enter this place without the gate of Wang Si Cheng having to be opened for us. When we first came here, you had to pass through so many procedures so that the gate could be opened and we could enter. But now as we cannot afford to waste time such procedures have to be scrapped and so you find yourself here inside very quickly. I hope that human beings on Earth will realize that through ascetic practices they need not have to pass through the sufferings of Hades and can move about freely like me. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, what you say is according to Buddhist teaching which I fully accept. I see that the Officer of Guard and General are approaching. JiGong: Quickly go and pay your respect to them. Yang Sheng: I humbly pay my respects to both of you, Officer of Guard and General. I thank you very much for conducting me previously and this time we have to bother you again. Officer: No bother, we are pleased to entertain you again. What you have seen here you should record in a book for human beings to read so that they can understand and realize that it is to their advantage and future well-being to do good deeds whenever possible. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. Dear Master, let us follow them. JiGong: As I have some business to do now, you can follow the Officer and General around. Yang Sheng: Where are we going? Later on who is going to bring me back?

27 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Do not worry. When the time comes, I will bring you back. Yang Sheng: These buildings contain so many young souls, some of them have so long unkempt hair and they look very miserable. They are looking at us. I will ask the Officer why they are being detained here. Officer: When on Earth these young male and female made love privately with one another and when not successful, committed suicide by killing themselves in various manners. When dead their souls are brought here. I hope the youngsters will not be infatuated; by committing suicide it is not the end of everything on Earth and that their souls will be married in Hades. Yang Sheng:  Here I see so many people, some without hand or leg, some with broken heads, some with bodies covered with blood, all moaning loudly. It is a pity to see them in this condition. Officer: When these people were on Earth they were knocked down by vehicles. They were not really due to die yet but because of accidents they died and so their souls are sent here to wait until they are destined to die a natural death; then only will their souls be sent to the Tribunals for 'trial'. This shows that there is fairness on Earth and in Hades. Yang Sheng:  Where is fairness? It is already too bad that a person should die as a result of accident, his soul has suffered and now being sent here to Wang Si Cheng for detention to wait until his natural life span to die and then be tried again. I see that there is no benevolence and justice in this method of treatment and punishment. Officer: You know only just a little but there are a lot more which you don't know. It is true that all the souls here belong to accident victims. Some of them were already due to die a natural death but because of what they had done in the previous life, they now had to die suddenly through accident. That is why so many human beings blame Heaven when some good people die through accident. God in Heaven is unjust, they say, by punishing some good people. I want to ask why "Yan Hui" who was very smart and was kind-hearted, should die when still in his prime of youth? And again, Buddha was a very pious person, why did he have to experience so much sufferings? That means that Heaven has no eyes to see properly. You do not understand that this is all the will of God which is to test the moral nature of the person. The body or flesh is finished but the spirit still lives. Yang Sheng: It seems that the three existences (past existence, present existence and future existence) must obey the Law of Cause and Effect - Karma. Why then must there be such things as accidental deaths of various types. This does not stand to reason. Basing on this, human beings will not believe in Karma. Please therefore, Officer of Guard, explain clearly to me because I am rather slow. Officer: From the beginning of Time, there has been a chain of three cycle cause and effect (karma) rotation in human existence and these Karmas have been continuing and will continue in human lifetime. Buddha himself had also mentioned this Karma. The meaning of "past existence" is not the immediate past existence but the accumulation of all the three-cycle past existences of each individual. Take the

28 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld case of a present short three-cycle existence for consideration. Life is governed by 70% past existence and 30% present existence. Therefore the life span of an individual cannot be changed but his luck can be changed depending upon his behaviour and everyday actions. Yang Sheng:  Oh! I did not know it is like this. As a matter of fact, human beings believe that everything is destined by Heaven and therefore it is a case of live and let live but actually it should not be this way of thinking. I observe that inside the prison just opposite, there are many souls in despair; why are they here. Officer:  All of these souls, when on Earth, died because of fighting, murdering and slaughtering one another. Yang Sheng:  I am not very clear; they murdered people, all must die anyway according to their Karma and why then should their souls be sent here to Wang Si Cheng? Officer:  According to your reasoning it is correct but some of those who died through fighting were in accordance to the law of retribution as demanded in their Karma; and also there were others who did not practise moral and ascetic deeds thus causing others to fight to fight and murder one another, thereby bringing about accidental deaths. I therefore entreat all human beings to understand the doctrine of retribution that this is not the matter of revenge in this existence. Grievances, if any, must be dissolved and not prolonged. If it is true that you have some grievance, you should not prolong that grievance but must try your very best to forget it or lessen it. Then only will you attain much merit. If there is no greed on Earth, the situation will be like in the Heavens where there is no selfishness and then there will be no cause and effect. We must understand that to live is not an easy matter. For example, parents have to encounter many obstacles, hardships and sacrifices to bring up their children. So, therefore, everyone must have a sense of morality and must do good whenever possible. Present day human beings are very fond of womanizing, thinking that females owe males "flower debt" in the pre vious life. That is why females must repay and males must womanize, they think. It cannot be argued that this action is to offset the previous Cause and Effect. The true meaning of retribution according to Karma is the happening of actions unintentionally; therefore the present intentional action or womanizing on purpose, is a great sin which will have to be repaid in the future existence. General: Everything the Officer of Guard has just said is all very true. The reason why human beings do not believe or follow is because they think that only those who are born with "immortal bones" need not have to practise morality. Another argument they give is that if one is fated to be rich it will not be necessary for him to work anymore for money. This is all wrong thinking. JiGong: I have now returned from my mission. What the Officer of Guard and the General have said are all very true and correct. They have explained the illusion and have awakened human beings from their wrong thinking. In the beginning, from time immemorial all souls were indeed very good and saintly but through the process of innumerable transmigrations of souls, on rebirth became involved in Earthly sins. That is why present day human beings cannot return to the original pure state of their souls. Therefore, all the Sages appeal to human beings to do good

29 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld deeds and to engage in ascetic practices in order to save their souls. Let this be a warning to all human beings to try and do good with the expectation to be reborn into a better life, otherwise they will have to undergo six stages of transmigration of souls (reborn). Saints and ghosts are the products of human beings' thinking, not destined by Heaven. Now after seeing the inside of Wang Si Cheng, you are convinced of the need to do good whenever possible. Time to return has come and so, Yang Sheng prepare to depart. We are very grateful to Officer of Guard and to General for helping us to compile the book which we have been commissioned to write. We have to take the example existing in Wang Si Cheng to dispel the wrong belief of present day human beings about doing good deeds. Yang Sheng:  The doctrine is very deep like the depth of the ocean. If Officer of Guard and dear Master had not explained in great length the advantages of morality and doing good deeds, human beings will still be in the dark. I hope that dear Master will every now and then educate human beings by giving such kind of lessons and lectures so that they can remember to do good deeds. Even until when they die they will still do not understand the meaning of the doctrine of doing good deeds. JiGong:  This is my duty and I have constantly taught and educated them in the doctrine of doing good deeds. Sheng Xian Tang also has Heaven's decree to save all human beings so that they will understand and follow the true religion. Quickly prepare to go home. Yang Sheng: Yes, I am steadily seated on the lotus flower platform. Let us go back now, dear Master.... JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng you can go down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No.9

30 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 10 - 19th October 1976 Touring the Second Tribunal JiGong: Our tour of Hades gives much work to the Deities as well as to human beings but, nevertheless, it is well worth it because our purpose is to help human beings as best as we can. However, there is a saying, “Doing good makes one happy”. Therefore, if we have to do good even at midnight, I as a Deity am greatly influenced by the good intention. Today I am bringing Yang Sheng again to visit Hades so that he can eventually disclose the happenings there to people on Earth. Yang Sheng, quickly prepare for the trip…. Yang Sheng: I am ready Master. JiGong: We will visit the Second Tribunal today, so please look smart. Yang Sheng: Very good, if I have been lacking in courtesy and have not conducted myself properly, I beseech you, dear Master, to give me appropriate instructions. JiGong: There is nothing to worry. Please step on the l otus flower platform and we will proceed….We have arrived, so get out. Yang Sheng: What is this place? There are so many people. I see that the soldiers of Hades have horns on their heads and have faces of horses; they are herding the souls about. JiGong: This is the Second Tribunal; let us proceed quickly. Go and pay your respects to “Chu Jiang Wang” who is the Chief of the Second Tribunal. Yang Sheng: There is a group of souls headed by a big-sized person wearing glittering old fashion robes like those worn by temple idols. He looks awe-inspiring; on both side of him are bodyguards who look like Generals. JiGong: He is Chu Jiang Wang, the Chief of the Second Tribunal; quickly kneel down and pay your respect. Yang Sheng: I humbly pay my respect to you Chu Jiang Wang and Officers. Chu Jiang Wang: Do not stand on ceremony – arise. I am very happy to see you JiGong and Yang Sheng here today in my Tribunal. We in this Second Tribunal have already received notification of your coming. We understand that you in Sheng Xian Tang will visit Hades and then write a Book about what you have seen. Just now I received a letter from JiGong about your coming here today, I would invite both of you to follow me inside. JiGong: Thank you very much. Chu Jiang Wang, for welcoming us. Yang Sheng, let us follow Chu Jiang Wang inside. Chu Jiang Wang: Please be seated in the Reception Room. General, please bring tea.

31 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. Please excuse JiGong and myself for troubling you. I request Chu Jiang Wang to kindly explain to me what happens in this Second Tribunal. Chu Jiang Wang: this Second Tribunal is in fact the real Tribunal for punishing souls. In the First Tribunal the merits and de-merits of the souls have already been assessed but some souls prevaricated (lied) and would not admit their sins. So they are brought here and their records are again shown to them. I have the authority to send such souls either to the 16th Division in Hades or to any other new Division to be punished for their sins on Earth. Like on Earth, new inventions have been discovered, so likewise in Hades, we have set up new Divisions for punishing sinful souls. JiGong: Whatever inventions or innovations take place on Earth, such occurrences are reflected immediately on to Heavenly mirrors which automatically inflect the same to Hades. Therefore, what happens on Earth is simultaneously known in Heaven and in Hades. You must not think that modern day science is very much advanced so much so that people on Earth tend to think that there are no such things as spirits and devils. How do you know that it is not the power of the spirits that control modern science and inventions? Saints and spirits actually have the latent power to control inventions and science while human beings have only the passive power. Yang Sheng: Oh! is it like this? Human beings say that there is no such a place called Hades but I have come to Hades and have seen what is happening here. It is so very mysterious and yet so terrible to look at; as i f I am in another world. Chu Jiang Wang: I am sorry to say that as I have some important matters to attend to, I will have to instruct my assistant to conduct Yang Sheng to see other parts of this place. General: Yes, Sir. Yang Sheng: In front of this Tribunal, I saw a soul with a wooden pillory round his neck and his hands bound by chains – more badly treated than any human beings on Earth. I also observe that Chu Jiang Wang, while trying one of the souls, banged on the table and shouted, like people in the villages shouting at cattle. General: Time is running out. I am afraid we will have to make a move. JiGong: Well, let us go. It is not good to see anymore of what is happening here. Yang Sheng: In this new place, although there are so many people about, it is very quiet. General: In every Tribunal, a special pulpit is set aside by Di Zang Wang (God of Earth) so that souls who have repented for their past sins can be admitted, one by one, to listen to the discourses on morality, piety, ascetic practices, that is why this place is so quiet.

32 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Oh, even in Hades there are such lectures being given to the souls. Indeed, the Saints and Buddhas are very merciful. They do not differentiate; because on Earth they preach and in Hades they also preach. JiGong: Let us enter. Yang Sheng: Very well. On the top of the door it reads “Second Tribunal Preaching Hall”. I see that after passing through this door, every soul has to go to a small side office to show a pass before being allowed to enter the Hall proper. General:  Inside the small office is a General whose duty is to control any soul entering or leaving. Only souls having the required pass are allowed to enter the Hall proper. Please wait outside while I inform the General inside so that you can enter…..I have reported and so both of you can enter. Please sit in front and wait for the Saintly Preacher to come. JiGong: I can see Guan Shi Yin (Goddess of Mercy) coming. Yang Sheng, kneel down to receive her. Yang Sheng: I will obey your command. Guan Shi Yin is getting up to the pulpit to give a speech. In the room, there are about 2000 seats like a school hall. The souls appear to be happy and are smiling. Guan Shi Yin is dressed in pure white robe; with a willow twig she is sprinkling holy water on the audience. Dear Master, what is the purpose of sprinkling the holy water? JiGong: The holy water is like the sweet dew in the morning and when sprinkle on anyone has the effect of salvation for human beings. To those having affinity and to those who realize their past wrong-doings and truly and sincerely repent they will be saved and put on board a “Buddha Barge” on its journey to everlasting happiness. By thus, sprinkling holy water is Guan Shi Yin’s main ambition to save humanity? Please do not ask any more questions but just pay attention to what Guan Shi Yin is going to say. Guan Shi Yin: I am very happy to see Yang Sheng of Sheng Xian Tang and JiGong here today to be with us in this discussion. I hope that when Yang Sheng returns to Earth he will do his utmost to persuade human beings to do meritorious and good deeds. The aim of Sheng Xian Tang is to help people and your members work hard in this direction; they will eventually go to Paradise. I expect them to continue to work harder still. Yang Sheng: I thank you Guan Shi Yin for encouraging me. When I return to Earth, I will certainly tell the people what you have taught me. Guan Shi Yin: Very well, now let us start our discourse.

From the beginning of Time, there has been endless series of births, deaths, and rebirths but although the body decays, the spirit is never destroyed. Although you are here you still do not understand that even if the body is dead and decayed, your original spirit still exist. On Earth there are such things as love, hatred, jealousy, ill feeling etc all like a dream. This dreaming will continue forever, following the theory of cause and effect and unless it is stopped, it will stupefy human beings and the

33 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld result will be continuous transmigration of souls – a series of deaths and rebirths in various forms. Now the world is undergoing changes. You will observe that nowadays, a new born child is more enlightened, intelligent and active than the one born many decades ago. This is the secret of Nature but this is like a flame of a candle when blown by the wind – anytime the flame can be extinguished. Therefore because of assumed Smartness of people at present, their spiritual nature is self-exhausted and they do not stand to any reason at all, thus causing so much suffering and misunderstanding everywhere resulting in so much social disorder. Because of all these misdeeds on Earth, your sins follow your souls to Hades here. You must understand that if there is a body there must be a shadow. Do not be under the wrong impression that if there is no light there is no shadow, but when it concerns your actions, the shadow is there whether there is light or not. However, if one has a “sinful thought,” the sin is already recorded irrespective of whether it is actually committed or not. Now that your souls are here in the Second Tribunal, it means that all of you still have some conscience left and have a desire for penance. I hope that you will understandingly accept any punishment that will be imposed so that your sins can be atoned for. You must suffer in patience but I will be your saviour. (Guan Shi Yin has finished speaking) JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly escort Guan Shi Yin to the door. Yang Sheng: I obey you, Master. I thank Guan Shi Yin for her precious words of advice. (All souls kneel down. Many souls who were greatly influenced by the speech broke down and wept openly.) JiGong:  By speaking and explaining to the souls in such a kind and persuasive manner, Guan Shi Yin shows that she has a very kind and tender heart and love for the suffering. I therefore entreat all human beings to understand that while they are still alive they must do good deeds and perform ascetic practices otherwise their souls will be sent to Hades to undergo punishment and suffering in the Second Tribunal and to atone for their sins. It is much better to do good when still alive than for the soul to come here and suffer, it will be too l ate then. It is now time to return, as it is getting too late. Yang Sheng please prepare to return. General: In case I have not entertained you sufficiently well, I request JiGong and Yang Sheng to forgive me. Yang Sheng: How can you ask me to forgive you? I am just a human being of the Earth and how can I forgive you. I would like to ask dear Master, why is there a special pulpit in every Tribunal, when can the soul attain spiritual perfection? JiGong: In every Tribunal there is a special pulpit for preaching and discourse to the souls to rehabilitate them. These souls are then “tested” and if found that they have assimilated and profited through the preaching and discourse, they are promoted to a higher level for ascetic practices. Time is running out therefore stop asking anymore questions and prepare to return. We have now to thank General for

34 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld entertaining us. We have now arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng get out of the lotus flower platform, and soul return to Yang Sheng’s body. End of Journey No 10

35 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 11 - 25th October 1976 Touring Ordure Pool in Hades JiGong: Human beings must continually undergo birth, death and rebirth which they cannot escape. A famous Chinese philosopher (Taoist) named Zhuang Zi said: “I did not like to be born, suddenly I was born; I also did not like to die but suddenly I had to die”. This means that the “birth and death” cycle is beyond the control of human beings, but to a certain extent we can still control birth and death. Because of the lack of comprehension of the meaning of birth and death, people do not really know what is birth and what is death. Therefore the King of Hades controls birth and death. It is during the 7th  Moon Pudu Festival (Festival of Hungry Ghost) when the living pray and sacrifice to the hungry ghosts that they will understand the true meaning of birth and death, and, consequently by doing good deeds, it leads to the avoidance of the sufferings of transmigration of souls. This then should be the opportunity to understand the true meaning of life and death. Yang Sheng, prepare yourself to go to Hades. Yang Sheng: Yes, Master. The trouble that you have taken to teach human beings to do good is much appreciated and has greatly influence me; I am therefore most grateful to you. JiGong: Teaching good to human beings is my duty and is also the duty of all Heavenly Spirits. Quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am well seated… JiGong: We have arrived at the Second Tribunal. Quickly get out. Yang Sheng: Why do we come again to the Second Tribunal tonight? JiGong: Quickly go and pay your respects to Chu Jiang Wang. Afterwards we will call on the Heads of other departments. Yang Sheng: Chu Jiang Wang has gone to the Tribunal to try cases; let us go quickly …..We humbly pay our respects to Chu Jiang Wang and Spirit Officers. Chu Jiang Wang: Do not stand on ceremony, quickly arise. JiGong and Yang Sheng, please have a rest in the hall. JiGong: Time is limited and there is no need to rest but your Officers can bring Yang Sheng to see the various places of punishment. Chu Jiang Wang: It’s a good idea; I will ask a General to conduct JiGong and Yang Sheng around. General: Yes, Sir. Please both of you, follow me….. Yang Sheng: Why is this place so stink - the smell of excretion? General: In front it is called “Dung and Urine Pool of Hades”; that is why the smell is so offensive, please excuse us.

36 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: The nearer we approach, the worse the smell and it is getting more difficult to breathe. Dear Master, I cannot stand this smell any longer and I am afraid I cannot go any nearer. JiGong: Don’t be afraid. I have a precious thing for you; quickly take it. Yang Sheng: what is this thing? JiGong: This is the filter which covers your nose and mouth. Then you will not smell anything. Yang Sheng: Oh, it’s really very useful. I cannot smell anything offensive now. Ah, at the top there are the following words “Dung and Urine Pool of Hades”. Inside the Pool, I see people struggling, some heads popping up and down, and some hands waving about like swimming, all screaming. General: This is “Dung and Urine Pool of Hades” – quickly go nearer and see. Yang Sheng: Yes, I will go. Dear Master, do you smell anything offensive? JiGong: No, I don’t smell anything bad-smelling. I am a Buddha and the smell has no effect on me; not like you human beings who can very easily be affected or bewitched when looking at women and human music. Yang Sheng: This pool is so large like a sea; I cannot see the shore. Inside there are male and female, young and old, mixing up with the strips of dung and urine. They are screaming and when their mouths are opened, the dung and urine enter their mouths. I cannot stand this sight and I feel like vomiting. JiGong: Set your mind at rest. Do not allow your heart to be influenced by what you see. Yang Sheng: I really cannot tolerate the surroundings and atmosphere. Can I ask General for what offence these souls are sent here to be punished?

General: When these souls were human beings on Earth, they were: 1] Prostitutes and earned money by selling their bodies 2] Pimps who cheated girls and seduced them to become prostitutes 3] Smugglers and confidence tricksters 4] Those who used placenta of new born babies as tonic for health and rejuvenation 5] Swindlers and cheats 6] Womanizers 7] Bodyguards of, and gangsters 8] Defaulter tontine heads 9] Deliberate bankrupts 10] Bribery Officials 11] Unscrupulous building contractors All these people when alive had dirty hearts, therefore when they are sent here to Hades, they have to smell and wobble in the excretion of this Pool. When these souls inhale and exhale, the dung and urine will be swallowed or breathed into the

37 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld stomach. This well-deserved punishment is to repay for their sins on Earth. The mixture of dung and urine is like sticky mud and the more one struggles the deeper one sinks. Yang Sheng: It’s truly very pitiful. On Earth people mix hydrochloric acid into sewerage tanks to kill the offensive smell. To the rich they sprinkle essence and sweet-smelling liquids to kill bad smell; but when they earn dirty money like the smell of excretion and when they eventually die, their souls are sent here, they rightly deserve it. JiGong: What you have just said is very correct, Yang Sheng. Nowadays, people dress very well, live in nice house, eat very well, but they obtain money very unrighteously. What they have done is like the smell of excretion. When alive they enjoyed and when they come here, they have to encounter the bad smell and f ilthy surroundings; just the very opposite of what they had been enjoying on Earth. It is like eating dung and urine to pass the day. General: Do not sympathize with all these souls in the Pool. They are worms of excretion. I would advise human beings to be straightforward in their dealings and not to indulge in ill-gotten gains and wealth. If they do not heed my advice when they die their souls will surely be sent here. Yang Sheng: When then can their souls be relieved from this kind of suffering? General: It all depends on the gravity of their sins. The least punishment is for the skin and flesh to decompose after which the souls are sent to the Tribunal to stand trial. Yang Sheng: Oh, it is quite true that Hades is terrible. JiGong: Time is up and we have to take leave of you. We thank General for everything, and would request General to thank Chu Jiang Wang on our behalf. Yang Sheng: I am properly seated. JiGong: Then remove the filter. Let us return. The wind is very strong and chilly and the atmosphere is still stinking. On Earth there is much trouble and there are more bad people than good ones, so therefore I entreat all human beings to cultivate morality so that when they die, their souls will not have to suffer so much in Hades….We have arrived Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, quickly get down. Soul, enter Yang Sheng’s body. End of Journey No 11

38 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 12 - 31st October 1976 Touring Hades of the Hungry Ghosts JiGong: For the purpose of writing this Book, we have been put to so much inconvenience traveling from Earth to Hades and return. For who? On Earth there are so many people, so many vehicles and traffic, so many types of pleasures, so much so, that moral decadence has set in – getting worse everyday. But in Hades the souls of sinners are howling so terribly that even the mountains can vibrate. Sheng Xian Tang has been directed to write this Book, firstly to inform people about the sufferings in Hades and secondly to teach them to do good whenever possible. So, do not regard this Book lightly and treat it as an amusement book for the purpose of killing time. I hope that people will take it seriously and regard this as a matter of importance. Yang Sheng, quickly prepare yourself for the journey. Yang Sheng: I am ready, dear Master, let’s proceed. JiGong: It’s a very privilege for you, a human being, to have the unique opportunity to sit on this lotus flower platform and so you must regard this with great pride….We have arrived; quickly get out. Today we will visit the Hades of The Hungry Ghosts. Yang Sheng: Wow, this place is like a vast wilderness with no human beings. Which direction shall we take? JiGong: Not very far from here there is a small mount beyond which is the “Hades of The Hungry Ghosts”. Yang Sheng: This place is so very empty; where then are the souls of the dead? JiGong: If you walk on the left side you will soon know. Yang Sheng: Ya, truly on the left side there is a small path where I can see the soldiers of Hades having ox head and horse face, catching some souls with bound hands walking ahead. JiGong: We will follow them. Ox-head-horse-faced General: (Shouting) You Earth person, who are you to come here so freely. JiGong: If you open your eyes widely before scolding this person, it will not be too late. Yang Sheng: This Ox-head-horse-faced General looks very ugly and frightening. He holds a chain and fork and looks fierce as if wanting to use force on us. JiGong: Don’t be afraid; I will explain to him. Ox-head-horse-faced General: You two, who are you; quickly explain, otherwise I will arrest you and bring you before my Officer.

39 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: General, how long have you been a soldier of Hades? Why is it that you don’t know me? Ox-head-horse-faced General: I’ve been on this job a little more than two months. I carry out my job according to the law. I can arrest anyone who has no pass – this is my duty. JiGong: I am JiGong the Living Buddha and this person is a human being on Earth of Sheng Xian Tang, a follower of Guan Sheng Dijun and has received orders to travel to Hades in order to write a Book to advise human beings on Earth to do good. Today we are here to visit Hades of The Hungry Ghost. We have the permit on our body; do not hinder us in our pursuit. Otherwise you will have to suffer the consequences. Ox-head-horse-faced General: That being so, I will now kneel down to pay respects to you. Oh! you are what the human beings on Earth refer to as JiGong Huofo. I departed from Earth not very long ago but during my lifetime I had never seen or known you. Please may I beg you and this man to kindly pardon me. If you want to visit Hades of The Hungry Ghost, you have to pass the small mount; I can lead you there. JiGong: Very well, Yang Sheng, we will follow this General. Yang Sheng: Good, we will follow him. This path is strewn with small sharp loose stones under which there is water and when we walk, the sharp stones prick the soles of our feet. I can see two Generals forcing a woman who appears quite dressed but she is bound with chains. What offence did she commit? JiGong: Nowadays, rich human beings want to enjoy their lives fully. They do not value cereals and edibles and they throw them away. This woman had enjoyed herself too much and wasted foodstuff; that is why her soul is here to make her realize what hunger is and to suffer. Yang Sheng: This mount is not high, but there are abundant trees, rushes, rattan and is more or less like our hills on Earth. There is a narrow path which can just allow three persons to walk abreast. JiGong: After passing the small mount then you can see the Hades of The Hungry Ghosts at its foot. Yang Sheng: Yes, I can see. The Hades of The Hungry Ghosts is surrounded by steel spikes and the roof is brown in color….Now we have arrived. Ox-head-horse-faced General: Please remain here while I go in and report your arrival. Yang Sheng: The words “Small Hades of The Hungry Ghost” are carved convex on wood nut are not very clear. At both sides of the doorway are soldiers of Hades standing on guard. The woman we just saw, has now been given a pass and been led inside.

40 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Ox-head-horse-faced General: I have reported to the Officer-in-Charge. Now please follow me inside. Officer: Welcome, JiGong Huofo and Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng for coming here. Should I fail to entertain you sufficiently well, please be good enough to pardon me. JiGong: Oh, don’t mention it. I am afraid we have come to bother you. Because Sheng Xian Tang has received the order to write a Book “Journeys to the Underworld,” I have brought Yang Sheng here so that he can personally see what is happening in Hades and on returning, write the Book. Now that we have arrived, I hope you will be good enough to conduct Yang Sheng accordingly. Officer: This place is a section of the Second Tribunal. I will show Yang Sheng the works in this Hades of The Hungry Ghosts. Please have a rest here and in the meantime drink tea. Yang Sheng: Very well, I will follow Officer….In this block there are rooms inside each with three pieces of Japanese floor straw mats; the people inside these rooms are very well dressed but their faces are very pale and they are all moaning. Officer: All these were businessmen when they were alive; they were very well dressed, ate well, spent lavishly, enjoyed themselves to the fullest but had no pity whatsoever on the poor, needy and deserving. When dead, their souls are sent here to suffer. I will call one male soul and you can question him. Yang Sheng: Mister, why are you suffering here? Male Soul: When I was alive, I owned a factory. Business prospered very much and I mixed socially to a great extent and entertained lavishly – money was no problem, but I was very, very stingy to my workers who later became very unhappy and dissatisfied with me. I did not do charitable and welfare work and the highest donation I would give was not more than $500/-. I did not think much about charitable deeds. If any poor person or poor relative came to ask for assistance or money, I would tell my staff to say I was not in. This is not all. In the house, I did not think of saving up on expensive foodstuff and delicacies but threw them away. Outside the house, I maintained a few mistresses and provided them with luxurious houses and maintained them with several thousand dollars monthly. Two years ago, I had high blood pressure and died. Now I am sent to this Hades of The Hungry Ghosts to suffer for the sins I committed on Earth. Although I am dressed very well in Western fashion, yet I do not have anything good to eat. Once a week, I have only meal of vegetable broth. On the third day I feel ‘infatuate’ and faint and the Ox-headhorse-faced General splashes revival water on my face to revive me. My stomach is still empty and I feel very hungry. Have you any food for me to eat? Officer: You brute! Get in quickly; don’t take too much liberty. What you had done before, now you have to suffer. You had enjoyed too much and now don’t cry. Go inside and ask the woman to come here to inform this good man Yang Sheng what she had done on Earth to make her come to this Hades of The Hungry Ghosts.

41 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Woman: When I was alive, I was a rich man’s wife. My husband was a building contractor and earned a lot of money. At first we stayed in a small house and when business prospered we stayed in a big bungalow. Because we had plenty of money, we acquired the bad habit of lavish spending and gambling, playing mahjong day and night, not taking care of the home. Very often, I invited my friends to dance halls to enjoy ourselves, going to mid-night restaurants and eating places to have grand feasts. All my life I was never frugal on eating, drinking, gambling and enjoying; money was no matter. When it came to doing welfare and social work, I did not donate even a single cent. Now that I am dead my soul is sent here to undergo suffering. The Head of this Second Tribunal is very heartless. That is why I am now very hungry and in great pain. Yang Sheng: From the look of her face, this female soul is suffering very much; she is constantly biting her fingers as if she is very hungry. Officer: Woman, go back quickly. Yang Sheng: I want to ask Officer, please inform me why every male and female is so very well dressed here yet all of them are looking like beggars at the roadside, moaning and hair undone, stretching their hands out begging for food. Officer:  When they were living, they were reckless and misused God’s gift of foodstuff, squandering money, spending money for their own enjoyment rather than caring for charitable and welfare work to help the poor and needy, or in the case of wealthy men they abandoned their own wives in the house and maintained women outside or in the case of women who became wealthy and famous like singers, dancers and film stars etc, they separated from their husbands and families to suit their vanity.

When people attain wealth and fame their hearts often change and they tend to do worthless and infamous deeds; when these people die, their souls are sent here to suffer. I hope that those living people who are better off and wealthy, will use part of their money to help the less fortunate and poor fellowmen. Do not be too showy. You must remember that if there is too much enjoyment, drinking, eating, gambling, merry making and excessive expenditure without helping the needy and doing charity, bad luck will surely come. Those who are now in a happy and honorable position had accumulated virtues and meritorious deeds in their previous lives. Therefore, in present life you must do charitable and good deeds to help those in need, or printing and distributing moral tracts to advise people to do good. Not only will your name be known for a hundred years, but your good and meritorious deeds will be remembered and your souls will also go to Paradise. JiGong: Time is up, let us prepare to return. Officer: Good. In case I have failed to entertain you sufficiently well, please excuse me. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much Officer, for explaining in detail to me. I am returning now.

42 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Quickly get up on the lotus flower platform …..We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 12

43 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 13 - 10th November 1976 Touring Naihe Qiao and Hades of Dancing. JiGong: There are several mediums in Sheng Xian Tang; all of you are very hard working in an endeavor towards ascetic practices. This is a very good sign and you are to be congratulated. Your efforts in writing this rare Book to exhort people on Earth to do good is much appreciated. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much dear Master, for giving me the necessary instructions. We the mediums of Sheng Xian Tang have used up our mental energy and it is our intention to regain our mental energy by our moral culture so that when our rare Book is ready and printed, it will be distributed far and wide so that everyone throughout the land can benefit by reading it. I pray and hope that Heaven will bless our endeavors and make our humble attempt a great success it deserves. JiGong: If a person has the intention to ascetic practices, it naturally follows that there are bound to be many obstacles. However, I will privately help you so that you can attain the secrets of nature to make your worthy attempt a true success in every way. Now, get ready to go on our journey. Yang Sheng, step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am properly seated; we can now start. JiGong: We have arrived; quickly get out of the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: What is this place? I can hear souls crying non-stop. In front I see a bridge from which souls are falling to the bottom below and crying so loudly that even those in Heaven can hear their cries. JiGong: The name of this place is “Naihe Qiao”. Those sinful people who have died, their souls will have to cross this bridge. Let us go and ask the General for a detailed explanation. Yang Sheng: This bridge is continually swaying and rocking like a drawbridge and on the bridge there are Ox-head-horse-faced soldiers who are herding the souls and pushing them over the side of the bridge to the space below; this is very cruel. General: Earlier, we had received orders from Di Zang Wang (God of Earth) informing us that you, JiGong will be bringing Yang Sheng here to have a look. We are very happy to be of any assistance. JiGong: Don’t stand on ceremony. I am sorry that we will have to cause you some inconvenience. General: Both of you please follow me; I will bring you for a walk on the bridge. Yang Sheng: I am afraid to walk on the bridge. I will be only too happy to watch from here.

44 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Don’t be afraid; the Ox-head-horse-faced General will not push you over the bridge. Yang Sheng: Very well; but dear Master, you will have to hold my hand because the bridge is wobbling and I may fall over. JiGong: That being so, I will hold your hand and we will proceed. Yang Sheng: Aya, aya; below this bridge there are thousands of snakes, too terrible to see. All sorts of snakes are there, some as huge as pillars with dragons’ heads, mouths wide open and tongues thrusting out. Also below this bridge there are many souls begging for help, many being bitten by the snakes. My limbs are getting soft and I don’t think I can walk any further. Dear Master, let us go back; I cannot stand this horrible sight. General: Yang Sheng, please do not be afraid. Below this Naihe Qiao is a poisonous snake trench. Those human beings who when alive, had evil hearts cheated people’s money and cheated women, were instigators, caused people to quarrel and fight, took delight cheating others – such people had poisonous hearts and evil intentions. Those poisonous snakes; below this bridge now were created by the poisonous hearts and intestines of the sinners and these will bite other sinners in return. The souls of the sinners when walking on this bridge will suffer soft limbs and will not be able to walk any further; then the Ox-head-horse-faced Generals will push then over the side of the bridge to be bitten by the snakes below. When the souls are pushed down, their feet will drop on the snakes; the legs will struggle and then the snakes will bite them. Yang Sheng: This is indeed very frightening. Ordinarily, when one sees a snake one will be very afraid and it will not require an Ox-head-horse-faced General to push him down; he will automatically topple over. JiGong: Let us quickly walk over the bridge. Today we see so many souls walking on this bridge, everyone crying aloud. It serves them right, for when they were ali ve they were so sinful that when they die they now have to be pushed over the bridge to be bitten by the snakes as a punishment. Yang Sheng: We have nearly finished walking over the bridge but my heart is still afraid. There is no railing on this bridge for protection thus making one’s heart gets cold and legs become soft. Especially, when one sees so many poisonous snakes below, one’s heart becomes colder and legs softer. JiGong: Your bile is so small and you are so much afraid; I will give you three pills to steady your heart; quickly swallow them. No need for your face to get pale; and your body exude cold sweat….Quickly thank the General for showing us this place. We will have to visit some other places also. Yang Sheng: Thank you General of the Bridge for showing us about. Because our time is limited, we have to visit other places also. General: No need to thank me; I will not escort you further.

45 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform; we are going elsewhere. Yang Sheng: I am securely seated. Dear Master, you can start. JiGong: We have arrived; get out. In front is the “Hades of Dancing”. This is a new establishment to move with the time and is part of The Second Tribunal. Officer: Welcome to our place, JiGong and Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng. We are glad to be of service. We just received advice that both of you will be coming to visit this place. Please follow me inside for a look. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer. Why is it that the hall is pale in color and the light rather dim; I can only hear the jumping of feet and sound of crying. JiGong: In this place there are only the souls of those people who when alive, were dancing girls and men who patronized dance halls. When we enter you will understand better. Yang Sheng: Oh, this place is packed with males and females. There are welldressed men both young and old; the girls are beautiful and wear transparent gauze dresses – they are of all nationalities. Every soul who steps on the dance floor immediately jumps up and cries in pain, the males and females embracing one another continuously. I want to ask Officer what is the meaning of this kind of punishment. Officer: When the dance hostesses and dance patrons of Earth die, their souls are sent here to let them continue enjoying the thrills and pleasures of dancing; but here it is not the same as the luxurious dance halls on Earth. The floor of the dance hall here is made of red hot iron plate so that when stepped on, the souls have to jump up and cry aloud because of the hot floor….When alive these people were very happy while dancing but here, when they dance on the hot floor, the soles of their feet will get swollen blisters. Yang Sheng: Officer, there is some truth in what you say. When living they loved dancing and when they die they should also enjoy dancing here but nowadays on Earth things are somewhat different. Some take up dancing for the sake of health and exercise. If the souls of all people who love dancing were sent here, it would appear that the law of Heaven is not fair. Officer: I tell you frankly; not all the souls here belong to those who loved dancing when they were alive, only those who danced for enjoyment and bodily pleasure are sent here. In the case of females, they were women who took to dancing to earn money initially and additionally, they also took up prostitution; another type are those girls who disobeyed the advice of their parents and persisted frequenting dance halls to have pleasure and subsequently landed in undesirable circumstances and surroundings. We do not punish the souls of those who take up dancing for the sake of health and exercise. I would advise human beings to spend their energy and money on right and proper amusements. Otherwise, if time is spent in the wrong direction, the souls will be sent here after death for punishment.

46 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: What you said is correct; this modern world has changed – in China people take up Kungfu for the sake of health, but in Western countries they take to dancing for health. It therefore appears that in Hades, punishment is meted out only to those who take up dancing with ulterior motive, not otherwise. JiGong: The time has come for us to return. We must thank Officer who has taken so much trouble to conduct us so well. Yang Sheng; quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: We thank Officer very much. Dear Master, I am safely seated. JiGong: We will start to return to Sheng Xian Tang……We have arrived; Yang Sheng, get down; soul return to your body. End of Journey No 13

47 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 14 - 20th November 1976 Touring Hades of Coldness JiGong: Autumn is coming to an end and winter will soon take its place; the weather is changing. Human beings do not know how to adjust to suit the seasons and so sickness is the result. Today I will bring Yang Sheng to visit the place called “Hades of Coldness”. I don’t know if Yang Sheng can stand the cold season there. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, as I have just recovered from a bout of influenza, may I humbly suggest that we postpone this trip to the cold place till a more appropriate date and instead let us visit a more suitable place. What is your opinion? JiGong: How dare you postpone going to Hades of Coldness when I have already made suitable arrangements with the Officials there for our visit today? If you think you cannot stand the coldness there, do not be afraid; I will give you three pills to swallow – let us not delay this visit. Yang Sheng: Thank you, dear Master; I have swallowed your magic pills. Wow! I feel very warm and I do not feel cold at all now. JiGong: Quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am ready; we can start. JiGong: We have arrived now; get out now. Yang Sheng: I see a stretch of wilderness, no sign of life, no fresh and green trees, just a few branches, just an expanse of whiteness. What is this place? JiGong: This place is near the Hades of Coldness. That is why it is barren and throughout the year snow falls. Follow me on the left side half way up the hill and we will reach the Hades of Coldness. Yang Sheng: This vast wilderness has no road; the grass and trees are dead and the further we go, the colder it becomes. I do feel cold; is it because your three magic pills are slowly losing their effects here? JiGong: It is because the medicinal effect of the magic pills is circulating inside your system and very soon you will feel fine. Therefore, do not be afraid; the pills effect can last for 3 days and I can assure you I will not allow you to die of cold. Yang Sheng: There are blocks of houses; all made of wood, painted black and on the roofs are large snow flowers. At the entrance are two big wooden pillars supporting a huge beam with the words: “Hades of Coldness”. A road leads to the houses but there are no enclosures to surround them. JiGong: The enclosures are totally unnecessary it is so cold here and the limbs of the souls are numbed, so much so, that they can hardly move about or escape.

48 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: On the road there are a few soldiers of Hades herding some male and female souls; are they going to this Hades of Coldness? JiGong: You are right; in front the General and Officer are coming. Yang Sheng quickly prepare to pay your respect. Yang Sheng: My respect to you, General and Officer. We have received a decree to come here to tour Hades. May I request you to conduct us around? Officer: Don’t stand on ceremony. Just now we received our Master Chu Jiang Wang’s order; we know that JiGong and Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng will be visiting us after which you will return to Earth to write a Book telling human beings to do good deeds. Please both follow me. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. JiGong: Let us go directly to Hades of Coldness; not necessary to enter these houses. Yang Sheng: This Hades of Coldness is surrounded by two mountains; the inside looks like a collections of thousands of swimming pools and those many more further away cannot be seen. Inside the swimming pools are male and female souls – they wear only singlets on the upper parts of their bodies but the lower parts cannot be seen because they are covered by frozen ice. Their faces are pale, lips blue-black and hands trembling. The cold is so intense that they don’t even have the strength to cry; just moaning sound coming out. There are two souls constantly looking towards our direction as if wanting to say something to us. May I ask, dear Master, if we can help and save them from the intense cold? Officer: I will help a few souls out and you can speak to them. Yang Sheng: Good. Can I ask you, old soul, if you can stand this coldness? Old Soul: I am wearing just a singlet and I am so cold that I don’t even have the strength to speak. My hands and legs are numbed and I am on the verge of shock. Officer: General, please give him a bowl of ginger soup to drink so that he can be more steady. General: Here, quickly drink this ginger soup. Tell these gentlemen why you are here so that they return to Earth they can write a Book to advise human beings to do good deeds. Old Soul: When I was alive, I liked to collect stamps and old coins, curios and antiques. When I was 45 years old, I befriended someone. Whenever we could spare the time we used to drink tea and tell stories – in fact we were like brothers. One day before going abroad and fearing that his collection of stamps and old coins might get lost or be stolen, he asked me to keep them for him. Being greedy, I quietly kept his collection in another place. When he returned he naturally asked for the return of his property but I replied, “I am very sorry. Two weeks ago, someone stole not only your collection of stamps and old coins but also stole my own valuable collection.” When my friend heard this, he felt very sad. There was nothing he could do. When I was 58 years old I contacted cancer of the liver and eventually died. My soul came

49 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld to Hades. They took me in i n front of the “Magic Mirror” M irror” which showed everything I had done when I was alive! Hoe could I deny? So the Head of the Second Tribunal, Chu Jiang Wang sentenced me to Hades of Coldness for a term of 5 years. Here my body is being frozen everyday by the snow until I feel so terrible; too late for repentance. Will you please plead to the Officer on my behalf to remit my sentence? Yes or no? Yang Sheng: Please, Officer, remit his punishment, if you can. Officer: This is the law of Hades; if Chu Jiang Wang does not issue an Order, we just cannot do anything. Old soul, when I offered you the drink of ginger soup just now, it was already a favor. Therefore do not ask for any more favors. Yang Sheng, you can now ask this old female soul why she is here. Yang Sheng: This old female soul is so frozen that she can hardly stand up but is lying on the ground. How can she answer me? General, why not let her drink ginger soup? General: Very well. Here, quickly drink and answer the questions put to you by Yang Sheng here if not, your punishment will be heavier. Old Female Soul: Ow! I cannot stand this cold; like the coldness in a mortuary. Just look at certain parts of my body, some parts white, some parts blue-black – no trace of blood at all. When I was alive, I operated a prostitution establishment. I bought a dozen or so young girls for the purpose of prostitution. Some of them came from the villages, some ran away from their homes, some ran away from schools. I forced them to entertain men to earn money fro me. If they disobeyed, I punished them terribly. In this way I earned much dirty money. When their families wanted to redeem the girls, I demanded large sums of money which they were forced to pay. Those who were not redeemed had to remain prostitutes for life. When I was 51 years old, because of my heavy smoking and drinking, I contacted congestion of the brain and subsequently died. Because of my sinful deeds, instead of my lifespan reaching 61 years, I lost 10years and died at 51. For punishment for my sins, I was first sentenced to 5 years in Ordure (Dung and Urine) Pool in Hades after which I was sentenced to 31 years here, I don’t know what other sentences will be meted out to me as punishment. When I come to think of my m y present sufferings in Hades, I begin to hate myself and ask why did I ever commit so many sins when I was alive. Officer: We will now call the soul of a young girl. General, please give her ginger soup so that she will be able to tell these gentlemen why she is here in Hades of Coldness. General: Yes Sir…. I have given her the ginger soup. Yang Sheng: Can I ask you, young soul, why are you sent to this Hades of Coldness? Young Soul: When I speak out, I feel ashamed and I begin to hate myself. At the age of 18, I joined an opera troupe and performed in all sorts of places. I performed stripteased acts and thereby attracted a lot of customers; when business was slack, the troupe dispersed and I was forced to become a “private” call girl, strip-teaser and prostitute. One day I met a rich merchant and became his mistress. When I was 36 years old, we had differences and we separated. I could not face it all and to be

50 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld done with it, I committed suicide by drinking poison. After my death I was sentenced to Wang Si Cheng (City of those who died Unnatural Deaths) for 5 years after which I was sentenced to this Hades of Coldness. Until now, I have been here for 3 years, another 12 more miserable years to go to complete 15 years. Everyday my lower limbs are frozen and my heart has a feeling as if pricked by needles. I would, therefore, advise women on Earth not to follow my bad example. Officer: When this soul was alive she did not follow an honest living but preferred a debauched livelihood thus tarnishing the customs of accepted society. When she was alive, she preferred to undress and so, when dead her soul is sent here to suffer in this Hades of Coldness. After she has served her term here she will be sentenced to other Tribunals. Therefore, I hope that female human beings will learn from this and will not follow her bad example. General, quickly send these three souls to the swimming pool of Hades of Coldness. Yang Sheng: Owing to the constant presence of mist and fog here, I am feeling quite cold. JiGong: Time has come for us to return to Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much; Officer and General; goodbye. Officer: That’s alright; no need for me to send you off; I presume you can slowly find your way. JiGong: Yes, thank you. Yang Sheng, quickly step up the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, I am ready; we can proceed. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul return to your body. End of Journey No 14

51 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 15 - 29th November 1976 Touring the Third Tribunal Paying Respect to Song Di Wang JiGong: We are now going to tour the Third Tribunal. Inside each Tribunal there are various prisons for sinners, but although we have to visit all the Tribunals we will only tour or pay greater attention to the more important prisons of each Tribunal because we do not have enough time to tour all the prisons of all the ten Tribunals in the Underworld. We have to rush to publish this Book so that human beings on Earth can quickly gain maximum benefits from the teachings therein. Yang Sheng; quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, I am properly seated and so we can now start. JiGong: We have arrived and so please get down. Yang Sheng: In front there is an archway and a notice board like the ones we have on Earth; on the notice board is i s pasted a piece of red paper pap er and many Officers and soldiers of Hades and also souls of human beings since dead, are reading the notice. Let us also go and read what it has to say . JiGong: I already know its contents but as for you, who are in the dark, you can go and read it for yourself. Yang Sheng: Why is it that the Officers of Hades on seeing us approaching, look as if they are afraid of us? JiGong: These Officers of Hades know who you are and above all, they also know that in your body you carry a permit from Yu Huang and so they make way for us, not daring to offend us. Yang Sheng: Oh, I see; this is a notice issued by the Chief of Hades which says that He has received an edict from Yu Huang Da Tian Zun saying that, “at the beginning of time, human beings were very righteous, pure and honest and when these people passed away, their souls went to Paradise – there were no Hades. Later on, when it came to the Middle Ages, human beings became evil, sinful and did wrong deeds; Heaven then established Hades to punish the souls of sinful and evil doers; but the souls of those who were loyal, faithful, and those who practiced filial piety, fidelity, benevolence, righteousness, ascetic pursuits were not sent to Hades to undergo punishment, instead they were sent to Paradise.

Nowadays, things have changed for the worse because everyday there are robberies, wars, fighting, arson, treacherousness, drug addicts – everyday the newspapers have reports of such evil doings. Yu Huang has great pity on human beings and does not want them to fall more deeply into committing more evil acts; therefore, Sheng Xian Tang in Taiwan has been ordered to propagate further the teachings of Confucius, Mancius and Buddha to human beings so that through the righteousness of these teachings, human beings can be saved from further sins.

52 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld In addition, Sheng Xian Tang has been ordered to write a Book named “Journeys to the Underworld” with the help of JiGong and Sheng Xian Tang’s medium named Yang Sheng. They have been ordered to tour the Ten Tribunals here and to relate what they see for the purpose of writing this Book for human beings to read and thereby do good deeds. When JiGong and Yang Sheng visit any of your Tribunals, you Officers must give them every assistance so that their purpose of writing this Book can meet with every success. Should any Officer disobey My Order, I shall have no hesitation to punish the offender. This Order is dated 8 th Moon 15th Day, Bing Chen Nian (8th September 1976).” Oh! I see; this is Yu Huang’s Edict. JiGong: To write this Book, it is not just sufficient to let human beings know about it but it is also necessary to let those in Hades know our purpose. Quickly proceed; we will have to pay our respects to Song Di Wang of the Third Tribunal. Yang Sheng: How far off is this Third Tribunal? I see so many souls and soldiers of Hades moving about on the road but I cannot see any Tribunal building. JiGong: Not very far away; quickly step on the lotus flower platform; this is a quick way of reaching the Third Tribunal. Yang Sheng: Very well, we can start….. JiGong: We have arrived; quickly get out. The Third Tribunal is just in front of us. Quickly go and pay respect to Song Di Wang and the Civil and Ministry Officers. Look, they are coming to welcome us. Yang Sheng: Our profound respects to Song Di Wang and all Officers. We are here to tour the Third Tribunal in order that we can write the Book we have been commanded to write; so therefore, I beg you to give us every possible assistance. Song Di Wang: Yang Sheng, arise; no need to stand on ceremony. I am already aware that Sheng Xian Tang has been most active in propagating the teachings of Sages exhorting human beings to avoid evil and follow God, to further ascetic practices etc. I am very please that you are here; please do come in and then we will discuss. Yang Sheng: I thank you very much for praising me, which praise I am ashamed to accept. The President of Sheng Xian Tang, Mr Qiu has very ably led and guided all our members in righteous practices and as this is our duty, we cannot accept any praises. JiGong: Don’t be too modest; let’s go inside. Song Di Wang: Please be seated. I apologize for the simplicity of the wooden chairs and tables here, not like the comfortable ones you have on Earth. General, please serve tea. General: Yes, Sir, Please drink tea.

53 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. This reception room contains evidence of antiquity; the place is clean and well kept, the walls covered with ancient paintings and writings, like the houses of liberty families. Song Di Wang: You are right. This is the meeting place of the souls of dead righteous human beings who, when living, had done good deeds and ascetic practices and therefore when they died, their souls come here to drink tea, discuss general matters etc, not like the souls of sinners who have to undergo sufferings in the various prisons of Hades. Look, my Officers here are very free to move about as they like, no restrictions or hindrances whatsoever. Therefore human beings must understand that if they do not do good deeds and carry out ascetic practices they will not be accepted here and will not be allowed freedom of movement but will be sent to the various prisons of Hades to undergo punishment for their past misdeeds and sins. Further, the souls of sinners will have to undergo punishment in the prisons of Hades, their hands and legs being bound by iron chains, necks being locked by stocks and pillories and bodies being whipped and poked by f orks. JiGong: Time’s up. We must prepare to return to Sheng Xian Tang. Thank Song Di Wang for teaching us. If there is any chance we will come here for further instructions. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much Song Di Wang and Officers for entertaining us so well. We have to return now. Thank you again. Song Di Wang: Don’t mention. We expect to see you again. JiGong: Let us return quickly. Yang Sheng: We have to hurry; time is running out. JiGong: No need to talk so much. Let us start…We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 15.

54 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 16 - 9th December 1976 Touring the Third Tribunal. “The Prison of Scooped Eyes” JiGong: The cold air currents are blowing and the cold weather is very intense and most unbearable. I observe that your members of Sheng Xian Tang are so hard working that you do not seem to be affected by this severe cold weather. I am very impressed by your devotion and zeal. When this Book is ready and published for circulation, your names will be enshrined in the memories of future generations. Yang Sheng; now get ready to tour Hades. Yang Sheng: Tonight it is so cold here and I don’t know how colder it will be when we tour Hades. I am wondering if dear Master will be so good as to give me a magic pill to keep me warm during the tour. JiGong: This is a small matter; I will give you three additional magic pills to keep your body in good shape and to retain your vitality. Yang Sheng: Thank you so much, dear Master….I have swallowed the pills and I can instantly feel the warmth circulating inside my body. I am safely seated on the lotus flower platform and we can now start. JiGong: We have arrived. Quickly get down. Yang Sheng: What is this place? I see a few Generals walking on the stone steps. JiGong: This place is the Third Tribunal and is under the jurisdiction of Ming Di Wang. Inside there are many prisons where sinners are punished for their sins they had committed when alive. Quickly go and pay your respects to the Generals. Yang Sheng: Our humble respects to you Officers. We have instructions to tour Hades and we hope that you will kindly accommodate us. General: That’s right. I invite JiGong and Yang Sheng to come inside for a rest. This is the main office of the Third Tribunal and behind are located the various prisons of this Tribunal. JiGong: As our time is rather limited, there is no need for us to have a rest. Will you, therefore, conduct Yang Sheng round the various prisons for a look? General: This is quite O.K. We already know that Sheng Xian Tang have instruction to write the Book and we have also received a letter from JiGong informing us of your coming today. Please be good enough to follow me by the left side. Yang Sheng: Wow! This place is so vast – all buildings are made of wood. When we go near we can hear voices in agony. In front of the prison and on top are the words “The Prison of Scooped Eyes”. Officer of Prison: Welcome both of you to have a look, do come in and should Yang Sheng be not cleared on any matters, do not be shy to ask questions.

55 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Oh, I observe that all the souls have both their eyes scooped out, blood oozing from the eye-sockets, and everyone crying with both hands covering the eyes – very cruel indeed. On the left side, a middle-aged soul is being roughly handled by a soldier of Hades who is poking an iron fork into the left eye socket and the soul is struggling and crying loudly; at the same time the left eye-ball fell down and the soul fainted straightaway but did not fall down as his body was strapped to a post, his head sagged down from his neck. After that the soldier of Hades worked on the remaining right eye, the eye-ball of which also dropped down. It is such a horror that I dare not look at. JiGong: Yang Sheng, you should not be so softhearted that you talk too much. This is the law of Hades for the re-compensation of past sins. Why are you so impolite in remarking on what you see? You have made a great mistake. General: It does not matter. Yang Sheng, you are at liberty to ask any question on matters you are not clear about. Yang Sheng: If I had been discourteous in my remarks, I request Officer and General to pardon me. Can I ask Officer to explain to me the various processes of scooping the eyes? Officer: Well, when a sinful soul comes here, he is first of all strapped to a wooden post; then both eyes are scooped out one after the other; thus making the soul scream loudly and subsequently faint. This scooping process is carried out three times daily on each soul. After the first scooping, the eye-balls are retrieved and fitted back into the eye-sockets, then washed with magic water; this will have the effect of reviving the soul from fainting. Sometime later in the day, the second process of scooping and reviving is gone through and then the third process. This punishment is to make the soul realize the extent of bitter suffering. Yang Sheng: Actually, for what kind of sins are the souls sent here for this punishment? Officer: I will summon a few souls for you to ask them why they are here. General, please refit the eyes of the three souls who are in front. Wash them with magic water to revive them. Tell them to speak out what sins they have committed on Earth that they are sent here so that Yang Sheng can understand and write the Book for human beings to read. General: Yes, Sir. This first soul, will you tell Yang Sheng why you are here, and what sins you had committed when alive so that when he writes that Book he can tell human beings about your case. First Soul: Ouch! Both my eyes are so painful like a knife piercing them and yet you want me to tell Yang Sheng my story. Officer: General, quickly give him magic water to wash his eyes to relieve the pain and make him steadier. JiGong: Never mind, I will perform a few passes with my hand….

56 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld First Soul: Now I feel much better! Thank you, Monk for rescuing me. When I was alive, I was very proud; I graduated from a university, my family was wealthy; consequently, I despised people who were poor and less educated. I mixed only with people higher up the social strata and the wealthy. When I died, my soul was sent to Ming Di Wang of the Third Tribunal. Song Di Wang sentenced me because “my eyes were born high” i.e. I was very proud and despised and looked down on the poor and lower people. I have been in this prison for 2 years and three months now, and will have to remain here for another 2 years. This is not all; because when I was alive, I had committed other sins for which I will have to be punished in other prisons of Hades. I request you good fellow Yang Sheng that when you return to Earth, you will advise people especially the rich, not to despise, insult and neglect those who are less fortunate because if they do not follow your advice, when they die, they will surely suffer the same punishment as I am now suffering. Can I ask you good fellow to speak to Song Di Wang to pardon my sins? Yang Sheng: Can I ask General; this soul has requested me to advise human beings not to follow his example but to do good; so he has merit which speaks good of him  – therefore, can his punishment be lessened? General: I am sorry I have no power to recommend. Officer: On this request, I can report to Song Di Wang but I don’t know if Song Di Wang can lessen his punishment. Quickly escort this first soul back to prison and bring the other souls here so that they too can tell their own sinful stories. General: Yes, Sir. I have brought the two souls out, washed their eyes with magic water and they have revived. The soul on the right side; can you relate your past life and be frank about it. Second Soul: When I was alive, I was very fond of looking at girls and women. On Earth, there were many types of “social sightseeing”. I took pleasure in peeping at neighbor girls and women bathing. Often, my friends and I gathered to look at sex films and pictures; I was very happy with such activities. Once my friend and I visited a hotel room where a woman pimp introduced me a call girl who performed stripteased acts and we enjoyed ourselves very much. A year ago, I met with an accident and died, my soul was sentenced by Ming Wang to this Prison of Scooped Eyes for punishment. Everyday, my eyes are scooped out – very much suffering which my children who are still living, do not know. I hope that when you good man returns to Earth you will tell all human beings that they must not think that the Deities in Heaven do not know what they do on Earth. After death, when the soul appears before the “Magic Mirror” nothing can be hidden because every deed is reflected on this Magic Mirror and we cannot deny anything. General: You dirty old man, when you were alive and had money, you did not think of saving for old age but you took pleasure in seeing obscene things thus making your eyes become dirty; that is why you have to be sent to this Prison to have your dirty eyes dug out and washed. Now, soul on the left, quickly tell your sinful story. Third Soul: This is my sinful story. When I was a student in school, I often cheated and copied in examinations and in class work; I copied from my friends and from books. I enjoyed reading obscene books and looking at obscene films and pictures. When I

57 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld died, Song Di Wang sentenced me to this Prison. I have been here three months now and I have three more years to go. Yang Sheng: Oh! this is quite terrible. When I was studying, I used to copy from my friends but was never spotted by the teachers. When I die, will my soul be sent here for punishment? JiGong: By copying, you had gone against the principles of the school. Why are you afraid now? Heaven will not punish those who, realizing their own mistakes, have repented and reformed their conduct. You have become a firm believer in Sheng Xian Tang and are now doing a job for Heaven and therefore you have earned merit which will atone for your past mistakes, with meritorious services. There will then be no need for you to come to this Prison of Scooped Eyes. Officer: General, quickly escort these two souls back to Prison. In case I have failed in my duty towards you, JiGong and Yang Sheng, please, excuse me. Yang Sheng: How can that be? Officer: Male human beings have “dirty eyes”; they like to peep at girls and women; they like to read obscene books; or they like to despise people. After death, their souls will be sent here for punishment. If those who, after reading this Book, can realize their past mistakes and can turn over a new leaf leading a new life, and can make up their minds to print this Book for distribution to all and sundry so that everyone can do good deeds, then, after death any of their previous sins will be cancelled. JiGong: We cannot spare anymore time, so we have to return. Thank you both, Officer and General. Yang Sheng, quickly say goodbye and prepare to return to Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng: Thank you Officer and General, goodbye. Officer: I wish you a pleasant journey back. JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly step on the lotus flower platform and we will return to Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 16

58 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 17 - 19th December 1976 Touring “Copper/Iron Knife Face-Scraping Prison” JiGong: Those who are ascetic practitioners are constantly encountering all sorts of difficulties and obstacles but they are advised to persevere and in the end they will be amply rewarded. Yang Sheng; get ready to visit Hades. Yang Sheng: Thank you, dear Master, for your good advice. I am aware that those who do not have determination cannot succeed especially in ascetic practices because they have to surmount all sorts of hardships and obstacles. Nevertheless, dear Master, set your mind at rest about me. I am now safely seated on the lotus flower platform, so we can proceed. JiGong: We have now arrived; you can get down. Today we are visiting the place called “Copper/Iron Knife Face-Scraping Prison”. Yang Sheng: Oh! The Officer and General are coming. I will go and pay respects to them. I am a disciple of Sheng Xian Tang. Today JiGong has brought me here to tour your Prison so that when I return, I can write a Book to urge human beings to do good deeds. Officer and General, please help me. Officer:  Please rise; there is no need to stand on ceremony. I am very happy to receive JiGong and you, so please follow me to see the inside of this place. General: The name of this place is “Copper/Iron Knife Face-Scraping Prison” where souls who do not understand the meaning of modesty, or those who do not care for their face-skin are sent for punishment. Please do come in. Yang Sheng: In this Prison, the Ox-head-horse-faced soldier of Hades are herding a great number of souls, male and female, young and old, everyone looking downcast, frightened and ashamed. All of them have to report at the door before being allowed to enter. JiGong: No need to look around so much; just follow the General inside. Yang Sheng: Ouch! Ouch! There is a lot of agony sound coming from inside; all the sinful souls being bound hand and foot to iron pillars and the soldiers of Hades are using copper/iron knives to scrape their face skin – just like the abattoirs scraping the skin of animals. All the souls are yelling; their faces, without the face skin, are bloody and unrecognizable. The patches where the face skins are scraped off reveal the flesh. May I ask Officer for what kind of sins are these souls sent here to receive this punishment? Officer: It is quite difficult to explain but it would be better if the various souls were to tell their individual stories to you. Yang Sheng: This is a good idea because this will be abundant evidence for each type of sin.

59 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld General:  Here, Male Soul, quickly step forward and relate your sinful story to this good man from Earth. Yang Sheng: Can I ask Mister, why you are being punished in this Prison? First Male Soul: When I was alive, my parents died early hence I did not have the benefit of a good education. Therefore, by force of circumstances, I had to work when quite young and because all work was hard, I did not like working. I thought that it would be better to become a beggar, going from house to house, thereby not necessary to work hard for a living. I imagined I could pass the day by begging but because of my good physique, I was afraid people would not be too willing to give me alms. So, at the beginning, I began to eat in lesser quantities for two months,  just eating broth with plenty of gruel so that my body could become reduced in size and weaken. I smeared mud on my face, wore torn clothes, pretended to be lame and then went out begging from house to house. I explained to the householders that I was an orphan, no one to take care of me and that I was lame. Therefore, those good people took pity on me and gave me money. In this way, I was able to collect a few hundred dollars a month. Everyday on returning home from begging, I stealthily became happy and satisfy inside myself over this achievement of getting easy money without great effort whatsoever. At night, I changed over to good clothes, went to the market place for good eating and then to womanizing. As time went by, I became more avaricious and asked the good people to give more instead of the usual few cents. They began scolding me but I did not care about their scolding. When I died eventually, Song Di Wang sentenced my soul to this Prison for punishment, scraping off my face skin – very painful indeed! It is already too late for me to repent for my past misdeeds. Officer: You are like swine. When you were alive, you did not follow the correct path, that’s why your soul will have to suffer now. When still young, you pretended to be lame and being thick-skinned, went about begging. Any young man with ambition, unless forced by circumstances of extreme poverty, will not stoop so low and sell his face to go begging. Not only going begging for money, you squandered your illgotten money on good food, good dresses, dancing and womanizing. You are really repellent; when alive you did not care to save your skin, and so when dead, you will now be without your face skin, that’s why your face skin is being scraped out. Therefore, those human beings now alive should realize the necessity and honor of saving face skin. Quickly go inside, and I will summon another soul for Yang Sheng to hear his story. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer. I wish to ask this Mister, why at this age of about 30, you are dead so early and why is your soul sent to this Prison? Second Male Soul: When I talk about it, I feel very ashamed. When I was alive, I disgraced my ancestors. When I was about 17 years old, I studied up to Secondary School. I associated with bad company and followed friends to enjoy ourselves at the park. On seeing young girls, I tried to become fresh with them, spoke vulgar language; they scolded me, calling me “short lived urchin, uneducated and not saving face skin”. In spite of such abuses, I was very happy inside. I liked to walk in dark alleys and took advantage to molest girls usually embracing them from behind; or when riding bicycle, I would go near girls and touch their bodies. Once I raped a girl. In neither of these exploits was I ever caught by the police, but, once when I was

60 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld riding a bicycle I rode close to a girl and extended my arm and molested her, the girl gave a loud scream. I got frightened and both the bicycle and myself fell into the drain and I got drowned. When my soul was brought before Ming Wang he was very angry and punished me to a premature death, earlier by 10 years, thereby sending me to this Prison. I have been here for more than 5 years and I have to serve another 13 years. For my other sins, I have to be sentenced to other Prisons; I don’t know where, how and for how long. Can I request you, good man to speak to Song Di Wang on my behalf for a lesser sentence? Officer: No need to talk so much. Who asked you, when you were alive to be so filthy? You did not know the meaning of courtesy, modesty, righteousness, - all these you did not know at all. All these failures of yours arose from the obscenity of your nature. You are now given a well-deserved punishment. After you have served your sentence here for your obscene behaviour, you will have to appear before other Tribunals to be sentenced for your other sins for raping girls. General, quickly send this second soul back to Prison. General: Yes, Sir. JiGong: We are running out of time and so we have to return to Sheng Xian Tang. Officer: If we happened not to have entertained JiGong and Yang Sheng sufficiently well, we beg to be excused. Yang Sheng: How can you say that? I have to thank Officer and General for your kind assistance. JiGong: Quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated; we can now return. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, you can get down and soul, return to his body. End of Journey No 17

61 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 18 - 29th December 1976 Touring “Hanging Up-Side-Down Prison” JiGong: The cold currents are still with us and everybody is feeling the intense winter cold. To the rich and well-off they have heating facilities, fur coats and dresses, they have heaters to make hot dishes, etc but the poor have to suffer very much because they have to wear thin clothing and their l imbs become numb – it is indeed a very pitiful sight. This suffering is primary due to the fact that in their previous lives they did not do good deeds, that’s why this generation, especially the poor, now have to suffer from the intense cold winter. I hope that those who are rich and can afford it will be more charitable and help to relieve the sufferings of those who are poor and needy; if those who are rich do not help those who are poor, when they die, on rebirth they will be born poor and thus will have to suffer as what the present poor are now suffering. Those who are enlightened and educated should be able to understand the meaning of what I have just said. Yang Sheng, get ready to tour Hades; step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, dear Master; we can now start. JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly get out. Yang Sheng: Ow! In front of us are so many souls all crying loudly like the shrieking of pigs in the slaughterhouse. JiGong: Please do not say so much. The Officer and General are coming, quickly go and pay respects to them. Yang Sheng: I humbly offer you, Officer and General my respects. JiGong and myself have been ordered to write a Book about this place; so therefore kindly give us every assistance in our endeavour. Officer: Don’t stand on ceremony. I understand that Sheng Xian Tang is very famous; your numerous books, through planchette writings, aiming to advise human beings to do good are very much appreciated and understood by us here. There will be many sinful human beings who, after reading your books, will turn over a new leaf and do good and lead a new and better life; therefore you will acquire greater merits. Today, we are much honored to have you with us. JiGong and Yang Sheng, please follow me inside for a look. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. Oh, this is the “Hanging Up-Side-Down Prison” as described on the doorway. JiGong: So today we will follow Officer and General to see the inside of this “Hanging Up-Side-Down Prison”. Yang Sheng: Inside there is so much wailing like those crying and screaming over the death of their parents. I can see a very big field; the color of the grass is red. Officer: This Hanging Up-Side-Down Prison is under the jurisdiction of the Third Tribunal.

62 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: I see a moving execution ground and there are rows of iron pillars, the tops of which are connected by steel wires; souls are hung up-side down by the feet, the soles of which are pierced by hooks attached to the steel wire. The heads hang downward and the blood oozing out from the pierced soles above. Some of the souls are crying and struggling. The more the pain, the louder the crying. On some of the wires the up-side down souls appear motionless and streaks of blood are oozing from the seven holes of the head (2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils and 1 mouth). They look like vermicelli being dried on the racks. Can I ask, Officer, why should these souls suffer this kind of punishment? Officer: When these souls were alive, they had upset moral obligations, ruined social structure and defied the five human duties and relationships (1 parental, 2 husband and wife 3 brotherly and sisterly 4 friendship and 5 government-citizen relationship). Because of the present prevailing trend on Earth regarding such relationships, we now have a growing population of these souls in this Hanging Up-Side-Down Prison. The dripping blood from these sinful souls seeps into the earth of the field here causing the grass to turn red in color. Yang Sheng: The stench here is so unbearable that one has a feeling to vomit. JiGong: Be steadier so as not to obstruct the purpose of writing this Book. Officer: I will call a few sinful souls so that you can hear from them their side of the story as to why they are here. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much Officer. Officer: General, please down the first hanging upside down soul so that he can relate his story to Yang Sheng. General: Yes, Sir…..he has been let down. Yang Sheng: Can I ask Mister why they hang you up-side down and be exposed to the cold wind? First Soul: (Crying loudly) I am in great pain; I can hardly stand on my two feet which are very painful. They hang me upside down from my feet till I feel as if I want to vomit out my intestines. When I was alive, I lived in Tai Nan (South of Taiwan) and was adopted by my uncle who brought me up as his own son. I studied up to Secondary School. My uncle had a general departmental store. Because he regarded me as his own son, he loved me very much and entrusted the management of his shop to me. When I was 37 years old, my neighbour told me that my uncle was not my real father. I began to think that it would be a good idea if I returned to my real father, which I subsequently did. From then onwards I began to pilfer money and goods from the shop to give to my real father who, instead of stopping me from this malpractice, encouraged me to continue and even coaxed me to steal from the shop more valuable goods for him to sell. He also asked me to issue unauthorized cheques. With these ill-gotten funds, I ran back and lived with my real father to enjoy the stolen wealth. When my uncle discovered my ingratitude and duplicity it was already too late; he was very angry and cursed Heaven and Earth. The shop’s bank account was in trouble and creditors rushed to my uncle’s

63 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld shop trying to get payment. Because he had no money left, what could my uncle do but to commit suicide. When my uncle’s soul appeared before the King of Hades, he accused my real father and me for being the cause of his suicide. One year after my uncle’s death, my father and myself became seriously sick. All our illgotten money was spent on medical expenses until no money was left and both of us subsequently died. Our souls appeared before the King of Hades; we then realized that our lifespan had been shortened by our sinful and evil actions on Earth. Song Di Wang of the Third Tribunal was very angry and sentenced me to this Prison; I understand that the soul of my real father has been sentenced to another Prison. Officer: You are a beast. You were brought up by your uncle as his own son but instead of requiting his generosity and favor, you caused him pain and suffering until he had to resort to committing suicide. By your most ungrateful actions you had upset the father and son relationship with your uncle. So you are sentenced to this Prison to suffer. Have you anything more to say? General, return this soul to complete his punishment; and ask the soul on the left to tell his side of the story t o Yang Sheng. General: Yes, Sir…..The left side soul is here. Officer: Quickly tell your story to Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng so that he can understand the reason for your coming here. Second Soul: I am indeed suffering, so much so, that it is very diff icult for me to speak out. I was hung upside down in this Prison until my two eyes feel as if falling out of their sockets. When I was alive, I stayed in Tai Zhong (Central Taiwan). I was married and not being satisfied, got mixed up with a sweet young girl and frequently went to hotels with her. This girl did not have a father but lived with her widowed mother aged about 40 years, still very good looking. I also frequently visited her to seduce her at first by stealth but later on, openly. I felt very happy with my action. One day, while riding a motor-cycle, I met with an accident, the machine was totally damaged and I lost consciousness and subsequently died. I felt I was handcuffed by two Ox-head-horse-faced soldiers of Hades and led to Hades where I appeared before the Magic Mirror which reproduced every action I had done when I was alive. Song Di Wang was very angry and sentenced me to this Hanging Up-SideDown Prison for a period of 30 years. I have been here for over 2 years and I still have such a long sentence to go through. Officer: You beast, you behaved like fowls and dogs; not satisfied with enticing a young girl, you also went further and enticed her widowed mother. Your sin was very great; after you have served your 30-year term here, you will be sent to the “A-Bi Prison” where your soul will remain forever – no reincarnation whatsoever. JiGong: The five human relationships have been upset; morality has been ruined, human beings have lost the respect for teachers, lack of filial piety, enticing daughter and mother, all such sins are punished by sentencing to the Hanging UpSide-Down Prison and are regarded as just minor punishments; but if souls are sent to “A-Bi Prison”, the sins are regarded as very serious with entirely no hope for reincarnation. Therefore, human beings must understand that repentance of one’s errors and sins while they are still living are important, otherwise, if the soul is sent to “A-Bi Prison”, there will be totally no hope of redemption. Tonight, time is running out and we have to return.

64 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer and General, for your kind assistance; we are returning. Officer: In case we have failed in entertaining you, JiGong and Yang Sheng, please pardon us. JiGong: That’s alright. Yang Sheng, let’s get ready to return. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated on the lotus flower platform. We can proceed. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 18

65 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 19 - 8th January 1977 Touring the Office of “Four Stages of Reincarnation” Jigong: Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform to tour Hades. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir; I don’t know what part of Hades we are going to tour this time. JiGong: This is a new type of tour unlike ones we had undertaken previously. You must not waver but must be steadier. Yang Sheng: Yes, I am safely seated; dear Master, we can now start….. Wow! I see below us, streaks of golden light flashing and also streaks of light coming out from people’s heads shooting towards the sky. JiGong: Who taught you to be so busy body to open your eyes this time and thus observe these things? This is the “Light of Morality” coming out from Sheng Xian Tang. This Light of Morality is the outcome of the energy of the Dual Principles of Chinese Philosophy (positive-negative; male –female etc) emitted by the idols inside Sheng Xian Tang itself because the members are honest, sincere, devout in religious beliefs and dealings. The energy of the Dual Principles, two separate and opposite streams of morality coming out from Sheng Xian Tang, meet at a connecting point and both form this Light of Morality which you have just seen. Yang Sheng: I would like to ask you, dear Master, whether the light emitting from the head of the members of Sheng Xian Tang will always remain and will not fade out? JiGong: If any member gets out of Sheng Xian Tang and still continues to practise morality the light above his head will not only remain but will continue to get brighter and brighter but, on the other hand, if he leaves Sheng Xian Tang and stops practicing morality, the light above his head will gradually fade away until there is no light left. The present brightness you have just seen is because a certain highstanding Deity has visited Sheng Xian Tang and that is why the light is so very bright. If a person constantly practise morality or regularly visits Sheng Xian Tang or any temple, devils dare not come near to disturb him; if a person does discreditable actions or goes away from Sheng Xian Tang or temple, his “heart lamp” will extinguish and the devil will come and disturb him because the devil likes darkness, exactly like when the sun shines brightly and strongly, the devil runs away. Human beings must understand the meaning of “brightness”. Yang Sheng quickly close your eyes and we will proceed to tour Hades. Yang Sheng: Yes,yes; I have closed my eyes and so we can proceed…. JiGong: We have arrived. Do get down. Yang Sheng: Oh! why are there so many animals and beasts, poultry and birds in this place, all walking along a path ahead? JiGong: These are the souls of animals and beasts, hens, ducks, birds, fishes and shrimps and worms, who have died, now returning to Hades and proceeding to Ying Yang Jie to report their arrival.

66 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Wow! On my previous visits I had never seen such things. JiGong: You are just a human being and I feared that if you saw too many things here you would become afraid; so, using my magic powers, I devised a screen to prevent your eyes seeing such things. Yang Sheng: Oh! I have been deceived by dear Master. Why is it that all these beasts, animals, poultry, etc are rushing about as if they are being chased by someone? JiGong: The reason is that when these beasts, animals, fowls, etc were alive, the majority of them had been slaughtered by human beings and they were afraid and frightened; and when they were dead their souls still thought that they were still being harassed and therefore they are naturally frightened. Another reason is that these souls had already gone through the earlier three stages of rebirth (past, present and future) and after death, on returning to Hades their souls are sent here but they still have the fear in them although there are no soldiers of Hades to rush them about; that is why they are rushing about as if being chased and harassed. No human being is aware of this. Yang Sheng: Exactly, this is the first time I hear this. Shall we go straight ahead? JiGong: You are right, we will follow those animals, horses, cattle, fowls, birds, etc. When fishes and worms were alive, their souls were very small like particles of sand and hardly discernible. When they die their souls will ultimately return to their original size to be sentenced by the vicious Tribunals. Yang Sheng: Thank you, dear Master, for teaching me all these otherwise I will not be any wiser. In front of us is “Gui Men Guan” (gate of the ghost) but the souls of these four types, viz animals, fowls, fishes and worms do not enter. What is the reason? JiGong: Only the souls of human beings will enter by the main gate. Because of the gravity of the sins of these four types of creatures, their souls have to enter by the side gates. Yang Sheng: Why don’t these souls have to report at the main office before entering by the side gates? JiGong: They have a separate place to report not very far from here. Let us follow them inside. Yang Sheng: Oh! in front there is a vast pasture, on the left is a building on the top doorway of which is written “Office of Four Stages of Reincarnation”. These four types of creatures are crying as they walk along and their heads shaking as if praying to redress a grievance. JiGong: Before us is the Office of Four Stages of Reincarnation. These four types of creatures, when they were on Earth, had already suffered terribly and now when they are dead, their souls return to Hades in preparation for their being returned to human form. Quickly proceed to the Office.

67 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Three Officers are coming out of the Office. Who are they? JiGong: One is His Highness and the two others are Officers. Quickly go and pay your respects. Yang Sheng: I duly pay my humble respects to you Your Highness and Officers. Highness: No need to kneel, please arise. Welcome JiGong and Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng to our place. JiGong: I bring Yang Sheng here today for Your Highness to give him the necessary instructions. Highness: Sure, sure. Please follow me to the Office for some rest. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much Your Highness, for entertaining us. Highness: Please be seated. General, please serve tea. Yang Sheng: This place is totally different from the various places in Hades I had recently visited; so, therefore, will Your Highness please assist and instruct me accordingly. Highness: Very few human beings are aware of the existence of our Office. Because Sheng Xian Tang has been instructed by Yu Huang to write the Book, I have been asked to specially show you what goes on in this Office. This is unprecedented. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much; will Your Highness please give me as much instruction as possible? Highness: I am in charge of this Office which some call “Thousand Years Office” because among the four types of creatures there is a Tortoise whose life span is 1,000 years. If a human being who had committed very grave sins on Earth dies, his soul will have to be judged by the Ten Tribunals for sentence after which he will have to be incarnated into either of the four types of creatures – he will not have any of his previous identities of human form. The four types of creatures are: 1st Class – those born by the female species – beasts and animals. 2nd Class – those hatched through eggs – poultry, fowls, birds. 3rd Class – those born in water – fishes and shrimps. 4th Class – those born by either own change in form – worms. JiGong: Time is short; we have to return and we will call again later. Yang Sheng: I am very sorry that Your Highness’s interesting instructions have got to come to an end suddenly because we have got to return now. I thank your Highness for giving us so much assistance. Highness: It’s just small matter; I do invite you to come again. JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly leave this Office and prepare to return.

68 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Highness: I hope you will have a pleasant journey back home. JiGong: Please pardon me for cutting short your most interesting instructions. Highness: Don’t stand on ceremony. Because your time is up, I cannot detain you any longer. JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, dear Master; we can now start. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 19

69 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 20 - 18th January 1977 Touring the Office of “Four Stages of Reincarnation” (Second Visit) JiGong: Who says that Moral Principles are not compensated? Look at the four types of creatures – in their previous lives they had committed many grievous sins thus causing them to be reborn as beasts, animals, fowls, fishes and worms. Of all the earthly creatures, human beings are considered the most enlightened and intelligent; therefore it is most advisable that being regarded as on a higher plane, human beings must put into practice more moral and ascetic deeds. I would, out of pity, urge the souls of the four types of creatures to change for the better so that their previous sins can be cancelled and ultimately they can return to their earlier human forms on rebirth. They should not be like the spider at the corner of the wall where it spins a web of its own and quietly and contentedly remains there oblivious of what happens outside its web. Yang Sheng, prepare to tour Hades again. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir; I am ready. JiGong: We have arrived. Before us is the Officer of the Four Stages of Reincarnation. His Highness and Officers are ready to receive us. Yang Sheng: I pay Your Highness and Officers my humble respects. I hope you will kindly show us around. Highness: Arise; don’t stand on ceremony. During your previous visit we did not have much time to discuss many things but I sincerely hope that this present visit will be more interesting and informative. Do you feel tired after your journey? Why don’t you take a rest inside? Yang Sheng: Sitting on the lotus flower platform was not tiring but the strong wind playing against my ears was most disturbing and deafening. JiGong: Let us follow His Highness inside for a short rest. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Your Highness for taking so much trouble to make us feel comfortable. Highness: Please drink tea; do not be shy. Yang Sheng: Sheng Xian Tang has received an order to write the Book “Journeys to the Underworld” and choosing me to undertake this tour has made me feel most honored but my moral philosophy is not of a high standard. I am not very familiar with what goes on in Hades so, therefore, will you please explain to me the various aspects of the Prison here so that when human beings read this Book they can realize the advantages and merits of doing good and avoid evil deeds. Highness: It is better that I bring you to the place so that you can see for yourself and understand what is happening here. Yang Sheng: Thank you again, Your Highness.

70 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Highness: Then follow me to the Central Hall. Yang Sheng: I will follow you. Oh, I see a stag standing in front of the altar and nodding its head as if paying respects to Your Highness or trying to say something. Highness: That is so. In its previous life this stag was a monk; because he had contacted a certain disease he started blaming the Goddess of Mercy for not protecting him from suffering. Consequently he refused to be a vegetarian and broke the Buddhist Commandments, got married and raised a family. He continued to scold the Deities. In due course he died. This is his third rebirth and he became a stag living in the mountain, eating green grass, drinking spring water and dew, exactly like a hermit. This can be called his retribution. He has thus repaid for his past sins and at his death, the energies of Hades sucked his soul here. By his nodding of his head he is appealing to me to help him to be returned to human form. Yang Sheng: This is most disturbing. Because of a sudden lapse of reasoning when he was alive, this soul has to be punished and to suffer so much. The laws of Hades are inexplicable and cannot be avoided. I am still not very clear why, after death, the souls of the four types of creatures are automatically sucked in to this Prison by the energies of Hades. Highness: The Universal Law is that, the Heavens produce their energy, the planets produce their energy and human beings also produce their own energy; these energies revolve and intermingle to create existence. If the energy of Heavens stops, the Heavens will not exist; if the energy of the planets stops the planets will disintegrate; and if the energy of human beings stops human beings will die.

Human beings know that the Earth has gravitation but they do not know the Heavens and Human beings also have gravitation. Anything that is pure will be attracted by the gravitation of the Heavens but anything that is impure will be attracted by the gravitation of the Earth. Human desires are the creation of one’s heart. The energies of the three identities revolve to create existence. When any of the four types of creatures dies, his soul is attracted and sucked by the energies of Hades to be judged by The Tribunals. If you are an ascetic person, your spirituality is pure and will float and will be attracted by Heavenly energies; even if the soldiers of Hades want to catch your soul, they will not succeed in their effort. It is like a balloon floating towards Heaven and even if people want to stop it from floating, they themselves will be dragged up. Those of you who aspire to attain Buddhahood or Sagehood in the future must, from now onwards in this present generation, cultivate morality and practise ascetic deeds. It does not mean if one spends money for prayers to be said for salvation of the soul of one’s departed ancestors, the souls will be saved. Instead of wasting good money to pay for such prayers the descendants will save the souls of their ancestors if they do good deeds and print and distribute religious books, leaflets, tracts, so that people can read and thereby do good deeds. These ascetic practices will really go a long way towards the salvation of the souls of the ancestors and also enhance their own virtues. In fact when the Buddhas and Sages were alive their main objective was to teach people to lead a good life. They even caused books to be written to teach people to do good. Therefore by printing

71 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld and distributing religious books, leaflets and tracts, you will be following the footsteps of the Buddhas and Sages. Moreover, this will be much better than paying for prayers to be said for the salvation of souls of ancestors, and also in the end the ancestors will benefit and their souls will be saved. Human beings must not deny that they are not aware of the method (of printing and distributing religious books etc) of salvation of souls of ancestors. Another method is to help the poor, needy and deserving. Yang Sheng: Your Highness, every word you said is very true and enlightening. Buddhas and Sages had all along urged human beings to do good, either by speeches, preaching and discourages, actions or by books. If one pays for the printing and distribution of religious books and tracts, it is also like helping the Buddhas and Sages in their missions to save humanity. In this way their spirituality will ultimately be attracted by the energy of Heaven towards Heaven. JiGong: What Yang Sheng has just said is very appropriate. If a person tries to be benevolent and just, these attributes added to his personality will ultimately make him become a Buddha or Sage, after death. Highness: This stag here has undergone three rebirths and has therefore repaid for his previous sins which can now be regarded as cancelled. I will accordingly ask General to lead him to the “Revival of Spirit Pavilion” to drink “Revival of Spirit Soup”. General: Yes, Sir. Yang Sheng, please follow me to see what happens. Yang Sheng: Yes, thank you very much General. Very true, here is a pavilion with the words: “Revival of Spirit Pavilion”. Inside is an old man distributing cups of soup to every soul inside to drink. Immediately they finished drinking the soup, the souls suddenly transformed into human form, viz; male, female, old or young. General: Yang Sheng, please stand aside and watch. I will offer one cup of soup to this stag to drink. Yang Sheng: Yes, Oh It’s just like magic. The stag on drinking, suddenly changed its shape into a 50 years old man with short-cropped hair on the head and there were marks of joss-sticks scars (marks of monkhood). It appears that this person when alive had no intention of becoming a life-long monk. General: That is true. This person did not have the intention to remain a monk all his life. He did not want to be a vegetarian and subsequently got married, and raised a family. As punishment, he underwent three rebirths as animals. Now that he has drunk the revival soup he has returned to human form. Yang Sheng: Since he has now returned to human form, will he have to undergo any more punishment? General: Now that he has returned to human form, we have satisfactorily carried out our duty but he will have to be sent to the Tenth Tribunal for “Juan Lun Wang” (King of Revival) to arrange for him to be reborn a human being. As far as I know, all souls transferred by our Third Tribunal to the Tenth Tribunal will be reborn as one of the following types of human beings; poor, maim, blind, deformed so that they will have

72 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld to undergo further sufferings as human beings unless in their new lives they realize the necessity and benefits of ascetic practices so that on their next rebirth they will not be afflicted with any such deformities. JiGong: We are running out of time. Yang Sheng, please say goodbye to His Highness and Officers. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much General, for your kind assistance. Our time is up and we have to leave. JiGong: Thank you very much, Your Highness, we have to return now but I hope to see you again soon. Highness: Don’t mention; I hope to see you again next time. JiGong: Human beings are not aware of the existence of this Office of Four Types of Reincarnation. So it is my intention that Yang Sheng becomes more acquainted with this Office to enable him to mention it in more detail in the Book. Therefore, I will bring Yang Sheng here again at some more convenient time to receive further instruction from Your Highness. Highness: You are welcome here. All of you, General and Officers, stand in order to send off JiGong and Yang Sheng. Yang Sheng: I am afraid I cannot accept this honor. Thank you very much. Your Highness, Officers and General for your great help. We are returning. JiGong: Quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am properly seated; so we can start. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 20.

73 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 21 - 27th January 1977 Touring the Office of “Four Types of Reincarnation” (Third Visit) JiGong: When human beings die, there is much crying and wailing. But when any of the four types of creatures (animals, fowls, fishes and worms) die, their death is mainly due to slaughter rather than by sickness. This slaughtering is generally done by human beings and because these creatures seem to know that they have no way of escape, they feel very frightened and cry and scream in their own way. When these creatures die, their souls are sucked by the energies of Hades into the Third Tribunal. They cannot be returned to human form until and unless they have repaid for their previous sins. Human beings must understand that if they live a very sinful life and maintain an evil mind, when they die, their souls will be reborn as one of the four types of creatures, according to the seriousness of their past sins. Yang Sheng; get ready to go tour again. Yang Sheng: Master, at the present moment, the father of one of our members of Sheng Xian Tang has died and the member is very sad because his father was a good and devout man. Why is it that even good people must die so soon? JiGong: Every human being must undergo the four stages of existence, i.e; birth, old age, sickness and death. Even a king must die one day; why not an ordinary member of the public? The most important thing when one is still alive is to understand and do good deeds and be God-fearing so that when he dies, although the body will decay, the spirit still lives. In fact wise men are never dead; their spirits still live. Therefore, please explain to your member not to worry too much over the death of his father. Yang Sheng: It is my intention to visit Hades and see for myself how my friend’s father is getting over there. I understand from friends that the old man had a premonition, two days before his death. I would like to know how is it that this person could know ahead of his coming death – up to what level ascetic practice did he reach to be able to acquire this foresight? JiGong: The time is not ripe yet for you to see this old man. Speaking of the old man’s ability to foretell his own death, it is mainly due to the fact that because of his ascetic practices, his sincerity had reached such a peak that he could communicate with Heaven and Earth to know his own death. I must explain that the existence of Saints and ghosts is real and it is possible for one who has reached a high level of ascetic practice to know what is happening to him and to foretell his own death. Don’t waste anymore time, let us now proceed with our tour. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, I am securely seated; we can now start. JiGong: We have arrived; get down. Yang Sheng: Before us are His Highness and Officers coming to receive us. JiGong: Go and pay your respects quickly.

74 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: I now pay my respects to Your Highness and Officers for receiving us. Highness: Don’t stand on ceremony. If you do not object to be among so many creatures, you are always welcome here. Let us go inside. JiGong: Thank you very much. As we do not have much time, could Your Highness please arrange for Yang Sheng to have a look inside so that he can understand better how the four types of creatures are revived. Highness: If that is so, please follow me around…. Yang Sheng: The equipment here is more or less like those we have on Earth. Some are like suction machines; mosquitoes are sucked into them at the entrance and very soon at the exit of the machines, movable soft balls like cotton wool balls appear. Highness: When mosquitoes are killed by human beings or are sprayed to death by mosquitoes sprays, their souls are sucked by the energies of Hades and are brought here. They are again sucked by the sucking machines; inside the machines hundreds of souls are collected into soft movable balls (hundred to a ball). It should be mentioned that the souls of the mosquitoes are dispersed souls – these dispersed souls are gathered by the hundreds into a ball and the ball is ejected out of the sucking machine. When the soft movable ball comes out, at first it will float but very soon it will drop. When the revival soup is sprinkle on the ball, the dispersed souls in it will transform into one human soul. Yang Sheng: There is a very vast collection of these sucking machines here. How did you manage to arrange them so well? (No reply) Highness: The souls of the mosquitoes which are sucked up by the energies of Hades are very poor quality and standard. Let us go to another part of the Prison…. Yang Sheng: This field contains so many kinds of animals. I have never seen such a varied collection of animals on Earth. This is like a big zoo having tigers, lions, practically every kind of animals, fowls, etc very hard to count. We have now returned to the pavilion but I don’t know what His Highness has in mind to instruct me. Highness: Here I now have a case to tackle. In front of us is a Cock who has come to plead before me. I will let you see his personal file. Before he was reborn a Cock, this fellow was a rich man’s son and he lived in the North of Taiwan. Very often, because of his wealth, he used to rape young girls and also used his money to buy teenage girls so that he could sleep with them in order to retain his vigour and vitality and be happy. He had therefore committed a series of sins. After death, as punishment, he was sentenced to be reborn a Cock for five generations. His sentence is about to come to an end. He is now pleading to be reincarnated. Yang Sheng: This is very frightening. This Cock was formerly a human being. So if one eats the flesh of a fowl is it a sin?

75 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Highness: Every creature has a living soul but of different types and shapes. Their spirituality is exactly like a human being’s spirituality. Human beings like to eat meat because meat contains proteins and fats which help to build up the body; but they do not stop to think that all the four types of creatures are originated from human beings. Inside the bodies of these creatures one type of poisonous impurity is present. When an animal, fowl or fish (when still alive) is about to be slaughtered, this creature gets frightened and struggled thus making the blood circulate faster and become abnormal thus causing the release of this poisonous impurity into the blood streams and to stick to the flesh. When the flesh is cooked and eaten, human beings also absorb this poisonous impurity. Let us take the case of human being. When a person gets worried or frightened, the blood in his heart changes in quality, the accumulation of these many worries and fears will usually lead to sickness. Now, to return to the subject of meat eating, as mentioned earlier, meat contains proteins and fats which are good for body building; it also contains the poisonous impurities, therefore there are good points as well as bad points. However, present day scientists advocate the eating of more vegetables and less meat. To those who follow ascetic practices it is advisable to also eat less meat and more vegetables to reduce the poisonous impurities in the body. Otherwise it will be rather difficult to succeed in their attempt. You asked earlier if it is a sin to eat fowl flesh, after what I have just said, it is therefore up to you to decide. Yang Sheng: Your Highness, what you have just said fits in very well with the original principles of science. May I ask Your Highness; before us come an ape and a parrot  – the ape walks and behaves like a human being while the parrot imitates human being’s speaking – do they belong to a higher stratum of creatures? Highness: The ape moves like a human being and his brain is smart. In a previous life he was a human being but was too smart, in the negative sense, resulting in damaging himself and committing sins. So, on rebirth, he becomes an animal whilst retaining his human qualities. Regarding the parrot, he now imitates human beings speaking. When he was a human being he was very talkative and talked too much and boastfully, often speaking to cause families to quarrel and breakup. Now, being reborn to a parrot he is imprisoned in a cage and has to listen to people speaking and on his part trying to imitate what is spoken and what he hears. Therefore, human beings who are in the habit of making trouble, breaking up families, talking too much, going against the laws of society, etc, when they die, they will be reborn as one of the four types of creatures. JiGong: As our time is limited and as we have seen the Office of Four Stages of Reincarnation we now know that this Office only handles all aspects of reincarnation after which the souls are sent to the Tenth Tribunal, if necessary; and if all souls have been duly punished, they are returned here to be reincarnated. Yang Sheng; get ready to return. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Your Highness and Officers for giving me the instructions. As time is running out we have to return. I now say goodbye. Highness:  Please pardon us in case we have failed in any way to entertain you properly. General, please escort JiGong and Yang Sheng out. JiGong: We are now outside the pavilion; quickly step on the lotus flower platform.

76 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld

Yang Sheng: I am securely seated; we can now start… JiGong: We have reached Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 21

77 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 22 - 5th March 1977 Touring the Fourth Tribunal – Meeting with Wu Guan Wang JiGong: One year has passed and the new year is now with us. Last year, 8 th Moon 15th  Day, Sheng Xian Tang received the Order to write the Book: Journeys to the Underworld. Up till now half a year has already gone by and time passes like the revolving lantern. How many times in a person’s life can he enjoy Chap Goh Meh? We can see children playing about with l anterns. Those who are more elderly look at the mirror, and try to see if there is an increase in the number of white hair on their heads. If a person does not now begin to think of morality, when does he ever intend to do so? Generally, planning for the year starts in spring, and so with regard to human beings they should begin to plan for the future when they are still young. First of all one must treasure time. Secondly one must treasure one’s own life. Yang Sheng, we will now prepare to tour Hades. You must try to be steadier. Yang Sheng: Gongxi Facai. JiGong: Gongxi Gongxi, but I do not dream of Facai (prosperity) because I have gold and jade in abundance; I would very much prefer to have a good son. Yang Sheng: You are the one who renounced the world and here you mention wanting a son; isn’t it against the rules of Buddhahood? JiGong: You have judged me wrong. What I meant was that the world should have more intelligent, honorable, upright and glorious sons rather than numerous clever but deceptive sons; then only can there be peace on Earth, in which case I will not have to busy myself rushing about to save humanity. Yang Sheng: Master, your speech is charming but nowadays, people expect that as soon as a child is born, it will bring good luck and prosperity to the parents, and the prevailing trend is to wish one another Gongxi Facai immediately, rather than to give birth to a child and hoping that the baby will bring luck and prosperity in due course. JiGong: It does not mean that clever boys only can earn money but there are also cunning women who can earn money! Ha, ha. I am afraid I have made mistake in my speech. We must now prepare to tour Hades; step on the lotus flower platform quickly. Yang Sheng: Why is it that this year, the lotus flower platform appears la rger? JiGong:  Your burden is heavy and the journey long. You have advanced in your morality and therefore this lotus flower seat must also get bigger. Yang Sheng: I feel I cannot accept this honor to occupy the lotus flower seat. I have committed quite a number of sins. Therefore how can I occupy this lotus fl ower seat? JiGong: Although the lotus flower grows from the filthy pond, the flower itself is pure. So, if human beings can be like the lotus flower, it will be quite alright. Quickly get up on the lotus flower platform and we will tour the Fourth Tribunal.

78 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: I am safely seated. Dear Master, you can start. JiGong: I am in good spirits today and I will sing a song. This song is to advise human beings by:

1] Asking human beings why do they hurry. It is because of the three meals. 2] Asking human beings what they pray for. It is because of fame and name and gain and constantly worrying. 3] Asking human beings why they are enamourous. It is because they are in love which will ruin their health. 4] Asking human beings what they are thinking about. They are thinking about rubbish and indulging in vain hopes. 5] Asking human beings what they are worrying for. Why engage in unreasonable and ungainly pursuits. 6] Asking human beings what they have gained in the end. Constantly being busy during their whole life and at death they are empty handed. 7] Asking human beings why ravage women. Remember what they do to o thers, the same will be done to their wives and daughters. 8] Asking human beings what are they waiting for? Quickly go and practise ascetic undertakings. 9] Asking human beings how do they go about ascetic practices? Exactly like the lotus flower which grows from the filthy pond; be like the lotus flower. 10] Asking human beings what is true happiness? To be on board Guan Yin’s Barge of Compassion which ferries departed souls from this world of care to the realms of bliss. We have arrived Yang Sheng, get down. This is the Fourth Tribunal. Yang Sheng: Oh, this is really the Forth Tribunal. JiGong: Wu Guan Wang and Officers are here, so let us go and pay our respects. Yang Sheng: Our humble respects to you, Wu Guan Wang and Officers. I am Sheng Xian Tang’s representative who has been ordered to write the Book; Journeys to the Underworld. JiGong has kindly brought me here; so please give me every assistance. Wu Guan Wang: Please make yourself at home. So early in the new year you have been so hardworking already getting information for the Book. We greatly appreciate your hard work which goes a long way to increase your morality. Will JiGong and Yang Sheng please follow us inside for a short rest? Yang Sheng: Thank you, Wu Guan Wang, for receiving us so very kindly. Wu Guan Wang: Please have a seat. General, quickly serve nectar to our guests. Yang Sheng: Thank you so much, Wu Guan Wang. JiGong: Yang Sheng, you are very lucky, Wu Guan Wang gives you nectar to drink. Do you know that this nectar is a very rare beverage in Heaven? After drinking this nectar you will become more intelligent and enlightened.

79 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Wu Guan Wang: Don’t be shy; quickly drink the nectar. Yang Sheng: Wow, it smells good; so good in fact that the smell enters my very heart. I am beginning to have a cool and refreshing feeling which turns into a feeling of warmth. I must thank Wu Guan Wang very much for this honor. I am determined to complete this Book, come what may. Wu Guan Wang: Don’t stand on ceremony. This nectar comes from the Fairy Pond. Everyone of the Ten Tribunals serves this nectar. After drinking it one’s spirituality will become brighter. In Hades, the Officers are allowed to drink Heavenly tea only. The soldiers of Hades are allowed to drink Pure Tea only. Because of the different levels of position and seniority there must of course be some different standards of treatment. Yang Sheng: How do you handle the cases that come before this Fourth Tribunal? Wu Guan Wang: I am in charge of 16 small Prisons; in addition, there are other types of new prisons. Nowadays because human beings on Earth commit new types of sins, so therefore, we must have new types of prisons to handle them. When sinful human beings die, their souls are sent to Hades where they have to pass through Gui Men Guan after which they have to appear before the Magic Mirror to prove their sins to decide which Tribunal they have to be sent to be sentenced according to what kind of sin they had committed. Presently, I have to handle a case, so will you please follow me to the court to see for yourself what goes on. Yang Sheng: Yes, I see that inside, the Ox-head-horse-faced soldiers are dragging a male soul who, seen from outside, appears to be a person of position, like manager or chairman. He has a good looking face and bright; slightly bald. I don’t know what sins he had committed but he looks very frightened. Wu Guan Wang: This fellow was very smart and cunning. When he was alive, he was a businessman dealing in Western medicines and was expert in making medicines and pills. He manufactured imitation patented medicines and cheated people thus becoming rich. Now that his life has expired, the soldiers of Hades have brought him here to be sentenced by me. JiGong: Time is up, so we have to return. We will come again next time and ask this sinful soul to relate his story. We must seek Wu Guan Wang’s pardon for this sudden break in procedure because of lack of time. Wu Guan Wang: Never mind, General, soldiers and staff, escort JiGong and Yang Sheng out and bid them goodbye. JiGong: Quickly leave this Office and prepare to return. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Wu Guan Wang and all Officers for your hospitality. We are now leaving. JiGong: Yes, quickly step on the lotus flower platform and prepare to return. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir; I am securely seated. We can now start.

80 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld

JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 22

81 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 23 - 8th March 1977 Touring the Prison of Forced Drinking of Medicine JiGong: There are many human beings who are very unscrupulous, their main aim in life is to get money and wealth no matter by what means. Such people have no morality, like the quack doctor and those who make imitation medicine to sell. They regard human life like grass. In spite of the existing strict laws, they are not a b it afraid and they persist in their evil undertakings. When these people die, then only will their soul realize, very much too late, what great sins they had committed against their fellow beings. If you don’t believe, I will bring Yang Sheng to that portion of Hades and he can see for himself and thus speak out or write to prove the correctness of what I had just said. Yang Sheng, get ready to tour Hades; step on the lotus flower platform quickly. Yang Sheng: In which direction are we going today? JiGong: We will now go to the Fourth Tribunal. Yang Sheng: I am securely seated, dear Master; you can start. JiGong: We have arrived; get down. Yang Sheng: Why is it that in the Prison in front, I can hear vomiting and moaning? On top of the Prison are the words “Prison of Forced Drinking Medicine”. The Oxhead-horse-faced Generals are forcing one male and one female soul into the Prison. Oh, the Officer and General have come out. I think they know we are coming to visit them. JiGong: Yes, The Officer and General have come to welcome us. Yang Sheng, quickly go and pay your respects. Officer: Welcome to you JiGong and Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng, to our place. I have received an Order from Wu Guan Wang that both of you are coming here to visit us to enable you to write the Book “Journeys to the Underworld” for human beings to read and to assure them that the Prison in Hades are real and do exist. Please follow me to have a look. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer, for entertaining us so well. Both sides of this Prison gate are so full of all kinds of medicine; the labels are in many languages, viz; Chinese, English, Japanese etc. The packing is very good too. Can I ask Officer if you sell these medicines in the Prison? If not, why then do you stock so many kinds of medicine. On Earth the dispensaries do not have so many types of medicine for sale. Officer: Far from it, we do not sell medicines in this Prison. The medicines you see are imitations and were made by unscrupulous human beings. As soon as an imitation is manufactured and put on sale by human beings, we in Hades get to know about the imitation and have the same in stock. The stock we have here is the exact reproduction of the imitation medicine made by the imitators. I would advise human beings not to undertake such discreditable imitations stealthily and in the dark rooms and places. Remember that in the dark places there are Saints as well as devils to

82 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld oversee you and your discreditable actions. The Book , Tai Shang Gan Ying Pian says, “There is no way to make a person lucky or unlucky; it all depends upon oneself; good is recompensed by good and evil by evil. This recompensation is like one’s shadow following him whenever he goes.” This is the meaning of what has already been said earlier. JiGong: Human beings do not believe in the doctrine of cause and effect. You must understand that the recompensation of good and evil which is like your shadow will follow you always; you can see this shadow under a light but in a dark room or dark places no shadow can be seen. In such a place or situation, whatever thing you do no one sees or knows about except yourself but you do not realize that in the dark room or place there are many Saints and devils and whatever sinful things or actions you do, these Saints and devils will definitely know. Officer: I would invite both of you to come quickly inside to see what is going on. Yang Sheng: This Prison is surrounded by wire fencing but we can see and hear the souls there crying. T he soldiers of Hades are carrying pails of dark liquid and forcing the liquid down the throats of the souls who are struggling against drinking the dark liquid. JiGong: I think it is better that, instead of remaining here, I bring you to the place we visited the last time to see what punishment is being given to that soul. Officer: Very well, I will bring you there. Yang Sheng: It is really very pitiful. The other day this soul had good color on his face but now just after three days of our visit; his face has turned very pale. All over his face, eyes, ears, nose and mouth are smeared with black liquid and I don’t know what it is. Officer: When this soul was alive; he made imitation medicines and now that he is dead, he is brought here and the black liquid medicine is forced into his mouth for him to drink. The black liquid is very bitter and contains poison – very difficult to swallow. When the liquid enters the stomach, the intestines will be twisted and because of the pain, the soul will have a feeling of nausea. This is recompensation for making imitation medicine. Yang Sheng: His Western style is very dirty being smeared with the black liquid medicine and his eyes are not lively at all. Soul: Please save me! Will this Buddhist monk and human being please rescue me because I am suffering terribly. If you can rescue me I promise that on my next rebirth I will not mind being an ox or a dog to repay you for your help. I still have plenty of money and property on Earth and I will ask my children to give money to you. Officer: You are talking rubbish. This is JiGong you are talking to, not an earthly monk; what is the good of giving money to him? Quickly disclose to this human being here what sins you had committed when you were alive. This human being is Guan Di Gong’s disciple Yang Sheng who is touring Hades in order to write a Book exhorting

83 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld human beings to do good deeds. Will you, therefore relate frankly so that your sins can be extenuated. Soul:  Thank you, Your Excellency. Talking about it I feel very ashamed and my descendents too will be shameful. When I was alive, I opened a Western type of drug store selling Western and Chinese medicines and pills. After being in this business for a number of years, I acquired sufficient knowledge of making various kinds of patented medicines and pills. Consequently, I bought a set of medicinemaking machinery and using flour as a base plus coloring matter; I began to imitate the more popular types of medicines and pills and copied their trademarks. I manufactured a lot for distribution to other medicines shops as well as selling them in my own store. In this way, I made huge profits….Early this year, I was unlucky to fall sick and subsequently died at the age of 52 years. After my death, my soul was brought by the Ox-head-horse-faced General to the Magic Mirror which reproduced that when I was alive, I made imitation medicines and sold them for people to eat. The true reproduction gave me no chance to defend myself. Three days earlier, I was brought to the Fourth Tribunal for Wu Guan Wang to sentence me to undergo punishment in this Prison of Forced Drinking of Medicine for a period of 30 years. At the time sentence was pronounced, I was stunned out of my wits because right in front of me, were all the original packings of the various imitation medicines I had made. The legal Officer of Hades is very smart because what have I got to say in defend of my past misdeeds when all the evidence against me is here? For the last three days it was real torture because if I did not drink the black fluid the soldiers would beat me up; if I forced myself to drink, this fluid made my intestines twist and turn causing me to feel nausea. It is already too late for me to repent for my sins. I hope that human beings will take heed and not follow my bad example. Officer: You beast; you still have a string of other sins to disclose; do not deceive or try to hide. If you refuse to disclose, your punishment will be more severe. Soul: Very well, I will tell everything. When I operated the drug store, my main aim was to make and amass as much money as I could. Earlier, I manufactured drugs and sold them to young men and women to take and they became drug addicts – I really deserved to die. In another instance a friend of mine gave me a religious book which exhorted people to do good deeds. I flicked through a few pages which dwelt on ascetic practices and also on religious poems. I did not believe a word of what I had read because, this being the “space world” or “space age” one should not believe in Saints and holy things, so I chuckled the book away at the same time scolding the Saints, thinking that only superstitious people would blindly believe in Saints and devils. How was I to know that after death I was to be sentenced by Wu Guan Wang to an additional 5 years for two more sins, viz: scolding the Saints and secondly, for throwing the religious book away? I admit I had blundered and so I beg JiGong and Yang Sheng to help me out. Yang Sheng: From what you said, I would think that this soul i s quite sincere so I would recommend that part of his sentence be remitted. JiGong: When he was alive, he did not believe in the existence of Saints and devils. He said he was living in the space age. That was why he did not believe in such thing; now that he has died, he has repented but unfortunately, he is in Hades and therefore too late. Although he appears quite sincere in his disclosures, I think that he

84 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld will be rewarded when this Book, “Journeys to the Underworld” is published and distributed to human beings to read, but the reward will be small, something in the region of one upon ten thousand. Officer:  You deserve this punishment therefore there is no need to ask others to appeal for you. Although by making imitation medicines and pills you did not directly cause the death of people, you did, indirectly, cause their death, so Wu Guan Wang had no choice but to sentence you to that heavy punishment. JiGong: We do not have much time to spend here. We will come again some other day. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer and General, for the kind assistance given; we will have to return to Sheng Xian Tang and so I say goodbye. JiGong: Quickly step on the lotus flower platform to return to Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, dear Master, we can start. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 23.

85 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 24 - 12th March 1977 Touring the Prison of Boiling Water JiGong: There are many types of business that are carried out by human beings. If one is hard working and is not afraid or ashamed of earning a decent living there is no fear of death caused by hunger. Nowadays there are quite a number of people who do not want to work for a living; they prefer to get easy money by stealing, robbing, cheating and such like. Those who are more daring are not afraid even to resort to using the knife or other weapons to threaten and, even worse, to the extent of killing to rob. If such is the case, especially when it concerns the young, whose mistake is it? Primarily, the fault can be attributed to the parents who fail to teach their children (when still young) to behave well and become good and law-abiding citizens. When alive, wayward youngsters behave as if the whole world belongs to them and that they can do what they very well like, but when they die their souls will be suitably punished by the Soldiers of Hades according to the extent and seriousness of their past behaviour. Human beings on Earth if they do not believe what I have just said, will have a different opinion when I bring Yang Sheng to Hades to show him how punishment is being handed out and when he returns to Earth he can record what he has seen in the Book he is presently writing. Yang Sheng get ready for the tour of Hades. Yang Sheng: Thank you for instructing me, dear Master; after what you have said, I am sure human beings will agree with you and follow your good advice. I wish to ask you to explain what some of my friends have often queried me. Let us take for example, this present moment when you have undertaken to bring me to tour Hades – of course you will be very busy and fully occupied. And also at this moment of time, someone elsewhere invites you to come into the trance to help him solve his individual problem. And also at this same time a third party also invites you to come into a trance to help in his problems. How can you be in three or even more places (or different countries) at the same time? JiGong: I am fully aware that many people are puzzled over simultaneous presence in various localities. Lord Buddha had said that his power were boundless and limitless; all the Deities had also said that their supernatural powers were vast and widespread. If a person wants to be with him and help him, his thoughts must be in affinity with mine; then only will I be present. There is only one JiGong in Heaven but to those human beings anywhere who have the same affinity as mine, I can be with them in a thousand or more places at the same time to answer their earnest and sincere requests for help, if justified. Yang Sheng, our time is limited and so we must hurry. Step on the lotus flower platform and prepare to go. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, I am safely seated; we can start. JiGong: We have arrived; Yang Sheng, get out. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir. My ears seem to hear a lot of voices of crying in pain. Before us the writing on the gate-way reads “Prison of Boiling Water”. JiGong:  This is under the control of the Fourth Tribunal. Let us go quickly and see what is going on there.

86 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: A group is coming out; I think they are Officers…..I salute you, Officers and Generals. I come here with JiGong and I hope you will kindly help us. Officers: Don’t stand on ceremony. I welcome JiGong and Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng to our place. We have just received Wu Guan Wang’s order about your coming here. In case we fail to entertain you sufficiently well, please pardon us. JiGong: As we have already wasted quite some time, will you therefore please conduct us to see inside of this Prison? Officer: Will both of you please follow me? Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. I see that inside this Prison there is a lot of steam floating about and I also hear the noise of so much wailing and crying, all getting mixed up with the steam. I also see many souls whose two hands are up-raised and nailed to the wooden framework and the Soldiers of Hades using ladle to splash hot boiling water on their hands; all the souls are crying and shouting that their hands are in pain. For every cry the Soldier of Hades spank each soul with a rattan. I don’t know for what sins they are being punished; some of the souls are quite young. Officer: When these souls were living on Earth they were thieves, robbers and swindlers; after death they are sent here to undergo punishment. I will summon some of them and you can ask them to relate their stories. Yang Sheng: Very well; their stories will be published in my Book for human beings to read. Officer: I will release three and you can speak to them, one at a time. First Soul: Ouch, Ouch; my two hands are putrefied. Please, Master, help me by applying medicine on my hands to relieve the pain. Yang Sheng: Look at both his hands, there is yellow water dripping from them. Will dear Master please apply some medicine to relieve the pain? JiGong: No need to say so much. His two hands had done so many evil deeds that even medicine cannot help to relieve the pain. Officer: Beast, don’t disturb these people to help you to relieve the pain. You had better tell them why you are here. First Soul: OK, OK; When I was alive my family was very rich; I had money for food and clothing and everything. I made friends with undesirable people, not wanting to earn a decent living but frequented coffee houses to waste time and money gambling, womanizing, etc. I refused to listen to the good advices of my parents who later on advertised in the newspapers disowning me. Because of this, I hated my parents very much and left home. I joined the company of bad hats from whom I learned the art of thieving and pick-pocketing. I was very active with my new profession especially in crowed places, parks, bus stations, etc. I soon found that this thieving did not bring in plenty of money. Consequently I changed method and a robber I became, robbing exclusive flats and residences of the wealthy. I estimate

87 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld that I had robbed to the total of about $100,000. Once, while in the act of robbing a household, I was spotted, chased and then arrested. I was sent to jail by the magistrate. After serving sentence I was later released; instead of repenting, I straight away embarked upon my old habit of robbing. At the age of 41 years, I suffered from cancer as a result of my earlier wild life of drinking and womanizing. All my ill-gotten money was spent on medical expenses. When my bad companions found that I was sick and useless, they avoided me and I was left in agony, and subsequently died. After death, my soul was brought by the Ox-head-horse-faced Soldiers to this Prison, beating me all the way. After entering this Prison I realized that I had died prematurely by 9 years. This earlier death was a recompense for my sins for which I now have nothing to say. Officer: It is too late now to be sorry about. If you had known how to be sorry when you were alive and in jail, and had reformed on release, it would have some effect and you would not have died earlier by 9 years and therefore will not be here in this Prison to be punished. This is not your only misdeed for which you are now being punished but there is another sin – disobedience to your parents. So when Wu Guan Wang has sentenced you to 30 years imprisonment in this Prison; there is no cure. Second Soul, quickly come here and tell Yang Sheng your sinful story. Second Soul: When I was alive, I opened a hardware and spare parts shop. During the first couple of years I worked very hard and made profit. As years went by I learned to gamble, drink strong liquor and also womanizing. Later I took a concubine without the knowledge of my wife. As a result, my financial turnover was not too sound. I then turned to bad business practices – I bought goods from two factories, gave them post-dated cheques, sold the goods cheaply for ready cash, did not bank in the cash and absconded. When the cheques were presented on due dates, they were dishonoured because I had no money in the bank. As I could not be readily traced, a report was lodged with the police and a warrant of arrest was issued against me. After some time, when I was in a relative’s house I was traced and arrested but my cash was not with me as I had left the money with my concubine. I was produced in court and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment. On release I did not turn over a new leaf but went back to my old ways again. My previous creditors said bad things about me. Six years ago I had a heart attack and eventually died. The Ox-head-horse-faced General brought me to the Second Tribunal where Chu Jiang Wang, the Chief of the Second Tribunal, scolded me saying that I had cheated in my business dealings and he sentenced me to the Dung and Urine Pool of Hades. After serving the sentence I was brought to this Fourth Tribunal where Wu Guan Wang said that because I had issued non-negotiable cheques, my two hands are sinful and must be punished by boiling water being splashed on them, for 10 years. And for keeping a concubine and womanizing, I will have to undergo some further punishment. Wu Guan Wang also told me that after I have served all these sentences, I will have to be sent to Zhuan Lun Wang at the Tenth Tribunal; on my first re-birth, I will be a deformed human being but with good intelligence. I will have to work under and for my creditors and earn money for them, while I will have just enough to eat to pass the day, thus repaying my previous earthly debts. My second re-birth will be the son of rich parents. At birth, my body will be very frail and sickly thus causing the parents to spend plenty of money on medical expenses trying to cure me – I will have to take medicine to pass the day. The doctor will be my previous creditor and will be on special long-term contract to attend on me. I should have mentioned that, although my parents of this second re-

88 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld birth will be rich, they will be inhumane. Because of their humanity, as a recompense, they will have to spend much money on medicine because of my continued sickness and secondly, because I cheated in my previous business dealings, I will have to take medicine every day to pay back what I had cheated. This is retribution, pure and simple, which one cannot escape. Now that I have learned by the hard way, I would advise human beings and particularly business people to maintain, honor and respect their business principles and morality; do not go in for easy money, ill-gotten money or money that is not justified. If I now want to repent, I cannot do so because it is already too late and useless; I am already dead. Officer: You are a beast; you had no morality when doing business. The hardware goods, etc had turned to dust. On your next rebirths you will have to repay for your ill-gotten money or for money you had cheated when living. Your previous implications in commercial crime have tarnished and will tarnish the name of your descendants who thereby will not prosper. What this Second Soul had just said about retribution is very true – there is no doubt about it. The previous human creditors of this Second Soul had great merits and were virtuous that is why on rebirth they will be his creditors again and the same Soul on rebirth will have to slave to repay. Regarding retribution when it concerns human beings, it is a very delicate and sensitive matter. Therefore I would advise human beings to be kind hearted, not to offend others and not to care too much for oneself at the expense of others. If one goes against this advice then one will surely reap bad results – no wonder there is so much suffering and troubles on Earth nowadays. JiGong: As we now running out of time, I think it is just as well and enough to hear these two stories. Yang Sheng: Quite OK. Can I ask Officer; those robbers when convicted on Earth are sentenced to death by hanging or by shooting; what happens to their souls after death? Officer: These sinful souls when they reached Hades are sent to another Prison to receive more drastic punishment. I will bring you to see this place next time. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer and General, for your very kind explanations and instructions. We will have to return. JiGong: Quickly come out and step on the lotus flower platform to return. Yang Sheng: I am securely seated; dear Master, we can start. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down, soul return to your body. End of Journey No: 24

89 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 25 - 25th March 1977 Touring the Mouth-Piercing Prison JiGong:  In one’s life there must be occasions of sorrow, happiness and anger, meeting and parting. It is not an easy matter to be involved in ascetic practices. The person must maintain a sincere, free and easy heart and must also perform moral deeds. It is useless for one to speak about morality and not to carry out or put into practice. Today we will tour Hades. Yang Sheng, step on the lotus flower platform quickly. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, why is it that you are constantly heaving sights today. JiGong:  Human beings’ hearts are not the same and their intentions also are different, and also are their speech. Let us take the example of pickled plum: some say they are sweet, some say they are sour, some say they are saltish, some say they are neither sweet nor sour, while others say they are tasteless. Therefore, when people hear this and hear that their hearts get confused and don’t know what to do. Yang Sheng: Ah! You being virtuous, and indulge in ascetic practice, need not bother too much about things; instead you should quiet down the heart and stand obediently to Heaven’s decree. That will be OK. JiGong:  You are much smarter. I seem to have suddenly become infatuated and bewildered. Let us not talk too much but please get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir…. JiGong: We have arrived, get out. Yang Sheng: Officer and General are coming. I am Sheng Xian Tang’s Guan Di Gong’s disciple and have arrived here with JiGong to pay you a visit. Will you please help me? Officer: Welcome. The name of this place is Mouth-Piercing Prison and is under the control of the Fourth Tribunal. We have received instruction from Wu Guan Wang that JiGong and Yang Sheng are visiting us today. Should we fail to entertain you properly please pardon us. JiGong: Officer, please don’t be so humble. We are touring Hades for the purpose of writing the Book and we are here now to request Officer and General to help us in our mission. Officer: Yes. Sir; please follow me to the Prison to see what goes on. Yang Sheng: On the gateway are words: “Small Mouth-Piercing Prison”. I am afraid the souls are suffering. Officer: Let us enter quickly.

90 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: True enough; inside this Prison I can hear voices crying in pain like the clash of thunder to the ears, making my ears deaf. Some souls are strapped to pillars and the soldiers of Hades, using sharp skewers are piercing the cheeks with great force as if wanting to murder them. The screaming by the tortured souls is like the screaming and screening coming from the animal slaughter house. I don’t know for what kind of sins they had done to warrant such cruel punishment? Officer: I will release a couple of souls so that you can ask them. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer. Officer: Here, I am ordering you, sinful soul, to tell Yang Sheng why you are here. 1st Soul: My mouth is very painful. I had already confessed my sins to Wu Guan Wang and now you want me to repeat my confession. JiGong: I am a monk and have to beg for alms; and now I am like begging you to let us hear your story. Why can’t you oblige? Officer: This monk you see here is none other than JiGong Huofo who has been ordered to tour Hades and write a Book. If you don’t quickly relate your story; that would amount to disobeying orders; and do you know what punishment is? You will be sent to the deepest Hell where there will be no escape at all. 1st Soul: Oh, so after all, this monk is JiGong Huofo. When I was alive, I used to hear about him. Please pardon me for not knowing you earlier. Now that I know your identity, I will tell frankly what I had done on Earth. I had very good voice and was a talented singer. My service was in great demand especially in night clubs, restaurants and places of entertainment. I was often requested by pharmacists to sing in various localities to help advertise their products. To retain the interest of the audience and customers, I restored to singing indecent and obscene songs, suggestive gestures and mimics. When I died, my soul was brought before Wu Guan Wang who said that I had committed sins, those types of undesirable and objectionable songs and actions instead of singing ordinary, descent or patriotic songs, etc, thus exciting the audience and injuring public morals. That is why I am here in this Prison for 10 years. Everyday I have to undergo piercing of my cheeks which pains me very much – really, although I have a mouth, I find it difficult to speak. Again, when I was alive I was very romantic and for this, I have to undergo another type of punishment as what the Officer tells me that I feel very sorry. I hope that the existing living singing stars will not sing dirty and obscene songs but will sing songs which teach people to be good. Otherwise when they die their souls will be sent to this Mouth- Piercing Prison and they will have to sing songs of a different tune(crying) everyday. Officer:  I wish to send a message to the existing singers to sing only decent songs and songs which will be of use to the public and patriotic songs. They should not sing songs which are dirty and obscene. If my advice is not heeded, an oral sin has been committed and their souls will be sent to this Prison. I will now summon a second soul to tell her sinful story to Yang Sheng.

91 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld 2nd  Soul: My mouth is very painful and the wound is dripping blood. To begin with, when I was alive, I had bad temper and when I got married I very often quarreled with my husband. Every time I opened my mouth, I cursed Heaven and Earth. I also frequently quarreled with my neighboring womenfolk. My greatest sin was instigating the neighbors to quarrel thereby breaking up their families. In one instance, I quarreled with a neighbor and to get revenge, I spread unfounded rumours that the woman of one house had an affair with a male neighbor. From one mouth to another, the rumour spread until nearly everyone came to know about it, ending with the parties concerned divorcing. Because of my sin in spreading false rumours, at death, my soul was sent to this Prison for 8 years. There are other sins which I have no desire to talk about. Officer: That is well and good – you see, your mouth has produced through the wounds so much dirty blood water already. No need to say too much now, because your own mouth has confessed the damaging rumours you had spread. JiGong: It is getting late and so we must prepare to return to Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, have you any more questions to ask? Officer: You, tell your story to Yang Sheng quickly. 3rd Soul: When I was alive, my father was a Chinese physician using herbs to cure the ailments of his patients. Observing my father’s methods of practicing medicine I soon picked up bits and pieces appertaining to his profession. When my father died, I naturally took over and told the patients that I had acquired the knowledge of curing patients. I said that I was able to cure all sorts of sicknesses but had to collect the rare herbs and medicines from distant places, so the medicines would be very expensive. They believed what I said; some were actually cured while others were not cured although I had collected money from them in advance. Some even wanted the prescription slips themselves but I told them that were hereditary, being handed down from my forefathers; if they wanted, they could buy the ready-made medicines from me but not the actual prescription slips. In this way I made good profits by selling the ready-made medicines at high prices. When I died, Wu Guan Wang sentenced my soul to this Mouth-Piercing Prison for punishment. Officer: You did a good job by selling prepared medicines to cure people but you sold them at very high prices. On the other hand you charged too much thus damaging your morality. Therefore you had committed sin. I would advised those who have hereditary prescription slips for curing various types of sicknesses to make them available to people who really need them for their own use, instead of keeping them secret or making plenty of money by selling the prepared medicine themselves. Another thing is that people must not make huge profits by selling common medicinal herbs at high prices. If my advice is not followed, when such sinful people die, their souls will be sent here for punishment in this Mouth-Piercing Prison. JiGong: Time is up; we have to return. Let us thank Officer and General and say goodbye to them. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer and General, for entertaining and instructing me so well.

92 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Officer: If you do not think that we have entertained you properly, than I wish to invite you to our place on your next visit. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. JiGong: Step on the lotus flower platform quickly. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, dear Master, we can now proceed. JiGong: 1] Human beings must stop telling lies and talking bad about others behind their backs. 2] Women and girls must be gentle and virtuous and must cooperate among themselves. 3] Do not disturb or instigate other families. 4] Do not scold elders behind their backs.

These four maxims everyone must understand. Otherwise when they die, their souls will be sent to the Mouth-Piercing Prison. It is always appropriate to say “Thank you” or “I am sorry” where and when applicable so that misfortune can be avoided and good luck takes its place. We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down; Soul return to your body. End of Journey No 25

93 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 26 - 4th April 1977 Touring the Severing of Sinews and Extracting of Hand-Bone Prison JiGong: The time to tour Hades again has now arrived. Yang Sheng; quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes Sir; I am securely seated. We can start now. JiGong: We have arrived. Yang Sheng: There is a building the door-way of which reads “Severing of Sinews and Extracting of Hand-Bone Prison”. The Officer and General are out to receive us. Greetings to you, Officer and General. Your humble servant, Yang Sheng and JiGong have come to visit you for necessary instruction. JiGong: I bring Yang Sheng here today in compliance with the Order to write a Book because the present day affairs are deteriorating from bad to worse. Everybody wants to enjoy material and immoral existence. They worship money regardless of the consequences and seem to ask how much is conscience worth nowadays. When I hear of this, it pains me very much. When you come to think of it, much credit must be given to Sheng Xian Tang for publishing and distributing books, leaflets, and religious tracts exhorting people to do good deeds. Yu Huang Da Tian Zun has Zun  has very high praise for Sheng Xian Tang. That’s why the special job of writing the Book, ‘Journeys to the Underworld” Underworld”   is entrusted to Sheng Xian Tang. Our visit to Hades is to enable Yang Sheng to write the Book based on his personal first hand observation. Officer: We have already received information about the purpose of your visit, so please follow me. Yang Sheng: The soldiers of Hades are really very cruel. They use very sharp knives to sever the sinews of the hands of souls who are strapped to wooden crosses. These souls are in such great pain pai n that they cannot do anything but just struggle. Officer: The name of this place is severing of Sinews and Extracting of Hand-Bone Prison. The soldiers of Hades use very sharp and pointed knives, firstly, to sever the sinews of the hands then to strip the flesh of the hands to feed the iron dogs; secondly to extract the bones of the hands. Truly this brutal operation is very painful indeed. Yang Sheng: I observe that after this cruel treatment, the souls become more or less unconscious. There are a number of black dogs which seem to be enjoying a feast of the flesh which has been stripped out of the hands of the souls and thrown to them. On Earth, I have often seen dogs eating the bones of animals or fishes but I have never seen them eating the flesh of human beings. Can I ask Officer from where have these black dogs come? Officer: These dogs are called “iron dogs” and they are peculiar only in Hades. They have never been domesticated for thousands of years. That’s why they like to eat human flesh very much. Dogs of the Earth have been domesticated for thousands of

94 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld years. That’s why they are used as watch dogs, pet dogs, etc, because they are more or less familiar with human beings and their ways of life but these “iron dogs” d ogs” of Hades do not know nature and so they are used to punish sinful souls by eating their flesh – this is one way of recompensation. Yang Sheng: Officer, what you have said is quite correct. If a person does not know the meaning of honesty or righteousness he is worse than a dog. I see that these souls are being punished by their flesh being fed to these “iron dogs,” for what sins are they being so punished? JiGong: I will wave my rush-leaf fan to revive a couple of unconscious souls so that they can relate to you their story. Just see my magic… Yang Sheng: Really, these souls are awakening one by one. Officer: I will release three souls for them to tell their stories to Ya ng Sheng. You, come here and tell Yang Sheng what sin you had committed on Earth. 1st Soul: I will speak. I am now in great agony but my descendants who are still alive on Earth do not know how much I am suffering here in Hades. They seem to think that by my death, everything is finished with and forgotten. When I was alive, I was a vegetable seller, I was greedy for money and to get more money, I manipulated my weighing machine to cheat my customers. After the manipulation, one kati of vegetables according to my weighing machine, was in fact only 11 or 12 tahils. People say one must be honest when doing business; but I had no conscience at all. How was I then to know that after my death, when I was brought before the Magic Mirror, I was shown every sin I had committed when I was living? The Head of the Fourth Tribunal sentenced me to this Prison for 10 years. Everyday, I have to undergo this terrible punishment. I hope that businessmen still living will now realize that they must be honest in all their dealings and not be greedy for easy money by resorting to cheating. One must be honest when it comes to the use of any kind of weighing machine because for cheating through incorrect weight, Hades cannot overlook or excuse. The head of the Fourth Tribunal is very much against those who cheat by resorting to short-weight. Officer: Who on Earth told you to cheat by giving short-weight or short-measure? Now that you are here in this Prison, the soldiers of Hades have to “cure” your mischievous hands which had manipulated your weighing machine. Now, 2 nd  Soul, tell your side of the story to Yang Ya ng Sheng quickly. 2nd Soul: When I was alive, my family was poor. I was not given a decent education and at an early age, had to earn my living as a “rag and bone” man – collecting rags and old clothes, scrap iron, odd and ends, etc, at times buying from householders, using an old bicycle for the purpose. I then sold the scraps to bigger shops. Friends of the same trade advised me that to succeed and get good profits, we have to cheat when buying and weighing the old scraps, or old newspapers, etc, because householders who sell these articles just want to get rid of their unwanted rubbish and were not very particular about a bout what weight we say, example sometimes if the scraps actually weighed 10 katis and if we said 5 katis, the householders would not know or couldn’t care less or bother to haggle. I had been doing this sort of cheating for a number of years and when I died, the Head of the

95 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Fourth Tribunal before whom I was brought, was very angry with me. He said I did not have commercial morality and sentenced me to this Prison for 15 years, being punished everyday by the soldiers of Hades who insult and cause me much suffering. I cannot express my great grief here; so will Yang Sheng of Earth please help me to get out of this Prison? Yang Sheng: Dear Master, what this chap has spoken is quite sincere. Look at the suffering he is undergoing and the rags he is wearing. Can we do something to help him? JiGong: We have been entrusted with the mission to write the Book, therefore please do not deviate or interfere with the punishment these souls are going through; this is best left to the Officer. Officer: When you were on Earth, you did not take the trouble to keep your hands clean. Now that you are dead and are here, the soldiers of Hades have to sever the sinews of your two hands etc. You should be brave and face the consequences of your past actions, like a he-man should. Now 3 rd Soul, you can tell your story to Yang Sheng. 3rd Soul: When I was alive, I was married to a man who was a government servant. During the day time after my husband had gone to his office and the children had gone to school, I was left with nothing useful to do at home. So, to kill time, my neighbors and I spent our time playing mahjong. At the beginning, I did not know how to play but they taught me until I became proficient. Satisfied with my acquired knowledge of playing mahjong, I later became expert in other types of gambling. Although the stakes were small and the winnings and losses were not high, the gambling habit got the better of me and I could not let the day pass without a gambling session, so much so, that I eventually neglected my home and did not look after the welfare of my growing children and family. My husband advised me to give up the gambling habit and to concentrate on the home, but, instead, I turned a deaf ear and this resulted in frequent quarrels. Four years ago, I died of heart failure and my soul was sent to the First Tribunal, the chief of which sentenced me to this Prison where I have to undergo punishment for another 6 months, making it four and a half years in all. I would therefore advise women now living, to maintain the virtues proper to women; take care of the family and not to do the wrong that I had done. Now that I am dead, the sinews of my two hands are severed. I have to blame my own self for my present suffering because I did not conduct myself properly when I was alive. Officer: If women do not take good care of their family and home but go gambling from house to house, or frequent brothels as a result of gambling, they have themselves to blame because they destroy social morality. One redeeming aspect of your case is that although you did gamble, you did not cheat people; neither did you frequent brothels or take to gambling for a living. The Chief of the First Tribunal was kind to sentence you so lightly; that is only four and a half years punishment. Yang Sheng: Officer, what type of prison would a lone professional gambler be sent to when he dies? This sort of person makes gambling his sole livelihood and resorts to cheating when at the gambling table.

96 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Officer: This type of sin does not come under the jurisdiction of this Fourth Tribunal; the proper Tribunal to deal with him is the Seventh Tribunal which is under Tai Shan Wang. I would exhort human beings who have committed the sins mentioned above to quickly turn over a new leaf and live a new life; help to print and distribute this Book; then only will their sins be lightened and they will not be sent to this Prison when they die. JiGong: We are running out of time, so we have to return. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer, we must hurry back. Officer: Fare you well, JiGong and Yang Sheng. JiGong: Yang Sheng, leave this Prison quickly and step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, dear Master; we can now start to return. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 26

97 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 27 - 23rd April 1977 Touring the Prison of Poisonous Bees JiGong: The life of a devout ascetic practitioner requires great self-denial and selfsacrifice. If one is in earnest surely one will succeed. There are numerous temples, shrines and places of worship throughout the length and breadth of the land with signboards centrally displayed. These places of worship exhort human beings to do good deeds and anyone entering them should feel as if entering earthly paradise. But, nowadays, many people use the names of Deities, Sages and religious personages for their own material gains, e.g.; some make statues of Sages, etc, to sell to tourists. Others use the good name of temples, shrines and places of worship to hoodwink well-intentioned women. These malpractices damage and abuse the propriety of the Sages and such people, by indirectly deceiving the innocent ones, have committed great sins. The laws of Hades are very strict and severe punishment will be imposed on such evil doers. Today I will bring Yang Sheng to tour Hades so that he can, through his observation there, return and write the Book to tell human beings to walk the right path. Yang Sheng; get ready to climb up to the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I obey your orders, dear Master; I am safely seated on the lotus flower platform. I don’t know what part of Hades we are going this time. JiGong:  We are going to visit the Prison of Poisonous Bees. Close your eyes quickly and be prepared for the trip. Yang Sheng: I have closed my eyes. Dear Master, we can start now. JiGong: We have arrived; get out. Yang Sheng: oh, the Prison of Poisonous Bees is right in front of us. The soldiers of Hades are directing plenty of souls to the Prison and the soldiers are hammering the souls and they are crying loudly. Hearing these loud crying cause a feeling of sadness inside me. I don’t know why they are being brought here. JiGong:  Everyone of these souls had made use of good name of the Sages and Deities for their own material gains on Earth. They made a lot of money and enjoyed themselves very much when they were living, but now that they are dead, they have to undergo punishment in Hades. To understand the situation better, we have to enter the Prison itself to observe. Go and pay your respects quickly. Yang Sheng: Officer and General, I am Yang Sheng a medium of Sheng Xian Tang. I have received an Order to accompany JiGong to tour Hades so that on returning to Earth we can write a Book on what we have seen, for human beings to read. Would you kindly help us in our mission? Officer: That’s right; don’t stand on ceremony. This place is called “Prison of Poisonous Bees” and is under the charge of the Fourth Tribunal and is somewhat a practically new institution to deal with sinful souls and to punish them. Please follow me to see what goes on inside.

98 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. Ah! Dear Master, I am afraid to enter because of the great number of bees, everyone of them is as big as the beetle, black with big heads. They sting on the souls thus causing them to cry, shriek and groan in pain. There is totally no way to avoid the bees or to escape – all crowding to the corners of the walls. A few bees are flying towards us; I am very much afraid, let us run away. These tiger-head bees are very poisonous and will certainly cause death. JiGong: Why all this fuss? Why are you so fearful? Each and everyone of these bees has spirituality – they do not sting as and when they feel like stinging but they sting only those who are sinful, exactly the same as flies and mosquitoes do not invade places which are clean but only those places which are dirty and filthy. The reason why some of these poisonous bees fly towards us is because they want to welcome us. Yang Sheng: This is rather odd. It’s like firing big crackers to welcome us in a way. Officer: Yes, please do not be afraid. If indeed these poisonous bees choose to sting us, all of us would have run away by now. These bees have divine spirit and they will punish only those who used the good name of the Deities and Saints, etc, to get quick money and those who prey on women’s simplicity for a living. If any sinful soul in this Prison tries to escape, all these bees will go after him and sting him the more. Just see for yourself, everyone of the souls has scars on the body, and the head is swollen. When the poison sting takes effect, tears drip from the eyes and the souls become restless, jumping about all the time. Yang Sheng: This punishment is so very cruel and all the souls rushing about within this small Prison which has no extra doors to escape. Can I ask Officer for what sins are they sent here to be punished? Officer: I will summon a couple of the souls for them to tell you their story. JiGong: Very well; in fact most Officers in Hades know that we are here to write the Book and they had been most co-operative. Will you, therefore, also assist us by affording us the necessary facilities? Officer: Don’t say that; it is our duty to assist as best we can. I will now release a couple of sinful souls so that Yang Sheng can have first hand information. Yang Sheng: Can I ask this Mister for what sins you committed on Earth that caused your soul to be sent here to suffer this type of punishment? Soul: To talk about it, I feel very ashamed. When I was living in Western Taiwan, I was a medium of a certain temple. I was one of the handlers of the planchette board for a number of years. Later, I was promoted to be the number two of the temple. At one time, through planchette writing, my temple published a Book telling people that they should do good deeds, for free distribution. I was very energetic and went around collecting money from well-wishers throughout the land for the purpose of printing and distributing the book. Because of my “gift of the gap” within just over two months, I was able to collect $300,000 for the book. It so happened that at that time, I was in financial difficulties – my creditors were pressing for early settlement. I did not know what to do. The collection of $300,000 was still with me, so what could I

99 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld do with so much money staring at me in the face? I had to do something to save myself. I paid $200,000 to the temple to publish the book and kept the balance of $102,456 for myself. After settling with my creditors, there was still some balance which I retained for my personal use. All these “below the counter” transactions were not known to others. In due course, my conscience pricked me and I felt much ashamed, although at the numerous planchette sessions the Deities never mentioned anything about my shameful actions. Three years ago, I suffered from a serious stomach disease and subsequently died. The Ox-head-horse-faced soldiers of Hades brought my soul to Hades. The Deities scolded me loudly, “Although you had led a sinful life when you were living, now that you are dead, you still have not awakened to realize your past wrong-doings. I did not disclose to you (and others) your secret actions about your financial manipulations during the various planchette sessions because we Deities, through the medium of planchette writing, will only always teach human beings the correct path of doing good and will never bring out any wrong-doing of a person. I did not want to bring out your specific bad behavior but it was my intention that everybody through the planchette writing teachings will realize and turn to doing good. You, yourself had read so many good books and tracts and yet you did not follow the advices given, in them. Therefore you must now suffer the punishment that is proper to you”. The soldiers of Hades then brought me before the Magic Mirror which reflected every deed and action I made when I was alive, including my mishandling of the temple’s collections money – not a bit was left out. When I saw this, it pained my heart terribly and caused my gall to jump. Then I was handed over to the Fourth Tribunal for Wu Guan Wang to sentence me. I was sentenced to this Prison of Poisonous Bees for a period of 28 years. After serving this term, I will be sent to the Fifth Tribunal for another sentence. Now, everyday, I am being stung by the Bees all over my body which is very painful and causing swelling. When these poisonous bees see me, they come directly for me but in this Prison there is no place to escape to. I repent very much but too late. When I was living, I was a benefactor of people while I was attached to the temple but unfortunately I did not heed the warnings of the Deities. Because I made one silly mistake, on account of money, I have now to undergo this punishment. I sincerely hope that all temple mediums will carry out their duties very properly and will not make a single mistake or wrong-doing. One can bluff the eyes of others but not the eyes of Heaven. I greatly repent for my past actions and I now wish to apologise to the Deities and my friends in the temple. I am very much ashamed for my past misdeeds. Officer: When you alive, you were more or less a disciple of the Deities and Sages when performing temple work but you failed to follow their good teachings although you knew very well what was good and what was bad. You therefore had offended the Deities in Heaven as well as the many people who trusted you and contributed generously towards the expenses for publishing the book. Those who make offerings either in kind or in money, out of the sincerity of their hearts to temples, etc, will reap the benefits, although some priests and others who receive the offerings may use such well-meaning offerings for other purposes. Therefore, if an offering is given whole heartedly the benefits will always go to the giver, those who worship money will constantly have evil thoughts which will follow and shadow them

100 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld always. Those who are involved in collecting money for religious purpose must account for every cent collected. I hope that human beings will take heed of this. JiGong:  People who spoil the good name of temples and places of worship have committed grave sins and the soldiers of Hades will never forgive them. I want to let human beings know that ascetic practitioners must follow the right rules of ascetic practice in every detail. Otherwise, when they die, they will have to undergo great sufferings in the various Prisons of Hades; also they will have to pass through the four types of reincarnations viz; 1] worm, 2] fish, 3] fowl, and 4] animal. Therefore do not be a hypocrite. Time is running short Yang Sheng, prepare to return. Thank you, Officer. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer and General, for giving me so much assistance. Because we have limited time, we have to return now. Officer: All Generals, line up and escort our honor guests out. Next time, do come again; you are always welcome. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated; dear Master, we can start. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 27

101 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 28 - 6th May 1977 Second Tour of Prison of Poisonous Bees JiGong:  When Deities visit Earth their intention is to recruit suitable disciples for the furtherance of ascetic practices so as to cultivate the divine element within oneself to revert to the original condition at the beginning of time, so that eventually, human beings can attain future bliss towards becoming a Deity, Saint or Sage. Ascetic practitioners should consider themselves very lucky to be able to receive the divine instructions from Deities and must put what they have learnt into practice; but there are quite a number of them who, instead of following the right path to Paradise use the good name of the Deities to swindle and bluff innocent and Godfearing women. Such people have committed great sins. It does not matter what religion an ascetic practitioner embraces but he must diligently follow the instructions dictated by his chosen religion. Yang Sheng, today we will tour Hades again. So, step on the lotus flower platform quickly. Yang Sheng: I am securely seated, which part of Hades are we visiting today? JiGong: We will re-visit the Prison of Poisonous Bees. Quickly close your eyes… We have arrived, get out. Officer: Welcome to both of you, JiGong and Yang Sheng; we are very pleased to see you again. JiGong: Nowadays there are many people who use the good name of Deities to get money, especially from ignorant women, thus spoiling the splendid and solemn respect due to Deities. Therefore, we have come again to this place to investigate further other aspects of the pretence so that we can include factual stories in our Book. Officer: Very well; please follow me inside and I will summon a few sinful souls to tell Yang Sheng their stories. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much Officer. There are so many poisonous bees flying about as if the sky is covered black by them and stinging on the sinful souls until the bodies become swollen and the eyes seem to be swimming in their sockets on the head. Officer: Not only the bodies get swollen and the heads go swimming but the sinful souls will feel feverishly hot and will fear the cold because of the poison produced by the bees. General, quickly summon a couple of sinful souls so that they can tell their stories. General: Yes, Sir… I have brought three sinful souls. Officer: Here, sinful souls, listen very carefully. This is JiGong Huofo and this is Yang Sheng, who had received the Order to write the Book, Diyu Youji (Journeys to the Underworld) for human beings to read and learn thereby. I want all of you to tell your stories as to why you are sent here to be punished – remember to be truthful and don’t hide any facts.

102 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Can I ask this Mister why you are suffering in this Prison? 1st  Soul: I should not have committed the sin for which I am now being punished. When I was alive, I was one of the Elders of my village. When there was a proposal to build a temple in our village, I undertook to collect money from the villagers for the good cause. I was not very careful about the accounts and so I put aside a certain portion of the contributions for my own use. Not until I was dead, did I know that making use of part of the religious contributions for my own personal purpose was a very big sin for which I am now sentenced to this Prison to be punished. These poisonous bees have no pity for us and in my case, they sting me until my body is swollen. I would, therefore, advise human beings on Earth that they cannot play about with monetary contributions which are intended for religious purposes. They must be honest and straightforward in such dealings. Now that I am stung by these poisonous bees, this is truly my recompensation. I think in my lifetime I had not committed any other sin except this one only. Officer: As a village Elder, it was your duty to help the villagers as best as you could but you helped them to help yourself. The erection of the temple was to provide a place for the villagers to worship the Deities but you took the opportunity to make money out of the good purpose. Really your sins cannot be forgiven. Second Soul, come up and tell your story quickly. Yang Sheng: Can I ask you, holy man, why being of the religious order, instead of going to the Western Paradise, you are now thrust into this Prison? 2nd  Soul: Amitabha! Sinful, Sinful. I was ordained as a priest at the age of 15 after having received the necessary Buddhist teachings and instructions but I had no respect or regard for the Buddhist culture. When pious people contributed money to the temple, I stole some which I privately set aside for my personal use – some money I used for the temple and some I used for myself. When I was employed to say prayers for the souls of the dead to get rid of the calamities, I did so anyhow, not following the prayer books in detail. The length of the prayers often depended upon the amount of money paid – more money, longer the prayers; less money, shorter the prayers. I was not too eager to say prayers for the poor, giving all sorts of excuses like having prior engagements, etc. In the case of wealthy patrons, I was very happy to be of service and worked very hard to recite the prayers. Because of my greed for money when I was living, at death, Buddha did not care for me and so I was sentenced to this Prison. This is why I am suffering greatly here. Officer: Belonging to the holy order, you should have been as ascetic practitioner and should have improved your morality instead of which your canal thoughts never died, always craving for worldly gains. You worshipped money instead of worshipping Buddha – altogether different methods of worshipping. That is why you are suffering in this Prison. JiGong: To become a follower of Buddha, one has to discard one’s natural-born name; that is why all monks are given the common surname “shi”. This is a very solemn practice. Once a person renounces the world and joins the monkhood, one should think differently, concentrating on ascetic practices and doing good, but in your case, you still had worldly intentions and inclinations, forsaking the Buddhist teachings. I must impress on some holy people that if they still stick fast to worldly

103 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld pleasures and inclinations, they will have no chance whatsoever of entering the Western Paradise after death. Time is rather limited, Yang Sheng, we have to return and we will come again next time. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer and General, for giving us so much assistance – we now have to return. Officer: In case we have not entertained you sufficiently well, do please excuse us. Please come again. JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, Master, we can proceed now. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 28

104 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 29 - 20th May 1977 Third Tour of the Prison of Poisonous Bees JiGong: Deities, through the services of mediums and planchette writing, aim at helping and sympathizing with the troubles of human beings; but some mediums outwardly say that they want to cultivate morality by helping people but actually they have some ulterior motive to get money. They do not cultivate morality at all – their misdeeds are regarded as very grave sins. There are some physiognomists who praise themselves by advertising the correctness of their interpretations and, like “iron mouths”- (wolves which bite and yet no bleeding), they fleece their customers of hard earned money thus spoiling the good reputation of the ancient physiognomist “Gui Gu Xian Shi”. When such people die, their souls will be severely punished in Hades after which they will be reborn as birds in lonely valleys chirping away all day through. Today we will tour Hades again. Yang Sheng, get ready and get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir. The weather here is rather warm, I wonder if in Hades it will be cooler and more pleasant. JiGong: In Hades the weather is so cold that even the hair on your head will stand up. Step on the lotus flower platform quickly and don’t waste anymore time. Yang Sheng: Yes, yes, Master, we can start now…. JiGong: We have arrived, you can get down. Officer: We extend to both of you a warm welcome for visiting us again. Yang Sheng: We are here again to continue seeing what goes in this Prison of Poisonous Bees. JiGong: There are many bad characters on Earth who spoil the good name of Saints and Deities; so that is why we come to this Prison again to obtain more stories of sinful souls for our Book. Officer: Please follow me inside to have some rest first. Yang Sheng: As we do not have much time, I think it is i s not necessary for us to rest. Officer: If that is so, then I would invite JiGong and Yang Sheng to enter the Prison. Yang Sheng: This Prison is full of Bees but instead of producing honey they inject poison into the bodies of sinful souls. JiGong: That is what it should be. When on Earth these souls had so many sweet things, they now have to taste some bitterness in Hades. Yang Sheng: These sinful souls after being stung, run about the whole place trying to escape but there is no place to go to.

105 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: People generally say, “There are roads leading to Paradise, but they don’t want to take these roads; rather, they prefer to rush towards the Prison gates.” Officer: Nowadays there are many abbots of temples who make use of the good name of Deities to get money and to entice innocent and ignorant women. Society disapproves of such practices because the names of the Deities are spoiled by such behavior. That is why the number of souls in this Prison is always on the increase. I am much in moan to see this situation. I will summon a few of the souls so that they can tell you the extent of their decadent morality when they were alive. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer for assisting us. Officer: I am duty bound to help you. Therefore there is no need to stand on ceremony. I have already asked the General to bring forward a couple of souls. Here, you two, this is Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng who is accompanying JiGong to Hades to get first-hand information for their Book; both of you will have to tell Yang Sheng truthfully why you are here. 1st  Soul: When I was alive, I was a medium of “Zhong Tan Yuan Shuai Temple” Taiwan. At first the Deities borrowed my body as a medium and I was very successful in curing a lot of cases which the doctors or physicians could not tackle. These successes were mainly due to the effectiveness of the Deity Zhong Tan Yuan Shuai. At last, seeing that there were so many believers and devotees, even when Zhong Tan Yuan Shuai did not enter my body, I pretended to enter into a trance thereby bluffing the devotees who came to seek help, telling them that the devil had been disturbing them and had to be appeased. The devotees were told to buy much joss paper to burn, and to pay a few thousand dollars to the medium who would act and pray for them. Actually, the Deities did not come, neither did they ask for such things, but because the Deities did not come, I demanded such things instead. I made a lot of money in this way; with the ill-gotten money, I bought some big houses. When I died, my soul was brought by the soldier of Hades to the Fourth Tribunal where Wu Guan Wang scolded me, me , “You were the medium of Zhong Tan Yuan Shuai and being a medium, you should have regarded it your duty to help those who came to the temple for spiritual help. Instead, you used the good name of the Deity to get money from the poor devotees. That being so, the good work you had done as a medium was over-shadowed by your greed for money – that is why you are here”. When I was medium, I was not afraid of the slashes and wounds inflicted by the sacred sword but now the stings of the Bees cause me great pain and suffering. My repentance is too late now. I hope the existing living mediums will not deceive the Deities and devotees, like the bad example I had made. JiGong: By selecting mediums to go into trance, the Deities want to help human beings and this is the tradition of Taoism. The fact that the Deities through mediums can cure sicknesses which doctors cannot cure, is due to the magnanimity of the Deities in Heaven. Those mediums who make money through bluffing the people are going against the wishes of Heaven. Using one’s life to become a medium is very meritorious and it is quite in order if the devotees choose to give donations out of their own free will but, to use the good offices and name of Deities to get money from believers is very unpardonable. According to the laws of the Earth, this is too bad, but in the eyes of the laws of Hades, Ha des, it is even much worse.

106 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Officer: 2nd Soul, it is now your turn to tell your sinful story to Yang Sheng. 2nd  Soul: When I was alive, I practiced physiognomy and I was an adept in issuing amulets. In the evenings, I set up stall at the road side to cater for the wants of customers. Once when business was not too good, a young man came up and asked me to “read his face”. I saw my opportunity to make easy money and got very free with my tongue, telling him that from the look of his face, his fate was rather gloomy and to counteract, he had to spend money to get rid of the bad fate and I was able to assist by drawing an amulet for him for the purpose. This young man had absolute faith in my powers and after preparing the amulet, I demanded $1,500 for my services. Henceforth, I used this ruse to get money from trusting customers when an opportunity presented itself. When I died, Wu Guan Wang scolded me and said that although I had the ability to “read faces,” I had no morality and used my skill to get money from trusting people; he sentenced me to this Prison for 12 years. I am already here 3 years and have many more years of suffering to go through. My body being stung by the Bees, is swollen and painful. I now repent but it is already too late. JiGong: When you were on Earth, you were very smart and also had the gift of the gap; was like the Bees which hurt more people but never did any good for them. Therefore, being sent to this Prison is good retribution. I wish to warn all physiognomists to walk the correct path and avoid the wrong path. Instead of looking at and studying the faces of the customers, those who look at the customers’ pockets will eventually have to be sent to this Prison to be punished. As time is running short, we will now have to return. Yang Sheng: Can I ask Officer if it is a fact that those who damage the good name of Deities, when they die, their souls will have to be sent to this Prison. Officer: It depends. Those who purposely entice, and some other special cases are sent to other Prisons. This Prison caters for one particular type of sin. Yang Sheng: It is now time to return and so I must thank Officer and General for assisting us. We will have to say goodbye. Officer: All of you, escort JiGong and Yang Sheng out. JiGong:  Thank you, Officer, we are leaving. Yang Sheng. Get ready to board the lotus flower platform quickly. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, dear Master, we can start… JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 29

107 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 30 - 30th May 1977

Touring the Fifth Tribunal Seeing Wang Xiang Tai Paying respects to Sen Luo Wang Yang Jian: Because JiGong has prior engagement, he cannot come to bring Yang Sheng today for this trip to Hades; Yu Huang has ordered me to descend to Sheng Xian Tang to conduct Yang Sheng on this tour. Time is rather limited and so we have to start quickly. Yang Sheng: Deity Yang Jian, I am highly honoured today because you have come to accompany me to Hades. Why do you bring this Heavenly Dog along? Previously Deity JiGong used his lotus flower platform to bring us to Hades and now I do not see any mode of conveyance – how then are we going there? Yang Jian: JiGong has his lotus flower platform, I do not have the same. Each Deity has his or her own special magic power and for us today, we will use my Black Dog as a mode of conveyance. Yang Sheng: Your Dog moves so slowly and looks very fierce. I am afraid to go near him for fear of being bitten. Yang Jian: This is not an ordinary dog; it is a Heavenly Dog. I depend on him wherever I go and so why should he bite you? Yang Sheng: But dogs travel very slowly, therefore will take a long time to complete our journey. Yang Jian: Set your mind at rest. The four legs of a dog are like the four wheels of a motor car. Its speed is like that of JiGong’s lotus flower platform. Sit on this Dog quickly. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated but Deity, will you please sit in front of me so that you can control the Dog and prevent me from falling down. If I fall down that will be the end of me. Yang Jian: Shut your eyes quickly; there will be no accident, so don’t be afraid. Yang Sheng: I don’t know which part of Hades we are going today. Yang Jian:  Today we are going to the Fifth Tribunal. No need to ask so many questions as we do not have much time. We must start now…We have arrived; get down quickly. Yang Sheng: Truly, I can hear the strong wind blowing and within a twinkle, we have arrived. There is no difference between Buddhist and Taoist implementation of methods of transport (n.b. JiGong – Buddhist, Yang Jian – Taoist) Yang Jian: Taoist and Buddhist belong to the same religious family. In this matter of mode of travel, it is like a human being buying two different brands of vehicles,

108 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld saying that these vehicles are of the best brands not knowing that it is the heart that determines which brand is better. The engine is like the heart, and if the heart is good, the engine plus the heart will surely proceed on a safe journey. Yang Sheng: Deity, there is much truth in what you have said. In front of us is a group of many female souls being urged up the stone steps by the soldiers of Hades; and there is also another group of souls looking cheerful, climbing up the stone steps but not under guard. What is this place? Yang Jian: This place is called “Wang Xiang Tai”. All these souls who have arrived at Hades are entrusted to the Fifth Tribunal and proceed to Wang Xiang Tai for them to look back to Earth and see what their families are doing. The group which is ushered or urged by the soldiers of Hades will feel sad after looking back to Earth while the other group which is cheerful will feel happy on seeing how their families are faring. Yang Sheng: I see a V.I.P. group coming; don’t know what Deity is there. Yang Jian: The Deity is Sen Luo Wang, the Chief of the Fifth Tribunal, being escorted by his military and civil officers coming to welcome us. Go and pay respects quickly. Yang Sheng: I am Yang Sheng, a medium of Sheng Xian Tang in Tai Zhong. I have been ordered to write a Book entitled Diyu Youji for human beings to read and profit from there. Can I request Sen Luo Wang to help me so that I can fulfill my mission in writing the Book? Sen Luo Wang: Sheng Xian Tang had done many meritorious deeds and had also published and distributed many books entreating people to do good deeds. There are many evil doers who have turned good after reading their books. I am in charge of this Fifth Tribunal and have come across quite a number of souls who claim that they had read the books published by Sheng Xian Tang; thus mitigating the sins they had committed when they were living, and I accordingly reduced their sentences, to enable them to be reborn earlier. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness. Right or wrong, there must be an impartial decision. Those souls who had done meritorious deeds are fortunate to be forgiven by Your Highness. Sen Luo Wang: No need to kneel – arise. Please follow me inside for a rest. Yang Jian: As we do not have much time to spare, there is no need to rest but we can now start to show Yang Sheng around Wang Xiang Tai. Sen Luo Wang: Very well, we will go to Wang Xiang Tai Yang Sheng: Thank you again Sen Luo Wang. Sen Luo Wang: All souls who come to the Fifth Tribunal, must first go to Wang Xiang Tai to see what their families on Earth are doing because they still have a blind love for their families and naturally want to know how they are getting on. Therefore, all souls irrespective of whether sinful or not, want to see for themselves what is going on at home after they have died.

109 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: It is human nature and there is no change even after death. I see an old man is being brought here by the soldier of Hades. This old man, after looking at Wang Xiang Tai is crying so very pitifully and tears falling like rain down his cheeks I don’t know why. Sen Luo Wang: This is a sinful soul who has served his punishment in Hades and has come to Wang Xiang Tai to see how his family is faring. When he sees that his family now does not feel any sorrow for his death, he is very sad because when he was alive, he loved his family very much and sacrificed everything for them; he now feels that all his sacrifices and love are not repaid and so he starts to cry. Yang Jian: (to the old man)  When you were alive, you never thought of ascetic practices and now that you are dead, you expect your family to offer prayers for the release of your soul from suffering. This is a very high expectation because the present-day families do not believe in prayers and in redemption of souls. Where then will they ever think of prayers for the release of your soul? You have now come to Hades and it is already too late. If you still had some breath left when you were alive, you should have thought of ascetic practices for your future redemption. Yang Sheng: I see that there is nothing in Wang Xiang Tai – all void and emptiness. Yang Jian: Your eyes are still alive although JiGong had, some time ago, brought you to bathe in Qingxin Chi to cleanse your body and mind; it’s already so long ago that your body and mind have, by now, gathered all the earthly filth and dirt that your eyes now cannot see what is in Wang Xiang Tai which is a mysterious place and has many transformations. Sen Luo Wang: Because there is a lot of sins and evil and filth on Earth, they have caused even good eyes to become bad eyes thus making them unable to see clearly. Officer, please quickly bring pure water for Yang Sheng to wash his eyes. Officer: Yes, Sir, pure water is here. Sen Luao Wang: Give the water to me. Yang Sheng open wide your eyes and wash them with this pure water… Yang Sheng: Thank you, Your Highness for giving me this pure water to wash my eyes. Truly my eyes now feel cool and pleasant. Sen Luo Wang: Now go and look inside Wang Xiang Tai. Yang Sheng: Oh! How wonderful! I can see clearly what is going on in Sheng Xian Tang. The planchette writing assistants line both sides; I am standing holding the arms of the willow branch in front of the sand tray and small Deity “Yu Xu Tong Zi” is supporting me from behind; I am actively writing with the aid of the willow branch, on the sand tray. Brothers Wang and Li are at the side table writing while Brother Lin is reading out what is being written on the sand tray – all li ke having a film show. Sen Luo Wang: Wang Xiang Tai is very wonderful and mysterious. Small Deity Yu Xu Tong Zi is fixing his magic power eyes on your body so that what you observe in Hades you use the willow branch to write on the sand tray. The eyes of Small Deity

110 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yu Xu Tong Zi are like Wang Xiang Tai – the eyes have power to see Hades and Earth. Yang Sheng: Truly, the creation of Heaven and Earth is very mysterious. In front there is another soul who is very free to move about, with soldiers of Hades guiding him and telling him to look here and there. After looking, this soul is smiling; why is t his so? Sen Luo Wang: This soul has a good heart and he was an ascetic practitioner but was not successful in the practice. He died long time ago. He just saw his family on Earth praying to his table inside the paper house, mostly reverently. He was a kindhearted person but was not a successful ascetic practitioner and realized that if there is life there must be death; he never regrets, that’s why he is smiling. Within a few days he will be sent to “Ju Shan Suo” to be instructed in more ascetic practices. Yang Sheng: I have a question to ask Sen Luo Wang – why is it that as soon as a soul comes to Wang Xiang Tai, he can see what goes on, whereas I could not see anything? Sen Luo Wang: Because you are still a human being, your spirituality still sticks to your body; that is why in Wang Xiang Tai you could not see anything. When a person dies, his soul is separated from his body and his mode of existence changes. That is why he can see what goes on, on Earth, when his soul is in Hades. When in Hades, one’s spirituality is changeable, whereas the spirituality of a living person cannot change. Yang Jian: We are running short of time and so we have to return. Thank you very much, Sen Luo Wang and Officers of the Fifth Tribunal; we both, teacher and pupil, have to return. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Sen Luo Wang and all Officers, for giving us so much assistance. We will visit next time. Sen Luo Wang: All Generals and Officers, line up and give them a hearty send off. Yang Jian: Yang Sheng, quickly get down the stone steps. Yang Sheng: Yes, yes. Deity, what is the purpose of the third eye on your forehead? Yang Jian: This third eye is a Heavenly eye – a combination of Heaven, earth and self; sun, moon and stars shinning towards each other. Therefore the power is very great, specially to catch the evil spirits on Earth; when evil spirits see me, they are very frightened. Yang Sheng: So terrible! – there are so many hearts in this Third Eye. Yang Jian: You must not look down on my Third Eye. Those who are far-sighted, when they lift up their heads heaven-wards and see the Deities and Spirits there, how dare they do evil deeds? Yang Sheng: This is the first time I am associated with you. Please do not take offence; really I have eyes but no eye-balls to enable me to see properly.

111 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld

Yang Jian: Oh, it does not matter. Sit on the Heavenly Dog quickly and we will re turn. Yang Sheng: I am properly seated, Deity, we can proceed…. Yang Jian: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul return to your body. End of Journey No 30

112 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 31 - 15th June 1977 Touring the Fifth Tribunal –  Sen Luo Wang’s Discourse on Heart Gouging JiGong: Last time I was pre-engaged and so I requested Deity Yang Jian to stand in for me to bring Yang Sheng to tour Hades – two “Yangs” touring Hades and visiting the Fifth Tribunal – this is just joking but has a moral meaning. Reading a book is like eating melon seed; if one chews the husk together with the seed of the melon, there is no taste at all but if one throws out the husk and chews the seed, one can appreciate the melon seed. Therefore, when reading a book, one must not just read its contents but must understand the deeper meaning of what is written. Yang Sheng, be prepared to tour Hades again. Yang Sheng: Yes Sir. Some time ago you told me that Deities have the power to be present at several places at the same time but I am wondering why is it that on the previous occasion you did not come to bring me to Hades but instead asked Deity Yang Jian to bring me there. JiGong: Ha, Ha! It was not that I could not divide myself to be present on that day to bring you there but I intentionally asked Yang Jian to take my place so that readers can have a chance to be acquainted with Yang Jian. We are short of time and so have to depart quickly. Yang Sheng: I am securely seated, dear Master, we can start now… JiGong: We have reached the Fifth Tribunal, get down. Sen Luo Wang and Officers are all assembled to receive us; quickly go and pay your respects. Yang Sheng: My respects to you, Sen Luo Wang and Officers. I am here again with JiGong for the purpose of writing the Book. So, therefore would Sen Luo Wang, please afford me the necessary assistance and facilities? Sen Luo Wang: Arise Yang Sheng. I extend to you a very warm welcome. I wish to invite both of you to come inside as I have something to discuss. JiGong: From the time we received the Order to write the Book on our Journey to Hades till now, I am glad to say that half our mission has been accomplished. I beg Sen Luo Wang to help us so that our assignment can be completed successfully. Sen Luo Wang: Present day science has made so much advancement that public morality is not the same as what it was in ancient times. Much decadence has taken the upper hand; luckily in Taiwan there are so many temples which help to propagate moral culture thus helping countless people to walk on the right path; especially so, Tai Zhong’s Sheng Xian Tang, which has rendered meritorious service. That is why the Jade Emperor, has ordered Sheng Xian Tang to write the Book. Also, all the Ten Tribunals of Hades are aware of the assignment first given by Yu Huang on 8th Moon 15th Day just passed. In fact we have been waiting anxiously for your arrival. Please do come in so that we can leisurely talk things over.

113 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Thank you, Sen Luo Wang for inviting us. I see there are so many sinful souls outside and their faces have frightened looks, very pale and quite a number are looking towards our direction inside. JiGong: Human beings on Earth are aware that Sen Luo Wang of the Fifth Tribunal stands for integrity and justice and that the punishments he hands out are very severe. Therefore, the sinful souls who come here are very frightened. Sen Luo Wang: Both of you, quickly come inside and have a rest. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. Sen Luo Wang: Please be seated while I order the servants to serve tea of immortality. Servant: Yes Sir; tea of immortality is here. Please drink. Yang Sheng: This is most welcome. I am quite thirsty and so I will have a sip. This tea is truly very good; it is fragrant and helps to moisten my throat. Sen Luo Wang: I am especially happy when I drink the “frozen Tie Guan Yin”. JiGong: When Sen Luo Wang speaks, there is another meaning in the words spoken. Yang Sheng, can you understand what is being implied? Yang Sheng: Human beings say that the Fifth Tribunal’s Sen Luo Wang is like His Highness Bao Gong who stands for justice and fair play. I find that this is really so. The literary meaning of the word “frozen” is that the face is cold like ice and cannot be swayed, while “Tie Guan Yin” means the class of Bodhisattva, whose hearts are very firm and just. Truly Sen Luo Wang can be likened to His Highness Bao Gong who also was straightforward, just and firm in all dealings. Sen Luo Wang: Ha! Ha! The medium of Sheng Xian Tang is really very famous. Your brain is not like an ordinary person’s brain; you have guessed correctly. Yang Sheng: It was just a pure guess. Sen Luo Wang: We are very pleased that both of you have come to our Tribunal again today. Present day human beings struggle mainly for fame and money. They don’t care for conscience, reason or righteousness which is all lost on them. Everywhere one can see deceit being the order of the day. Restaurants, barber shops, night clubs, all make use of girls to induce men to patronize them. Officers of Hades constantly visit Earth to record instances of breach of morality and there is no end to such records. Also, there are places where people visit to satisfy their canal desires, such as dance halls, houses of pleasure, etc; where eventually joy will be followed by sorrow. When such people die, their souls will be sent to this Fifth Tribunal  – they are the souls you now see here. Such breaches of morality are very sinful. I want to impress on human beings not to resort to earn money through prostitution otherwise the sins are so great that they cannot be repaid even in three generations. I am in charge of the Fifth Tribunal; I am iron-faced; I do not ask for gratitude. Every soul that comes to this Tribunal begins to get frightened because my

114 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld sentence is very strict and severe. If human beings do not forsake evil ways and turn to the right path they will find out what will be in store for them when they die and their souls come here. This Tribunal can also be named “Loud Crying Prison” because nothing can be heard here except loud crying. There are 16 Heart-gouging smaller prisons here specially to punish those who have – 1] lawless heart 2] evil thought heart 3] stubborn heart 4] hate-filled heart 5] malicious heart 6] lewd heart 7] jealous heart 8] biased heart 9] selfish heart 10] treacherous heart 12] animal heart, etc. I will order the General to gouge out the heart of each type of sinful soul. It is not because I have a cold heart or a hard heart but it is because these souls themselves had committed such evil sins mentioned above. It can be said that they earned the punishment by virtue of their own wrong-doings on Earth. I am afraid I cannot afford to spare any more time now but I hope that you will visit us again soon. JiGong: O.K. Yang Sheng, prepare to return. Yang Sheng: We are much obliged to Sen Luo Wang for spending so much time on us and giving us so much information. We have to return and so, Sen Luo Wang and all Officers, thank you once more. Sen Luo Wang: All Officers and Generals, line up and give JiGong and Yang Sheng a hearty send off. JiGong: Thank you, Sen Luo Wang, for everything. Yang Sheng, get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, dear Master, we can start… JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 31

115 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 32 - 2nd July 1977 Touring the Fifth Tribunal Again Visiting the Gouging Heart Prison JiGong: In Chinese culture, morality is the outcome of the consummation of the vigours of Heaven and Earth, and the longer the history of the culture, the newer is the result; this evolution has been in existence for a very long time past and will not stop even for more than 10,000 years to come. Unfortunately, the Chinese of today crave for the materialistic world and despise their own Chinese culture in preference for Western culture and civilization, thereby creating among themselves and society unfortunate cases of lawlessness like low morality, robbery and gangsterism, drug addiction and so forth. These types of people always run down their own Chinese culture and claim that Western culture is much better thus putting to shame their own original ancestry started by Emperor Huang DI (The Yellow Emperor). Especially, scientists today claim that science has progressed to such an extent that they are like a tiny millet in a vast ocean: They claim to be able to destroy the art of Nature which, unknown to them, will ultimately bring destruction and calamity to the whole world. If people escape from Nature, their life will be unnatural and so, I would like enlightened people to consider if this is in fact true. Today we will tour Hades again. Yang Sheng quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir. I am safely seated. We can start now… JiGong: We have arrived; quickly get down. Sen Luo Wang: Welcome to you, JiGong and Yang Sheng for visiting our Tribunal again. The journey must have been quite bothersome. JiGong: Oh no, the journey was quite O.K. I am afraid we have come to disturb you again today. May I request Sen Luo Wang to show us the works of your Prison? Sen Luo Wang: I had already stated earlier that I intend to show you the Gouging Heart Prison, so therefore follow me. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Sen Luo Wang, for undertaking to sponsor us. In front of us are the 16 small Gouging Heart Prisons and I can hear cries of great grief. I think this is some sort of bloody execution ground. Sen Luo Wang:  The hearts of these souls have become so evil that we have no alternative but to gouge out these evil hearts and try and cure or cleanse them. Yang Sheng: The Prison Officer has come and so I will go and pay respects to him. Officer: My humble respects of Sen Luo Wang, JiGong and Yang Sheng for coming here. We have received information that Tai Zhong Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng and Western Heaven’s JiGong will be coming to our Prison today. In case I fail to entertain you sufficiently well, I hope you will kindly overlook any shortcomings. Yang Sheng: Officer, no need to offer excuses. Today I follow my dear Master to your Prison so that I can write a book on what I observe here.

116 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Sen Luo Wang: Order the Generals to quickly open the gate. General: Yes, Sir….The gate is open, please enter. Yang Sheng: Ayoh! I cannot bear to hear the sorrowful screaming of the souls. The devil imps are splitting open the chests of the souls and gouging out the hearts, exactly like in the animal slaughter house where they cut open the stomach of pigs and extract the hearts and intestines. The souls are strapped to pillars and the bare chests are slit open and the souls emit a shrill cry and faint right away. What sins have they committed when alive? Officer: I will sprinkle the soul recalling water to revive a few souls. Yang Sheng: Oh! It’s so wonderful and mysterious. As soon as the soul recalling water is sprinkled, the souls immediately revive and the chest wounds close up, return to normal and in good condition. Officer: I will summon a few souls so that they can tell their own stories to you. Sen Luo Wang: Here, sinful souls, listen carefully. JiGong and human being Yang Sheng of Tai Zhong Sheng Xian Tang have come here following the receipt of Heavenly Order to investigate the circumstances of your presence in this Prison. When you were alive on Earth, what sins did you commit? Say truthfully and don’t tell lies, so that they can report in the Book, for human beings to read and to learn therefrom. Don’t disobey my order. One Soul: O.K; O.K; but I would request your Highness to mitigate the punishment inflicted on me. Can you do it? Sen Luo Wang: You tell your story first and I will decide later. One Soul: Very well then. When I was alive, I was quite a learned man, having read a lot of books. When I went to university, I was interested in current events and was much influenced by Western civilization and culture. In the university, there was a professor who was a Christian; he persuaded me to become a Christian and to study English language very hard so that at a future date I could go to the West. I was very much impressed and so became a Christian. Whenever I could spare the time, I often went to Church to listen to preaching and to pick up more English language through the preacher’s speaking. In the congregation were many young people who wore western dresses. I soon mixed with the many youngsters and learned many Western ideas and habits. There was much socializing and activity which I liked very much, which led me to be baptized. I despised my parents who continued to worship idols, were old fashioned and were behind time. They prayed to wooden figures and were superstitious. During the summer vacation, I returned to my native village, bent on converting my parents and family to Christianity; I told them to stop worshipping to wooden figures but they would not listen to me. I got very angry and taking hold of the ancestral tablets, threw them to the ground. My parents were much taken aback and took hold of the chair and hit me. I then ran away from home. After graduation I followed my Christian preacher to preach Christianity from place to place. One day, I met with an accident and subsequently died. My Christian God did not bring me to Heaven; instead, two evil spirits brought

117 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld my soul to the Fifth Tribunal where Sen Luo Wang sentenced me to this Prison. I beg Sen Luo Wang to forgive me for my sins. Sen Luo Wang: It is not an offence to believe in any religion and to be converted; but in your case, you forsook your old religion for a new and what was even worse, you threw away your ancestral tablets which action is totally unpardonable. In addition, when you went preaching, did you think about “drinking the water and giving a thought to the fountain which supplied the water?” Your preacher told you not to worship wooden figures but you never understood the truth. The wooden cross, the bible and the preacher are all like wooden figures; why did you worship them? People say “clear off wooden figures”  – this means that you should look through the mask of humanity and must not be greedy for the pleasure of the flesh but must aim at the filling of empty spiritual life with worthwhile undertakings and actions. “Clearing off wooden figures” also means respect spiritual faith for eternal life. You misunderstood the true meaning and thereby destroyed the ancestral tablets thus destroying the morality of your ancestors. I ask you: where did your body come from and what was your surname? All these were given by your ancestors. Heaven is “great God” and ancestors are “small God”. You forgot your origin and cheated your ancestors thereby going against your Maker’s heart, that’s why God did not bring you to Heaven and therefore you were dropped into this Prison. Now, because you were truthful in your story, I am prepared to reduce your sentence by two months. When you have finished your term of penalty, I will send you to be reborn as one of the six stages of rebirth. JiGong: Belief in any religion is to cultivate the heart and self-culture and it is the ignorant people who always reject other people’s religions and say that theirs is the only and best religion. The Law of Heaven is fixed; if you say that other religions are not good and your own religion is the best, it shows that you have two hearts or selfish motives thus destroying universal love and mercy. In this way belief in your own religion is not spiritual success. If such a person is a spiritual success then God is unfair because there will be friction and entanglement in Heaven which will turn it into a battle field. How then can we say that there is extreme joy and serenity in Paradise? We are running short of time; we have to leave but we will come again soon. Sen Luo Wang: All Generals, line up and say goodbye to our guests. Yang Sheng: As we have little time to spare, we will have to return I thank Sen Luo Wang, Officers and Generals for your assistance. We must leave now. JiGong: Quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I’m securely seated, dear Master, we can start… JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 32

118 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 33 - 15th July 1977 Touring the Fifth Tribunal Again Re-visiting the Gouging Heart Prison JiGong: In this world there are people who are not capable of achieving any meritorious deeds or attaining any success in anything, yet when they see others progress or achieve fame, they become jealous. To hide their own weakness of failure, they take to criticizing and finding fault with the achievements of others. They take pleasure in pointing out the weak points of others. They also like to run down the religious beliefs of others. When such people die, their souls will be sent to the Gouging Heart Prison (to extract their dirty hearts for being jealous of the success of others and for bad-mouthing religious beliefs of others), for purification. Today we will tour Hades again. Yang Sheng, do get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I obey your order, Master, I am safely seated and so we can start…. JiGong: We have arrived, quickly get down. Yang Sheng: Truly, we can see the Gouging Heart Prison right in front of us. JiGong: Today, to save time and not to disturb Sen Luo Wang, we will go straight to the 16 small Gouging Heart Prisons. The Officer has opened the gate to receive us. Yang Sheng: We will enter. Officer:  Welcome to JiGong and Yang Sheng for coming here again today. Do enter and have a look. Yang Sheng: This Prison’s punishment is really very frightening and severe. Starting from the First Tribunal to this Tribunal, I have heard of nothing except extreme grief and deep sorrow, particularly so, on reaching this Gouging Heart Prison where the suffering of the souls gets more intense. Officer: The heart of a person is under the direct control of himself. The gouging heart punishment is so terrible that there is no other suffering to compare with. The injured heart can cause fright to the six roots; therefore the soul’s suffering is so terrible that no pen can describe it. (The six roots are 1] ear 2] eyes 3] tongue 4] nose 5] body and 6] mouth) JiGong: Let us go inside to gather more data from the souls for our Book. Officer: Please remain outside the Prison proper while I bring a few souls out for you to interview them. I will instruct the Generals to suspend temporarily, the process of punishing the souls and to use the “revival fan” to fan and revive some so as to bring them back to their original form. General: Yes, Sir. Officer: Quickly untie the bondage of 3 souls for them to come here and relate their sinful stories to JiGong and Yang Sheng.

119 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld General: I have 3 souls out. Here; souls, quickly follow the Officer out of the gate. Officer: This is JiGong Huofo and Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng. They have received an Order from Heaven to write a Book about Hades in order to teach human beings to do good deeds. Quickly tell your sinful stories so that they can incorporate them in the Book. Quick! Quick! 1st Soul: When I was alive, I was working as a government servant. Because I was not able to earn a good record and promotion, I became jealous when I saw fellow workers get promotion to higher positions in government service, I thought that my immediate superior, by overlooking me, had treated me unfairly; therefore I began thinking of taking revenge on those colleagues who got promotion. I told my superior officer untrue stories about my colleagues and at every opportunity I carried tales. Four years ago, I contacted cancer of the liver and then died. The soldiers of Hades brought my soul before the Magic Mirror where all my sinful deeds, when I was alive, were reflected. My soul was then sent to the Fifth Tribunal where Sen Luo Wang, being very angry, scolded me saying: “You were incapable, you lacked modesty, were jealous of the ability and attainments of your colleagues; you carried tales about them. This shows that you had a poisonous heart.” He accordingly sentenced me to this Prison to suffer. During the day and even at night, the Soldiers of Hades came to punish me by gouging out my heart. The pain is so great that I have a feeling as if my liver and intestines are being severed. When I was alive, I did not believe in retribution and now that I am dead, I am undergoing so much punishment and suffering. JiGong: Human beings must understand that they should never have a jealous heart. You, by being jealous, had destroyed the close relationship of society which can be likened unto “a horse which injured the mob,” i.e; one who acted in a way detrimental to public welfare. You chaps should have learned from the ways of virtuous and wise men thereby gaining knowledge and progress, otherwise you will be subjected to your present fate; having your heart gouged out and undergoing such great suffering. Officer: Second Soul, quickly speak out and say what sins you had committed when you were alive. 2nd  Soul: When I was alive, I was an ardent believer of Buddhism; I read a lot of literature on Buddhism. Following this I came to look upon people of other religions as heretics and despised them. To those who believed in Taoism, I told them that their religion was a lower order, far beneath that of Buddhism and that after death, they had no chance of going to Paradise. Some of my friends gave me literature transcribed from planchette writing but I refused to look at them saying that these were writing from a heretical religion. By running down other religions, I thought that I understood what Buddhism stood for and that I was very intelligent. How was I to know that after death I was not to be accepted by Western Paradise but instead, was cast into this Prison? When I died, my soul did not see any Buddhist representative to receive me; instead, two evil spirits arrested me and brought me to the Fifth Tribunal. When Sen Luo Wang saw me, he was very angry and scolded me; “You were a devotee of Buddha and also having gone through the usual Buddhist penance, did not have a heart for others and the religion of others, but hated and belittled other religions. You did not understand that the laws of Buddhism stand for

120 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld the equality of all religions. If any religion teaches morality and discourages evil deeds, then that is a true and proper religion. You thought that the laws of Buddhism were boundless, but so are the laws of other true religions. Why did you always indulge in self-praise and consider yourself as being cleverer and more intelligent than others?” Because of my egoism, self-exultation and swollen-headedness, I always despised others and looked down upon them, not knowing that I had gone against what Buddhism stands for. I sincerely hope that fellow Buddhists will not follow my bad example because my efforts to become a good Buddhist were channeled in the wrong direction. JiGong: It was a pity that, unknowingly, you went against your conscience in trying to defend and promote Buddhism. Now that you have experienced the gouging of your heart, after you have served your sentence here, you will have to undergo further punishment by way of the extraction of your tongue. Officer: Third Soul, quickly tell what sins you did when you were on Earth. 3rd Soul: I was the leading planchette handler of a certain temple. At the beginning, I was very sincere and honest in handling the planchette and the deities gave me much inspiration. Later when the temple management did not give me due respect and consideration, I asked myself what was the purpose of my sincerity in being the leading planchette handler? Accordingly, I told the management that planchette writing was a fake and was directly under the control of the handlers; therefore they should not believe in deities. When they heard this they lost faith and stopped going to the temple. After seven years, I fell sick and later on, died. The Soldier of Hades brought my soul to the Fifth Tribunal and Sen Luo Wang scolded me: “You were a leading planchette handler and although you were not given due respects by the management of the temple, you should not have said that planchette writing was a fake, thereby offending the deities. You, therefore, had committed grievous sins and I have no option but to sentence you to the Gouging Heart Prison for a term of 15 years; this is to punish you for your evil heart in offending the deities. After you have served the sentence, you will have to be sent to another Prison for your other sins.”

Ah! It is already too late now for me to repent! Can I ask a favor from JiGong? JiGong: Planchette writing actually represents deities’ communication and nothing bad should be spoken about it. The main and most important purpose of planchette writing is to teach people to do good and to lead an ascetic life. The permission of Yu Huang, the Jade Emperor must first be obtained before any planchette writing session can be held. Therefore, to belittle planchette writing session is also insulting deities and is a very great sin which cannot be pardoned. As our time is rather limited, Yang Sheng, please prepare to return to Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer and General, for your kind assistance. I am afraid we have to say goodbye now. Officer: We are much honored to have you with us and we are very glad to be of some assistance. Please come again.

121 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: This Gouging Heart Prison is very important and so we will have to visit you again. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated on the lotus flower platform, dear Master, we can start. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 33

122 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 34 - 17th August 1977 Touring the Fifth Tribunal Again 3rd Visit to the Gouging Heart Prison Coinciding with the Opening of the Gates of Hades JiGong: At the beginning of the 7 th Moon (or month of the lunar calendar) the Gates of Hades are opened wide for the souls of the departed to visit Earth again to enjoy themselves. That is why the 7 th  month is often called the “Ghosts’ Month”. It is advisable that during this month human beings should be more careful about going outside the house, especially at night time, in order to avoid crossing the path of the souls of the dead. Now that the Gates of Hades are wide open, our journey to Hades for the purpose of writing the Book, is bound to be impeded somewhat because we may cross the path of devils; but because I am JiGong the Monk, who will escort you, there will be less obstacles; therefore, Yang Sheng you need have no fear. Yang Sheng: Devils are the souls of dead human beings taking another form. It seems strange and yet fearful to most people but I am not afraid. JiGong: If that is so, it is quite O.K. Quickly get up on the lotus flower platform and we can part. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, dear Master, we can start now…. JiGong: We have arrived, quickly get down. Yang Sheng: Before us is “Gui Men Guan” and the side door is open. Many souls are rushing to get out through the open door, their faces are so cheerful and happy to breathe the fresh air outside. JiGong: The side door of Gui Men Guan will be opened only during the 7th  month when the souls of the “common” people are allowed to get out through this side door in batches and when they are out, they behave like birds being set free from their cages – so happy and free. Yang Sheng: Why is it that this group of souls which are now coming out tries to avoid us? JiGong: It is because in our body there is Yu Huang’s Order which emits a flashing light. That is why they avoid and make way for us. Yang Sheng: Is it a fact that during the 7 th month all souls in Hades are set free? JiGong: Not so. During the 7 th  month only the souls of the “common” people are allowed to go out through the side door because when they were alive, they were more or less average, i.e. they were not famous or had earned merit; neither were they very sinful. So, in ordinary days they are concentrated in the average or “common” people’s section here but they are not allowed to leave it – they are allowed to just exist day in and day out. Only during the 7th month, on receipt of the District Officer’s Amnesty, are certain groups of these souls allowed to get out and

123 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld not otherwise. Speaking of the demonism in Hades, it is on the 15 th  day of the 7th month that group after group of eligible souls are allowed to partake of the lavish food offerings given by human beings on the Feast of the Hungry Ghosts. The meaning of “Pudu” is to relieve souls out of purgatory. Buddhists call this festival “Yu Lan Pen Hui”; Taoist call this festival “Zhong Yuan Pudu”. The official workers in Hades generally have their regular fixed holidays which are different from the holidays given to souls. This is more or less the daily run of affairs in Hades. Yang Sheng quickly get up on the lotus flower platform again because we are going to the “16 Small Gouging Heart Prison”. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated. So we can start…. JiGong: We have arrived, get down. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir. The Officer and Staff have come to welcome us. My respects to you, Officers and Generals, we are here again and request that you kindly give us your usual assistance. Officer: Please don’t stand on ceremony. This is the 7 th month and because of the congestion of souls, I am afraid you both had some difficulty coming here. JiGong: Not so. On our way we came across groups of souls who were rather happy and I am proud to say that freedom is really very noble and priceless. Officer: Please come inside and I will summon a few souls for you to interview them. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. I observe that this time the souls appear to be more grief and sadder than the last time when we came. Officer: It is because this is the 7th month and souls who are less sinful are allowed to leave this Prison to enjoy on Earth; but in the case of these remaining souls here, they understood, when they were alive, that during the 7 th month all souls are set free to go and enjoy themselves on Earth. They did not know that they will be detained here and will not be allowed to go out to enjoy. They envy those lucky souls who are allowed to go out whereas they are still kept back in this Prison. The Soldiers of Hades here have no sympathy at all, but instead, they continue to gouge out the hearts of these souls. Therefore they have good reason to be sad or sadder. I hope human beings will understand that it pays to be good always and not to do evil or commit sins like these souls here who are suffering. Because we do not have much time to spare I can only ask two souls to come and relate their sinful stories. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. The Soldiers of Hades are so cruel that they slit open the chests and blood flows out as from a pipe, I dare not see. Officer: I have asked two souls to come here. Look here, you souls, quickly tell JiGong and Yang Sheng what sins you had committed when you were alive so that they can report your stories in their Book for human beings to read and learn to do good deeds and avoid evil. 1st Soul: Coming to think about it, I feel much ashamed of myself and have no face to face people. When I was middle-aged, my wife died and I began thinking of

124 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld marrying again. One day, outside my village, I came across a young girl on the road and when I saw her, my yearning for her was boundless; looking around, I did not see anybody. I quickly ran towards her and embraced her at the same time dragging her to a nearby sugarcane plot with the intention of ravaging her. She struggled and shouted for help and begged me to set her free. At that time I lost my reasoning and threatened to kill her if she dared to disobey my advances. At last she obeyed me and I did the inevitable. After that I felt sorry for my action and although the girl did not report to the police, the very thought tortured me and I could not forgive myself. Not long after, I fell sick and soon died. When my soul reached Hades, Sen Luo Wang was very angry with me and because I admitted my errors, I was not brought before the “Magic Mirror” but was brought straight away to the Fifth Tribunal to be sentenced to the Gouging Heart Prison for 10 years to gouge out my amorous and lustful heart. I have been here for already 4 years; every day I repent and regret. I made only one mistake and I have to suffer forever. What is the use of my repenting now? Officer: Ravishing a virgin means that you have spoilt her whole life; there is no other crime to match this. Although you are now dead and have repented, it is already too late and useless as the not repairable damage has been committed and there is no amnesty whatsoever. You have to receive and accept the penalty for your own sins, therefore you should not murmur against Heaven and Earth and hate others. I wish to advise human beings never to indulge in such obscene affairs. In case any one has committed such a sin he should immediately confess to the Deities and swear never to repeat it and beg for forgiveness; or alternatively, donate 10,000 copies of this Book – “Yu Huang Da Tian Zun” – for free distribution to those who require them. Then only can the sin be lightened. Bring the 2 nd  Soul to tell his sinful story truthfully, otherwise I will have to inflict severe punishment. 2nd Soul: I bear deep hatred for myself which I find difficult to express because when I was on Earth, for the split second, I made a terrible mistake for which I am now suffering terribly. I beg JiGong to help me out. JiGong: When you were alive, you took delight in furthering your many romantic pursuits; now you have to suffer in repayment – all created by yourself. I really don’t know how I can give an amnesty to you in mitigation for your sins. It is better for you to confess your sins. 2nd Soul: If JiGong does not help me, I have no other alternative but to confess. I was a taxi driver by profession, had poor education resulting in my frequently doing irresponsible deeds like whoring, gambling, drinking and many other undesirable bad habits, especially the licentious and indecent. Inside my taxi, I fitted a tape recorder/amplifier and often played back obscene tapes whenever any single beautiful girl or prostitute booked my taxi thereby exciting and enticing the girl. Some girls on hearing the play-back scolded me calling me “devil without morality” or “lady enticer”; when I hear these remarks I did not, in the least, feel ashamed but rather I felt elated. One night, I had a young as a fare; on looking at her, my passion rose and I immediately switched on the play-back tape and drove the taxi faster and brought her to the out-skirts of the town. I stopped my taxi and brandished a knife to threaten her first and intimidate and ravage her eventually. Urged by this sort of easy prey, I committed the offence of rape three more times. Unfortunately, five years ago, I met with an accident which ended my life. My soul there and then

125 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld saw the Ox-head-Horse-faced Soldiers of Hades come for me, chained me up and dragged me down to Hades. I was brought before the First to the Fourth Tribunals for investigation and when I came to the Fifth Tribunal, I was sentenced to a 30-year term in this Gouging Heart Prison, every day suffering and every day repenting. I hope that Yang Sheng returns to Earth, he will advise human beings thus, “Whatever sins you commit on Earth, your soul will have to suffer when you die – every misdeed committed will have to be accounted for.” Now I do not hate or blame anyone except myself for my lack of education which resulted in my committing such great sins. Officer: You had committed very great and unpardonable sins thereby causing your life-span on Earth to be cut short by 10 years; that was why you suddenly met with an accident resulting in your immediate death so that your soul could be brought to Hades for early punishment. After you have served your 30-year term in this Prison, you will be sent to “A-Bi Diyu” (the lowest Hell according to Buddhism from which there is no escape) to be there forever.

Human beings must give this case very careful consideration and must try their very best not to follow the bad example. Of all the sins that are committed by human beings, lewdness is the worst – men and women who co-habit out of wedlock are not pardoned according to the law of Hades. You must not only realize this but must follow the right path. JiGong: This gouging heart punishment is worse than any other types of punishment in Hades; it is even 19,000 times more severe. Human beings must remember that whatever deeds they do, they must not go against their conscience otherwise, swift and sure, as according to Heaven’s retribution, his sins will find him out. Time is running short, Yang Sheng, prepare to return. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer and Generals. JiGong: Quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir; I am securely seated. We can start…. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 34

126 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 35 - 30th August 1977 Touring the Fifth Tribunal Again 4th Visit to the Gouging Heart Prison JiGong:  There are quite a number of people who are uninterested in gainful employment for their own advancement but rather prefer to spend their time in gambling to pass their days. Originally, these people were good people but because of their bad contacts they became useless and squandered their time and property and ultimately became detestable. Of late there had been a series of thefts and robberies and swindling, all due to such bad hats requiring easy money. Gambling is a very bad habit and I would advise human beings not to indulge in this vice. Of all vices, lewdness is the most serious one because some people do not understand the meaning of shame; also, women are included in this group. Some women do not know what shame is; some stealthily leave their homes without the knowledge of their husbands in order to have sexual enjoyment. This is more or less like the sin of gambling. That is why there are now so many sinful souls in Hades. Today I will bring Yang Sheng again to visit the 16 Gouging Heart Prison. Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform and we will start. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can start….. JiGong: We have arrived; Yang Sheng, get down. Yang Sheng: I have come down. Today I observe that there is a great change in the outlook of the souls here – many of them are in high spirits; why is i t so? JiGong: It is because this is the period of the festival of the Hungry Ghost when, in the human world, people pray to and offer food to the hungry ghosts in connection with the ritual of relieving souls out of purgatory; those souls who are not too sinful have the privilege of enjoying themselves by eating the various food offerings and collecting burnt paper money. Yang Sheng: Oh! Is that so? I see that the Officer is coming to welcome us. Officer: Welcome to both of you, JiGong and Yang Sheng. This happens to be the period of the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts; that is why you see so much activity here where the less sinful souls are allowed their annual freedom to visit the human world, so please tolerate this slight confusion. JiGong: Please do not stand on ceremony; we have disturbed you so many times and I wish to apologize to Officer and Generals for any inconvenience caused. Officer: We have received the Order saying that both of you are visiting us for the purpose of writing the Book, “Diyu Youji,”(Journeys to the Underworld)  to educate human beings to do good deeds; this is indeed very meritorious and consequently you deserve every assistance. I would invite you to come inside to have a look. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. I observe that in this Prison, there are many sinful souls who are wailing loudly without stop.

127 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: In this Gouging Heart Prison are imprisoned those souls who had committed great sins; that is why the amnesty on the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts is not extended to them to visit the human world and partake of the feasts, etc. Officer: Today I will bring out two sinful souls so that they can tell you their sinful stories themselves. Look here, sinful souls, this is JiGong Huofo and the other is a human being of Sheng Xian Tang, named Yang Sheng. They have received the Order from Yu Huang to visit Hades to collect data and stories on what goes on here in Hades for the purpose of writing the Book to urge human beings to do good deeds. I want both of you, sinful souls, to relate your stories to them and remember not to hide any important facts. 1st Soul: Alright, I will relate my story. When I was alive on Earth, I was very active in doing business, traveling very often, living mostly in hotels. In due course, I met undesirable people who introduced me to gambling. At first the gambling was just pastime but eventually I got myself deeply involved and I gambled everyday. If I did not gamble even for one day, my hands became itchy and my heart also itched, yearned to gamble. In spite of the fact that I was active in my business thereby earning good money; the gambling urge made me gamble daily and heavily until I lost a lot and was forced to borrow money from friends and business contacts throughout the land. I was deeply in debt, so much so, that I could not even give my family money for their up-keep. When I was 43 years old, one day while riding a motorbike under the influence of alcohol, I met with an accident resulting in my death. My soul was brought to Hades and then only, did I realize that my life-span had been shortened by 5 years. My earthly activities were investigated from the 1st Tribunal to the 4th  Tribunal and subsequently I was transferred to the 5 th  Tribunal where Sen Luo Wang, on seeing me, became very angry. He sentenced me to this Gouging Heart Prison for a term of 13 years. Every day my heart is gouged out, the reason being that as my heart was very fond of gambling, it has to be treated. I wish to advise human beings not to gamble heavily because heavy gamblers who take to gambling as a means of livelihood are greatly detested here, and in the 5th Tribunal with Sen Luo Wang as Head, heavy gamblers are punished with 100 strokes on the buttocks, and then only will their sins be further investigated, the reason being that heavy gamblers sat at the gambling sessions daily until their buttocks became hardened through lack of exercise. Firstly I now feel very shameful and secondly, my back side is very painful. Aya, aya! I am feeling very sore at my back side and so I beg JiGong to kindly help me out of my present suffering. JiGong: Those who indulge in heavy gambling have hands which “have no gratitude”; now, since your hands “have no gratitude” with what hands do you want to plead with me? It is better for you to meekly endure your present punishment and stop pleading with me to help you out. Officer: You had better forget about pleading for mercy; it is better, in the first place, to correct or cure your gambler’s heart, then only will you be sent to the “Branding Iron Prison” to burn your sinful gambling hands. When you were alive, who told you to gamble so heavily that after death your soul will have to meet with so much suffering? You asked for it yourself, no one asked you to gamble so heavily, therefore you must face the consequences of your own actions. Second soul, come out and relate the events of your dirty life on Earth; do not miss or hide any important detail.

128 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld 2nd Soul: There are so many people here; I am ashamed to speak out…By nature I was very unprincipled and even after my marriage, there was no improvement because I continued to have affairs and association with the opposite sex. In my lifetime I associated with no less than 5 male friends and enjoyed their company very much, all without the knowledge of my husband. When I was 54 years old, I had a heart attack, resulting in my death. My soul was brought by the Black and White General to face the Magic Mirror which showed the very disgraceful episodes of my sinful life on Earth. I had no alternative but to admit everything and so I was sentenced to the Gouging Heart Prison for a term of 20 years, where I have to suffer daily by my heart being gouged out. I beg JiGong to intercede on my behalf so that I need not have to suffer so much. JiGong: You being a woman, did not honor, safe-guard or respect your womanly virtues, by stooping so low as to become loose in morality and craved only for your own vanity; how can I ever intercede on your behalf? You never performed any good deeds; how can I help you? Officer: JiGong, don’t let her bother you. When she was alive, she wanted enjoyment, pleasure and fun. Therefore, now she has to have her heart gouged out. She asked for it and so has to receive the penalty for her own sins. If you want the Saints to help you, you should have “dropped your butcher’s knife” when you were still living. If you had done so, your pleading to the Saints will surely be answered. JiGong:  Officer, what you had just said is very correct. Those who gamble heavily and those who have lewd hearts should quickly change their bad practices and forthwith lead a new life and quickly perform benevolent deeds and moral practices. If these gamblers and “loose” women can go to temples and promise in front of the Deities that they will print and distribute the Book “Diyu Youji” to advise human beings to do good deeds, then only will the Deities intercede on their behalf to lighten their sins. Time is running short; so Yang Sheng, prepare to return. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir. Thank you, Officer and Generals, for your kind assistance. We have to return. Officer: Generals, line up and say goodbye to JiGong and Yang Sheng. JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly step on the lotus flower platform to return. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master; we can start now…. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 35

129 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 36 - 18th September 1977 Touring the Sixth Tribunal Interviewing Bian Cheng Wang JiGong:  The days of the years pass very quickly and we are now nearing the MidAutumn Festival (Moon Cake Festival). Last year this month, Sheng Xian Tang received an Order to write the Book “Diyu Youji” and now in the twinkling of the eye, one year has gone by. During the past 12 months you good fellow at Sheng Xian Tang had undertaken the initial steps of compiling this Book and the honor and merit are truly very great. Human life-span is not very long; in ancient times it was rare for human beings to live more than 70 years but in this present day, because of the advances of medical science and the higher standard of living “short life” has more or less been conquered and people are inclined to think that life begins at 70! But really, how many people are there who do pass their 70 th birthdays? Heaven does not restrict the life-span of human beings but, because of avarice, alcoholism, night clubs, vice, gambling, etc, human vitality is wasted to a very great extent (like burning the candle at both ends), thus bringing about unnecessary untimely death; which in fact is caused by oneself. Therefore, I wish to exhort human beings to take up ascetic practices thereby saving themselves and extending their life expectancy. Today, we will tour Hades again; so Yang Sheng quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: What part of Hades are we going today? JiGong: As we have more or less tour the Firth Tribunal, we will tour the Sixth Tribunal this time. I would expect you to be more alert during this trip. Yang Sheng: We have already toured half of Hades by now and because of this experience, I am more confident. JiGong:  Worldly matters are man-made and if you have the confidence and can persist in your undertakings, any matter will and must surely be successful. Quickly get up on the lotus flower platform as we do not have much time to spare. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can now proceed… JiGong: We have arrived; Yang Sheng, get down. Yang Sheng: I can see the Sixth Tribunal building quite clearly in front of us. There is a multitude of sinful souls gathered outside awaiting investigation by Bian Cheng Wang, the Head of this Tribunal. Suddenly, Bian Cheng Wang is seen leaving the Court House and coming in our direction, and accordingly all eyes of the sinful souls are also turned towards us. JiGong: The Sixth Tribunal’s Bian Cheng Wang is coming to receive us, so Yang Sheng, quickly step forward and pay respects. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir, I’ll do as instructed. Bian Cheng Wang and Officers, I humbly pay my respects to you. I am Yang Sheng of Taiwan’s Sheng Xian Tang and have been ordered to follow JiGong to tour Hades in order to gather data for the Book

130 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld “Diyu Youji” so that human beings can do good deeds after reading it. Today I beg of Bian Cheng Wang to kindly help me in my mission. Bian Cheng Wang: No need to stand on ceremony, please rise. I’m rather lucky and feel happy to be able to meet you today. For quite some time, I had been hearing about the good deeds that had been performed by Sheng Xian Tang. Last year, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, my Office had already received the Order from Yu Huang notifying that Sheng Xian Tang had been entrusted with the mission of writing the Book “Diyu Youji”  and now, today, you have arrived; so I would invite you to come inside for a short rest. JiGong: Thank you very much, Bian Cheng Wang, for the courtesy extended to us. Yang sheng, let us follow Bian Cheng Wang inside. Bian Cheng Wang: Officer, quickly serve tea, - Heavenly tea. Officer: Yes, Sir,….. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Bian Chen Wang for entertaining us. I did not have the privilege to drink this tea, on Earth; the taste is sweet and pleasant and moistens the throat. Bian Cheng Wang: This is just an ordinary tea. If anything is rare, it is naturally costly, so you have the feeling that this tea is very good. I am very glad that today both of you have come to visit me. To be sure, this present day world is indeed in great turmoil. That being so, Yu Huang has great sympathy for human beings and has accordingly ordered Sheng Xian Tang to write the Book “Diyu Youji”. Because human beings do not believe that after death, sinful souls are sent to the various Prisons in Hades to receive punishment, Yu Huang specially commissioned JiGong to bring Yang Sheng to Hades to see for himself how the sinful souls are suffering through punishment here. During the tour of Hades, through the Magic Eyes of small Deity Yu Xu Tong Zi, Yang Sheng is able to see what goes on here so that all occurrences are recorded through the planchette writings at Sheng Xian Tang. I am sure that many human beings will be saved after reading this Book. Nowadays, human beings say that because of science, there are no more spirits or devils; therefore, we now see or hear of so many murders, robberies, treacheries and lecheries throughout the land, and so, people tend to live for today and don’t care for the tomorrow; and if they are not spotted by Government laws they dared to do anything and everything. That is why we see so many moral obligations being flouted everywhere. This is what we call the material world of the present day and that being so, it really pains the heart. When those human beings who do not believe in the existence of spirits and devils, and those who do not believe in cause and effect, and those who lead sinful lives, die their souls cannot escape the punishment awaiting them in our Prisons in Hades. Roughly speaking, the “net of Heaven” is very large and has plenty of holes, yet no sinful soul can escape. In other words, the Mills of God grind slowly but surely – Heaven’s retribution, is slow but sure. I am in charge of this Sixth Tribunal which is called “Loud Shrieking Prison”  because the suffering of the souls who are sent here are very much worse than the suffering of those souls who are sent to the Fifth Tribunal, thus earning the name “Loud Shrieking Prison”. Inside this main Prison are 16 smaller prisons and so the souls of those human beings who committed grave sins and lack morality are sent here where they have

131 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld to undergo much suffering and punishment. I hope that when Yang Sheng returns to Earth he will explain to human beings that they should take up ascetic practices and maintain one’s duty and self-restraint. Today, I am highly honored and because I am happy, I wish to invite both of you to partake of Heavenly Tea; this is in contrast to the suffering punishment I mete out to those sinful souls who are sent to this Tribunal for sentence. It is all left to human beings to choose what kind of reception they wish to get after their death – drink Heavenly Tea or get suffering through punishment. Now I am inviting both of you to drink Heavenly Tea again. JiGong: Because time is running short, I hope to visit you again next time. Bain Cheng Wang: It is OK. I will be only too happy to have the pleasure of entertaining you next time. I will order my Officers, etc, to line up to give you a hearty send off. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Bian Cheng Wang, for giving me Heavenly Tea to drink and also for your precious words of advice. As it i s getting late, I have to say goodbye. JiGong: Yang Sheng, get up on the lotus flower platform to return. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can start…. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 36

132 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 37 - 1st October 1977 Touring the Small Prison of the Sixth Tribunal Called “Severing Kidney and Rat Biting Prison” JiGong: One year has already gone by since Sheng Xian Tang undertook the writing of the Book “Diyu Youji”. This old monk feels very glorious in escorting Yang Sheng to Hades so that he can see how the various sins committed by human beings are being investigated and dealt with in the various Prisons in Hades. I have a feeling that the path is long and the burden heavy, especially so, when the roads in Hades are undulating making movement unpleasant. This Book will be a very wonderful, strange and interesting one because when it is published and distributed (free of charge) it will be in accordance with the will of Heaven. The very fact that Sheng Xian Tang, through planchette writing, has published and distributed so many books to urge human beings to do good, has earned all of you great merit and fame, Yudi is so very pleased. By your thus doing I myself also feel very happy. This Book is already half written up but there is still half the journey to be covered. I sincerely hope that you folks will not tire but will see to it that the mission is accomplished successfully. When this Book is finally published, more than three generations will be blessed. The time to tour again Hades has come; so Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I accept your order. Dear Master, I must thank you very much because for the past one year you had secretly protected and guided me in this work but I am rather dull, not being able to assimilate all your teachings but please do give me Divine Light so that I can benefit more through your guidance; further, because I have just returned from “Gan Xiu Tang Temple” my mental alertness is rather poor. Dear Master, can you please give me a few efficacious pills to pep me up? JiGong:  From the look of things you are truly not up to the mark because of your various heavy commitments; but because you have great sincerity and you also know that I had on several occasions given you the efficacious pills from the start of writing this Book, your body has become stronger now. This is how the various deities had been taking care of you in secret. Now, I will give you another three pills to swallow quickly. So, prepare to tour Hades. Yang Sheng: I offer you 10,000 thanks; our dear Master has taken good care of me. Indeed, previously for some 4 or 5 years, I had been having severe stomach trouble but since undertaking to write this Book, through your kind guidance, I now find that the stomach trouble has disappeared; and today, after swallowing the 3 pills you have given me, I suddenly find that I am energetic and very active. Again I thank you. JiGong: There is no more time to waste, so quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir, I’m safely seated. We can start now… JiGong: We have arrived, get down.

133 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Before us, what Prison is it? I can hear souls crying and screaming and I also can hear squeaking of rats. JiGong: Here is the Sixth Tribunal which controls the 16 Small Prisons one of which is in front of us and is called “Severing Kidney and Rat Biting Prison”.  The Officer and Genarals are coming, quickly go and pay your respects. Yang Sheng: Yes, yes, I, Yang Sheng of Sheng Xian Tang now offer you my humble respects. I follow my dear Master here to get your assistance. Officer: Quickly get up – no need to stand on ceremony. We here have received the Order from Bian Cheng Wang informing us of your coming to obtain information for your Book “Diyu Youji” for human beings to read. Please follow me to the Prison for a look. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer, for your offer of help. I see there are many rats roaming the floor of this Prison causing pain on the sinful souls who are scattered on the floor with hands and feet bound. All these souls are screaming and struggling hard. Actually for what sins are they being punished? Officer: All these are male souls who when they alive were lewd persons or who broke the Rules of Buddhism. Both types were fond of the opposite sex thereby damaging morality. Here, their penises have been cut off and the Rats attack the remaining roots of the penis in order to cut off the source of their sexual evil. JiGong:  This punishment is very hard to bear; because when the Rats attack the remaining roots of the penis, the pain affects the heart terribly – there is no pain to compare with this pain. In colloquial language, ‘If one cuts grass, but does not pull out the roots, the grass will grow again on return of spring”. These types of people relish sexual enjoyment (especially of a clandestine nature) and so they now have to undergo this punishment. Officer: I will summon some sinful souls for them to relate to you their sinful stories. Yang Sheng: Very good. These sinful souls have their hands and feet tied up and are lying helpless all over the floor while the Rats have a jolly good time biting their penises. Therefore they roll on the floor in pain and screaming all the time. These Rats are as big as cats and look very fierce, their biting is like biting food. JiGong: Rats love biting sacks and enjoy eating groundnuts – these Rats here are actually enjoying their bites. I greatly sympathize with these souls but because of their extreme greed for short-lived sexual pleasure, they are now suffering this punishment. Officer: I have brought out two sinful souls. Look here, sinful souls, listen carefully. This one is JiGong and the other is Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng. They have received the Order to tour Hades so that they can write the Book “Diyu Youji” for human beings to read and do good deeds. Quickly tell them what sins you have committed on Earth so that they can include your sinful stories in this Book.

134 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld 1st  Soul: When I was living on Earth, I was a believer of “School of Sages”. I was vegetarian and carried out ascetic practices. I was a married man and had children. Later in life, I got entangled with a woman ascetic practitioner – both of us broke the religious obligations of ascetic practice. When I died, naturally, my soul could not be admitted to Heaven; so I was sent to Hades instead, to appear before the “Magic Mirror” which reproduced every sinful action and deed of my life on Earth, not a single item was left out and I felt very ashamed. Then I was sent to the Sixth Tribunal. When Bian Cheng Wang saw me he became very angry and scolded me saying that I had entered through the door of the “School of Sages” and yet, although knowledgeable of the Laws, I broke them. For my repeated offences, he sentenced me to the “Severing Kidney and Rat Biting Prison”. At first they cut off my penis, then they bound my hands and feet and I was left lying on the floor to be bitten by the Rats. The pain is so great everyday that although I still have my voice, I find great difficulty in speaking. I hate myself tremendously because for an unfortunate sudden lapse of correct thinking through temptation, and repeated lapses thereafter, I had committed the sins of the flesh. My self-hatred will remain. I hope that those good people who have entered through the door of the “School of Sages” will remain steady and will keep respect and follow the religious commandments, otherwise, like me, any merits they had earned earlier will not be taken into account after death. JiGong:  Colloquial language says “vegetarian instinct extends down to the naval only but the lower portion of the body is not taken into account”  – how true it is, therefore the soldiers of Hades and the Rats here have the job of purifying the body. This is well-deserved punishment. Officer: 2nd Soul, quickly come out and tell your story. 2nd Soul: When I was in school (Form One) on Earth, I was quietly seduced by bad companions to visit prostitutes. Later on, when I had enough money, I went on my own. Often times, I brought my school-mates to prostitutes “to broaden” their field of vision. Thus by my sexual exploits during my bachelor days, my body became weak; I subsequently contacted venereal disease and my friends likewise had a fair share of this disease. When I was young and alive, I fully enjoyed my sexual exploits but on death, my soul now has to undergo so much suffering – so much so, that no one can endure it or understand the extent of the pain. Now to come to think of it, it is already too late to repent. Officer:  When you were still young, you did not care to devote your time to your studies but went for sexual pleasures instead. Even before marriage, you frequented prostitutes; this shows that you did not follow the correct path and had no ambition. Not satisfied with getting into trouble yourself, you seduced your school mates, very much like encouraging them to get drowned. Your sins are very great, that is why your soul is sent to this Prison to be punished. Yang Sheng: It is indeed a sorrowful sight. Inside this Prison there are so many sinful souls, but really for what other sins are they sent here to be punished. Officer: Everyday there are about 1,000 new souls sent here. There are several types of sins they had committed, viz: 1] Those who indulged greatly in womanizing

135 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld 2] Those who patronized prostitutes before they got married 3] Those who indulge in enticing the opposite sex 4] Those who after marriage, took to clandestine sexual enjoyments 5] Those who after entering the door of “School of Sages” broke the Rules and took to secret sexual practices 6] Those who practiced incest 7] Those who raped women and also those who took turns to do so All such people (types) are very lewd – extremely lewd; that is why they are sent here to be punished. JiGong: I would, therefore, urge human beings not to resort to unlawful sexual practices or to patronize prostitutes. The sins are very serious, especially so when committed by persons who follow ascetic practices. These types of sinful souls, after they have undergone punishments in the “Gouging Heart Prison” of the Fifth Tribunal, will have to be sent to the Sixth Tribunal to undergo further appropriate punishment in this Prison. Nevertheless, another redeeming factor is, there is such a thing as merit in Heaven which has the power to mitigate the degree of punishment of sins if human beings, after reading this Book “Diyu Youji”, repent and reform their misconduct and then print and distribute (free of charge), this Book to urge human beings to do good deeds and al so not to indulge in either or all of the seven types of sexual sins mentioned by the Officer earlier. This is Yudi’s Order. Time is running short, so Yang Sheng, prepare to return. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer and Generals, for giving us so much assistance. We have to say goodbye and return. Officer: All Generals, line up and say goodbye to JiGong and Yang Sheng. JiGong:  Yang Sheng, get up on the lotus flower platform to return to Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, we can start…. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, please get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 37

136 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 38 - 18th October 1977 Touring the Small Prison of the Sixth Tribunal For Reckless Drivers of Motor Vehicles JiGong: Summer has just passed and Autumn is now with us. The weather is turning colder and people are buying warmer clothing. The birds are growing more feathers to keep themselves warm. This rotation of the four seasons continues unabated, year in and year out, making me recall my young days and now I see my house full of the younger generations. My eyesight is failing and limbs getting unsteady making walking rather slow. Now, to think of it, I regret very much how quickly my younger days had eroded. Human life is like a dream. Therefore, I would advise human beings to make the best use of their time; one inch of time passed is like one inch of life cut short! Consequently you must seize the first opportunity to take ascetic practice so that you can be a worthy member of society and become law-abiding citizens. Then only can you be a man worthy to be admitted into the “School of Sages” after death; there will be no vacancy in the Prisons of Hades for such people, you will be only like tourist there, no need to undergo any suffering. Time has now come for us to tour Hades; so Yang Sheng, get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Where are we going this time? JiGong: You will soon know. Yang Sheng: Yes, yes. I’m safely seated, we can start now… JiGong: We have arrived. Yang Sheng get down. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, why have you brought me to this hillside? I can hear at a distance, voices crying and calling for help. The crying is like one being beaten or being slashed. Before us, I see the soldiers of Hades herding sinful souls along the roads. Can we follow behind them to see what will happen? JiGong: Today we are visiting the Sixth Tribunal’s Small Prison at the hillside, so quickly follow the soldiers of Hades. Yang Sheng: We have managed to catch up with them and the soldiers are turning their heads as if to greet us. Don’t know what kind of sins these souls had committed and don’t know what punishment they will have to suffer. JiGong: These sinful souls were previously drivers of motor cars, lorries, riders of motor cycles; because when they were alive, they were involved in fatal accidents causing death to others, their souls will have to come here to repay for their past actions. Yang Sheng: But when they were still alive, these irresponsible drivers had already been punished by the human law courts, so their worldly mistake can very well be said to have been adequately settled from the point of law. JiGong: Because these souls had caused the death of other human beings, they will now have to face another punishment in Hades. We have now reached the gates

137 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld of the Prison. If you are in doubt on any matter, you are at liberty to ask the Officer to enlighten you. Yang Sheng: There is a guard at the gate and it does look as if there is some measure of security. At the top of the gate are the words “Prison for leaner Drivers”. The Officer and Generals have come out to receive us. JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly go and pay your respects. Yang Sheng: To you Officer and Generals, I humbly pay my respects. Today I follow my dear Master, JiGong, to visit your Prison so as to find out the reasons these souls are sent here. Hope you will kindly give us every assistance. Officer:  Yang Sheng, there is no need to stand on ceremony. Please both of you; follow me inside for a look. Yang Sheng: Which Tribunal controls this Prison? Officer: This Prison is called “Prison for Learner Drivers” and is under the control of the Sixth Tribunal. This Prison is a totally new establishment and very few human beings are aware of its existence. We have been informed earlier of the Book “Diyu Youji” which Sheng Xian Tang is now compiling and just today, we received notice from Bian Cheng Wang to say that you will be visiting us here. We are indeed very glad to welcome you. If you have doubt on any subject here, do not hesitate to ask and I will be only too glad to try to explain. Yang Sheng: How do you punish these sinful souls here? Officer: Careless motor car drivers and those who cause death or severe injuries to others through reckless driving, or those who, by their driving hazards cause the other party to be disabled irrespective of what types of motor vehicles they were then driving, their souls will be sent here to be punished. Please follow me. JiGong: Thank you very much. Yang Sheng: There are so many souls at the hillside all occupying the small sloping narrow roads which are strewn with rough stones, dust and sand. Each sinful soul is pulling a cart very much like the old-fashioned rickshaw. Each cart is fully loaded with red bricks; because of the weight each soul experiences great difficulty in controlling the loaded cart and at the same time trying to negotiate it down the small narrow sloping road of the hillside. The road is narrow, just wide enough for the two cart wheels to move along; a little lack of care will land both the puller and the loaded cart or just the cart, tumbling sideways down the hillside into the drain. The pullers are bare-footed. Because the cart fully loaded, is heavy, the puller must control the sliding down momentum by means of the pressure grip of the soles of his bare feet, thus causing bleeding and blisters to form at the soles, the blood staining all over the narrow road. In case of the unfortunate soul who happens to lose control of the cart thus allowing it to tumble down sideways into the drain below, he has first to remove the bricks to lighten the cart which he will have to bring up to the road, place the bricks at the wheels to prevent the cart sliding down again, then he will have to bring up the bricks from the drain and stack them up on the cart after which

138 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld he will have to pull the cart down to the foot of the hillside. Where the puller is not strong enough, both puller and the cart will tumble down sideways into the drain, the body of the puller being rolled over by the loaded cart, causing him to scream and subsequently to faint, exactly like what happens when a car accident happens, blood oozing out. This is a novelty punishment to suit these modern times and is very severe. JiGong: When reckless vehicle drivers on Earth (who cause the death of other roadusers) die, their souls will be sent here to be punished. This is true retribution – cause and effect. Officer: I will summon a few souls to come and tell you their stories. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. Officer: The sinful souls are here. Look here, sinful souls, quickly tell JiGong and Yang Sheng what sins you had committed on Earth that you are here to suffer punishment. Tell them truthfully so that they can include your stories in the Book they are writing for human beings to read thus avoiding pitfalls. 1st Soul: When I was alive, I was an omnibus driver. One day, while rounding a corner, a small girl rushed out from a side lane on to the path of my bus but because I could not stop in time, the poor girl was rolled over and died on the spot. In my career as a bus driver, I was involved in quite a number of accidents, sometimes causing slight injuries to others but my bus was usually damaged. Because of these frequent accidents, I was sacked by the bus company. When I died, my soul was sent to this Small Prison to be punished for one year – every day I have to pull the loaded cart down the hill slope, using my feet and toes to control the sliding cart. Although my body can stand this punishment, I have to make the trip 100 times a day resulting in my feet bleeding profusely and sores forming plentifully. Officer: Now, soul no 2, your turn to tell your story. 2nd Soul: I was a taxi driver when I was alive. One day I went with a friend for a drink at the bar which made me somewhat drunk in spite of which I continued to drive my taxi. I drove it rather fast and because of my drunken state, my vision was rather impaired and not being in full control of my taxi, rolled over a pedestrian killing him on the spot. I was sentenced to a jail term and had to pay indemnity. After death, when I appeared before Bian Cheng Wang, he scolded me saying, “When drunk you continued to drive your vehicle thus playing with someone’s life causing him to die.” He then sentenced me to serve three years in this Prison, everyday pulling the loaded cart downhill and being insulted by the soldiers of Hades; the soles of my feet are bleeding and in great pain. Because I have to make use of all the strength I have, you can now see that my body has shrunken until it is like a stick! I hope human drivers will not drive at all when under the influence of liquor. Officer: Come here 3rd Soul and quickly disclose your side of the picture. 3rd  Soul: I was a businessman when alive, riding my motor cycle daily to deliver goods. As I take pleasure in exceeding the speed limit and ignoring the usual road

139 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld regulations, one day I knocked down a man inflicting on him severe injuries while I sprawled on the road and was hurt with a leg injury. The unfortunate man among other injuries also had his head bashed. I recovered after 6 months but, although the victim survived, the head injury made him an idiot of him when he recovered! I had to dish out a lot of indemnity to settle matters. On account of this accident, after my death years later, my soul was sent to the Sixth Tribunal before Bian Cheng Wang who sentenced me to a 3-year term of punishment in this Prison. The suffering here is so terrible that it cannot be expressed by word of mouth. Officer: The stories narrated by these three souls should teach human beings to be very careful when driving motor vehicles; they should value the lives of others as much as their own. In this Prison, there are various severity of punishment – some light, some heavy. To those who were involved in accidents unintentionally, the punishment is light whereas, to those who deliberately drove motor vehicles while under the influence of liquor, the punishment dished out is more heavy than to those hit and run drivers who did not even stop to investigate, or render assistance or at least stop to find out the extent of the damage he had caused. Therefore, I would advise drivers to stop and render every assistance in any accident they are unfortunate to be involved in; this should clear their conscience. JiGong: This is a new establishment Prison, very much like the “motor driving institutes” of Earth. Those new souls who come here for “refresher course” must start all over again to learn the correct and recognized methods of driving motor vehicles so as not to endanger lives. This Prison serves as a warning to human beings never to drive when under the influence of liquor, not to exceed the speed limit and to follow rigidly the official road regulations. If they ignore this warning, when they die, they will have to be sent to this Prison to be retrained and to obtain another certificate of proficiency. Time to return has come. Yang Sheng, prepare to get up on the lotus flower platform. Thank Officer and Generals for the help they have so kindly given. Yang Sheng: I am very grateful to Officer and Generals for your really great help; we have to return now. Officer: Should I fail in my humble duty to entertain you, I hope you will pardon me. I must instruct my Generals to line up for a hearty send off. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, dear Master, we can start now… JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 38.

140 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 39 - 10th November 1977 Touring “Prison of Forced Opening of Mouth to insert Iron Pin” JiGong: Nowadays, very few people take ascetic practices seriously. Of those who take up ascetic practices, quite a number who profess to be devout are in fact not sincere, yet there are others who are in earnest, do not know actually the rudiments of this practice – their hearts are willing; and there are others who take pride in broadcasting their practice but they are like the floating weeds at the pond and have no firm roots. When the wind blows, the weeds follow the direction of the wind. We should pay more respects to those who, while being devout ascetic practitioners, never go bragging about themselves. The Sages have often said that the sincere and devout ascetic practitioners will reap all the good benefits exactly as what the ancient sayings have it that those who are ascetic will be blessed and their descendants too will be blessed but those who are not sincere will meet with calamity, so will their descendants. I hope that human beings will conform to the saying “the net of Heaven stretches everywhere, its meshes are wide but nothing escapes them.” So, therefore, human beings must be aware of this. Today, we will tour Hades again; so Yang Sheng, step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir. But dear Master, excuse me for asking why today you are so drunk with wine? I observe that when you were speaking, your face was flushed with anger. JiGong: I feel great pain in my heart when I see so many human beings going all out to acquire materialistic gains which they think is the sole purpose of the whole duty of mankind. This has caused me to drink bitter wine beyond my usual limit, not worrying what happens to such human beings when they die and their souls are eventually cast into the Prisons of Hades. I do not care whether in future Heaven and Earth are involved in primeval darkness. Yang Sheng: By nature you have a merciful heart. JiGong: Step on the lotus flower platform. Wine cannot cause the drinker to get drunk but the drinker gets drunk because of too much wine; lewdness cannot arouse the desire for women but it is one’s inclination that causes lewdness; money does not run after people, it is people who run after money. The cold wind now starts blowing causing me to feel awakened. Let us now go touring Hades….We have arrived, get down. Yang Sheng: The Officer has come to welcome us. Today, my dear Master and myself have arrived and I do hope Officer and Generals will please give us every assistance. Officer:  Arise, no need to stand on ceremony. The name of this Prison is “Iron Pin Prison”  which comes under the jurisdiction of the Sixth Tribunal. We have received the Notice stating that both of you will be coming here to have a look for the purpose of writing the Book, the name of which is “Diyu Youji.” I do not think I can be of much assistance but please forgive me for any short-coming.

141 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Please do not be so humble; I would appreciate it very much if you would give whatever assistance you can. Officer: Please be good enough to accompany me inside. Yang Sheng: I see this Prison is so full of sinful souls. The soldiers of Hades are forcing the mouth open with iron forks and forcing spiked iron pin cushions into the mouths. All the souls are in so great pain that they jump about. Blood oozing out of the mouths until the souls become unconscious. JiGong: The purpose of forcing the iron pins into the mouth is to create a situation that having a mouth, the sinful soul will not be able to speak – a punishment for talking too much; in other words “the soul has a hard mouth” thus making him have a mouth which pains and cannot speak. Yang Sheng: This type of punishment is indeed very cruel. If one is stuck in the throat or mouth even by a small fish bone, he feels uncomfortable; just compare with a soul having iron pins forced into his mouth, it is like a dumb person who has taken bitter medicine and cannot express the bitterness! Can I ask Officer, what sins did these souls commit on Earth that they are sent here to be punished? Officer: On Earth there are many people who, although they have no principles, talk as if they are fully justified to do so, or use sugar coated words to entice innocent women, or who speak untruths to swindle others, or those who take drugs, or those whose speech is like sharp knife piercing the hearts of others. All such people after death their souls are sent to this Prison for punishment. I will summon a few of such souls to come and tell you their stories. JiGong: All these souls are unconscious. I will use my rush-leaf fan to revive them. Quickly get up; quickly get up. General, quickly remove the iron pins from their mouths; if not, how can they speak? General: I have removed the iron pins as instructed. JiGong: Here, sinful souls; listen carefully. Today, I bring this human being, Yang Sheng, here to see what sufferings are being inflicted on you. You must tell your stories truthfully what sins you had committed when you were alive, causing your souls, after death to be sent to this Prison. 1st Soul: When I was alive, I had the gift of the gap. My eloquence was so impressive that everybody liked to hear me. I was also quite beautiful. Even after my marriage, many male folks used to chase after me. Once a man fell head over heels in love with me and seeing that he was a rich man, with my flexible tongue I told him that my husband did not care very much for me; would he therefore take care of me? Eventually there were many intimacies between us, because I was endowed with a pliable tongue, I tried to get as much money from him as I could. After I had obtained what I wanted, I changed tactics. Every now and then I used sharp words to offend and attack him. He felt much insulted and not looking to the future, took the short cut and committed suicide. I found out (only after my death) that this chap after he died had complained to Hades about me. The chief of Hades told him that because I, being a woman, was so sinful that he was at liberty to take revenge.

142 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld When I was still alive, his soul constantly came and wrapped round my body making my health run down, falling sick every now and then and after 7 years of this mental torture, I died. Then both our souls confronted each other in front of Wang Si Cheng (the city of those who die unnatural deaths). The man because he had affairs with me, a married woman, had to suffer for his sins, whereas I was sentenced to be punished in the various Tribunals until I reached this Sixth Tribunal when Bian Cheng Wang scolded me saying that my mouth was dirty and cheated people. He sentenced me to have the iron pins forced into my mouth, causing me great pain. JiGong:  You made use of false love to attract men, thus deceiving your own husband and also used your mouth and tongue to “kill” people. Now that you are dead, your soul has come here to be punished. You deserve it, you deserve it. Now 2nd Soul, tell your story. 2nd Soul: When I was alive I was a loafer. I took pleasure in taking drugs and liked morphine injections. To get money for my purpose, I had to resort to thieving. When I died, my soul was sent to this Prison; everyday, iron pins were forced into my mouth. On account of this suffering, I hate my previous life on Earth. Officer: Those souls who indulge in drug taking on Earth, when sent here will have to undergo long-term punishment to eradicate the drugs which are inside the bodies because there are still traces of the harmful drugs; souls cannot be reborn if there are still traces of drugs in the bodies. The laws on Earth are very severe against drugs addicts but here in Hades, the punishment is even more severe. In the case of those souls who are too deeply involved in drugs, they are sent to A-Bi Diyu (the lowest Hell according to Buddhism where there is no escape). I would therefore urge those people who are already involved in drugs, to stop their bad practice and immediately find all remedies to get rid of the drug habit. JiGong: 3rd  Soul, come and tell what sins you had committed when you were on Earth. 3rd  Soul: I was a well-educated man when I was living. I was able to quote idioms and proverbs readily. When speaking to my friends and relatives, I was able to convince them to my way of thinking, even though the statement was actually inaccurate. I often talked to them on heretical doctrines and quoted the sayings of Sages to slander people. When I died Bian Cheng Wang said, “You did not use the sayings of Sages to tell people to do good, but by twisting the quotations, you cheated them; you used your mouth to harm, therefore, I sentence you to have spiked iron pin cushion forced into your mouth to punish it”. Now I am suffering because although I have a mouth, I cannot utter a word. JiGong: A reasonable sentence can travel anywhere and everywhere, but an unreasonable sentence uttered cannot even take half a step. Human beings must speak with reason, for example, if one, after killing a person, twists and turns and says that the man rightly deserves to die, then this speech is distorted. The soul of this person, after death, will surely be sent to this Prison to be punished. Now, 4 th Soul, it is your turn to say why you are in this Prison? 4th  Soul:  When I was alive, I had some money which I lent others at high rates of interest. Those who had difficulty in paying the interest regularly, I had interest added

143 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld to the principal amount borrowed and charged compound interest on the new amount, thus getting a lot of money. In the case of those who were not able to pay anything, I employed loafers to confront them. When I died, Bian Cheng Wang said that because I had lived on high interest rates, (like blood sucking), now coming to this Prison, the iron pins have to be forced into my mouth causing me so much suffering. I now realize my past sins but too late to repent. Officer: The heart of rich people is as hard as iron or copper; some rich people depend on high rate of interest for a living. When they die, their souls will be sent to this Prison so that they can experience the taste of the iron pins. I would advise such people not to squeeze money from the poor and needy by charging high rate of interest; instead they should help the less fortunate by charging lower rate of interest. Helping others is an enjoyable and self-satisfying matter; why not do it? JiGong: We have little time left. Yang Sheng, prepare to return. Thank you, Officer and Generals for entertaining us. We have to say goodbye now. Officer: All Generals, line up and bid goodbye. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can proceed… JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 39

144 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 40 - 19th November 1977 Touring the Sixth Tribunal –  “Barbed Netting and Locust/Leeches Small Prison” JiGong: Sheng Xian Tang has been extensively renovated and repainted and looks very pleasant and stately. Deities like clean and quiet places of worship. If human beings want to see or commune with Deities, the most important requisite is their hearts must be pure otherwise, even if they have clear-sighted eyes, such eyes will be clouded by dust and so will not be able to see or feel the aura of the Deities. Yang Sheng, prepare to get up on the lotus flower platform, to tour Hades today. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir. Dear Master, why is it that you appear very happy today? JiGong: It is because I am very happy to see Sheng Xian Tang so very nice and tidy today and any worry or sorrow that I might have has totally disappeared. Yang Sheng: Human beings say, “out of sight, anything is clean”. Do you think this is true? JiGong: Deities and Buddhas can say this is true but human beings cannot say so. Here is an example: In present day world, many crimes and actions lacking morality are being committed in the dark; how then can human beings say that if they do not see these “dark places” then they must be clean? Yang Sheng: What you have just said is very true. I’m now safely seated on the lotus flower platform so we can start…. JiGong: We have arrived; get down. Yang Sheng: Today, we see the soldiers of Hades herding souls in an orderly manner and there are no crying and wailing. JiGong: This is the “Barbed Netting and Locust/Leeches Small Prison.” Because these sinful souls have not yet got the immediate effect of this Prison, that is why you cannot hear any loud crying or wailing. These souls just moan quietly at the beginning – just wait and see the after effects. We are now near the gate of the Prison. Look, the Officer and Generals are waiting to receive us. Yang Sheng: My respects to you, Officer and Generals. My Master and I have come to seek your assistance; so please help us in our mission. Officer: No need to stand on ceremony. This Small Prison is under the control of the Sixth Tribunal. Bian Cheng Wang is in charge. The many books written by Sheng Xian Tang through planchette writing; have been the means of reforming many human beings and thus earning much meritorious merits. By touring our Sixth Tribunal and seeing what goes on in the various Small Prisons here and using the information gained to write your Book “Diyu Youji” for human beings to read and benefit thereby, makes us have glorious and splendid feeling. Please follow me inside. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much Officer.

145 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Wow! This Prison has barbed netting spread on the ground and above ground. This barbed netting is like what the Police on Earth erect when they want to prevent mobs rushing. The first spread of barbed netting rests on the water-bogged ground. Just high enough for a person to crawl on the ground is another spread of barbed netting. No one can stand up and walk between these two spreads of barbed netting – he has to crawl. If a sinful soul tries to stand up, his head and back will be pricked by the barbed netting and clothing will be torn. Sticking to the bodies of the souls are several movable objects, not seen clearly from our present position. Please, Officer, tell us what those movable objects are. Officer: There are two types – one, locust and the other, leeches; they suck the blood of the body and brain of these souls. If we take a couple of steps nearer, we should be able to see more clearly. Yang Sheng: Very good….ah! so many leeches are sticking to the uncovered parts of the body – so frightful! At the head are so many locusts, don’t know what they are after. JiGong:  Leeches can mostly be found in drains. When a leech sticks to a body, it sucks the blood and refuses to drop off; human beings are very afraid of them. Locusts suck the sap of rice paddy; they can destroy a paddy field in a short time. The locusts here suck the brain of the sinful soul. Officer: When locusts suck the sap of the rice paddy, the color of the sap is white and when they suck the brain of the souls, the color is also white. Yang Sheng: Truly it is very frightful to witness this scene which makes me feel tired at the heart and my feet tend to become soft. JiGong: Do not be afraid. Because we have to write this Book, we are forced to tour this Prison. When I accompany you what is there to fear? Officer: Please wait a while. I will bring out a few sinful souls for them to tell their stories. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer, but please be quick about it and remove the leeches first from the bodies because I’m afraid of leeches! Officer: Yes, yes, just wait…. The two types of insects have been removed from the bodies of the souls so that they can come out and tell their stories. Look here, sinful souls, these two are JiGong Huofo and Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng who have been entrusted with the job of writing the Book, “Diyu Youji” describing the suffering of sinful souls in Hades, for human beings to read and thereby reform. You have to co-operate and tell your stories why you are here. 1st Soul: when I was alive, I was a judge. I was corrupt and always passed judgement in favor of those who bribed me with money – thus being unfair to many parties because I did not pass sentence according to the laws of the land. I had often heard people say that corrupt judges who accept bribes and pass sentence not according to the laws will suffer recompensation when they die; but I had the feeling that if I could get honor as well as money, that was good enough when I was

146 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld alive, and it was unrealistic to worry what comes after death. Now that I am dead, I have to come to Hades to face the Magic Mirror which projected every action and behaviour when I was on Earth, how I accepted bribes, how I dished out biased sentences, etc, all of which I could not deny, like seeing a film show. After I had gone through punishment in the “Ordure (Dung and Urine) Prison,” I was sent to this Prison for further punishment. Bian Cheng Wang scolded me saying, “You were a  judge and were familiar with the laws of the land and should uphold and respect them and yet you flouted the self-same laws which you should have upheld. You had therefore committed such serious crimes of which there is no equal.” He sentenced me to this Prison to crawl between the barbed nettings until the whole body is open to leeches sucking my blood, locusts sucking my brain, so much so, that my body pains and feels tired – all so much suffering that no words can describe. Officer: You were expected to uphold and respect the laws yet you went against them thus making you an irresponsible, lawless judge. I do hope the existing judges on Earth will emulate “Bao Gong” – strict administration of justice, the execution of which is carried out without fear or favor; remove injustice; then only will they be respected, otherwise, after death they will have to be sent to this Prison to be punished. Not only will they be punished here but their past malpractices will implicate their future descendants. Such recompensation has been handed down through history and is a fact – no running away from it. 2nd Soul: I had a big, tall and hefty body when I was alive. I worked as a body guard at gambling dens, houses of prostitution, collected protection money in the locality. I led a very full and happy life because I always had money coming in, plenty of drinks, gambling and women. How was I to know that after my death, Bian Cheng Wang sent me to this Prison to be punished? I am suffering everyday. Officer: You had committed other sins also; do not hide them, tell the truth. If you do not obey, you will receive additional punishment. 2nd  Soul: Oh, Well. I’ll tell everything. Because I was used to receiving money as a gangster, I never thought of making use of my strength to earn a proper livelihood. Whatever I ran short of money, I had just got to go to the shops to exhort money; all my life through, I lived on ill-gotten easy money. JiGong: As a human being, you refused to earn an honest living but used force to exhort money from those who toiled hard with blood and sweat. Such a person after death will have to come to this Prison to undergo the punishment and to suffer. I hope human beings will awaken. We are running short of time. Yang Sheng, we m ust prepare to return. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer and Generals, for being so helpful to us. We have to return now. Officer: All Generals, line up and say goodbye. Yang Sheng: I am securely seated on the lotus flower platform. Dear Master, we can start….

147 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 40

148 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 41 - 9th December 1977 Touring “Cheng Huang Miao” –  City Temple of Hades How Souls of the Dead are brought there JiGong: Today at 12 noon, Huang Wenda, the husband of Lai Sheng Kuan, passed away. This brings me to remark that human life-span is rather short. Human beings are prone to discuss in detail, however small it may be; so why bother about life? When the beating of the heart stops, everything is brought to an end, then where would the money and children and worldly property be after one is dead and gone? The dead man’s body will still be in the house for a couple of days after which it will be sent to the countryside for burial and so, what is now left of the man? Yang Sheng: Dear Master, you have just said that Mr Huang has died, where then has he gone after death? JiGong: The months and years are long but the roads to Hades are much longer. This will be the place where human beings after death will go to. The purpose of our Book, “Diyu Youji,” is to inform human beings what they will get when in Hades after death. Yang Sheng: Very good! It is quite a big problem. Human beings know that after death, they will go to Hades but what awaits them there, they do not know. Therefore, dear Master will you please speak out so that people will know better. JiGong: Alright. Quickly get up on the lotus flower platform and I’ll bring you there so that you can see for yourself. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated; we can start now…. JiGong: We have arrived, get down. Yang Sheng: I seem to remember that we have already been here before. JiGong: You are right. You see the body of Mr Huang is lying on the bed in his house. In front of the bed are some members of Sheng Xian Tang saying prayers and they are now about to finish their prayers. The family of Mr Huang is much grieved and the expression of emotion is clearly shown in their faces. Yang Sheng: We can only see the body but not his spiritual soul. JiGong: Quickly get up on the lotus flower platform again and I’ll bring you to “Cheng Huang Miao” (City Temple) to let you have a clearer view. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated; please start… JiGong: We have arrived. Yang Sheng: There are so many souls in Cheng Huang Miao – much movement of soldiers of Hades, and Horses, which is never seen on Earth.

149 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Let us go inside and pay our respects to Cheng Huang (God of the City). Cheng Huang: Welcome JiGong and Yang Sheng. If you want any assistance, it is my pleasure. JiGong: It is because the husband of Sheng Xian Tang’s Vice-Chairman has just died and also in connection with the writing of the Book, “Diyu Youji” by Sheng Xian Tang to let human beings know more about what they should expect to get after death, that we are here today to seek your assistance. Cheng Huang: Welcome, welcome; please be seated. I will ask General to serve you tea. General: Yes, Sir….May I invite both of you to drink tea? Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. Can I ask Cheng Huang what kind of work you do here? Cheng Huang: What I do here most human beings do not know. The work we do here is very much what the Police on Earth do. Fu De Zheng Shen Miao  is like a branch of Police Station and comes under the jurisdiction of Cheng Huang. When the life-span of a human being is about to finish, the soldiers of Hades will bring the warrant for his arrest to his Office. A representative from this Office will accompany the soldier to Fu De Zheng Shen Miao and a representative from this Miao will follow both of them to Earth to bring the dead person’s soul to Hades. Yang Sheng: I still have some more questions to ask Cheng Huang. By what means does the soldier of Hades bring a good man here and how does he bring a sinful man here? Cheng Huang: Sometimes an Ox-head-horse-faced General is sent and sometimes Hei Bai Wu Chang is sent; when the soldier arrives at the home of a person whose life-span is about to end, he taps the man’s shoulder and he immediately dies and he leads the soul to Hades. If a person is sinful, the hands of the soul are tied up in chains and dragged to Hades, very much like the Police on Earth dragging a prisoner. On arrival, the soldier leads him to the Office of Cheng Huang to report. His earthly name is cancelled from the register here and then his name is inserted in the Ghost Register. Yang Sheng: Is a good person or an ascetic practitioner given any preferential treatment? Cheng Huang: Definitely yes! If the life-span of a human being who has done a lot of good deeds, thus gaining merits, is up, the soldier of Hades reports to my Office and Fu Shen (God of Happiness) is sent down to Earth to bring his soul here; however, in case of a very pious ascetic practitioner, his patron Saint (the one that he prays to for guidance)  is sent to bring his soul here. In the case of those very pious ascetic practitioner who do not have patron Saints, some have to undergo the standard reporting procedure of Hades for good souls, while for others, they have to go to Jiu Yang Guan to be tested and if found satisfactory, will be sent to Heaven.

150 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Is there any different procedure for bringing the souls of persons who embrace the various types of religions? Cheng Huang: Although different people have different beliefs about other religions, the worship of Truth is the same. If such a person aspires to go to Heaven after death, he when alive; must lead or follow the “Middle Path,” always doing righteous and good deeds, not leaning towards the right side or the left side, or doing things according to his own whims and fancies. Otherwise there is little likelihood of his going to Heaven, irrespective of what religion he embraces. JiGong: What Cheng Huang has just said is very true. Of unprincipled ascetic practitioners, there are four types who: a) hold fast to their own personal beliefs b) tend towards rivalry among themselves c) indulge in gossip d) self praise These sort of ascetic practitioners tend to lose their temper quickly, and aspire to leadership. When they die, their souls will be sent to Hades to suffer and then to undergo further training. Yang Sheng: May I ask Cheng Huang where has Mr Huang’s soul now gone to? Cheng Huang: I can bring you inside to have a look… Yang Sheng: Oh! Mr Huang is sitting inside a room, like a class room and there are 5 or 6 souls. He is sitting on a chair and nodding his head in my direction, Can I talk to him? Cheng Huang: Yes, you can. Yang Sheng: Mr Huang, how are you? Huang’s soul: Thank you, I’m O.K. Ah…..(crying) Yang Sheng: Mr Huang is still crying and cannot speak. JiGong: Wenda (Mr Huang), do not feel so sad at departing from your family. Your children are grown up; your wife is so capable, and your children are also filial. Therefore, you can set your mind at rest. Yang Sheng: Mr Huang cried more and louder. JiGong: Be more realistic. Human beings are like visitors – they come and go from place to place. Therefore do not think too much of your family. Huang’s Soul: Thank you very much for your kind advice. I hope you will kindly guide and instruct my children and grandchildren to do good deeds and take up ascetic practice, to go to Sheng Xian Tang more often and give assistance. Now that I have departed from Earth, the treatment I receive from Fu Shen and Cheng Huang is due solely to the meritorious deeds of my wife. I do not think there is anything to feel sorry about but my heart is grieved…

151 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Mr Huang, don’t worry unduly. JiGong has spoken to console you. You had already walked the roads of Earth and now you have to traverse the roads of Sacred Doctrine. There is no need to worry. Huang’s Soul: I regret very much that I did not devote much of my time in the affairs of Sheng Xian Tang. Ah…(crying). Thank you and the members of Sheng Xian Tang for your kind assistance when I was alive. JiGong: As we do not have much time to spare, please do not talk too long. Let us return to the Office for a short rest. Cheng Huang: I invite both of you to come to the Office….Sit down. Yang Sheng, have you any more questions to ask? Yang Sheng: Many people have asked me what happens after death and I don’t know. May I ask Cheng Huang to kindly enlighten me on this matter? Cheng Huang: Don’t stand on ceremony; you can ask any question you like. With JiGong with us, he too, can help to clear any doubts. Yang Sheng: What takes place when a person dies and his soul departs from his earthly body? Cheng Huang: When a person is due to die, there is always an omen which generally comes in the form of sickness. Why sickness? It is because of age, which is like an old tree about to fall down. Firstly, the roots and leaves decay and then when a strong gust of wind blows, the tree topples down. Let us trace the various sequences – immediately a baby is born, a Record Book is made out and also a tree, an Individual Personality Tree, is planted in Hades; what a person does or how he conducts himself during his lifetime on Earth, every item of his behaviour is endorsed in his Record Book. If there is any sign of change in his tree’s growth, it is an indication that the life of the person concerned is coming to an end. Then an Officer of Hades quickly refers to his Birth and Death Record Book. If his time to die has come, Wu Chang is instructed to go down to Earth with an Order to bring the person’s soul to Hades. When his soul arrives, his I ndividual Personality Tree falls down. This is called Death. A person’s soul will stay in his body only during his whole lifetime. It is like grafting a tree; the person grows older and the tree grows bigger. When the soul is about to leave the body, it is like the branch of a tree snapping but the bark of the tree still remaining attached to the tree, very much like the skin of a tortoise shell peeling off – very painful. You will observe that there is material change in a person’s look when he is dead; some dead person will gnash his teeth in anger, his face will look fierce, not like what he used to look when he is alive; this indicates that when he was about to die, he was fearful, angry, and so he gnashed his teeth. This is an indication that either, it was a retribution in this life for the sins of a previous existence or unnatural death. If a dead person’s face looks peaceful and cheerful, like sleeping, this shows that his soul is tranquil and fearless, his journey to Hades is uneventful – such is an indication that the dead person has morality and not sinful. JiGong:  When a person’s breath stops, it does not usually mean that he is dead. Take for example, a torchlight which does not emit light when the switch is on – it does not usually mean that the battery is run down. There may still be some juice left

152 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld in the battery but not powerful enough to light the bulb up. Therefore, when a person’s breathing stops it may be that he is a state of shock. At this time his soul has not yet completely left his earthly body. We can say that although he is said to be dead, yet his heart is not dead and still has consciousness left, just that the mouth cannot express. At this time, the children and close relatives of the deceased should go to the ears and console him by speaking in low tones (whisper) “Set your mind at rest, we have arranged everything. There is no need to worry.”  This assurance will tend to make the deceased’s soul have a care-free journey to Hades. If he is of the Buddhist faith, the children, etc can chant “Amitabha” if he is a Taoist, the chant will be “Tai Yi Jiu Ku Tian Zun.” Such prayers or chanting will have the effect of making the Fairies in Heaven help the dead person’s soul have no fear on his journey to Hades. Because at this time the soul is like one groping in the dark and the soul’s heart is in a haze. With such chanting, the Fairies in Heaven will help to make the soul’s heart steadier on the journey. When a person dies, his family should take vegetarian dishes, wear plain and simple clothes, must not drink liquor, entertain, enjoy or make merry, because such unbecoming actions will influence the Cheng Huang of the place the soul is going to. This Cheng Huang will be able to report favourably to Bian Cheng Wang who can mitigate the sins which the dead person had committed when he was alive. By mourning in this way, the children, etc, by their self-restraint, will help to lessen what sins the dead had committed when he was alive and also they can repay their gratitude. It is now time for us to return. Yang Sheng: Wait a moment please. I don’t know where is the next place Mr Huang Wenda’s soul will go? Cheng Huang: We have received a letter of recommendation from Wen Heng Sheng Di of Sheng Xian Tang. However, this soul must first come to Hades and then his previous actions, behaviour and sins on Earth will be judged. JiGong: Yang Sheng, do not ask any more questions regarding this matter; we will know what happens, later on. Prepare to return. Cheng Huang: All Generals, line up and bid goodbye. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Cheng Huang. Dear Master, we can start… JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 41

153 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 42 - 26th December 1977 Touring the Seventh Tribunal Interviewing Tai Shan Wang of the Prison of Red Hot Bricks JiGong: In the ancient book called “Yu Li Bao Chao Quan Shi Wen,” the author was ordered by “Tian Di” that his soul should tour Hades. Tian Di instructed him to write the Book after he had completed his tour of Hades in order to teach human beings to do more good than evil. Nowadays, the world has changed for the worse; so accordingly the mode of punishment in Hades will have to be changed to meet present day sins. The purpose of writing, printing and distributing this Book, Diyu Youji has the advantage of doing good deeds because those who read it will be influenced to do more good deeds than evil deeds. Those who devotedly read this Book and endeavour to follow the right path will eventually attain the correct moral philosophy. We must prepare to tour Hades again today and so Yang Sheng, get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir, I am securely seated. Dear Master, we can start…. JiGong: We have arrived; get down. Yang Sheng: Where are we going today? JiGong: Look, before us is the Seventh Tribunal. Tai Shan Wang has seen us and has stood up to receive us. Quickly go and pay your respects. Tai Shan Wang: I welcome both of you, JiGong and Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng; do come inside and have a seat. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Tai Shan Wang. Today we have come here on a visit and I am honoured that both your Civil and Military officials have lined up to receive us. I can also see many sinful souls inside this place and Tai Shan Wang, on seeing us approaching, has stopped temporarily dealing with those sinful souls to come and receive us. Tai Shan Wang: I am aware of the hardships and inconveniences which both of you are going through to visit Hades in order to write the Book and I accordingly offer you my greatest respects. I will ask the General to serve Heavenly Tea. General: Yes, Sir…Tea is served, respected Sirs. Yang Sheng: Thank you for your kind hospitality. Tai Shan Wang: No need to stand on ceremony. The present day world is on the decline. Fortunately, Sheng Xian Tang of Taiwan, through planchette writings has issued and distributed so many books to urge people to do good deeds. Today, you have come here to gather data for the Book, Diyu Youji so that human beings can read and thereby try and do good deeds – this is no small matter. Now that you are here, it is my humble duty to do everything I can to make your mission a complete success it deserves.

154 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Thank you very much, Tai Shan Wang for instructing us. The intention to help and redeem humanity is in the hearts of everyone. In case we have not conducted ourselves properly, I pray that you will forgive us. Tai Shan Wang:  Do not be so modest. It is customary that when a person dies, his family will observe the 7 by 7th day death ceremony prayers by employing monks to chant prayers hoping to release the soul from sufferings. The living tend to believe that the observance of the first 7 th day ceremony will help to lead the soul through the 1st  Tribunal, the second 7 th  day ceremony will help to lead through the 2 nd Tribunal, and so on and so forth, until the seventh 7 th  day ceremony which should lead the soul through the 7th Tribunal. It is not easy as all that. The kith and kin do not know that during the lifetime of the deceased he might have committed a lot of sins, and by observing the 7 by 7 th day ceremonies, within 49 days they expect the soul of the deceased to reach the 7th Tribunal. They think that after passing through the 7th  Tribunal, the soul would automatically pass through the 8 th, 9th  and 10th Tribunals and then be ready for rebirth. I would therefore, advise the living not to waste so much money in paying for chanting of prayers in connection with the 7 by 7th day ceremonies; rather, when one is still alive it is better that he does more good deeds than evil deeds. Therefore, when one is alive, one must endeavour to do good whenever possible so that the accumulation of good deeds done during one’s lifetime will result in the “lucky saints” coming to guide the soul on its journey at death. No need to waste money by paying for chanting of prayers because no amount of chanting can help a sinful soul to escape the punishment that awaits him in the various Tribunals in Hades. I hope human beings will take note of this very important point. Yang Sheng: Why do the living always talk of 7 by 7th day, why not 8 by 7th or 9 by 7th or 10 by 7th day? Officer: In Hades the most important Tribunals are the first 7 Tribunals; it is in these 7 Tribunals that most sins are punished and the 8 th, 9 th and 10th Tribunals will only dealt with any leftover sins not dealt with by the first 7 Tribunals. It is good that descendants of dead persons should observe filial piety after death but it is definitely preferable that all parties, while still living should do good deeds. JiGong: When a person dies, his soul will have to undergo punishment in the various Tribunals until his soul is due for rebirth. The descendants naturally wish the soul to be released from much sufferings. They, therefore, must do good deeds so as to influence the Heads of the various Tribunals to remit the sins of their forebears, this is a better method of approach. If the descendants want to engage monks to chant prayers, the prayers will be effective only when chanted by monks who are very pious, otherwise the prayers will not have any effect and money will be wasted. I would suggest to human beings that it is very much better to respect their elders when they are still alive, e.g. to feed them with a grain of rice when they are living is much better than offering them a feast or wine after they are dead. Another way to relieve the suffering of the soul of a dead person is for the children to print and distribute religious books. By doing this kind of good deed; the soul of the dead will not suffer so much. This is one way of thanking the deceased. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, what you have just said is like a needle poking the flesh of a person and immediately blood oozes out and is very effective and valuable. There

155 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld are many people who do not care much for their parents when they were alive but when the parents die, they realize the usefulness of the dead, very much like the leaves of a tree which we want to see remain still and motionless, but a sudden gust of wind comes and blows to move the leaves – the children now want to be filial to their parents but alas, too late as the parents have died. Can I ask dear Master, why is it that when a person dies, his soul in Hades takes the shape and form of the person himself although his earthly body has already decayed? JiGong: That is the illusory form of the dead person. As time is rather limited, can Tai Shan Wang please conduct us for a look of the Prison here in the Seventh Tribunal? Tai Shan Wang: The most important Prison here is the Prison of the Red Hot Bricks and there are also 16 small Prisons. When sinful souls are sent here, I judge them with impartiality – there is no question of gratitude or pity. Now I will bring both of you to see what goes on here. Yang Sheng: This is most kind of you; I wish to thank Tai Shan Wang. Tai Shan Wang: All Civil and Military Officers please get ready to escort both of them inside to see the works. All Officers: Yes, Sir….. Yang Sheng: When I follow behind Tai ShanWang, I have a sense and feeling of awe because he is so very strict and righteous. JiGong: In Hades, there is no such thing as favour or favourites or any other consideration – the only governing factor is dependent on the amount of good deeds a deceased person had done when he was alive. If a person leads an evil life on Earth, when he dies, his soul in Hades will be disturbed and tormented by evil spirits, but if he leads a good life, when he dies, his soul in Hades will be protected and escorted by angels. Yang Sheng: My body is feeling very hot as the flames here are glowing skywards. At the top of the gate are the words “Prison of Red Hot Bricks.” The wall is made of red bricks. JiGong: These bricks are called “fire bricks” – the stronger the fire burns, the harder the bricks become. Prison Officer: Welcome Tai Shan Wang. Tai Shan Wang: I have brought JiGong and Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng here for a look around. All of you line up to receive them. All Officers: Yes, Sir. Tai Shan Wang: This is the “Red Hot Bricks Prison.” Yang Sheng: Because of the great heat here, I find difficulty in breathing. The floor is paved with red bricks and the fire underneath makes the floor bricks red hot; sinful

156 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld souls walking the length of red hot brick floor keep tumbling and rolling on it, wailing loudly because of the pain. Outside, new sinful souls before entering, on seeing the suffering inside, start crying as if their dear ones have just died and are afraid to enter. The soldiers of Hades do not stand on ceremony but just push them in. At the beginning, the floor is not hot but it gets hotter and hotter as the journey progresses until when the bare feet of the souls cannot stand the heat of the floor, they start to  jump and lose their balance, roll on the hot floor, the more they roll, the more feet and bodies get burnt. What sins are they being punished for? Tai Shan Wang: This Prison is specially for punishing the following types of sinners:

1] Those who over-aspire for fame and gain, with the sole aim of enriching themselves. 2] Those who are more inclined towards the opposite sex but are heartless and unhelpful to those of their own sex. 3] Those who exploit or take undue advantage of the misfortunes of others. 4] Those who are hot tempered and often curse Heaven and Earth. 5] Opportunists who use stealthy means for their own selfish ends and benefits. 6] Those who worship the rich and influential but despise and look down upon the poor and less fortunate. 7] Those who are partial and without virtue in all their dealings. All these types of sinful souls will have to be sent to this Prison for punishment which is comparatively light because if a sinful soul can manage to walk the whole length of this red hot brick floor for 300 (li); then only can his sins be mitigated. But to complete this distance depends upon the gravity of the sins committed on Earth, some taking as long as 5 years. Those who are less sinful do not feel the bricks so hot because the temperature is automatically regulated to suit each individual soul, whereas for those who are more sinful, the temperature is automatically adjusted and increased. Those who manage to complete the walk-through and still have some other types of sins awaiting punishment will have to be sent to the 16 Small Prisons which can be reached by a side road but the heat of the red hot bricks is much reduced. On entering the 16 Small Prisons the sinful souls will have to undergo punishment depending upon the nature of their sins. JiGong:  As we are running short of time, we have to take leave but we will visit again; so we must say goodbye. Tai ShanWang: Since you have to leave, we don’t want to hold you any longer. I will order the Generals to line up and bid goodbye. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Tai Shan Wang, for personally entertaining us. JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can start now…. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 42

157 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 43 - 5th January 1978 Touring the “Hand-Baking Small Prison” JiGong: The cold season is now with us and we can see snow flakes everywhere. The year is coming to a close. I urge human beings to give up their butcher’s knives and stop doing evil deeds. Today, we must prepare to tour Hades again; Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: The weather is rather cold and I’m afraid I can’t stand it. Can dear Master please give me some of your pills of Immortality? JiGong: You must not succumb so easily to your imagination. Anyhow I’ll give you one pill. Swallow it quickly and then get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Thank you dear Master. Please excuse me for my sheer ignorance. I’m safely seated and so we can start…. JiGong: We have arrived; get down. Yang Sheng:  What Prison are we going to visit today? I cannot see any Officer anywhere but a number of soldiers of Hades are herding sinful souls here and there. JiGong: We will proceed a little further and then you will know. Yang Sheng: Oh! Before us is the Red-Hot Bricks Prison. We had already visited this Prison lately, are we visiting again? JiGong: No, today we will visit the “Hand-Baking Small Prison” which is reached by a side road from the Red-Hot Brick Prison. Yang Sheng: The more we walk, the more hot vapour affects us. How then can we go further? I understand that this side road is hot, then how can I, a human being, walk on it? My human feet will be covered with blisters. JiGong: What is there to fear when I am here? The hot earth can change to cold earth. Yang Sheng: Then, dear Master, please show your magic art! We have now reached the side road, the surface is red in color like the color of a brick kiln; how can one walk on such a road? JiGong: See the magic I am going to perform; “With my magic fan, I wave over the red hot earth which will change into cold earth.” Now we can walk over it! Yang Sheng: Truly, your magic does work. The red hot earth road quickly transforms into a cold earth road. In front of us, those sinful souls suddenly realize that the road is no longer hot and, taken by surprise, they begin to walk faster. JiGong: You have to follow me quickly otherwise, when the magic power begins to lose its effect, you will be in trouble.

158 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: I follow dear Master very closely and quickly and now we have reached the place. At the left side of the road are Officer and Generals waiting to welcome us. JiGong: They are the Officer and Generals of the Hand-Baking Small Prison – quickly go up and pay your respects. Yang Sheng: My humble respects to you; I am Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng. We have received the Order to visit Hades with my dear Master JiGong, to see how sinful souls are dealt with according to your laws here so that when we return to Earth, we can write a Book for human beings to read whereby they can do good deeds. We have come here today to seek your kind help in our mission. Officer: We extend to both of you a very warm welcome. Your Book, Diyu Youji when duly published, will make us glorified and honored. Please follow me inside the Prison for a look around. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer. On the top of the Prison are the words “HandBaking Small Prison.” Guards are stationed at the gate. Officer: Please enter. Yang Sheng: I can hear the sorrowful crying of sinful souls. JiGong: The crying in all Prisons is always sorrowful. The crying in Hades is somewhat like the crying of human beings who are seriously sick and about to die. The crying is so pitiful for they hope that someone will come to their rescue. Yang Sheng: Inside this Prison, the instruments are very scientific. Both hands of a sinful soul are strapped to springs the other ends of which are fastened to iron rails – the hands can be lifted up but the springs pull them down towards the iron rails. The iron rails are baked until red hot. The soul tries to lift his hands and run along the rails but the springs pull the hands back making the soul fall down sprawling on the red hot rails. Thus the hands are burnt, causing the body to sweat and the soul to cry aloud. Officer: In earlier times, this Prison used to iron out the hands but to keep up with the modern methods of sins committed by present day human beings, this Prison has been modified and brought up-to-date. I will call a few sinful souls so that they can tell you their own sinful stories. Yang Sheng: Both Hades and Earth have the same principles – you say you are smart, but there are others who are smarter than you. Officer: Look here, sinful souls; pay good attention. Today, JiGong and Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng have come to visit us to find out how we handle cases here so that they can write a Book to instruct human beings on how to lead a better life. You have to tell truthfully what sins you had committed when you were alive.

159 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld 1st  Soul: When I was alive, I was very romantic – often way-laying young girls and women in lonely places and fondling them with my hands. I did this fooling around about 12 times and when I died; I was sent to this Prison. Officer:  You had devilish hands and therefore deserve to be suitably punished. Second sinful soul, quickly come and tell your story. 2nd  Soul:  When I was alive, I took the pleasure in instigating people to resort to litigation so that I could earn money as a petition writer. After my death, Tai Shan Wang, when I appeared before him, was very angry saying that my hands were responsible for causing people to take legal action and so my hands have to be baked in this Prison as a punishment. I implore JiGong to intercede on my behalf. JiGong: You were such a good petitioner writer when alive; why not write a petition to Tai Shan Wang to help you out? Officer: You have no right to ask for help from all and sundry. Third soul, come and tell your story. 3rd  Soul:  I was a gambling house operator when I was alive, getting a fat commission. Not satisfied with getting good commission from the takings, I juggled with the gambling apparatus thereby getting extra profits and I thus became quite rich, spending my wealth right and left on women, wine and songs, going against the law and right thinking. I was also involved in secret society activities. How was I then to know that after my death, Tai Shan Wang would be very angry with me and would sentence me to this Hand-Baking Small Prison for a term of 30 years? I really don’t know if I will be able to go through this severe punishment here. JiGong: Not satisfied with operating a gambling house, you also designed gambling apparatus to cheat the gamblers – your evil sins are beyond comparison. After completing the punishment here, and on rebirth, your two hands will be disabled. I sincerely hope that human beings will not take to habitual gambling. Fourth Soul, come tell your story. 4th  soul: When I was alive, I used to issue dud cheques thereby cheating people. I thought that after issuing dud cheques and running away to live in other places I could not be traced and brought to book, not knowing that after death, Tai Shan Wang became very angry with me and sentenced me to be punished here. Officer: You must realize that you have to repay every single cent you owed people when still alive; otherwise, after death and your soul is sent to Hades, you cannot escape the punishment which awaits you here. JiGong:  There are many people on Earth who are fond of issuing dud cheques. When they die they will have to be sent to the Prisons in Hades to be punished. After their punishment term expires and on rebirth, they will take the form of cattle and horses to toil and repay those whom they had cheated. From ancient times to present day, this cycle order has been the same and there is no escape. This is known as retribution. I hope human beings will take note of this.

160 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Officer: Fifth Soul, you don’t seem to have any dignified attitude now. Quickly tell what sins you had committed on Earth. 5th  Soul: Officer, please do not ridicule me. When I was alive on Earth, I was a member of a secret society that always caused trouble and disturbed public order. Whenever I disliked a person or found anyone staring at me, I at once punched him. Fighting to me was like eating food. When I died and my soul came to Hades, Tai Shan Wang immediately called an Ox-head-horse-faced soldier to punch me and asked me if I now admit defeat. Come to think of it, it was indeed unjustified that I should have been so rough to others when I was alive. Officer: When you were alive, you were strong and had a very hot temper. You always resorted to fighting, and disturbed public order, using your fists to settle scores. Now I am asking you to test if your fists are harder or the iron rails are harder to lessen your hot temper! JiGong: Our time is up. Yang Sheng, prepare to return. Yang Sheng: I have to bid goodbye to Officer and Generals – thank you very much. Officer: It is our duty to be of assistance. All Generals, line up. JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I am safely seated, dear Master, we can start… JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 43

161 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 44 - 8th January 1978 Touring “Disembowel Small Prison” JiGong: It is not a mystical belief that the souls of human beings are able to tour Hades by themselves. From time immemorial until the present day, some people on rebirth have been able to recount occurrences in Hades, the facts of which are surprisingly true in detail. This goes to prove that what the Holy Scriptures recount are very true. But most human beings tend to disbelieve such stories for the simple reason or argument that “seeing is believing” – i.e. because they themselves have not experienced the happenings in Hades, they don’t believe what others say. We can regard these people both ways. They can be considered clever, and they can also be considered stupid and either way is applicable. How can we explain? We cannot see our own viscera (the internal organs of the body) and therefore we have no fear about our inside but in case we can see the various functions of our internal organs, we tend to have uneasy feelings should any item malfunction. And, seeing and knowing what is wrong inside may require X-ray and probable operation to right any malfunction in which case there will be more worries. Basing on this line of argument, can we say that if one cannot see what is inside his body, then the internal organs do not exist inside him? People cannot see Hades but actually Hades do exist. Some people on death and subsequently rebirth had the opportunity to visit Hades and are able to tell what happened there but the great majority of people will be able to visit and see Hades only when they die. I would therefore advise people to realize, “things which they do not see, actually can exist”.  One’s thinking, breathing, emotion etc, all these we cannot see but they do exist. These are part of one’s life, without these, where is life? Yang Sheng: Dear Master, there is much truth and wisdom in what you have just said. There are many things which human beings do not see; like the blind, what they cannot see, does it mean that certain things do not exist? Just by using his walking stick he can walk even up to 1,000 (li); this indicates that the human eye “is smart but the spiritual eye is smarter.” JiGong: What you have said is also true. A lot of people know that actions against the law and actions against fellow human beings are evil but, nevertheless, they commit sins – they do not act like the blind who; by using his walking stick, tests the road ahead before he takes a step lest he meets any disaster. These human beings eventually fall into a deep pit in Hades and do not know when or how they will be saved. We have no time to waste, Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I will get up. JiGong: I observe that your ceremonial dress is covered with dust. You have not taken the trouble to keep it clean; it is not becoming to wear it on our trip to Hades. Yang Sheng: I was not aware that my ceremonial dress is dusty, I forgot to give it a cleaning and I hope dear Master will excuse me.

162 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong:  Those human beings going to Hades not only have to be vegetarians but their dress and even shoes must be clean. Do keep this in mind for the future. Now quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master; we can start now…. JiGong: We have arrived. Yang Sheng, get down and go and pay your respects to the Officer. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir. I now pay my humble respects to Officer and Generals. Officer: That’s alright, don’t stand on ceremony. Welcome to you, JiGong and Yang Sheng, for visiting us today. We have already received the Order saying that JiGong and Yang Sheng will be visiting us to see what goes on here and to write your Book – a very big and virtuous deed. The name of this Prison is “Disembowel Small Prison.” Please follow me inside. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer, for your kindness. There are so many soldiers of Hades rushing souls here and there. I can hear loud crying. JiGong: let’s us follow them. Yang Sheng: We are inside the Prison. All sinful souls are lined up, bare-bodies and strapped to wooden pillars, the stomachs facing out. Soldiers of Hades plunge knives into the bare stomachs and draw downwards, thus opening the stomachs, intestines flow down with blood oozing out what a foul smell! When the bowels and intestines drop out, a number of black dogs rush to eat them. One end of the entrails is still attached to the inside and when the dogs pull the bowels and intestines, much pain is caused to the heart until the sinful souls faint away. I dare not look at this awful scene. Can I ask Officer for what sins are they being punished? Officer: when these sinful souls were alive, all of them were avaricious Government Officers and hard-hearted people. To enlighten you, I’ll call a few souls so that you can talk to them. Yang Sheng: This is a good idea which will be good proof so that I can include their stories in our Book for people to read and be the wiser. Officer: A few sinful souls are here for you, Yang Sheng to interview. Yang Sheng: Can I ask this Mister why you are here? 1st Soul: When I was alive, I was a Government Officer and I used to accept bribes. I was involved in juggling land deals thereby obtaining quite a good sum of money. So long as there was money to get, I did not care what happened. When I died, my soul appeared before the Magic mirror which reflected every item of my shady methods of getting unlawful money – everything was shown and I became afraid. I was sentenced to be punished in every Tribunal until I reached this Seventh Tribunal when Tai Shan Wang sentenced me to be punished in this Disembowel Small Prison. Everyday my bowel and intestines are being tugged by dogs until I can’t bear the suffering pain.

163 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Officer: When you were a Government Official you did not do welfare work for the common people but instead, you have sucked their blood. Now your inside is very dirty. I would advise people who are in the Government service to help and love the common people – loving the common people is actually loving your country which is very virtuous act. By being a Government Official you took the advantage of getting money from people – such a sin is most unforgivable in Hades. Yang Sheng: Can I ask you, old lady, why is it that despite your age, you are sent here to suffer. Old Lady: When I talk about life on Earth, I feel very much regretful. When I was 48 years old, I failed in my business and I had to resort to running a tontine. I was desperate, cheated the tontine subscribers and ran away to another town. I died when I was 54 years old after a long illness. My soul was sent to the Seventh Tribunal where Tai Shan Wang sentenced me to be punished in this Disembowel Small Prison. Officer: You cheated the money contributions of the tontine subscribers by “swallowing”  the money and not vomiting it out. Now we are making use of extracting your bowel and intestines to “vomit it out”. The amount you cheated, the same amount you have to repay – the laws of Hades are very strict. After you have served your sentence here, you will be reborn and you will still have to repay your previous debts. Yang Sheng: Can I ask this Old Mister how long have you been suffering in this Prison? Old Soul: More than three years. I was a vegetable gardener when I was alive. At middle age, when I planted vegetables, worms and insects frequently attacked my vegetables, so I sprayed insecticides on my vegetables. At times when vegetables were in great demand and price rose, I did not wait for the effects of the insecticides to wear out but harvested and sold my vegetables for quick money. When I died, my soul was brought before Tai Shan Wang who sentenced me to this Prison to be punished. It was all my mistakes; I was stupid in wanting to get quick money. Officer: You cared only to get quick money. The insecticides on the ve getables were poisonous, resulting in many deaths. Of those who ate the vegetables, some had kidney trouble, some had liver trouble, others suffered from cancer, etc – indeed you had a cruel heart. That is why you have to come to this Prison to suffer. Yang Sheng: Can I ask this Old Madam why you are here? Old Madam: Aya, God! It is indeed much suffering here. Can I ask this holy man to help me? JiGong: Really, I pity you; but when you alive, why did you not want to pity other people? Quickly tell your sinful story. Old Madam: Very well. I had an adopted daughter. When she was small, I did not love her at all and often beat her. When she grew up she became a beautiful girl, I

164 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld sold her to become a prostitute. When I died, Tai Shan Wang sentenced me to this Prison. Officer: You were very cruel. You regard your adopted daughter as a “money tree” which when you shook, money would drop down. Your heart was inconsiderate and you destroyed moral obligations, therefore you fully deserve this punishment. JiGong: Yang Sheng, time is up and so we must return. Yang Sheng: I have a question to ask dear Master. All these sinful souls when they are punished, faint away. How can they be revived so that they can again be similarly punished everyday? JiGong: Have you ever dreamt that you had been short at? Your body had suffered pain but when you woke up, your body was covered with sweat but you did not die. On the second night you dreamt a similar dream and when you woke up, your body was intact, no wounds. So, when a person dies, his soul passes through a dream like fantasy. Thus his soul, like in a dream goes through the various punishments and attendant sufferings until the soldiers of Hades spray the reviving water and the soul awakens and does not feel anything, but the soul must daily go through the series of punishments which have the effect of making the soul recall the sufferings. The constant punishment in Hades is to arouse the soul to realize, his past sins and mistakes. Yang Sheng: Oh! is that so, dear Master? Before I sit on the lotus flower platform, I must say goodbye to the Officer and Generals first. Officer: Generals, line up and say goodbye also…. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 44

165 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 45 - 17th January 1978 Touring “Carrying Stones Slab on Head and Crouch-Walking Small Prison” JiGong: This year of the Snake is coming to a close and the year of the Horse is fast approaching. Everyone hopes that in the Year of the Horse, every undertaking will be crowned with success. Actually, to be successful requires diligence and hard work. Things done without much effort will not be successful. To those who aspire to be successful in ascetic practice, they must behave like the horse which sprints ahead. Do not procrastinate in anything because those who do will live to regret when they grow old. Today we must prepare to tour Hades again. Yang Sheng, get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can start now. I don’t know which Prison we will be touring this time. JiGong: We will be going to the Seventh Tribunal to tour the “Carrying Stone Slab on Head and Crouch-Walking Small Prison”. Get ready to proceed…. We have arrived. Yang Sheng, get down. Yang Sheng: Really, we’ve arrived so soon. Sitting on the lotus flower platform with closed eyes is exactly like sitting in a jet-plane. I can hear the whispering of the wind and very soon we have arrived. JiGong: The human body can be likened unto an aircraft flying. There must not be any danger inside the body, if there is, there is bound to be danger, very much like an aircraft falling down into a deep valley and the human body will be smashed up beyond recognition. This kind of speaking means that great care must be taken of the body, minute by minute. Some souls are sent to Hades to be punished because,  just for one moment, due to lack of fore-thought, they committed a sin or sins in their lifetime. That is why they have to be punished after death. Yang Sheng, you should consider yourself very lucky to be able to sit so comfortably because not everyone can be comfortable sitting on the lotus flower platform. Quickly go ahead and pay your respects to the Officer. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir. I hereby pay my humble respects to Officer and Generals. I am Sheng Xian Tang’s Yang Sheng coming here today with my Master to visit your Prison. Will you kindly afford us all facilities? Officer: Welcome to JiGong and Yang Sheng for visiting us today. We here are aware that you have received the Order to write the Book which is a great honor and glory. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer. I observe that there are many sinful souls inside, busy doing work – big souls and small souls all busy moving stone slabs; are you in the course of erecting a new building here? Officer:  Far from it. This is one form of punishing sinful souls – they have to shift the stone slabs.

166 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: No wonder they are screaming; big slabs of stone being placed on the head, both hands supporting, the body crouching and both legs moving step by step forward. It appears they are suffering terribly. Some who are not careful enough let the big slabs fall on their bodies and they faint away. The soldiers of Hades then sprinkle reviving water on them and they revive to lift up the fallen slabs to their heads and proceed onwards, crouching all the time. This kind of punishment is rather old-fashioned but has practical use. Officer: These souls are training to have “iron heads,” ha, ha! When they were alive, they were thick-headed and egoistic, some were school teachers who did not respect their profession; some were students who did not honor and respect their teachers. After death their souls were sent here to be punished. Yang Sheng: Can I ask you to summon a few souls so that I c an speak to them. Officer: No problem. I’ll ask some to come… You can ask them any questions you like. Yang Sheng: I ask Mister, why you are carrying the stone slab here? 1st Soul: When I speak of this, I feel very ashamed. When I was alive I was a school teacher. In my class there were a few very good looking girl students. When I taught, I paid too much attention to girl students to attract them and subsequently I enticed them. My illicit actions were not noticed by my fellow beings but after my death, my actions could not escape the notice of Head of Tribunal who instructed the soldiers of Hades to beat me up and later, when I reached the Seventh Tribunal, Tai Shan Wang was very angry and called me “an animal”  and said, “You were a school teacher and did not uphold your dignity but scooped so low as to entice your school students.” He sentenced me to this Prison to carry the stone slab on my head and crouch-walk everyday. Officer: Being a school teacher you had no modesty but used your position to entice your innocent girl students – your sins were very great. The purpose of carrying the stone slab on your head is to make you downcast and ashamed to lift up your head to face people. I would therefore advise all human beings who are still alive on Earth and are instructors, whether religious instructors or tailoring instructors, etc. that instructors must be regarded as parents and students as children, so there must be mutual respects, one for the other, otherwise the wrong doers will be punished when their souls come to Hades. Yang Sheng, you can continue asking more souls if you feel like doing so. Yang Sheng: Look here, Mister. Your face looks like one who has moral culture, and having a bald head, should command respect. Are you here to learn an art? 2nd Soul: Don’t laugh la! I know I feel very ashamed. Carrying the stone slab on my bald head gives me much pain. During my lifetime, I led a religious life, having read through numerous religious books and being well-versed in them, I despised my religious superior and I began to regard myself as superior. Often, in front of gatherings, I criticized my religious superior. When I died, my soul was brought before the Head of the Tribunal who said that I despised my religious superior and instead of thanking him, criticized him and spoilt his good name. He then sentenced me to this

167 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Stone Slab Carrying and Crouch-Walking Small Prison to suffer everyday thus canceling my sins. JiGong: The progress or success of students is mainly due to the good instructions of the teachers or instructors. Therefore, it is but right that students should honor and respect teachers and instructors, but nowadays, human beings are very selfish and self-opinioned. They think that their main aim is to get money all the time, being ungrateful to their teachers; and opening up rival establishments to compete with their teachers or instructors. Such people will be sent here to be punished after death. Yang Sheng: This Mister, can you please say why you are suffering here? 3rd  Soul:  I was a well-to-do person when I was alive and also I had the gift of the eloquence. I looked down upon poor and less fortunate and often used my position and eloquence to run down others. I like to talk big. Because of my many sins, after death, my soul was sent to this Prison to be punished. I am very dissatisfied; can I request JiGong to be my advocate and plead on my behalf with Tai Shan Wang? JiGong: Alright, alright. If you can spend money I can help you but if you can’t spend money, there is nothing to talk about. You give money and I can speak to the Officer for you. 3rd Soul: Thank you for your intention to help but at the moment, I just don’t have any money. My money, I left to my children to spend on Earth; how then can I give you money? JiGong: Therefore, don’t day dream. Nowadays, the rich look down upon those who are poor and the poor are always being looked down by the rich. When you were alive, who told you to be so proud; now at death, where are your riches? It is better for you to continue carrying the stone slab on your head and to crouch-walk here everyday. Officer: You are truly a very wicked soul. Even now you want to use your money power to influence us in Hades; we here cannot be influenced even with money. Just now, JiGong was laughing at you, didn’t you realize it? Henceforth you must not talk too much otherwise more severe punishment will be passed on you. JiGong:  Remember that we should always reserve a certain portion of the opportunities on Earth for others to use also; don’t be selfish to monopolize all the opportunities yourself. Do not despise others when you are successful or influential because, one day if you happen to fall or become down and out, everyone will look down on you. Time is up to return, Yang Sheng, please say goodbye to Officer. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer and Generals. We have to return now. Officer: Generals, line up and say goodbye. JiGong: Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated. We can start now, dear Master.

168 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld

JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 45.

169 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 46 - 1st March 1978 Touring “Boiling Oil Small Prison” JiGong:  This is our first tour of Hades in the New Year and the spring season is very bright. It augers very well for a start and Yang Sheng, get ready to tour Hades. Yang Sheng: I am securely seated on the lotus flower platform, we can start… JiGong: We have arrived, get down. Yang Sheng: I have got down. Which Prison are we touring this time? JiGong: We are going to tour the “Boiling Oil Small Prison.” In front of us the Officer and Generals have already lined up to receive us. Yang Sheng: Truly they are there and so I have to go and pay my respects to them. Officer: No need to stand on ceremony. Today, JiGong and Yang Sheng are here and we are highly honored. This Prison is called the “Boiling Oil Small Prison” which comes under the jurisdiction of the Seventh Tribunal. You have gone to great trouble to come but the honor and virtue are very great. JiGong: Small matter. In fact you are the ones who will be bothered because every day you have to take charge of the sinful souls here. Officer: It is our duty which is to reform the sinful souls, very much like your present undertaking to write the Book which is intended to influence human beings to do good deeds. We have an obligation to fulfill to Heaven and it is truly justified. Please, both of you, follow me inside to see what goes on there. Yang Sheng: We have entered. Guards are posted at the gate. There are not many sinful souls around. They enter but don’t seem to get out. There is nothing spectacular by way of furniture etc, but there is a row of cauldrons which are as big as those used in the villages for cooking pig food. The soldiers of Hades are busy feeding a fire underneath the cauldrons. Inside each cauldron there is boiling oil. Each sinful soul is lifted by two soldiers of Hades and dumped inside each cauldron, a loud shriek follows and the soul sinks below the boiling oil. The boiling oil is merciless and very soon what is left is just a whitish skeleton. Can I ask Officer why these sinful souls have to suffer thus in this Prison? Officer: This Boiling Oil Small Prison is in the Seventh Tribunal and is considered the worst punishing place here for sinful souls who, when they were alive, were regarded as monstrous beings. Yang Sheng: Generally, what monstrous sins did they do? Officer: They were either robbers, bandits, highwaymen, plunderers, murderers, people who committed incest, avaricious government officers, grasping underlings, etc, those who administered poison to fellow beings, disobedient, unfilial children – all such people when they die, their souls will be sent here to be punished.

170 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Except the above category, are there other types of sinners who will be sent here? Officer: Those who use black magic on others are also sent here. Yang Sheng:  Can you allow a few sinful souls who are still waiting their turn to be dumped into the cauldrons, to speak up? Officer: No problem. I will ask a General to bring a few for you to interview. General: Yes, Sir….A few are here, Yang Sheng you can ask them what you like. Yang Sheng: Can I ask you, Old Lady, why you are here? 1st Soul: When I was alive, I was a pimp running a brothel. I obtained girls by buying them when they were quite young and also by trickery and seducing. When I died, my soul was first sent to “Dung and Urine Pool”  to be punished, then to the “Disembowel Small Prison,”  and now I am sent to this “Boiling Oil Small Prison”.  Tai Shan Wang of this Tribunal is very cruel. When living, I cared only to get as much money as I could. I did not believe either in Saints or Devils. Now that I am dead, I realize that no one can escape the Prison in Hades. Officer: You did not have any bit of sympathy or conscience. You did not give a thought to using the bodies of innocent girls for men to play with for the sake of money. By getting money in this manner, where were your morality and human nature? If you are not dumped into the cauldron of boiling oil, there is no way of getting rid of the sins inside your body. Yang Sheng: Can I ask you, Mister, being so young, why are you here? Your body is covered with blood, both hands wrapping your body, exclaiming in pain, hair disarranged and looking like a ruffian; I don’t know what nature of man you were when you were alive. 2nd  Soul: Recalling my past, I regret bitterly. When I was alive, I mixed with ruffians and bad hats, spending our time in gambling. When I lost in gambling, I took to borrowing money with no intention of repayment and also resorted to robbing and plundering. After a series of these malpractices I was caught by the authorities and was shot dead. Even now, my body is painful after being shot. After death, I was sentenced to undergo punishment in several Tribunals and I am now in the Seventh Tribunal to be punished in the Boiling Oil Small Prison. I am now very frightened. I hope human beings will realize that one cannot profit by robbing others. One must always remember the kindness of parents and good teachings and advices of school teachers; do not be like me who did not care much about kindness of parents nor the good teachings and advices of school teachers. Because of my attitude and bad behaviour, I am now suffering in Hades. JiGong:  The laws of the country are very strict, you had yourself to blame and ultimately you had to eat bullets. One redeeming factor is that you still have a bit of conscience left and when you are reborn you should take up ascetic practice. Yang Sheng: Can I ask you, another Mister, why are you here?

171 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld 3rd Soul: When I was alive, once on account of jealousy I caused the death of two persons. Eventually during trial, death sentence was passed on me. After I died, my soul passed through the sufferings in several Tribunals until now I am here in this Boiling Oil Small Prison to undergo further punishment. When I see the bubbling boiling oil in the cauldron, my flesh and skin begin to tremble. I regret that because of my sudden fit of jealousy which resulted in the death of two people, I am now in such great trouble. Officer: People in ancient times had said that for murdering a person you have to pay with your own life. When you were about to kill someone, you regarded his life as small as an ant but now, seeing the bubbling boiling oil, you get so frightened. Your sin is so great that you have to be dumped into the cauldron of burning oil. Yang Sheng: This Old Mister, what sins did you commit that you are here? 4th  Soul: When I was alive I had an old master who taught me black magic and eventually I became very proficient. People called me Master Magician. For the sake of money, I used my sorcery to make people mad, caused trouble in families, broke up marriages. All these malpractices I was able to do on payment, and also through my magic arts, I used charms on women and committed adultery. With my power, I did what I liked. When I died, my soul was brought before Tai Shan Wang. He was very angry with me and wanted to punish me but I used my magic powers to fight him. How was I to know then that I was to be surrounded by soldiers of Hades who beat me up terribly and now I am sent here to be punished. Today I will be dumped into the cauldron of boiling oil. Aya! It is very terrible. Officer: You are one who did not believe in the existence of Heaven and Law. You used your magical powers to harm people and you were a master in that art. Out here in Hades, we hate most those who use their magical powers to harm others. Such magic jugglers when they die, and their souls are sent to Hades, will surely be sent to this Boiling Oil Small Prison to be punished. I hope people who practise the black arts will learn from their masters how to help people, not to harm them. Then only when they die will their souls travel the Path of Divine Principle, otherwise if they follow the Evil Way, there will be no salvation for their souls. Yang Sheng: Will Officer please tell me this – These sinful souls when dumped into the cauldrons of boiling oil will soon become whitish skeletons and when taken out and divine water is sprinkled on them, they revive – what feeling will these souls have on revival? Officer: When these souls are dumped in, the suffering is terrible; the skin and flesh disintegrate, leaving only whitish skeleton. At first when the souls are dumped in, the feeling is very much like smothering in water until the body becomes hot and no feeling is left. To black magicians this treatment has the effect of dispersing their magical powers. JiGong: It is now time for us to return. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer and Generals, for helping us. It is time to say goodbye.

172 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Quickly get up on the lotus flower platform, Yang Sheng. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master; we can start to return…. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 46

173 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 47 - 11th March 1978 Touring “Pulling-Out-Tongue and Piercing- Cheek” Small Prison JiGong: Human beings must understand that life is not forever. The biggest and tallest buildings are only for the temporary shelter of people because people cannot live forever; if one’s limb becomes stiff, i.e. life is extinct, the children will have to remove the body to another place. In China’s Yangtze River the waves behind push the waves in front into the sea; so likewise, in society the elders must make way for the youngsters. Therefore, this awakening of reality must be present and must be pretty soon and so, everyone must try to do good deeds at the earliest opportunity. Today, we must prepare to tour Hades. Yang Sheng, get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir. I can hear loud prayers coming from a nearby temple – prayers for the souls of the dead. JiGong: These prayers are intended to awaken human beings but those who are dead cannot return. We are touring Hades……we have arrived; Yang Sheng, get down. Officer: Welcome to you, JiGong and Yang Sheng, for visiting us today. This Prison is called “Pulling-Out-Tongue and Piercing-Cheek ” Small Prison and is under the control of the Seventh Tribunal. Both of you Deities have received the Order to write the Book, “Diyu Youji.” The honor is very great and we extend to you our respects. Yang Sheng: Officer, you praise me too highly and I don’t think I am worthy to receive your praise. The purpose of this Book is all through the efforts of our dear Master and it is our duty to give full support and my humble thanks go to all of you Officers here. Today, we come to this Prison and I beg you to kindly afford us the fullest facilities. Officer: It is my duty to assist in every way; so therefore follow me inside. Yang Sheng: Thanks a lot….We are now outside the Prison gate, the guards line up to receive us. Inside this Prison, I can hear voices wailing loudly. The soldiers of Hades are using iron hooks to prise open the mouths to pull out the tongues of sinful souls who immediately scream loudly. Then the soldiers of Hades, using sharp knives sever the extracted tongues; fresh red blood oozes out splashing on the chests of the victims. Then the soldiers use sharp iron augers to pierce through the cheeks of the sinful souls, using iron wire to thread through the cheeks and tie the heads backwards to iron poles. At first the souls moan in pain and then faint. This kind of punishment is really very terrible. Officer: The tongue is connected to the heart and when the tongue is cut off, the heart feels very painful. With this punishment the hands and legs begin to tremble, and urine and dung are forced out from inside. Yang Sheng: It is but right that sinners must be punished here but I don’t know for what type of sins these sinful souls are being so punished?

174 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Officer: All these sinful souls are brought here because their mouths have no morality. I can call up a few of them so that you can have a talk with them and publish their stories in your Book to advise human beings to do good. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer, for your help. Officer: Some sinful souls are here for you, Yang Sheng to interview. Yang Sheng: Can I ask, Old Lady, why are you sent here to undergo such suffering? 1st  Soul: I did not commit any great sin. It’s just my mouth was discourteous when I was alive, nothing serious. JiGong: Your mouth and tongue killed people, wasn’t it a sin? If you don’t tell your story, you will be punished more. 1st  Soul: Very well then, I’ll tell the truth. When I was alive, I was of a very jealous nature, very often setting variance and intrigue, causing trouble to families and setting one member of family against another. I also caused older folks to be left uncared for in the family. Truly, I was not a very bad person. Officer: You can be considered a “long tongued” (long-winded) woman on Earth. Being a woman, you failed to cultivate the morality of your mouth, you caused trouble in families and also, you liked to smoke heavily and drink intoxicating liquor. Very often when speaking, you did not observe politeness and decorum and liked to shout loudly. Sometimes you liked to whisper at the ears of men folk, often talking things which were unlawful and indecent. In this way, you had a poisonous tongue which deserves your tongue to be cut off to make you dumb and not talk too much thus making you realize that you should cultivate morality of your mouth. JiGong: A poisonous tongue is very much like a sharp knife. In this Prison, the majority of the sinful souls belong to the female species because females like to talk, whisper and instigate and also they have a petty mind. Some females are not, in the least, gentle; they speak loudly, offending people without realizing. Such females when they die, the Ox-head-horse-faced soldiers of Hades will sever their tongues. I hope that female will be more gentle and kind-hearted. Yang Sheng: Can I ask, Mister, what sins did you commit on Earth that you should be sent to this Prison to be punished? 2nd Soul: When I was alive, I had a very bad temper. When I came across incidents which I did not like, or heard anything which I detested, I let off a string of abuses, not caring for honored personalities, or elderly people, or other people’s ancestors or those of the gentler sex. I used obscene language to lash out. In fact, other than the above, I did not do any other evil deeds. After I died, Tai Shan Wang scolded me saying that I had a dirty mouth which was evil-smelling. He sentenced me to this Prison to have my tongue severed and my cheeks pierced. I am now in great pain! I hope people on Earth will not follow my bad example. Officer: People say that a wound caused by a knife is easy to heal, but one caused by a slander is very hard to heal. When a person starts to scold, his eyes are not

175 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld aware of his surroundings; he tends to be uncouth, impolite and insulting and not considering the five aspects of human relationships [(1)parents/children (2)husband/wife (3)brothers/sisters (4) friendship and (5) government/citizen ]. This in itself is a very great sin; especially those who embark on ascetic practices, when they speak, they must respect reason and truth, otherwise they cannot succeed in ascetic practices and when they die, their souls will be sent to this Prison. Yang Sheng: Can I ask this Reverend Mister if you come here to chant prayers? 3rd  Soul: Amitabha. Chanting bitter prayers, chanting bitter prayers! When I was alive, I greatly respected Buddhism and entered the monkhood. At first, I was very interested in reading the Scriptures and I wrote many Buddhist books and went out to preach Buddhism. Very often, I criticized other religions, saints and deities saying that they were not the true religions and therefore, should not be worshipped or followed. Those who heard my preaching believed me and stopped worshipping their original religions, etc. Some resorted to slander. When I died, my soul was tied up and I had no means of escape. Oh! I suddenly realize my wrong preaching because so many saints and deities came to tie me up, saying that my slandering sins were very great. They dragged me to Hades not allowing me to go to Western Paradise. I now beg Master JiGong to help me out. JiGong: You silly fool! Lord Buddha does not have such disciples like you. The Laws and Doctrines of Buddha aim at equality. Although deities and saints reside in different localities and at different periods, yet the main purpose is to help humanity. There is one group of ascetic practitioners, who, although they write books which harp on their partial views, others distort the true meaning of the Scriptures, all confusing other religious beliefs. These sins are totally unpardonable. I hope that religious teachers, monkhood and ascetic practitioners will realize the true purpose of such religious practices, i.e. primarily to understand your heart which will lead you to understand your spirituality. You should not teach to upset other religious beliefs. Now everyday you chant the bitter prayers; this is to let you taste, for yourself, the damages you had done when you were alive. Time is up, Yang Sheng, prepare to return. Officer: In case we failed to entertain you sufficiently well, I hope you both will kindly excuse me. All Generals, line up and say goodbye. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer and Generals, we have to return. Dear Master, I’m safely seated on the lotus flower platform; we can start… JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 47

176 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 48 - 24th March 1978 Touring the Eighth Tribunal – Interviewing Dou Shi Wang JiGong: The brightness of the moon is intense but does not affect the eyes. This brightness is called “brightness of nature”. Those who are devout ascetic practitioners have hearts which are able to receive the reflection of this brightness. This means that their hearts are sincere and pure – not of spot of dirt or dirtiness – quiet, peaceful, brilliant. The reflection in the heart, although static, is in fact quite movable, very much like a peaceful pool or lake, the surface of which is relatively steady thus making it possible to reflect the surrounding objects. Because the heart is peaceful and serene, truthfulness prevails and nothing is concealed, thus making it possible to reflect the owner’s original pure personality at birth, thereby making it possible for him to differentiate between what is right and what is wrong. Ascetic practitioners, now living, should not be influenced by the infection of the surrounding sinful world. They should set example and should show their acquired rays of supernatural power. Human beings now walk about on marble floors and pitch road, live in houses, sitting, sleeping on most expensive beds and enjoying every type of luxury but, wherever they are or about, dirt will surround their bodies. Even if there is any suction machine or any cleansing or bleaching powder, yet the dresses must be changed “twice in every three days” – this means that this dirty and sinful world is like a “bitter sea”. Even Sakyamuni when preaching in Ling Shan produced a flower, everyone kept quiet but kasyapa had a smile on his face. This flower was not an ordinary flower but was a flower representing the heart of Jia Ye. So when Jia Ye saw the flower, his heart was very happy. Now, I come to Earth and communicate with you people by means of planchette writing; those who are bewildered have their doubts thinking that these planchette writings are man-made and therefore they are unconcerned; but to those who are enlightened, on seeing the planchette writing, become aware and understand that the writing is my communication and is what I want to make known. It is like gold being panned or sifted from sand and they appreciate this by the smiles on their faces as if they have acquired a lot of jewellery or treasure. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, you’ve spoken at great length; are you not afraid that many people do not understand what you are saying? It’s like casting pearls before swine. JiGong: Useless things can become valuable sometimes. Don’t you ever see quite a number of people rummaging through rubbish heaps, smiles on their faces, expecting to salvage something useful or valuable from the lots of rubbish? What you don’t want and throw away, others pick up for future use, therefore there is no wastage; only clever eyes can see good things. In gold producing areas people tend to look upon diggings as ordinary sand not caring very much because they are used to consider the surroundings and gold as a matter of ordinary routine. Today, we will visit Hades again. Yang Sheng: Which part of Hades are we going to visit this time? JiGong: This time we will be touring the Eighth Tribunal. Quickly get up on the lotus flower platform and we will start….

177 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir, I’m safely seated; we can start now. JiGong: We’ve arrived, get down. Yang Sheng: I’ve alighted. JiGong:  Before us is the Eighth Tribunal. You will observe that someone has gone through the door to report our arrival. Yang Sheng: Dou Shi Wang and his various Officers have come to receive us. Above the doorway are the words “Eighth Tribunal Dou Shi Wang”. Dou Shi Wang wears a gown embroidered with a dragon. His face looks very majestic and he walks down the stone steps very steadily….Salutation to you, Dou Shi Wang. I am Sheng Xian Tang’s chief planchette handler, Yang Sheng. Today, I follow my Master to visit your place. If I am ignorant of your customs and routine, please, Dou Shi Wang, do enlighten me. Dou Shi Wang: Don’t stand on ceremony, please arise. You two have undertaken the task of writing the Book by shuttling between Earth and Inferno! I greatly admire your zeal. Quickly follow me inside my Tribunal. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Dou Shi Wang. There are many souls outside the Tribunal waiting for judgement. They look very much astonished beyond belief on seeing us. Some are crying after being hit by the soldiers of Hades. Dou Shi Wang: Please be seated, both of you. I will temporarily suspend my work. I will be too happy to discuss any matters with you. General, quickly serve tea. General: Yes, Sir….Tea is served. JiGong and Yang Sheng do not be shy, and drink the tea. Dou Shi Wang: I’ve been waiting quite sometime for you to come and at last you’ve arrived. Truly, the more deserving a mission, the more difficulties there will be. JiGong: Every time we tour Hades, time seems rather limited; so we have to spend a lot of time to complete writing this Book, Diyu Youji. Luckily there are so many willing helpers in Sheng Xian Tang and so the writing of this Book goes on smoothly and steadily. Big vessels require a lot of time to build, like talent matures slowly. We have to thank Dou Shi Wang today for his kind help. Yang Sheng: We are much honored today to have Dou Shi Wang and Officers to welcome us. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. But as for myself, I feel that I have not yet achieved any advancement. Dou Shi Wang: It is not easy to follow or attain the “Right Way”. One has to take good care every minute; one exists in the midst of “gain and loss,” and if one is not careful enough, one cannot attain one’s goal, the “Right Way”. You, Yang Sheng, should not indulge in self-rebuke; if you can even regain what you had lost, you are already on the right path. If you can control your intention to follow the “Right Way” you will ultimately reach the end of the Way of Humanity, then only can you find your own true self.

178 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: I am most grateful for Dou Shi Wang’s precious words of advice. Today, I beg Dou Shi Wang to kindly enlighten me in the workings of the Eighth Tribunal. Dou Shi Wang: Very good. I’m in charge of the Eighth Tribunal. The work of this Tribunal is to judge the left-over sins of souls not dealt with by the 1st  up to the 7th Tribunals. Inside our Tribunal is a l arge Prison which is very hot and is known as the Hot Prison and, in addition, there are 16 Smaller Prisons. I would advise human beings to perform their duties diligently and maintain self-restraint. The principles of human conduct and the ways of Heaven will make one understand the true source of birth and subsequent destination after death, the awareness of which prevents one’s soul from being sent to this Tribunal for punishment and eventual suffering, because of the various transmigrations of the soul. Yang Sheng: Can I ask Dou Shi Wang a question? Many people have asked me why our Book, Diyu Youji, does not print the names and addresses of the sinful souls whom we had already interviewed in Hades! Human beings now want actual proof of the existence and identity of the souls interviewed, failing which most people will not believe what we have written. Will Dou Shi Wang kindly explain to such enquirers? Dou Shi Wang: When the sinful souls see you, a human being, coming here to gather facts by enquiring from them, they feel very much afraid and ashamed. Also, Yu Huang has ordered that the identities must not be made known; only to mention what sins had been committed and not more! If the names and addresses are made known, the descendants of those mentioned, still living on Earth, will be ashamed, and also, the families will be involved in misunderstandings. That is why no names and addresses will be mentioned in this Book. JiGong: A perfect gentleman is a perfect gentleman; a mean person is a mean person. If a person has done wrong there is no need to ask for his name and address; just arrest him first and question later on. When a person is alive it does not matter whether he believes in the existence of Heaven or Hell. If he commits sin or mischief or evil when alive, after death his soul will be under the control of the Heads of the various Tribunals in Hades; then only will he believe in the existence of Heaven or Hell – that then will be too late! Time is running short; we have to leave now and come again next time. Yang Sheng, prepare to return. Yang Sheng: Yes, because we have to return now, we have to thank Dou Shi Wang for your hospitality. We have to say goodbye. Dou Shi Wang: All Generals and Officers; line up and say goodbye. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master; we can start now to return…. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 48

179 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 49 - 7th April 1978 Touring “Meat-Jam Prison” JiGong: I have received the Order that our Book, “Diyu Youji,” must be completed within this year by the Mooncake Festival (8 th Moon 15th Day). This Old Monk is most impatient to complete this allotted job because, after the specified time, no one, not even you, Yang Sheng, can be allowed to follow me to Hades. Yang Sheng: There is nothing special in Hades for any one to make a pleasure trip there. The sooner we can complete writing this Book, the better as I feel that my burden will be much lightened! JiGong: Anyone who is free from debt feels very light of heart and the same applies to me because at the moment I am so very much indebted to so many human beings, because I have not finished writing this Book and the sooner it is completed and issued to everyone I feel that I no longer be indebted to anyone. But human beings do not know. Therefore if all living creatures are saved then there will be no necessity for my name JiGong Huofo. Yang Sheng: Why? JiGong: Fo (Buddha) cannot be separated from all living creatures, i.e. if there are living creatures there must be Buddha. Buddha is just a name; you human beings must not think only of the name of Buddha but must have the heart to follow the Buddhist teachings. Time is limited and so, Yang Sheng, get up on the lotus flower platform quickly. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can start now…. JiGong: We have arrived, quickly get down. Yang Sheng: I’ve alighted. I don’t know which Prison we are visiting now. JiGong: Look, before us there is a huge flame. That is the Bigger Prison of the Red Hot Bricks. Yang Sheng: Truly it is very hot; the heat is so intense and the vapour sucks one towards it. I think it is better we skip this Prison and visit another one. JiGong: That is nothing special. We had earlier visited a Prison of Red Hot Bricks; it’s  just this one is bigger than the earlier one and the heat is very much intense here. You follow me. Yang Sheng:  Yes, Sir. I can see the soldiers of Hades catching the sinful souls and there is much movement everywhere. The soldiers shouting and ordering the sinful souls about, like what goes on at the execution ground. Can I ask, dear Master why certain types of soldiers of Hades are Ox-head-horse-faced and certain types are like ordinary people?

180 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: There are many types of soldiers of Hades and various names are given. Some are called “Hei Bai Wu Chang” some are called “Fan Wujiu”; some type of the soldiers are called “Xie Bi’an”. When sinful souls see the fierce faces of the soldiers of Hades, they become very frightened and their legs turn soft making them more easily arrested. When souls who are less sinful see the soldiers of Hades, they do not feel so afraid. This is exactly what the average human beings say, “If I do not have a bad conscience, I have no fear when there is a knock at the front door at night”. On Earth, when a criminal sees a policeman he urinates; policemen are equipped with handcuffs and firearms. In Hades, “Hei Bai Wu Chang” are equipped with iron chains and other implements of punishment. Those who are free from crime look upon policemen as ordinary people, but criminals when they see policemen, try to avoid them and try to escape. We have now arrived at the Small Prison… We will enter for a look. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer. I see so many sinful souls suffering because they are being crushed into meat-jam by the vehicles. Most terrible! JiGong: Look. When the Winds of Hades blow over the meat-jam, the souls regain their original form to undergo a repeat pulping up, if necessary. Yang Sheng: I don’t know for what sins they are being punished. Officer:  Souls who were treacherous and lecherous, unfilial, murderers, those who had gone through punishments for other crimes in earlier Tribunals, and souls who are more sinful, all these are sent to this Prison to be further punished by being crushed into meat-jam by the vehicles here. After this punishment then they will regain fresh personalities when the winds of Hades blow over the meat-jam. JiGong: It is time for us to return. Now you know the purpose of this Prison. I hope that those human beings who have committed any sins will repent in front of the Deities and endeavour to mend their ways so that after death they will not have to be sent to this Prison to suffer. Yang Sheng; get ready to leave. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer and Generals. Because we have limited time we now have to say goodbye. Officer: Order all Generals to line up and say goodbye. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can start. JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 49

181 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 50 - 12th April 1978 Touring the Small Prison for Amputating Limbs JiGong: If a person revives after his supposed death, the revival can be said to be “life after death”; but if a living person dies, then his death is a true death. Something gained is usually at the expense of something lost. This is the result of transmigration. When two small children both grow up together they tend, initially to be good natured and angel-like; but nowadays, grown ups or those who attain maturity with the numerous sins they encounter and commit, will lead them ultimately to undergo the six transmigrations of souls. So therefore, spiritual people or ascetic practitioners will have to preserve their chastity, vigour and vitality and not associate with the opposite sex, otherwise, with such association they will have to repay dearly for their carnal sins. How long is one’s life-span? Then why commit sins? I hope human beings will realize that sins do not pay. Today, we will tour Hades. Yang Sheng get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: The weather today is so very hot, so much so, that I’m sweating all through. JiGong: Sweat comes from water. Without sweat, the veins will be blocked. Yang Sheng: What’s the meaning of what you have said? JiGong: If there is no mouth, one cannot speak. You will slowly comprehend; there are “words inside words”. Let’s go visiting Hades. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir…. JiGong: We’ve arrived. Get down. Yang Sheng: Why is it that Hell is so cold, not like what we just experienced on Earth? JiGong: Of course; one is positive, the other is negative. Yang Sheng: Today I observe that the soldiers of Hades are herding so many sinful souls about. I also observe that one group is coming our way; obviously to welcome us. JiGong:  That is so. Today, we are visiting the Small Prison for Amputating Limbs. Officer and Generals are coming, quickly go and pay your respects. Yang Sheng: My humble respects to you, Officer and Generals. I am Sheng Xian Tang’s disciple Yang Sheng; and I am accompanying my Master JiGong, to your place for a look; please give us every assistance. Officer: No need to stand on ceremony. I extend a warm welcome to JiGong and Yang Sheng. After your Book, Diyu Youji, is published and distributed, your prestige will be very much enhanced, and firstly, will have the effect of redeeming your ancestors, secondly, your sins will be pardoned and you will be lucky. The secret of Hades, through this Book, will be made known to all human beings. From ancient

182 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld time until now, this is going to be the most wonderful Book. Please, both of you, follow me inside this Small Prison for Amputating limbs. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer. I can hear wailing voices coming from inside. Wa! this Prison is not a building but a big field. So many sinful souls are tied up and are kneeling on the ground. Soldiers of Hades chop off the left arm near the shoulder and the sinful soul shrieks; and then the right arm is similarly chopped off, more shrieks; and the sinful soul falls down sprawling on the ground. Then the soldiers chop off the two legs – the ground is covered with blood. The scene is so horrible and pitiful; I dare not see. Can I ask Officer for what sins did these souls commit that they should suffer so much punishment? Officer: All human beings have good arms and legs but they do not want to do good deeds. They prefer to harm and kill others. When such sinful people die, their souls will be sent to the various Tribunals to be punished and lastly, they will be sent to this Prison to be punished some more. All those who were unfilial, disloyal, pirates, those who used their hands to kill others, those who used the pen to harm others, those who used the legs to harm others or other miscellaneous types of sinners – all these sinners who did not care to repent when alive, when they die, their souls will be sent to Hades to be judged for their sins and as a final punishment, they will be sent to this Prison. JiGong: Nowadays there are many human beings who indulge in stealing – selling name and honor, stealing property and goods to sell, stealing the opposite sex, stealing life – all these stealing occur daily. Most human beings want to get what they want and achieve their ambitions not through righteous means. They use stealth to get what they want or desire, such people after death will have to face the soldiers of Hades who will “steal” their two arms by chopping them off. Some human beings go beyond all bounds of reason or opportunity; or those who are blinded by the prospect of small gains or those who prefer to take short cuts instead of the regular paths to attain their requirements – all these, when they die, their two legs will be chopped off in this Prison. It is now time for us to return and so it is sufficient enough to see what goes on in this Prison. Officer: Many human beings do not believe that Hades exists. Why not they don’t believe that there are Prisons on Earth which punish those who do wrong? If a human being, instead of taking three steps, chooses to take only one step, he will, of course, fall down. If one swallows two limbs at the same time, is there any reason why he cannot get choked? You two have taken so much pains, time and trouble to write the Book. I hope you will come again. Yang Sheng: Since my dear Master has urged me to return, I must now say goodbye and thank you Officer and Generals. Officer:  Since you have to return, I will not hold you any longer. I will order my Generals to line up and say goodbye. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated on the lotus flower platform, dear Master, we can start…

183 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 50

184 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 51 - 5th May 1978 Touring the Ninth Tribunal Meeting Ping Deng Wang JiGong: Now that we have finished touring the Eighth Tribunal we will next tour the Ninth Tribunal to see the punishment being meted out to sinful souls. Yang Sheng, quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Today we commence touring the Ninth Tribunal and soon we will finish writing the Book, Diyu Youji and then our burden will be lifted. JiGong: After we have surmounted the nine big obstacles you think your worries will be over but do not be too quick to enjoy or feel elated. The burden is heavy and the  journey long; therefore we will have to be cautious. After we have finished writing our Book, Diyu Youji and printed it and distributed to all, you will then have earned the highest merits. I hope you will be modest about it and be humble. Quickly get up on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir. I am safely seated, we can start now… JiGong: We’ve arrived; get down. Yang Sheng: I’ve alighted. I see a big gathering as if there is a delegation to welcome us. JiGong: Ping Deng Wang of the Ninth Tribunal has received earlier notification of our visit today. Therefore he has specially set up a delegation to welcome us as if entertaining a long-lost friend. Listen, the drums are producing a loud sound and all manner of music can be heard. Yang Sheng: Among the music pieces, I can hear a classical music as is played by the common people on Earth. JiGong: You are right. Yang Sheng: Is it true when Heavenly music is heard, some human soul is being made a Saint in Heaven? JiGong: That is so. The Heavenly music can be heard only by one who is a very devout ascetic practitioner; those who are just ordinary ascetic practitioners cannot hear this music. On Earth there is the earthly music, and in Heaven there is heavenly music. When a sinful human being is about to die, he can hear the wailing of devils or can hear the clanging of iron chains. This is the omen of the arrest of a sinful person by the soldiers of Hades. We must walk faster as the Officer and Generals are coming our way. Yang Sheng: My respects to Ping Deng Wang and Generals. I’m Sheng Xian Tang’s pupil and have received the Order to follow dear Master JiGong to tour Hades and to write the Book to urge human beings to do good. Now that I am here today, must thank you all for this wonderful reception.

185 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Ping Deng Wang: Yang Sheng, do not stand on ceremony, please arise. I’m extending to you today a special entertainment (special entertainment here means cleansing the body and dresses of all dust and dirt accumulated along the journey). Quickly follow me to the hall inside. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Ping Deng Wang, for receiving me so graciously. JiGong: Let’s follow Ping Deng Wang inside for a short rest. Ping Deng Wang: Both of you. Please be seated. Don’t be shy. Your task of writing the Book after touring Hades, from the 1st Tribunal right to the 9th Tribunal, was very difficult. Therefore, today, I’m giving you very special entertainment. JiGong: Thank you, Ping Deng Wang for your kind thoughts and reception. You are so kind to cleanse us of dust and dirt but my lotus flower platform has also accumulated much dust and dirt. Ping Deng Wang: Old Master, your heart is very pure, only your dress and feet are dirty. The lotus springs from filthy ponds but the flower is nice and pure. Nature is pure and exulted. All in all, your feet, after walking so long, are dirty and so must be washed to make clean. Both of you; please do not stand on ceremony; on top of the table are heavenly fruits which you can partake heartily. JiGong: My dear pupil, don’t be shy. This chance is hard to come by, eat what you like, eat; eat. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. This fruit is very much like the grapes we have on Earth, red until it looks like purple, the smell is very good and sweet and tastes sweet too. Ping Deng Wang: These are black grapes and are self-grown on Kun Lun Mountain. They have absorbed the supernatural powers of Heaven and Earth; that is why the color is blackish. Please eat a lot of them. JiGong: We can discuss while eating. Yang Sheng, if you have any enquiries, you can ask Ping Deng Wang. Yang Sheng: Very well. I don’t know the meaning of your name Ping Deng Wang. Is it the same meaning as what we say on Earth “ping deng”? Ping Deng Wang: Why am I called “Ping Deng Wang”? The reason is, “All souls (sinful souls) receive punishment starting from the 1 st  Tribunal right up to the 8 th  Tribunal according to the nature and severity of their sins but there are others whose sins are much greater – such more sinful souls are sent to my Tribunal to be judged with impartiality. If, after due consideration, I find that the sin is not too great or serious, I will direct that the soul be sent to the 10 th Tribunal to await rebirth. I deal with sinful souls impartially. That is why I am named Ping Deng Wang. Yang Sheng: Oh! is that so? Can I ask you, Ping Deng Wang, what Prisons are you taking charge of?

186 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Ping Deng Wang: The first is A-Bi Diyu. There are also 16 other Small Prisons. Yang Sheng: Some have asked after death the sinful souls descend to 18 Diyu (Hell or Hades). What does this mean? Ping Deng Wang: Human beings say jokingly that after death the soul descends to the 18 Diyu to drink coffee which actually means being sent to A-Bi Diyu for punishment. There are 18 levels descending to A-Bi Diyu which is the centre of Hell. The darkness is so intense that the out-stretched fingers of the hand cannot be seen; the floor is mire and black like coffee. Do you wish to drink a cup of black coffee? Yang Sheng: Oh no! I would prefer to drink tea. If I drink black coffee, I will get stomach trouble. Ping Deng Wang: Don’t be shy, eat the fruits quickly. Yang Sheng: Your cold weed (jelly) is like the “nine-tier pagoda weed” of our Earth which when eaten, gives a sweet smell and is cooling and sweet; much better than our earthly variety. What is this? Ping Deng Wang: You are right; this is also called “nine-tier pagoda weed”  and is produced only and specially in our Ninth Tribunal. It can strengthen your kidney and your bones and make you healthy. Because our nine-tier is the extremity of “yang” element therefore the “nine-tier pagoda weed” takes care of the male element in nature which, by its interaction with the female element, produces all things. JiGong:  Ha! Ha! It’s therefore better for us to climb up the nine-tier of the pagoda instead of dropping down into the A-Bi Diyu. Ping Deng Wang: You two do not mind partaking our serving of eatables and I hope you are satisfied, but the dust still remains with you. Now I will bring Yang Sheng to the Nine-Spring Waterfall to wash away his dust and dirt. How do you like this idea? Yang Sheng: I am a bit afraid. Will dear Master kindly accompany me? JiGong: Very well. Ping Deng Wang: Both of you; please follow me there. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Ping Deng Wang and Generals, for accompanying us there. The surroundings are so fresh. I’ve never seen such freshness in my various visits to Hades. The road is flat and easy to walk. JiGong: This road is intended only for ascetic practitioners to use. Also, any Deity in Hades who is required to go to Earth to invite any Deity in Heaven for discussion must first use this road so that he can be cleansed at the Nine-Spring Waterfall. You are indeed very lucky to have this rare opportunity to be cleansed and so, why not seize it? Look, three Deities are going for the cleansing after which they will go to Earth for their appointed mission.

187 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: They seem very happy and their faces appear to be shining with golden brightness. Ping Deng Wang: Please walk faster. Yang Sheng: In front of us is a high hill and the trees are verdant green. The column of water falling from the cliff side looks like a waterfall from high up. The water is rather warm and I think that taking a bath from the water of this waterfall will make one look and feel very happy. Ping Deng Wang: We have arrived at the Nine-Spring Waterfall. Yang Sheng: Really, at the top of the cliff are the words “Nine-Spring Waterfall.” Nine columns of water can be seen above the cliff gushing down. Ping Deng Wang: Yang Sheng, prepare for the cleansing. All guards move away. General: Yes, Sir. Ping Deng Wang: Yang Sheng, you alone go under the tumbling waters of the Waterfall. Yang Sheng: The water is very forceful, I dare not go. May I invite dear Master to accompany me? JiGong: No objection. I’ve not cleansed my “Buddha’s body” for three years and I must seize this opportunity to cleanse it now. Let’s proceed. Yang Sheng: It’s very cold. I cannot open my eyes. JiGong: Open your eyes quickly; the water can wash away your trachoma. Yang Sheng: Very well. It’s very cold and refreshing but my whole body is wet. What to do? JiGong: Not to worry. I’ll wave my fan and your whole body will become dry as if a drying machine has been used. Quickly wash the soles of your feet because the effects of the water cannot cleanse the soles which are the dirtiest. Yang Sheng: Master, you need not be sarcastic. JiGong: Any part which cannot be seen, that part is the dirtiest; examples, soles of the feet, bottom of the bed and underneath the table. These are the dirtiest places. If they are not often and properly cleansed, do you want bugs and fleas to breed? If the soles of the feet are dirty how can you expect to mount on the heavenly clouds and travel? Yang Sheng: I quite understand it now, dear Master. There is sense in what you’ve said.

188 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: Your cleansing is about through. The water of the Nine Springs comes from the water which gushes out from Nine Dragons. If there is any dirt, this water is most effective – no need for soap or cleansing powder! Human beings must maintain clean hearts and clean bodies. Then only they will not have to be sent to Hades at death to suffer punishment….. Come up quickly, the cleansing is over. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, please wave your fan to dry me. JiGong: I’m sure my fan is more effective than a drying machine. Yang Sheng: Surprise, surprise, surprise! My dress is perfectly dry now. I also find that my heart and body are very cheerful. Thank you, dear Master and Ping Deng Wang. Ping Deng Wang: I hope Yang Sheng will faithfully and sincerely serve Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir, yes, Sir. I beg Ping Deng Wang to bless me with plenty of divine light. Ping Deng Wang: When the dark clouds pass away, brightness must surely come. There is no need to wash anything and yet it can be clean. You can be aware of the presence of Divine Light. JiGong:  It’s now time for us to return; we’ve to say goodbye. It’s not necessary to escort Ping Deng Wang back. Ping Deng Wang: That’ll be quite O.K. Order all Generals to line up and say goodbye. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Ping Deng Wang, for giving us such entertainment and for bring us to the Nine-Spring Waterfall for cleansing. I’ll remember this occasion throughout my whole life. Hope to see you all again…. JiGong:  We’ve arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 51

189 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 52 - 15th May 1978 Touring the Prison of Splashing Boiling Oil JiGong: The weather is getting warmer now. It is so hot that people are feeling very uncomfortable. But, surprisingly, bus stations, supermarkets, railway stations and places of enjoyment are very well patronized although temples, churches, places of worship are devoid of the regular worshippers. Nowadays, we find that in this world, places of beauty, amusement, enjoyment, entertainment, and what have you, are very crowded and well patronized, so will the roads leading to the various Prisons in Hades be also busy and crowded with sinful souls. I sincerely hope that human beings will wake up and realize the correctness of what I have just said. Yang Sheng; get ready to visit Hades. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir, I’m safely seated on the lotus flower platform. We can proceed now…. JiGong: We’ve arrived; get down. Yang Sheng: What Deity is coming in our direction? JiGong: He is the Officer of this Prison followed by his Generals, coming to receive us. Yang Sheng: My humble respects to Officer and Generals. Officer:  There is no need to stand on ceremony, arise. Both of you have been ordered to visit us and so we extend to you our warm welcome. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much. On Earth there are many establishments and factories which display “No Admittance” placards but here, it is just the opposite – you welcome us with open arms. JiGong: Ha! Ha! Factories have doors but as they are important work places, the general public is not welcome inside. Although there are no doors in Hades, visitors are not welcome; but when human beings die, their souls intrude into Hades unwittingly, being forced there by the soldiers of Hades because of the sins they committed when alive. Officer: What JiGong has said is quite reasonable. If a place is not welcome to us, it’s best we avoid it. Today, we welcome you here, so set your mind at rest. This Prison comes under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Tribunal. Please follow me. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer. I can hear crying from inside the Prison. I can also see a great number of cauldrons lying about containing boiling oil very much like the boiling oil for boiling twisted dough fritters or doughnuts. Underneath each boilers or cauldron, fierce fire can be seen. Soldiers of Hades can be seen busily pouring oil into the cauldrons and also feeding the fires below. Sinful souls are tied to poles as near as possible surrounding each cauldron. When the oil gets boiling hot, the soldiers of Hades throw cold water into the cauldrons thus making hot boiling oil splash on the naked bodies of the sinful souls causing blisters to be formed on the

190 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld skins. The sinful souls emit such painful shrieks, a scene which I fear to see and hear. I don’t know for what sins they are being punished thus? Officer: I can summon a couple of sinful souls to come and tell their stories for the benefit of human beings. Yang Sheng: A very good idea. Officer:  Two sinful souls are here. Sinful souls; pay good attention. These two are JiGong and Yang Sheng of Sheng Xian Tang. They have been ordered to come to Hades to find out why souls are sent here and then to write a Book to urge human beings to do good deeds and not to sin. Both of you must, therefore, tell your stories truthfully so that they can incorporate your stories in their Book. 1st Soul: Coming to relate my story, I feel much ashamed. When I was alive, I was a writer. My intention was to write decent books but such books would not command good sale; so I took to writing “yellow literature” (lewd and obscene books) which were constantly in great demand, thus I made a lot of money. I divorced my legally wedded wife. Later in life, I suffered a stroke which paralyzed one side of my body. This, I realized, was rightly retribution for my misdeeds. After I died, my soul was brought by the soldiers of Hades to face the Magic Mirror which projected all the sins I had committed when alive. I was sentenced to be punished in the Prisons of all the Tribunals, some cutting my heart, some cutting my hands, and now, I am sent to the Ninth Tribunal to be punished at this Prison of Splashing Boiling Oil. Everyday, I have to undergo this suffering. I now wish to advise writers not to write obscene books which tend to corrupt the minds of readers both young and old. Officer:  Obscene books and literature cause many people to have negative thinking thus making readers, especially the young, to indulge in degradation or eventually, to patronize “street of ill-fame,”  or to rape and murder, thereby disturbing peace and tranquility of the society. All writers of obscene literature, after having been punished in the various Tribunals will have subsequently to be sent to ABi Diyu where there will be no escape. They will remain there until the time when there will be no obscene literature whatsoever on Earth; then only will they undergo the cycle of transmigration of souls. 2nd Soul, relate your story. 2nd  Soul: When I was alive, I operated a photo studio. I was an adept in photographic art. But business was not good to my liking. A friend of mine coaxed me to specialize in obscene photos which resulted in enormous sales thus making plenty of money. Unfortunately my activities came to the notice of the police and I landed myself in prison. In my whole life, I think this was the only offence I had ever committed against society. After death, my soul underwent punishments in all the Tribunals in Hades. Now I am sent to this Prison for some more suffering. Officer: Writers of obscene literature and books, photographers of obscene photos, manufacturers of aphrodisiacs, printers and publishers of obscene books and literature, book sellers and others dealing directly or indirectly with these merchandise, their sins are of equal magnitude and when their souls arrive in Hades after death, their punishments will be severe. Of all vices, lewdness is the number one. The sinners whom I have just mentioned cause much “dirtiness” to the spirit of human beings; therefore their sins are very great warranting equally severe

191 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld punishment here. I would therefore urge human beings to endeavor to be spiritually clean. Do not antagonize your own spiritual self otherwise your own spiritual self will cause you to do evil thus taking the wrong path. JiGong: Our time is now up and so we have to return. We have to thank Officer for all assistance given. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer and Generals for giving us full-hearted co-operation. Officer: That’s alright. All Generals and Staff to line up and bid goodbye… JiGong: We’ve arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down from the lotus flower platform. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey N0: 52

192 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 53 - 25th May 1978 Touring the Red and Purple Venomous Snakes Prison JiGong: Heaven is intended specially for those who are virtuous and ascetic practitioners. Hades is just the opposite of Heaven. Those who had led evil lives on Earth, after death, are sent to Hades for punishment. These two places are poles apart. Generally speaking, it all depends upon what actions you do on Earth that decides which direction your soul will take, either Heaven or Hades. Today, we will tour Hades again. Yang Sheng, step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir; I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can proceed… JiGong:  We’ve arrived; Yang Sheng, get down. You see in front of us one group is coming to welcome us. They are officers of the “Red and Purple Venomous Snakes Prison.” Quickly go and pay your respects. Yang Sheng: My humble respects to all of you, Officer and Generals. Officer: There is no need to stand on ceremony, arise. Today we have received the Order to welcome both of you here. Please follow us inside to have a look. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer. Ah! I see many huge snakes on the ground. I’m very frightened. There are red colored snakes and purple colored snakes everywhere on the ground, wriggling about. I observe a snake entering the mouth of a sinful soul and coming out through the navel. I can also see the body of a sinful soul being bitten by a snake, blood oozing out from the wound. All the faces of the sinful souls are death-pale in color. Some sinful souls simply faint away and drop to the ground. The sight of these sufferers causes a shiver in my heart and my limbs become numb. Can I ask Officer why these souls are suffering thus? Officer: This place is called the Red and Purple Venomous Snakes Prison. In Hades, there are only two types of snakes – the Red Venomous Snakes and the Purple Venomous Snakes which instead of boring the ground, prefer to bore the bodies of sinful souls. On Earth, there are people who, instead of following the true and righteous path, prefer to find loop-holes in the laws to obtain undue advantage over others for their own selfish gains, exactly like the poison of these snakes. Also, there are people who take pleasure in instigating others and thereby causing people to be at variance with one another. Then there are others who secretly carry knives and bearing scrappers and will not hesitate to use them at the slightest provocation. Again, there are house building contractors who cheat by poor or substandard construction of houses which soon collapse thus causing death to occupants. All these types of people are not sincere thereby causing hardships to others; when they die, their souls, after undergoing punishments in other Tribunals in Hades, will ultimately be sent to this Prison for further punishment by the Red and Purple Venomous Snakes. Yang Sheng: Besides the various types of sinful souls you have just mentioned, are there any other types who are also sent here to be punished?

193 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Officer: The types I just mentioned are general. In the more complicated cases, the punishment meted out will of course depend upon the severity of the sins committed. JiGong: The life-span of you human beings is not long; it is comparatively short. The why don’t you human beings make the fullest use of your intelligence, talent and compassion for the benefit of others? I have seen human beings ignoring their chances of doing good and now their souls have to undergo such suffering in Hades  – it is really not worthwhile. I sincerely hope that those who have the good luck to read this Book, Diyu Youji, will turn over a new leaf and will, henceforth, endeavor to do good deeds whenever possible. Those who choose to ignore my advice can be likened unto a person who goes to a pond, thrusts his hand into the mud-hole hoping to catch a yellow eel but, instead bitten by a poisonous snake. Isn’t he courting trouble? Our time to return is up and so Yang Sheng; prepare yourself. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Officer and Generals for taking the trouble to explain to us what goes on here. We have to return now, thank you again. Officer: All Generals, line up for the send-off…. JiGong:  We’ve arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 53

194 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 54 - 1st June 1978 Touring “A-Bi Diyu" (The Lowest Hell in Buddhism from where there is no escape) JiGong: Sheng Xian Tang building has now been renovated and extended which augurs well and the inhabitants can conveniently congregate. The atmosphere and the feeling of easiness, peace of mind and satisfaction make one feel much better than living in a luxurious house. If there is no peace of mind and sense of satisfaction, even if an imperial palace is given to you, you will not feel happy. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, there is much truth in what you have just said. JiGong: Quickly step on the lotus flower platform so that we can tour Hades again today. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated; we can start now… JiGong: We’ve arrived; get down. Yang Sheng: Now that we’ve arrived, where is this place? JiGong: Today we will tour A-Bi Diyu. Yang Sheng: A-Bi Diyu is such a horrified place; it makes me very frightened. Can I suggest that we visit another place instead? JiGong: You need have no fear when I’m here and so there is nothing to be superstitious about. If you have no confidence I’ll give you a heavenly pill to make you steady and you can follow me around. Yang Sheng: Thank you, dear Master, for the heavenly pill which I’ve swallowed and now, suddenly, I’m surer of myself. I see the Officer coming to receive us. Officer: It is our privilege to extend a warm welcome to you, JiGong and Yang Sheng. This place is called A-Bi Diyu and comes under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Tribunal. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer, for welcoming us. A-Bi Diyu is so vast that it is limitless. Officer:  A-Bi Diyu is like a person’s nose, to say it is big, it is not big, yet the nose controls a person’s being and extremities because the breath passes through the nose. Those sinful souls who are sent to A-Bi Diyu are most sinful, so much so, that the measure and seriousness of their iniquity is of the fullest. Yang Sheng: In front of us is a big cave. I’m afraid to go near to see it, the interior of which is extremely dark. Sounds of wailing and bubbling water can be heard coming from the inside. Can it be that all sinful souls are sunk inside this cave?

195 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Officer: All the souls inside are sinful souls. There are 18 levels each studded with uppointed sharp spikes and the floor is covered with hot mud. When a sinful soul nears the entrance of the cave, a General pushes the soul inside by means of his sharp spear and as the soul falls down, the centre of the cave sucks him in and he utters a shriek and, after a while, wailing sounds are heard. The inside of the cave is so very dark that one cannot see the fingers of his hands out-stretched. The suffering is so great inside that it can be called capital punishment. Yang Sheng: Human beings often say that the worst punishment a soul can experience is that handed out at A-Bi Diyu. Why is that so? Officer: The majority of these souls who are sent to A-Bi Diyu to be punished cannot be saved from death, i.e. no chance for a rebirth or reincarnation. This is like a life sentence imprisonment passed by a law court on Earth. Yang Sheng: Can you please summon a couple of sinful souls for me to ask a few questions? Officer: As you folks in Sheng Xian Tang have been instructed to write the Book Diyu Youji, the Emperor of the Ninth Tribunal has ordered that some sinful souls can be allowed to come out to relate their past lives. Generally, no sinful soul is allowed to come out of this cave for any reason. I’ll chant a spell… You can see that the inside of the cave has now become bright and all implements of punishment have stopped functioning. General, quickly get a few sinful souls out. General: Yes, Sir… I’ve brought out some sinful souls. Yang Sheng: I observe that the bodies of all the souls brought out are covered with wounds, blood stains and mud, eyes jutting out of their sockets. There is no resemblance of the human shape. A truly pitiful sight indeed! JiGong:  I’ll use my magic art to make them more presentable and lively and also reduce their suffering in order to enable them to tell their stories clearly. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, your admirable plan is very good. Surprisingly, each soul now looks 70% human and 30% devil, more presentable, and can speak. Officer: Look here. Quickly tell these two Masters here what sins you had committed when alive so that they can record in their Book for human beings to read and thereby refrain from leading sinful lives on Earth. 1st  Sinful Soul: When I was alive, I was not filial. I usually spent everyday in idleness. Whenever I stretched my hand out to my parents to ask for money and when I was not given any, I started shouting and scolding them. I often punched and kicked them. I was not a filial son. After death, I was sent to all Tribunals to be punished and lastly, to this A-Bi Diyu never to be reborn. I beg you two Masters to plead on my behalf. If I can come out of this A-Bi Diyu, I do not mind being reborn as an ox or a dog. You don’t know that this is a very terrible place. JiGong: Of all virtues, filial piety takes the first place. Not respecting your parents was bad enough, but you went a step further by punching and kicking them; in fact your

196 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld sins were very great. In Hades, lack of filial piety is considered a very great sin and is unforgivable. I cannot plead on your behalf. Officer: Those human beings, who because of marriage, property distribution, or lust, go against their parents and ill-treat them, have committed great sins and unless they correct their behavior or errors now, when they die, their souls will surely find a vacancy in A-Bi Diyu. Second sinful soul, now is your turn. 2nd  Sinful Soul: During my lifetime, I took the pleasure in debauchery, sensuality, viciousness and disturbing women folk, abducting widows and their adopted daughters. How was I to know that with all these evil-doing my soul, after death, would be sent here for punishment, never to be reborn? Dear Master, if you can help me out of my misery, I will be too willing to be your horse or your dog. JiGong: I have no use for either a horse or a dog. When you were alive, you enjoyed yourself to the fullest with the opposite sex instead of taking the right road. You must understand that of all evils, obscenity occupies the first place. It serves you jolly well right that you are now sent to A-Bi Diyu for repentance. Officer: Third sinful soul, your turn to speak. 3rd Sinful Soul: When I was alive, I earned my living by imitating western medicines, distilling and imitating wines and brandy, imitating ajinomoto and other edible stuff. As a result, I made very good profits at other people’s expense. Because of my immorality, after death, I am now sentenced to this A-Bi Diyu to suffer. Can you, JiGong please plead to the Emperor of this Tribunal to set me free? If I can be reborn, I promise I’ll do charitable works and be a good man. JiGong:  It is very great sin to imitate medicines and liquor. Because of your immorality thus causing harm to others, it is like giving poison to people to eat. Sentencing you to A-Bi Diyu is for you to drink the mud water to cancel the poison inside you. Does it taste good? You, yourself will know. I cannot help you. Officer: Fourth sinful soul; now is your turn to speak. 4th  Sinful Soul: I was a smuggler when I was alive and I indulged in smoking and injecting drugs. I was deeply addicted and eventually I was head-over-heels involved in drug business, causing many innocent people to become drug addicts. After my death, my soul was brought before the Emperor of this Tribunal who gave me a good scolding and sentenced me to this A-Bi Diyu to suffer everyday. Alt hough I deeply repent for my sins everyday, what’s the use? JiGong: Smuggling is an offence against the country’s law. Drug business endangers the lives of people. You cannot go against the laws of the Earth and also you go against the laws of Hades. But there is still a gleam of light and salvation. Those human beings who indulge in smuggling and deal in drugs business still have time yet to change their ways to lead a better life, otherwise after death, their souls will surely be sent to A-Biyu Diyu to suffer; even unto a million years they will never be reborn.

197 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Officer: These four sinful souls have just related their stories. I hope that human beings who have committed any or all of the above mentioned evil deeds, after reading the Book will make up their minds to turn over a new leaf and try to do good whenever possible. Then only, is there every possibility that their evil deeds will be forgiven. Repentance is salvation and everyone must give it some thought. JiGong: Time is now up for us to return to Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng: I must now say goodbye to Officer and Generals. Thank you very much. Officer: All Generals, line up and say goodbye. JiGong: Yang Sheng, step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can start… JiGong: We’ve arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No: 54

198 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 55 - 14th June 1978 Touring the Tenth Tribunal Visiting Zhuan Lun Wang JiGong: Now that we will be touring the Tenth Tribunal, the job of writing Diyu Youji will soon come to an end. All the souls who had gone through the various punishments meted out to them by the 10 Tribunals will be so much confused that, on rebirth, they will not be able to recollect their various incidents and experiences in Hades. But those who are ascetic practitioners should ask themselves what were their previous experiences. If they can answer this, then they can be regarded as perfect, to be able to enter Nirvana. Today, we will tour Hades again, Yang Sheng, step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Wait a moment, I wish to ask dear Master. Some people have enquired; if they wish to print and distribute the Book, Diyu Youji, should they make the offer by praying and burning incense before the Kitchen Deity? But nowadays, most kitchens use gas and electricity for cooking, instead of the old-fashioned clay cooking places which used fire-wood and charcoal. Will the Kitchen Deity be still there to listen to their prayers? JiGong: Some houses are built of bricks and timber, some are built of concrete – all types are for people to live in. The same reasoning also applies; irrespective of the type and construction and facilities available at the kitchen, no matter whether oldfashioned or ultra modern, the Kitchen Deity will be there. In fact the more clean and modern the kitchen, the Kitchen Deity will feel more happy and comfortable, because there will be less smoke floating about in the kitchen. Everything people eat or drink must generally be prepared in the kitchen. The food and drink we consume, maintain our life and we cannot do without them, day in day out. That is why people say “where there is smoke there is life”. There is a better name for the Kitchen Deity – “Si Ming Zhen Jun” which means the Deity in charge of people’s life and luck for eating. Gas/electric stoves or charcoal/firewood stove serve the same purpose, i.e. they produce life; hence there is another name for the Kitchen Deity which is “Deity of Fire”. There is yet another name “Huo De Xing Jun”. Now, to refer to the burning of the light in front of the Deities – formerly, oil lamps were used but now, electric bulbs are used. A light is a light and Deities do not differentiate the source. However, irrespective of the development of modern science, be it the construction of a multi-storey building, etc, the most important consideration is the existence of spirituality in human beings, then only, will Deities be present. By this same line of reasoning, the Kitchen Deity will be always in the kitchen. Yang Sheng: Now I begin to understand. Irrespective of the modernity of the present day kitchen, we still have to consume rice, salt, vinegar, sugar, etc. I’m now safely seated on the lotus flower platform; dear Master, we can start now… JiGong: We’ve arrived. Get down. Yang Sheng: I see in front of the Tenth Tribunal, as if a big crowd is present to welcome us.

199 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong:  Yes. The Tenth Tribunal Zhuan Lun Wang is accompanied by so many Officers and Generals to welcome us. Go and pay your respects quickly. Yang Sheng: I offer my humble respects to Zhuan Lun Wang. I’m a disciple of Taiwan’s Sheng Xian Tang. We have been ordered to write the Book Diyu Youji and now that we have come to the Tenth Tribunal, may I request you to kindly give us every assistance? Zhuan Lun Wang: Don’t stand on ceremony. Since you have traversed from the First to the Tenth Tribunal and having done so much good work thereby, you surely have earned much merit. Please follow me inside for a short rest. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Zhuan Lun Wang. JiGong: We have limited time and so, there is no need to have a rest. Will it be O.K if we have a tour of the Tenth Tribunal instead? Zhuan Lun Wang: JiGong, we will abide by your wishes. Yang Sheng: This Tenth Tribunal is specially crowded with so many sinful souls – not so many sinful souls in any of the other Tribunals. Why is this so? Zhuan Lun Wang: It is because in Hades, ours is the last Tribunal, exactly like all roads leading to a single customs checking station. All souls cleared by the other Tribunals are gathered here awaiting instructions for reincarnation. That is why the crowd is so great. I will now bring you to “Guan Sheng Tai”. Yang Sheng: I am very much obliged. This Observatory is so high up and the steps lead into the clouds. It will be most tiring to climb up. JiGong: I’ll lend you a helping hand and assist you up there. Yang Sheng: Thank you, dear Master JiGong: To climb up the heavenly stairway, why don’t you use the strength of your heart? Exactly like those ascetic practitioners, if they do not practise and have determination, how can they expect to succeed in their endeavor? Yang Sheng: We’ve now reached the top. We can hear a lot of voices at a distance, far and wide. What place is it? JiGong:  To reach Guan Sheng Tai, one has to climb up 360 steps. This is Heavenly Observatory and is rather far from Hades. Your vision is still rather limited and so I will cast a bright pearl. Yang Sheng: Wow, dear Master, your bright pearl has worked wonders. I can see very clearly now. However far away, I can now see clearly, it is like seeing things from Heaven towards the Earth. The scenes, North, South, East, West, are totally different. In one direction, it is like where Americans live, the scene is exactly like what is shown in the cinemas.

200 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JiGong: You are right; this place is really America. In Heavenly Observatory, one can see every place on Earth. The transmigration of souls meted out by the various Ten Tribunals as a result of cause and effect, is like Heaven casting flower in all directions, those fated to be reborn as worms will be reborn worms; those fated to be reborn as animals will be reborn as animals; those fated to be reborn as human beings will be reborn as human beings, so on and so forth. Now that we have seen this Observatory, we can return to Hades. Yang Sheng: Very well. JiGong: It is getting late. There are many more offices in the Tenth Tribunal and so we have to return some other time to continue our tour. Now you can say goodbye to Zhuan Lun Wang. Zhuan Lun Wang: Since your time is up, I will not hold you any longer. I will order the Officers to line up to send you off. JiGong: Yang Sheng, step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can proceed. JiGong:  We’ve arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 55

201 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 56 - 24th June 1978 Touring the Tenth Tribunal Visiting Zhuan Jie Suo Change of Existence at Rebirth Office JiGong: The Six Paths of Metempsychosis (devas, human beings, asuras, beasts, hungry ghosts and hell beings) are like the non-stop revolving of a wheel. If a person happens to fall down and is rolled over by the wheels of a vehicle, he will eventually, be called a “rolled-over ghost”. I hope human beings will avoid being “wheel rolledover ghosts”  by not rushing in front of a moving vehicle and be rolled over by the wheels which are like the gates of hell. Are you afraid of this? I realize that human beings are smart folks and they should, therefore, know how to avoid such dangers and pitfalls. If they are in trouble, they should repent sincerely and seek forgiveness from God and if their days are lucky enough to be plain sailing, they should try to improve their daily life. Today, we will tour Hades. Yang Sheng; quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can start now… JiGong: Today we will visit the Tenth Tribunal again. We’ve arrived; Yang Sheng, get down. Yang Sheng: I can see Zhuan Lun Wang waiting to welcome us. Zhuan Lun Wang: We are very glad to welcome JiGong and Yang Sheng to our Tenth Tribunal again. On your last visit, you were rather short of time and so I was not able to explain much of what goes on here in the Tenth Tribunal. Today we will conduct you to the various departments of the Tenth Tribunal. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Zhuan Lun Wang, for entertaining us so well. Zhuan Lun Wang: Transmigration of souls is a very cold-hearted matter. It all depends upon the retribution of souls’ sin – in any direction. It all hinges on what actions and deeds one committed when alive, resulting in cause and effect. Today I’ll bring you to tour “Zhuan Jie Suo”. JiGong: Devout ascetic practitioners, after death, will proceed direct to Heaven to reap the fruits of their ascetic practices (to become Luo-hans);  others who do not have much principles and morality, after death, and after having passed through all the Tribunals will have to be sent to Zhuan Jie Suo  to be judged by the Eight Departments here. Zhuan Lun Wang: Please follow me. The scope of Zhuan Jie Suo is very wide. In every Department, there are Officials to run the show and there are altogether Eight Departments. Do be seated and I’ll introduce you to the various Departmental Heads for interview, if need be, so that you can relate to people on Earth. Yang Sheng: In front of us is a signboard which reads “Zhuan Jie Suo”. There are many sinful souls all escort by soldiers of Hades. These soldiers are presenting a great number of documents to the Officers. I don’t know for what.

202 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Zhuan Lun Wang: I suggest both of you have a short rest inside and I will explain to you in detail. Yang Sheng: All the Officers inside, on seeing us coming, have stopped their work and have stood up in line to receive us. JiGong:  Yang Sheng, just sit down. Zhuan LunWang is so cordial in receiving us, so there is no need to stand on ceremony. Zhuan Lun Wang: I will introduce this, the Head Officer of Zhuan Jie Suo. Head Officer: I extend to you, JiGong and Yang Sheng, a very warm welcome to our place. I understand you have received the Order to write the Book which entails very much work, but the honour is truly great. Zhuan Lun Wang: First of all, let us all drink tea. I will explain to you the various aspects and duties of the Eight Departments here so that you can, in turn, explain to human beings the procedure of the transmigration of souls. When a human being dies, the beneficiary Deity of his locality, Deity of the City, soldiers of Hades, or Demons regarded as Messengers of Death, will bring his soul through Gui Men Guan  and report to the Registration Office, then pass through all the Tribunals, to be punished according to the magnitude of his sins, and then to the Tenth Tribunal to await retribution. In this Tenth Tribunal, the most important section is Zhuan Jie Suo where there are Eight Departments, classified as:

1st – Verification Department 2nd – Virtuous Acts Investigation Department 3rd – Magnitude of Sins Department 4th – Love and Hatred Department 5th – Life-Span Department 6th – Allocation of Family Relationship Department 7th – Reward and Punishment Department 8th – Evidence of Rebirth Department We will now go into detail about the function of each Department: 1] Verification Department After a soul has served his sentence, i.e. gone through the various types of punishment, from the First Tribunal right through the Tenth Tribunal, he will have to face this Verification Department which, after having been fully satisfied that he had already been punished, will then only allow him to be reborn. If the investigation reveals that any item of punishment has not been served or missed out, the sinful soul will have to be sent back to the respective Tribunal to serve his term. 2] Virtuous Acts Investigation Department In this Department, the extent or any of the virtuous acts done by a soul will be investigated or assessed so that, when he is reborn, his reward, by way of good luck, etc, can be accorded to him. If it is found that, when he was alive, he had accumulated virtues, on rebirth he will be sent to a good or lucky family as a male child and when he grows up, he will not have to suffer but will be “on easy street”; later, when he advances in life, he will be rich or be bestowed with honours, etc; or

203 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld will become an officer of high rank. There will be no need to suffer. Alternatively, on rebirth he will climb up the ladder of success through his own efforts; or be reborn to a wealthy family to enjoy the accumulated wealth of the ancestors, to be showered with honour as well as wealth; or if the soul is to be reborn a female, she will ultimately be married to a good husband and have luck and be happy always, or her children will be illustrious, wealthy and attain honour and fame; or she will be reborn to a wealthy family and have nothing to worry about money matters. All these rewards are as recompense for the meritorious deeds performed and accumulated by the soul on his/her previous life on Earth. These awards dished out are the duties and responsibilities of this Department. 3] Magnitude of Sins Department This Department will investigate what sins a Soul had committed when alive on Earth  – to judge whether a sin was light or heavy, minor or serious. A] If he had done some small good deeds and had never committed grave sins, he will be reborn with just enough to eat and wear, and will get protection from parents; husband/wife relationship will be normal, the children will take care of him. B] If his merits and demerits balance even, on rebirth he will have enough to eat and wear, family will be O.K; husband/wife relationship will be O.K; and he will be surrounded by children, but he will have to slog for his living. If he does not work he will starve, unlike some people who can enjoy life without doing any work. C] If one had no merits whatsoever, but had accumulated a string of demerits, on rebirth he will meet with many difficulties in life. Although he/she may be well provided for, yet there is bound to be widow-hood/widower-hood (one partner will die early, living only one partner); or the family circle (parents, brothers/sisters, children) will be broken early. D] In the case of one who had committed grave sins when alive, he will be reborn a deformed pauper with some form of disability – dumb, blind, lame, deaf, etc. E] In the case of those who discarded the: a) Five human relationships; husband/wife; brother/sister; parents/children; friendship; and loyalty to country, b) Eight Virtues; filial piety; brotherly love; loyalty to country; trustworthiness; courtesy; righteousness; chastity; and shame,

and particularly, in the case of a woman soul, where there are three degrees of dependence to be observed, namely, first upon her father, then her husband, and later upon her children, and also Four Virtues: 1) right behavior  2) proper speech 3) proper demeanor, and 4) proper employment they will be regarded as having committed grave sins and will be reborn as beast, e.g. born via the female womb, born through eggs, born as sea creatures, born as

204 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld worms. This is known as retaliatory recompense. All these punishments are the responsibilities of this Magnitude of Sins Department. 4] Love and Hatred Department This Department decides whether a person, on rebirth, will have gratitude or will take revenge. If a person, who had good deeds done to him by others, dies, his soul will still remember the past good deeds, and when the time comes for him to be reborn, this Department will make him have gratitude, so that he can repay for the good deeds he had previously received. If, when alive, he had been insulted, maltreated, or oppressed by others, after death his soul will still retain hatred, and when about to be reborn, this Department will make him take revenge on those who had previously done him wrong. In case a female, (who when alive had been wronged by a male) dies with deep anger and hatred, her soul when due for rebirth can refuse to be reborn as a human being, but can prefer to remain a revengeful ghost so that she can go to Earth and cause sudden death or “Unexpected calamity”  to the male person by way of revenge. If this Department, after due investigation, is satisfied with her request to remain a revengeful ghost, the request will be entertained. All these are the duties of this Department thereby proving the wisdom of the English idioms: “One good turn deserves another”; Repay kindness with Kindness”; “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. 5] Life-Span Department This Department decides on the life-span of a person to be reborn – whether he/she should have a long life or a short life. On Earth, there are persons, noble and wealthy, who enjoy long life. There are also noble and wealthy persons who die at an early age. There are poor and humble people with long life, and other poor and humble persons who have short life. Also there are others who die of vexation, agony, drowning; some soon after birth, some a short life after living, some a few years later. Again there are others who are fated to be law breakers whose death is decided by Government authorities; and others who die through murder, and so on and so forth. All these deaths are the result of some fatal calamity. But there are others who are destined to die of unnatural or accidental death. 6] Allocation of Family Relationship Department This Department allocates the various duties and responsibilities of members of a family, viz: parents/children, husband/wife, brothers/sisters. On Earth, some children are born filial, some are disobedient; some marry good natured partners, some marry unfaithful partners or less understanding partners. All these allocations in a family are the result of cause and effect. For example, Mr A in his previous life gave financial assistance to Mr B and when Mr B died he was still indebted to Mr A because in his life-time he did not, or was not able to settle with Mr A. When in Hades, it was found that Mr B was not a very sinful person when alive, on being reborn; he was sentenced, according to the regulation of Hades, to be a son of Mr A so that he could be a filial son and so repay his new father Mr A. This is called “repayment of previous debt”. Another example is: Mr C when alive cheated Mr D by various confidence tricks, or by using authority to get money. Mr D was much worried about being thus cheated, and subsequently died. In Hades, he lodged a complaint against Mr C. The authorities in Hades decided that Mr D should be reborn a son of Mr C and subsequently when grown up, to be proud, extravagant, profligate and idle, thereby squandering Mr C’s property. This is called “debt demanding child”. Similarly, in a relationship of husband and wife where some men

205 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld are lucky to marry good wives, while others are unlucky to marry bad wives. This is casual relationship. What we did in precious life, we have to repay in the next life. No one can escape from this settlement of previous actions. These allocations are the duties and responsibilities of this Department. 7] Reward and Punishment Department This Department is in charge of deciding what classification of metempsychosis (transmigration of the soul, after death, to another body) a soul should be reborn. If a person when alive; did many charitable deeds, he will be reborn into a family having a history of many generations of nobility and wealth. Those who were evil will be reborn into families having history of poverty and suffering in several generations. Those who were very sinful will be reborn as beasts or animals for generations, after which they will be reborn as human beings, or be reborn forever as worms, insects, fish, etc. This is sure, and no one can escape from this fatal calamity. Nevertheless, there is yet a glimmer of hope because, if a wealthy person who suddenly becomes sinful, or a poor person who does a lot of good deeds, dies, this Department will punish or reward the soul, as the case may be, on rebirth. If a Deity called “Santai Bei Dou Shen” has any complaint, or ‘Shang Di” has any order, these will be looked upon into by this Department and due punishment awarded accordingly, on rebirth. These are the duties of this Department. 8] Evidence of Rebirth Department This Department will issue evidence that a soul has the right to be reborn into the various human categories, eg; if a person is to reborn as an officer, he will be given an authorization letter; if a scholar, a pen; if a farmer, a hoe; if an artisan, a workman’s tool; on the other hand, if an animal, bird, etc, the soul will be given skin and fur, or feathers, or scales, etc. Only with this evidence can a soul be allowed rebirth. These are the responsibilities of this Department.

I will explain in more detail further information on transmigration of souls when you come here next time. JiGong: Time is up and so we will have to prepare to return. Thank you, Zhuan Lun Wang for taking the trouble to explain to us, in great length, the workings in this Zhuan Jie Suo. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Zhuan Lun Wang, for giving us so much useful information. We must now take leave of you… JiGong: We have arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 56

206 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 57 - 1st July 1978 Touring the Tenth Tribunal Visiting Meng Po Ting JiGong: When we stand, we must stand up-right. The body must not bend in any direction. The same applies to human beings – be straightforward, you must not cheat others and you must not set one person against another. You must be helpful to others and must not be lazy so that an example can be shown for others to emulate. Yang Sheng, do you think what I have said is correct? Yang Sheng: Very true, dear Master, very true; you’ve spoken well. To be a man, one must stand firm and have fixed principles. Otherwise how can he succeed in ascetic pursuits? JiGong:  If when standing, you are not steady, so likewise, when sitting or sleeping, you cannot sit or sleep steadily too. Those who want to be ascetic practitioners must always have a steady and stout heart, must not show any sign of wavering heart any time. Yang Sheng, prepare to get up on the lotus flower platform. Today, we will visit the Tenth Tribunal to continue our observations. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated; we can start…. JiGong: We’ve arrived. Yang Sheng, get down. Yang Sheng: I observe that Zhuan Lun Wang is already waiting for us. I’ll go and pay respects. Zhuan Lun Wang: That’s alright. Please don’t stand on ceremony. I extend a very warm welcome to both of you here today. Last time we introduced you to the various functions and duties of the Eight Departments of Zhuan Jie Suo. Today, we will show you working of the “Six Paths of Metempsychosis”. As time is rather limited, we must not delay. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much for sending so many Officers and Generals to accompany us… We have arrived at Zhuan Jie Suo. There are so many people gathered here, Eastern people, Western people, and all sorts of people all here. Are they all getting ready to be reborn? Zhuan Lun Wang: When a person dies, his soul must pass through all Tribunals here to be judged for their past deeds/misdeeds when living on Earth. That is why Hell is like an International Court of Justice. Irrespective of what color, all souls to be reborn must have evidence that they can be reborn, exactly like those human beings who wish to leave one country for another must have a valid passport. Yang Sheng: Now we have reached the Eighth Department, known as “Rebirth Department”. Wow! there are so many souls, all waiting, exactly the scene at a railway station, waiting for the train to arrive. JiGong:  Ha! Ha. All these chaps are going to Zhuan LunTai which means Transmigration Station. This is very much like human beings waiting at a railway

207 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld station for the train to arrive. When the train is ready to depart, passengers board the carriages and the wheel of the train start; each passenger holds a ticket to go to his destination. Now the souls at this Transmigration Station will be brought to their various rebirth destinations. Zhuan Lun Wang: What JiGong has just said is true. All human beings after death, must pass through all the Ten Tribunals of Hell so that their souls can be judged and  judgement passed and sentences served after which they will be allowed to be reborn, based upon their past actions on Earth. Yang Sheng: There are so many souls in front of us; all appear to be drinking tea to cool their system. The weather here is rather warm and I myself feel thirsty. I would like also to drink a cup of this tea. Zhuan Lun Wang: Oh dear! Under no circumstances must you go and drink the tea! That place is called “Meng Po Ting”. All souls due to be reborn must go there and drink the tea which is called “Ou Wang Tang”.  If you drink this tea and your soul returns to Earth, you will be a “muddled” person. Yang Sheng: Wow! so dangerous. JiGong: This is no laughing matter. Yang Sheng: Yes, this tea drinking place has three characters written at the entrance, “Meng Po Tang”. Can Zhuan Lun Wang kindly explain fully to us the function of this place? Zhuan Lun Wang: Very well. This place Meng Po Tang is under the charge of deity meng Po duly authorized By Yu Di. Any soul who is due to be reborn, must first come to this place to drink the tea Ou Wang Tang. If he does not drink this Ou Wang Tang and is reborn, he will be able to remember the happenings of his previous life and association with other people still living and can cause trouble and embarrassment to others thereby upsetting the peace. This tea Ou Wang Tang tastes sweet. sour, acrid, bitter and saltish, which after been drunk, makes a soul forgot north, south, east, west and become muddled, making him walk aimlessly towards Zhuan Lun Tai. JiGong: This Ou Wang Tang is infatuated soup which makes one’s mind confused. There is also such a kind of soup on Earth. Yang Sheng: I’ve never heard of such a soup. JiGong:  As in the case of drinking liquor, an addict coming under its influence cannot differentiate between north, south, east and west, so likewise, a soul after drinking this soup, is not truly himself, losing his own wits and wandering aimlessly towards Metempsychosis Station. If such a situation does not exist, which soul, in its right senses, will go willingly to this Metempsychosis Station to be reborn? Drunkards are usually bold, not fearing water or fire, and dare to jump into a deep ocean. After drinking this soup, a soul becomes unable to control himself, proceeds straight to the Metempsychosis Station and only after the effects of the soup are over will he then realize that he is in another World on awakening.

208 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: Knowing the secret effect of this POu Wang Tang, no soul will want to drink it. Zhuan Lun Wang: There are many things here which you don’t know. After a sinful soul has passed through the various punishments meted out at the various Tribunals, he feels his throat is dry and becomes thirsty and when this Tenth Tribunal is reached, he thinks it is the end of the journey and Earth is very near. Outside this pavilion Meng Po Ting, there is hot vapour which makes every sinful soul thirsty thus the urge to quench their thirst – some souls are not satisfied to drink just one cup of this soup, asking for more! Yet there are some cunning sinful souls who come here refusing to enter the pavilion because they happen to know the effects of drinking this soup. But under the ground an iron hook contraption has the effect of gripping the feet to prevent movement and at the same time, a female attendant nearby forces these cunning souls to drink this soup. Yang Sheng: After drinking this soup, the effect makes the one reborn forget his past life but nowadays, children seem to be smarter and enlightened than children of past generations. Does this mean that the present day soup is of poorer quality, thus less effective? Zhuan Lun Wang: There are many mysteries here which you are not aware of. Human beings have gone through thousands of cycles of metempsychosis and have drunk countless times this soup. After having drunk this soup so ma ny times prior to rebirth the effects tend to be less apparent thereby making present-day children seem smarter than children of long ago, but this kind of smartness is not really smartness. This is not good sign because this will tend to make the present generation bold and fearless, daring to go against the laws of the country. What is there to be proud of? Yang Sheng: Oh! I begin to understand. JiGong: Time is up. We’ll have to visit this place again to learn more of the Six Paths of Metempsychosis. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Zhuan Lun Wang, for imparting to me so much abstruse doctrines. These doctrines are useful to educate all human beings; it is indeed very valuable. I must now say goodbye. Zhuan Lun Wang: Now that you must leave, I’m not going to hold you any longer but I hope you’ll visit us again. JiGong: Yang Sheng, step on the lotus flower platform and prepare to return. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master; we can start now… JiGong:  We’ve arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 57

209 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 58 - 7th July 1978 Touring the Tenth Tribunal Visiting the 6 Paths of Metempsychosis JiGong: Today we’ll tour Hades again. Yang Sheng; quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir, why is it that today you have not given any advice, as you usually did, before asking me to step on the lotus flower platform? JiGong: The more one talks, the more mistakes there are and this will lead to much criticism. The less one talks the better and the few words spoken are more valuable and treasured. Yang Sheng: Yes, Yes, very true. I’m safely seated on the lotus flower platform… JiGong: We’ve arrived, get out. Today we’ll tour the Tenth Tribunal visiting the 6 Paths of Metempsychosis, and see for ourselves the actual conditions existing here. You must be more attentive….Zhuan Lun Wang has come. Zhuan Lun Wang: Salutations to both of you for visiting us today. The last time, you visited Meng Po Ting. Today you will visit Stages for the Transmigration of Souls. Would both of you please follow me? Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Zhuan Lun Wang, for instructing and explaining so much to us. Zhuan Lun Wang: It is but our duty. On Earth, so long as mankind and all living things do not discard evil to foll ow the good, the Wheel of the Stages for the Transmigration of Souls will continue to be operative and active which means that all living things will also continue to be unlucky. Yang Sheng: I see a river in front of us with red-colored water rolling, like boiling. What is this? Zhuan Lun Wang: This is called the Red River where the vigour and blood of all living things are blended together. Look at the rolling of the reddish water of this Red River; it is exactly like the sensual and sexual desires of human beings on Earth, up and down, up and down. Yang Sheng: In the Red River, there is a huge wheel revolving endlessly. What is the meaning? Zhuan Lun Wang: Here is the stage for the Transmigration of Souls floating and bouncing up and down in unison with the rolling water, the wheel revolving all the time. Yang Sheng: Further on there are many bridges.

210 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Zhuan Lun Wang: Our Tenth Tribunal is the final Tribunal in Hades. The many bridges lead to the Six Paths of the Transmigration of Souls. These bridges are made of 1] gold, 2] silver, 3] jade, 4] stone, 5] wood and 6] bamboo. 1] Golden Bridge : Those souls who had accumulated much merit when living on Earth, after passing through all the Tribunals in Hades, and after having given a “clean passage” by the Registrar, will be allowed to cross the Red River via the Golden Bridge to go to Paradise. In the case of souls who had cultivated “Divine Element” within themselves, they will ascend direct from “Ying Yang Jie” to Paradise without having to use this Golden Bridge. 2] Silver Bridge: Those who had earned medium merits when on Earth, after death their souls will be sent to “Ju Shan Suo” for further cultivation of virtue and if they pass the test; will have to go to the Nine Springs Waterfall for purification of the soul. Then only will they be allowed to cross via this Silver Bridge to Earth as Deity/Spirit for human beings to worship. 3] Jade Bridge : Those who had earned some merits on Earth, at death, after their souls had gone through the punishments of all the Tribunals, will be allowed to be reborn as rich and/or noble persons; they will cross via this Jade Bridge to the Stage for the Transmigration of Souls, for rebirth. 4] Stone Bridge: Those who when alive, had equal measure of merits as well as sins; will be allowed to be reborn as ordinary human beings. They will cross via this Stone Bridge to the Stage for the Transmigration of Souls for rebirth. 5] Wooden Bridge: Those who when alive had committed more sins than merits, and will be reborn as poor, lonely, miserable, destitute, lower strata human beings, will cross via this Wooden Bridge to the Stage for the Transmigration of Souls for rebirth. 6] Bamboo Bridge: Those who when alive, had full measure of iniquity, and whose actions were contrary to humanity, murderers, robbers and rapists, and more sinful people, will be destined to be reborn as animals, fowls, fishes, worms. These will use the Bamboo Bridge to cross to the Stage for Transmigration of Souls for rebirth. Yang Sheng: Thank you Zhuan Luan Wang, for teaching us on such enlightening matters. I observe very few souls make use of the Golden and Silver Bridges whereas there is a big rush at the other Bridges. JiGong: All these souls are stupefied after having drunk the Ou Wang Tang; each taking his own path, some wearing Officer’s dress, some carrying tools, some carrying pens, some carrying hides, skins, some carrying horns on their heads, all like mad people, everyone of them seem very happy to be reborn. Zhuan Lun Wang: They have lost their intelligence. For example, those with implements not knowing whether they will live or die on reaching Earth, all so eager to be reborn. The same applies to conditions on Earth – people knowing the depth of the drain have no hesitation in jumping in, or knowing the intensity of the fire do not think twice before playing with it. So long as there is sin on Earth, there will be Transmigration of Souls after passing through the va rious Tribunals.

211 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: All these stupefying souls are rushing to the various types of Bridges leading to the Stage for Transmigration of Souls. They fall down suddenly, senseless, not knowing the nature of their future rebirth. Zhuan Lun Wang: All earthly beings do not know such things. That’s why I now want to explain. On Earth, all living things are subject to rebirth; negative and positive must combine to create life. This Zhuan Lun Tai – Stage for Transmigration of Souls – is like male and female on Earth. Sexual desires of both combine and cause their minds to be in a muddle, exactly like the waves of the Red River causing the Metempsychosis Stage (Wheel) to revolve and suck up the muddled souls according to the classifications of souls to be reborn as future beings. It is like the body of a woman, ten months gestation – when the time is ripe, the embryo comes out with the blood water (amniotic fluid) and the child emits a cry, realizing that he is now reborn as a human being. Souls who will be reborn as animals, fishes, birds, worm, etc, will remain in Zhuan Lun Tai until the time is ripe for them to be reborn as such creatures. Women in the course of pregnancy will have a tendency to vomit at various stages – this is exactly like the Wheel of Zhuan Lun Tai revolving, or like train sickness (giddiness) when traveling by train. Yang Sheng: So I see. If you do not say so, people on Earth will not know. Zhuan Lun Wang: Zhuan Lun Tai is very much like the Ba Gua the centre of which is a circle representing the “Ying” and “Yang” (negative and positive). When the Wheel revolves, life is created inside it, eventually to become human beings or animals, birds, etc. There are six exits from Zhuan Lun Tai. That is why it is called “Six Paths of Metempsychosis”. The first is for Officers, the second for educated people, merchants, farmers and artisans (including widows and widowers), the third for animals, the fourth for birds (and those born from eggs), the fifth for fishes (and water-born things) and sixth for worms. Therefore the exit a soul is sent out from depends upon the sins or merits it made when alive as a human being on Earth. JiGong: Exactly like the factories on Earth. The products produced depend upon, besides other factors, the quality of the raw materials used – very much like wood; good wood for building houses, rotten wood for cooking. The same applies to human beings on reincarnation; those who had merits in previous life will be reborn through the first path while those with lesser merits and those with various degrees of sins will pass through the other five paths to be reborn. Yang Sheng: Is there any other explanation of the Six Paths of Metempsychosis? JiGong: Another explanation is: 1] Devas, 2] Human Beings, 3] Asuras, 4] Beasts, 5] Hungry Ghosts and 6] Hell Beings. The first path leads to Paradise where there are Fairies, Buddhas, Deities, Saints; these need not have to pass through Zhuan Lun Tai but proceed direct to Paradise. But there are others like founders of religions, patron saints, etc, who voluntarily pass through Zhuan Lun Tai to be reborn as human beings in order to teach people to do good deeds and save them. There is a saying that Saints, Buddhas, etc, and human beings must cooperate to do good deeds. In fact, for these Saints, Buddhas, etc, it is not actually Transmigration of Souls but it is for a specific purpose e.g. saving humanity. Figuratively speaking, “3000 big worlds” cannot be traversed by the Six Paths, but it should really be 10,000 paths of

212 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld transmigration instead. There is constant change in spirituality. All things are different but they have a common origin. Those who read this Book will soon know. Zhuan Lun Wang: Now that you have seen the working of the Tenth Tribunals, you can write what you have learnt, in your Book for human beings to read. To be candid, the sufferings encountered by the souls in Hades are caused by human beings themselves. I sincerely hope that all of you will take up ascetic practices as early as possible. Once a soul is lost in Hades, it will be more difficult to save it. I congratulate you on writing your Book, the aim of which is to tell people to do more good than evil. I’ll now bid you farewell to return to Shen Xian Tang. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much Zhuan Lun Wang, for enlightening us in this matter which has never been taught to human beings from ancient times to the present day. I’ll step on the lotus flower platform. Dear Master, we can start now.. JiGong: We have by now toured all the Ten Tribunals. Yang Sheng, you must be very tired indeed. On Eight Moon, Fifteenth Day, when the Book is completed it should first be sent to Heaven for approval. After it is printed and distributed, the Spirits in Heaven, human beings, ghosts, everyone, will be happy. I hope people will reprint it and distribute widely for everyone to read, so that all can know the contents, the aim of which is to teach all to do good. This is my intention. If you can understand and benefit from the teachings in this Book, it will be like darkness giving way to light. You must cast away selfishness to be replaced by happiness, liberal mindedness, and compassionate feelings towards others; then only will the road to Paradise be open before you.

We’ve arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 58

213 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 59 - 13th July 1978 Touring the Tenth Tribunal Visiting the Common People’s Section JiGong: On Earth there are many kinds of occupation and vocation; it is also the same in Hades. Today I’ll bring Yang Sheng to visit the “Common People’s Section” of Hades. Yang Sheng; quickly step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: Yes, Sir, I’m safely seated. We can proceed now. JiGong: We’ve arrived, Yang Sheng, get down. Yang Sheng: Wow! this city is very busy and there are a lots of people moving about, everyone smiling and in happy mood. There is absence of soldiers of Hades in this place, freedom of movement everywhere. On the archway the words “Common People’s Section” are written. I don’t know what is going on inside? JiGong: A human being whose merits and de-merits balance, who had no hatred but more love when alive, after death, his soul will be sent to stay in the Common People’s Section, no need to be reborn. In this Section, it is like on Earth, with merchants and farmers – these two occupations being the most important. During his lifetime, if a good person was either a merchant or a farmer, after death his soul will be sent here to be either a merchant or a farmer but conditions are not that advanced as on Earth and so he has to work very hard. We will now go inside to have a look. Guard: How dare you deities intrude into my area? JiGong: I’m JiGong and have an Order to bring a human being to visit your place so that when we return to Earth we can write a Book to exhort human beings to do good deeds. Guard: This is a secret place. How can our secret be disclosed to outsiders? JiGong: I have the Order. Go inside and announce our arrival quickly. Guard:  I beg JiGong to forgive me. I never realized I was in the wrong…. Officer in Charge: We beg the pardon of JiGong and Yang Sheng; we feel much ashamed for not coming to welcome you to our place. JiGong: I must apologize for not informing you in advance of our coming. Officer in Charge: Please follow me to see what goes on here. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer, for welcoming us. Are you exactly like any Officer we have on Earth? JiGong: Yang Sheng, don’t talk too much. He is the Head in charge of this section.

214 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: I observe that all buildings here are made of wood, unlike the big mansions we have on Earth. Officer in Charge: It is more suitable for the souls here to stay in these wooden buildings. Yang Sheng: In this place there are restaurants and sundry shops. The chaps here are very much like people on Earth but some keep their hair long, wear oldfashioned dresses, why? Officer in Charge : In this Section, the souls are of different generations; that is why they still keep their old methods of living. Now I’ll bring you to see the fields. JiGong: Although Earth and Hades are separated, yet the mind is the same. What occupation a good person had on Earth, he will also follow the same occupation after death. Yang Sheng: I see that the farmers use manual labour working the farm here – no animals or machinery to help. Officer in Charge: The souls here are not so lucky like those on Earth, they have to depend on their own hands and sweat and strength to work the farms. Yang Sheng: How do they live here? Officer in Charge: More or less the same as human beings. They have three meals (food and drinks). They are happy and satisfied with the seven passions (joy, anger, grief, fear, love, hatred and desire) and the six roots of sensation (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind). Therefore, there is marriage in this Section. No doubt life here is hard but they are now used to it. Yang Sheng: I don’t know if they work here eternally? Officer in Charge: No, they also grow old with age and when the time comes, they are retired and later will be reborn. Yang Sheng: Human beings offer joss paper, candles, joss sticks, etc, when praying to deceased relatives; I don’t know if these are received by the souls in Hades? Officer in Charge: This topic has been argued ceaselessly by human beings. Now I’ll make things more clear for the benefit of everyone. It is true that the living are in the habit of and believe in the practice of burning joss papers, candles, joss sticks and offering food-stuffs to dead relatives; but because the vast majority of the dead are not without sins, their souls in Hades cannot receive the burnt offerings, etc. There are an old saying that, “mud can turn into gold”. Now in this world, in the big cities, a square inch of land can sometimes be worth an inch of gold – this is very true. Talking about joss papers, etc, after burning they will turn into ashes which will become earth and will eventually turn into gold, fulfilling the requirements of the five elements, i.e. reciprocal producing and destroying each other as the case may be. When joss paper is burnt, the burnt gold/silver foil will become ashes and when absorbed by the earth the effect of dampness will turn into vapour of the five

215 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld elements. In Hades, the souls will enjoy the benefits of the joss paper burnt through their five vitals absorbing the vapour as mentioned above. This is exactly like human beings absorbing nourishment for the promotion of body growth. Yang Sheng: I’ve heard people say that they dreamt of their dead relatives asking for money, etc, to use in Hades. How would you explain this? Officer in Charge: In Hades, the souls “eat” the vapour or fume of food offerings. The souls here must do work if not, they will be punished thereby their energy is lost. Therefore, to make up for this loss of energy as a result of the punishment they appear in dreams to their relatives still living on Earth, asking for food, etc; to replenish the lost energy. It is not necessary to burn a lot of joss paper, etc, for the dead – just a token burning will meet the case as a mark of respect and regard. The reason why the living make offerings in any form to the dead is to show their gratitude and respect for the dead; this is quite alright considering that the living are left with money by the dead, the benefits of which the dead cannot enjoy. But it is not necessary to overdo things by burning too much joss papers etc. It is sheer waste of good money. The souls in Hades suck the vapour or fume of the burnt joss papers, etc. they do not actually receive the joss paper to use in Hades because there is totally a different form of money for their use here. JiGong: However there is another class of souls in Hades who can make use of the  joss papers which are burnt by human beings on Earth. Remember, the souls of dead human beings who have acquired or cultivated morality or acquired ascetic attainments, do not require any offerings by the living. I hope people on Earth will understand this. Yang Sheng: There is much truth in what you have said. There are many joss paper manufacturers who produce loss papers of different qualities; the sole aim is to make easy money. When these after burning, arrive in the banks in Hades, how are they put into use? JiGong: Ha! ha! When the joss papers of different qualities are burnt and arrived in Hades, there are bound to be many “returned cheques” which means that the manufacturers who want to make easy money will have to answer for their misdeeds, after they died. Yang Sheng: Is there any difference between the souls in the “Common People’s Section” and other sinful souls in Hades? Officer in Charge: More freedom is allowed to souls in the “Common People’s Section” but they must obtain permission whenever they want to visit Earth, e.g during the 7th Moon they can take turns to visit. It is not the same in the case of sinful souls. They will have to be punished daily and except on special occasions then only will they be allowed to visit Earth. During the 7th  Moon those sinful souls who have lesser sins are allowed to go out and enjoy. Yang Sheng: Is that so? JiGong: I would urge people on Earth to take up ascetic practices, to be aware of gospel truth, to live and let live – life is uncertain, not to be too practical, so that after

216 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld death they need not have to come to the “Common People’s Section” to work some more. You must, therefore, understand perfectly well the meaning of birth and death so that it will not be necessary to undergo the many Transmigrations of Souls. Then only will you reach the ultimate. Our time is up and so we have to r eturn. Officer in Charge: Order all the staff to line up and say goodbye. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Officer, for your kindness and for explaining matters to us. We have to return… JiGong: We’ve arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 59

217 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 60 - 20th July 1978 Touring the Tenth Tribunal Visiting Morality Centre Bureau of Reward for Good Souls Bureau of Punishing the Evil JiGong: Today we will tour the Tenth Tribunal, visiting:

1] Morality Centre (Ju Shan Suo) 2] Bureau of Reward for Good Souls (Shang Shan Si) 3] Bureau of Punishing the Evil (Fa E Si) We are about to wind up the Book, Diyu Youji. I am very happy to see so many people contributing towards the publication of this Book, which goes to show their gratitude towards fellow-men and spirits for sacrificing their time in visiting Hades to gather material for this Book. I sincerely hope that people on Earth will, henceforth, endeavor to do more good deeds than evil. The teachings contained in this Book are endorsed by all the principal religions of the world. Yang Sheng, prepare to step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master; we can start… JiGong: We’ve arrived, Yang Sheng, get down. Yang Sheng: We are now at the “Morality Centre”. It is very much like a school, the outside looks very tidy with trees and flowers and plants everywhere. JiGong: This “Morality Centre” is the school of Hades for the teaching and training of future deities and saints to be sent to Earth. Yang Sheng: The gate has just opened and a big crowd has gathered to welcome us. JiGong: Yang Sheng, go and offer your respects. Yang Sheng: My humble respects to Principal and all Officers. Principal: Yang Sheng, please don’t stand on ceremony. Arise. We’ve waited quite a long time for you to arrive; we extend to you a warm welcome. Will both of you please follow me inside? JiGong: Thank you very much. Will Principal kindly explain the workings in this school to Yang Sheng? Principal: This Centre is called “Ju Shan Suo” and caters for the training of souls who, when alive on Earth, had merits but not enough merits to justify their souls to ascend direct to Paradise after death. After such souls have gone through the required training, two avenues are open to them: 1] to proceed straight to Paradise, or  2] to be sent to Earth as deities and saints to save human beings.

218 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: I observe that in front there, is a soul who when alive, was a leading planchette handler of Sheng Xian Tang, named Zhuang Jian An. Am I right? JiGong: Yes, the fact that both of you can meet here today shows that you have mutual affinity. Yang Sheng: Mr Zhuang, on seeing me has started crying… Principal: Good soul Zhuang, do not feel so sad. By special arrangement, you and Yang Sheng, both planchette handlers, meet here. You can now explain to Yang Sheng what you had gone through since you departed from Earth. Good Soul: Today is my good luck to be able to meet Mr Yang. I am so very happy that I cannot express my feelings but inside, I feel sad…When I was attached to Sheng Xian Tang, Master Guan and Master Qiu and fellow associate officers patronized me very well, so much so, that I took great pride in my work and went to Sheng Xian Tang every day to copy, pack and dispatch the books and literature. I worked very hard hoping that one day I would be able to ascend to Heaven. But I was not intelligent enough. After my death, although a lucky spirit came to escort me, and a beneficent spirit was at hand to protect me, because my demerits were more than my merits, my soul did not have the required qualifications to go to Heaven! When I was alive, our Master had high hopes for me and gave me the necessary instructions everyday, but on account of my poor intelligence, I could not understand the teachings of the Sages. Before I could attain any measure of success, my body failed and I died…. Fortunately, when I was alive, I had done some good deeds which made the Benefactor of Hades escort my soul to visit all the Prisons in Hades and ultimately, I was sent to this “Ju Shan Suo” for further training. I wish to thank all the associates and colleagues of Sheng Xian Tang for attending my funeral. Will Yang Sheng, please convey my thanks to all of them. Everyday, I study moral lessons here, the most important being moral nature. We have to be examined periodically to test the effects and influence of wealth, of beautiful women on the inclinations of the heart; and also, after attaining wealth is there any desire to help others, etc, etc. Only if the heart can remain steady, can the tests be passed. All these various tests are spontaneously arranged by fairies e.g. suddenly while walking, a lot of wealth appears; or along the road, some beautiful women suddenly appear to entice you; and other similar tests. If the heart is wavering, you fail the test and will have to undergo further training. Generally, deities come here to preach the doctrines. Although there is no pattern of punishment, the routine of learning and eventual testing is rather severe! Principal: “Ju Shan Suo” is to train the divine spirits of these souls who will eventually become deities and spirits. The reason is to ensure that their divine spirits are satisfactorily trained and tested so that they can be fitted to be deities after ensuring that their divine personalities can be graduated. After graduation, those who have affinities with other deities are sponsored by them and brought to Heaven for further advanced training, while the rest are sent to Earth to be deities and spirits. Good Soul: Can I request Mr Yang to inform my children especially my daughter Wen Xian that they should pay more attention to, and strive harder in ascetic practice? She is simpleminded and cannot undertake important matters; what a great pity! I hope the office bearers of Sheng Xian Tang will perform their duties

219 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld sincerely and earnestly. At the beginning, when you undertook this journey to Hades, I thought how nice it would be if I could accompany you, and now my secret wish has turned into reality after my death, and so I’m in this place! During my lifetime, I had wished to do more virtuous deeds, but now, with this decayed flesh my wish could not be fulfilled. JiGong: Now that we are aware of the purpose of “Ju Shan Suo” we will have to go to “Shang Shan Ti” and “Fa E Si” and see what happens there. Therefore we will say goodbye to Principal. Yang Sheng: Good Soul, please good care of yourself. We are leaving. Regarding the affairs of Sheng Xian Tang, set your mind at rest. Good Soul: Thank you, thank you. Principal: Officer and Generals; line up and say goodbye. JiGong: Yang Sheng, step on the lotus flower platform and we’ll go to another place to have a look. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can start… JiGong: We’ve arrived at “Shang Shan Si” Yang Sheng: Very true, we are now at “Shang Shan Si” as written at the entrance. Officer in Charge: Welcome JiGong and Yang Sheng to our place. JiGong: Today we would request you to conduct us round your place. Yang Sheng: All the souls here seem to be attended by Good Spirits and appear to be moving freely here and there without being chained or handcuffed. Officer in Charge: When a human being who has more merits than demerits dies, his soul will first of all be sent to join others of the same group to await assessment of their past actions. Souls who are here are very free; they have unrestricted movement, can eat and drink, can have discussions among themselves or can play chess. This place can be used by them as a temporary resting place before being sent to “Ju Shan Suo” for training or to the various Tribunals for investigation. Yang Sheng: Oh I see! JiGong: As our time is limited, we’ll have to go to “Fa E Si” to find out what goes on there. We’ll have to say goodbye to Officer. Officer in Charge: Order all Generals to line up and say goodbye. JiGong: Yang Sheng, step on the lotus flower platform. It is a short distance from here to “Fa E Si”. We have arrived.

220 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Yang Sheng: This place is totally different from “Shang Shan Si”. At the entrance are the words “Fa E Si”. All the souls here are handcuffed and escorted by the soldiers of Hades. They appear to be new arrivals. Officer in Charge: Welcome to both of you to our place. We feel highly honored with your visit. Writing the Book to tell people to do good deeds is a very meritorious act and the honor is very great. JiGong:  You have praised us too highly. As our time here is rather limited, may I request that you conduct us around quickly? Officer in Charge : This place is known as “Fa E Si”.  The souls here belong to those human beings who, during their lifetime, committed sins which were against the relationship of human beings. “San Shi Shen”, the inner spirit inside a person, or the roving day and night spirits, will make records of any misdeeds or sins a person commit daily and will report to Hades. If the sins are very serious, this office will absorb the personal spirit of the evil doer to Hades for punishment; the body of the person will feel sick, headache, giddiness, uncomfortable, not realizing that his soul (personal spirit) is being punished in Hades. After punishment, the soul is released and then re-enters his human body, and all sickness, etc, disappears. In some cases, the handcuffed souls you see here are those of human beings who are still living on Earth. The punishment inflicted is one of the duties of this Office. The second type of duties of this Office is: after a human being who committed great sins on Earth dies, his soul is first sent here for punishment while waiting the results of the investigations of all the Tribunals of Hades, after which the sinful soul will be sent to the various Tribunals for further punishment. This Office can be called a “temporary lock-up place”. Yang Sheng: Oh, is that so? Thank you, Officer, for explaining in such great detail. JiGong: Our time is up and so we have to return to Sheng Xian Tang. Officer in Charge: I will order all Generals to line up and say goodbye. JiGong: Yang Sheng, step on the lotus flower platform. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can return… JiGong:  We’ve arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 60

221 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 61 - 29th July 1978 Visiting the Tenth Tribunal The Dirty Blood Pond and Eastern Peak Pavilion JiGong: During our various visits to Hades, we came across so many souls all stupefied. Before reborn, they did not know who they were. After birth they also did not know who they were. Their eyes have a blank look, exactly like those of couldn’t care-less school children going to school everyday, eating their lunch and playing about without paying attention to their studies and, on examination time, failing miserably, like idiots. I hope you people will behave like good human beings and endeavor to do good deeds. You must not be sinful or do evil deeds against morality thereby avoiding being sent to Hell at death to undergo punishment for your sins – this punishment is most terrible. Today, we will tour Hades again. Yang Sheng, get up on the lotus fl ower platform. Yang Sheng: I’m safely seated, dear Master, we can start…. JiGong: We’ve arrived. Yang Sheng, get down. Yang Sheng: In front of us is a pond inside of which can be seen souls either floating or sinking; cries for help can be heard coming from that direction. Oh! the air is foulsmelling. JiGong: This is the “Dirty Blood Pond”.  Now that you are visiting it, you should be more attentive and be on the alert. Walk quickly so that we can have a closer look and clearer view. Yang Sheng: On the way to the Pond many soldiers of Hades can be seen herding sinful souls along. JiGong: All these souls are going to the “Dirty Blood Pond”. Yang Sheng: The nearer we go, the worse the smelling is the air and the louder the cries for help. The Pond contains very dirty blood; bad-smelling and dirty! General:  Welcome to you, JiGong and Yang Sheng; we had earlier, received information of your coming here today. Will both of you come in and see for yourselves? Yang Sheng: From the distance we can have a clear view. There is no need to go too near. I hope General will explain why sinful souls are sent here to be punished General: Very well. Our Pond is known as “Dirty Blood Pond” and is located in “Nai He Qiao” at a point at the lower course of the River. When sinful souls walk across the Bridge (Nai He Qiao), they will fall down into the pit of poisonous snakes and will be bitten by the snakes and their dirty blood will flow into the Pond inside of which are souls who had committed “dirty” sins. Yang Sheng: Would General kindly explain further in more detail.

222 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld General: Deities and Saints must be given due respect and reverence but there are human beings who use bad language to scold their fore-fathers. Others purposely shift evil on to other people maliciously. Others implicate people by false charges – all such people have dirty hearts. Also, there are people who indulge in sexual intercourse in the open, having no fear of the three lights (sun light, moon light and star light) with no sense of modesty, or shame of others spotting them in action. Again there are others who deliberately become prostitutes to earn money and using most dirty and obscene languages. Others indulge in vicious sensuality thus damaging their bodies; others partake of unwholesome meat and food as tonic for the body, such tonic is heretical doctrine. Others take pleasure in killing living beings, or desecrating places of worship, desecrating holy books. All these sinful souls are sent to this “Dirty Blood Pond” to suffer. JiGong: On Earth, people say that women who die because of child birth are sent to the “Dirty Blood Pond” to suffer. This is not true. Giving birth to babies is but a natural and those who die through child birth are just unlucky. Where is the logic that such unlucky souls should be sent to this “Dirty Blood Pond”  to suffer some more? Therefore, those who have relatives who died through child birth, should do more good and meritorious deeds, say more prayers, print religious tracts for others to read, because, going through the process of child birth, a woman’s heart is full of fear and those who are unlucky to die thereby, their souls will be floating about. It therefore follows that the relatives must do good deeds so that the deities and saints can protect and guide the floating souls. General: What JiGong has just said is perfectly true. I hope human beings will be aware of this. JiGong: We have other places to visit after this “Dirty Blood Pond” and we must say goodbye. General: There is no need to stand on ceremony; in case we have missed anything, please excuse us. JiGong: Yang Sheng, get up on the lotus flower platform and prepare to visit the “Eastern Peak Pavilion”. Yang Sheng: I’m now safely seated; we can proceed now. JiGong: We’ve arrived at the “Eastern Peak Pavilion”. Yang Sheng, get down. Great Emperor: Welcome to both of you, JiGong and Yang Sheng. You have been ordered to write the Book and I have waited for quite a long time for your arrival. JiGong: Great Emperor, your authority is immense. I started from t he First Tribunal and have, at last, reached the last Tribunal under your jurisdiction which justifies the saying that the last usually occupies the highest position. I beg Great Emperor not to be offended by my visiting you last. Great Emperor: JiGong, there is no need to be so modest; the fact that you have come, gives me great joy. Your Sheng Xian Tang’s propaganda on the truth, your scripture and good books distributed widely to people on Earth, to advise them to

223 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld do more good instead of leading evil lives, have resulted in many human beings now doing many good deeds. Seeing these good effects on human beings, my heart is much comforted. Now that you have come here today, it is my duty to be of every assistance. Please, both of you; come inside and let’s have a general discussion. Yang Sheng: Thank you very much, Great Emperor, to be of assistance to us. Great Emperor: Please be seated. I’ll order the General to serve tea and fruits. General: Yes, Sir…They are served. Great Emperor: Please do not be shy. Drink and eat. JiGong: Thank you, Great Emperor, for your kind hospitality. Yang Sheng: The tea is fragrant; the fruits are sweet and delicious. Can I bring a few fruits back to Earth? Great Emperor: It’s just as well if you eat the fruits here! JiGong:  Yang Sheng, don’t be greedy! You already have fruit trees bearing fruit back home and if you take good care of them, you will certainly enjoy the fruits. Great Emperor: The fruits of ascetic practice are different from natural fruits. The latter type can get rotten and are not for practical use! Yang Sheng: The words spoken by dear Master and Great Emperor are now understood by me and I am now the wiser. I am very much ashamed and beg to seek forgiveness. JiGong: Would Great Emperor kindly explain the function of your Tribunal? Great Emperor: Very well. “Eastern Peak” is “Tai Shan,” the first of the Five Sacred Mountains. Our office here controls all the Ten Tribunals and can be regarded as the highest office administering justice, exactly like your Supreme Courts on Earth. This Office also controls all roaming and unattached souls, and also promotes and demotes saints, deities and devils on Earth. Because this Office has facilities to report to “Yu Di” and obtain authority to carry out our work, if the God of Mountains, Local Deities, Heads of Local Deities, any deities under the control of “Eastern Peak” or any of the Ten Tribunals, have any problems, they refer to this Office for solution. Therefore, my Office controls all the Ten Tribunals. But, above us, there is still a “Leader of a Sect in Hades” who controls relieving souls out of purgatory, whereas I am in charge of prosecuting in Hades. Yang Sheng: Can I ask Great Emperor to enlighten me on a certain point? Your Office controls roaming souls. I often hear people say that roaming spirits/souls disturb people on Earth. This shows that there is a loop-hole in the laws of Hades controlling roaming souls.

224 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld Great Emperor: The net of Heaven spreads far and wide. Its meshes are also wide, but nothing escapes. Yang Sheng, what you just said is very true. There are still many roaming souls on Earth disturbing people. Our laws in Hades are truly very strict but we have a merciful heart. We have to be reasonable. There are quite a number of roaming souls on Earth who died through murders, accidents, etc, and we have given them special permission to go back to Earth to take revenge. But when some of these souls are on Earth, they tend to act without due consideration and when they see human beings; they are apt to disturb them. But, if a person has good fate and good luck, or has good morality or ascetic practice, he cannot be harmed. If a roaming disturbing soul does not follow reason and is detected by our Officers or Police of Hades, or the deities on Earth, he will be arrested and brought back here for punishment. This anomaly is the same: in Hades some deities have pity on the roaming souls and give them permission to go to Earth and take revenge, exactly like prisoners on Earth who are set free, but instead of turning over a new leaf and be good, they create more trouble and mischief. Yang Sheng: What Great Emperor has said is true. JiGong: Thank you, Great Emperor, for teaching and explaining to us. It is now time for us to return. Great Emperor: Both of you have gone to great trouble to write the Book and I hope Diyu Youji will be completed soon so that most human beings can be saved. All Officers, line up and say goodbye. Yang Sheng: Thank you, Great Emperor and Officers. I must say goodbye now….I’m safely seated on the lotus flower platform. Dear Master, we can start now… JiGong:  We’ve arrived at Sheng Xian Tang. Yang Sheng, get down. Soul, return to your body. End of Journey No 61

225 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld JOURNEY NO 62 - 30th July 1978 JiGong: Today is a happy and auspicious day. Our two years of hard work obtaining material for our Book, Diyu Youji ends today. This rare Book discloses the truth about human beings. Perhaps there are people who do not believe, but reading this Book is exactly like looking at the movies, scene by scene. I hope that those who read this Book will believe what it tries to convey and will not have any doubts whatsoever. You must realize that “birth” has a small beginning whereas “death” has unlimited continuity which is also omen of birth. bi rth. You must not think that after death, everything is over. In your periodical visits vi sits to Hades, you must have seen that, from ancient times until present day, souls of people who, when alive, had observed filial piety, chastity and loyalty, after death, their souls had a certain brightness which will lead them to Heaven to be respected forever by human beings. But those, who when living went against moral obligations, justice and righteousness, after death, their souls became tarnished and dirty and were sent to the Prisons in Hades to be punished and to undergo sufferings. I do hope that human beings, after reading Diyu Youji will be inspired and will not take the evil path but instead, will follow the righteous one. Today will be our last visit to Hades. Yang Sheng, be more alert, dress properly in preparation to receive your reward. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, I cannot express my happiness. Our job is about to be completed and so we can afford to relax. JiGong: When there’s a will, there’s a way! It is not that Heaven will not help you to achieve success. Step on the lotus flower platform pl atform quickly. Yang Sheng: I observe that today, the lotus flower platform is especially big and has splendorous brightness. JiGong: This lotus flower platform has served us well for two years, ferrying us to and from Hades and Earth, and has grown in size attaining certain brightness thereby. Yang Sheng: Oh! I see it is so mysterious… JiGong: We’ve arrived. Yang Sheng, get down. Yang Sheng: Wow! The field is so big and so busy in front of us. Heavenly music can be heard non-stop. The spacious ground is laid out with so many jade-engraved tables. There are so many beings, never seen before, moving about; some wearing religious robes, some novices of various religious orders, some scholars, some dressed in foreign clothes. I don’t d on’t know from what countries they come from. JiGong: Because Diyu Youji is now about to be completed, the Head of Hades has specially arranged for the front ground of the Palace of Di Zang to be laid out with many tables for dinner. Today, we are the guests of honor. Look – Di Zang Wang Pusa, Deities, Saints, Novices, Scholars, Guests, have arrived to welcome us. Go in front and pay your respects quickly. Yang Sheng: My respects to Di Zang Wang Pusa and all Honorable Sirs. I am Taiwan Sheng Xian Tang’s pupil of Guan Di. I have been ordered to follow JiGong to Hades to gather material for the Book, Diyu Youji. I thank Di Zang Wang Pusa for your mercy

226 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld in allowing all Officers in the Prisons of Hades to give me unlimited assistance in writing the Book. Today, our mission is about to be accomplished and I have specially followed our Master, JiGong, to come here to offer my thanks to you all. I must thank the Head of Hades for his generosity in ordering this sumptuous dinner and I feel very frightened. Di Zang Wang Pusa:  Yang Sheng, arise. Indeed, you and JiGong had been put to much inconvenience. Your intention of saving humanity through the Book is truly what is difficult to achieve is estimable – when one man does d oes something quite out of the ordinary; I have this day specially arranged for this dinner to celebrate your virtuous deeds and the completion of your Book. May I invite both of you to come and occupy the seats of honor? Yang Sheng: I am not worthy of such compliments. JiGong: Today, Di Zang Wang Pusa has specially arranged the dinner in our honor and so we should not decline the invitation. Because of our two years of hard work, the glory is very great. Therefore, follow me to the dinner table. Yang Sheng: Dear Master, I will follow you. As time passes, more guests continue to arrive. An aura of brightness emits from the heads of all those present. I think they are all very devout practitioners. Di Zang Wang Pusa: Today’s dinner is to celebrate the completion of Diyu Youji. Because Hades is accepted and recognized by all religions, the founders of Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and other new religions and ascetic practitioners are all invited to this dinner. Therefore, all Deities, Saints and Sages of Heaven are gathered here to participate. Yao Chi Jin Mu has presented Heavenly peaches and Heavenly nectar for this occasion. Yang Sheng, you are really lucky. Yang Sheng: I thank all Heavenly bodies for having protected and taken good care of me. At the moment Heavenly music can be heard. Di Zang Wang Pusa: The dinner is about to commence and the founders of all religions and the Goddess of Mercy have arrived. Goddess of Mercy: Today, we are privileged to have JiGong and Yang Sheng here with us. Yang Sheng: I kneel to pay my humble respects to Goddess of Mercy. Di Zang Wang Pusa: Now, we will start the dinner; so play the heavenly music…Blessings to all! Everyone present is a heavenly honored guest making our place here so full of brilliance. Sheng Xian Tang has received Yu Di’s Order to write the Book to urge human beings to do good. JiGong is very jovial and when human beings see him, they feel very happy. The words coming from him are like wonderful remedy. He can raise the dead to live again. That is why Yu Di has chosen him for this mission because he is very familiar with the routine in Hades and also the wonders of Buddhist spells. He is also very talented. On the other hand, Yang Sheng is the leading planchette handler of Sheng Xian Tang. His spiritual nature is clear and

227 | P a g e

Journeys to the Underworld bright. He has attained great merits and gratitude by following JiGong to tour Hades, visiting all the Ten Tribunals and Prisons. Now that the Book is completed we will celebrate the achievement by holding this dinner. Also in the Spiritual Realm here, there is no differentiation between any religion, and also all round friendly feeling prevails with spirit of harmony where universal principle of unselfishness exists side by side with justice and equality. I hope all human beings will cultivate morality of Confucius and Mencius, otherwise moral obligations will be damaged, resulting ultimately in human beings becoming uncivilized and savage – this will then be an end to civilization. The universal principle should be; abundant public-spirit to govern all aspects under the sky. Then only can Utopia be promoted and become a reality resulting in human beings attaining happiness. (dinner has started) JiGong: Yang Sheng, don’t be shy. This nectar is heavenly dew and if taken with Yao Chi Jin Mu’s heavenly peach, will make one stronger and attain long life. Yang Sheng: Thank you, dear Master, I’ll not be shy. With this rare opportunity, I’ll eat the more…. Di Zang Wang Pusa : Welcome with respects. Lu Chun Yang Zu Shi has arrived. Lu Zu: No need to be so ceremonious, Di Zang Wang. Yu Di has asked me to bring this citation roll for Yang Sheng to take back as reward to Sheng Xian Tang for writing the Book. Yang Sheng: Thanks for the Divine favor. Di Zang Wang Pusa : Lu Zu, would you kindly join us for dinner? Lu Zu: Thank you… Di Zang Wang Pusa: As time is rather limited and in case we have not entertained you well enough, I beg all Deities and Saints present to kindly pardon me. I am very happy that JiGong and Yang Sheng are able to join us for today’s dinner. I’m very happy indeed. By using planchette writing as a means of teaching people to do good deeds is obedience to Heaven and bestows blessing to mankind. The completion of the Book, Diyu Youji is mainly due to the holy spirit of ancient sages transmitted by planchette writing by means of the willow branch. Human beings must realize that those in Heaven are very much concerned for their welfare. They must observe moral principle, fairness, justice, when dealing with fellow human beings. Otherwise, after death, their souls will have to suffer in Hades. For your information,

Di Cang Wang Pusa is used in Buddhism Feng Du Da Di is used in Taoism And for Hades, it is called “Feng “F eng Du Di Yu” Human beings do not know this and now that the Book is completed, the above additional information and explanation are given. JiGong: My lotus flower platform is now floating in mid-air. For the past two years this lotus platform has been very useful in bringing us to and from Hades and Earth,

228 | P a g e