The second path out of hell is to receive powerful deliverance performed by their relatives dwelling in the mortal world. For living beings trapped in hell, gaining such deliverance from mortal kin is relatively difficult, for this liberation relies on external causes and conditions. Many records in the netherworld document cases where mortal relatives successfully delivered condemned souls to favourable realms; some souls even ascended to the heaven realm or the Western Pure Land. Yet such outcomes do not occur by chance. Before falling into hell, these condemned souls had accumulated corresponding blessing rewards. Their deliverance could never happen spontaneously and must be rooted in good causes and conditions and favourable connections they established in former lives. Therefore, while still possessing complete faculties and sound physical health, all living beings must diligently perform good deeds, abide by laws and fulfill public duties, observe the precepts, accumulate meritorious virtues, and amass blessings for themselves. Never misuse a healthy body to violate precepts and commit transgressions that lead to falling into hell. Once one falls into the hells, they will endure immeasurable suffering with no foreseeable end to their torment.
Those beings who have committed sexual misconduct or created hellish evil karma must understand that every cause yields an effect. Having created hellish evil karma, they will inevitably endure the corresponding karmic retribution in the hells in the future. If one wishes to avoid such retribution, all auxiliary conditions that bring forth this karmic fruit must be eliminated before the retribution manifests. If you want to completely escape falling into the hells due to sexual misconduct in this lifetime, there is only one way: thoroughly eradicate all acts of sexual misconduct. First and foremost, you must strictly govern and restrain your minds and ideas. Do not allow the slightest arising of lustful thoughts and ideas within your mind. Not even a single idea is permitted! The instant any subtle lustful idea emerges, one must repent immediately, and resolve wholeheartedly never to give rise to such thoughts of sexual misconduct again. Furthermore, continually persuade people in the human realm to refrain from sexual misconduct. This resolve is of immense importance.
For beings who chance upon this writing and sincerely seek to cut off sexual misconduct yet fail time and again: you may swear before heaven on the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month that you will refrain from sexual misconduct lifetime after lifetime henceforth. Circulate this virtuous book The Inexorable Nether Laws to others and sponsor its printing. In daily life, rigorously ban all words and deeds connected with sexual misconduct. Adopt a vegetarian diet, and avoid foods that stir up desire such as scallions and garlic, for cooked scallions and garlic stimulate sexual desire. Certain medicinal herbs also stimulate desire, such as morinda root. Minimize the use of such substances.
Animals possess stronger sexual desires than humans; hence one ought not to consume food derived from animals. Apart from inciting licentious behavior, meat consumption also incurs karmic debts for taking lives. Alcohol likewise causes people to indulge in improper conduct and should therefore be avoided. Do not let your eyes view or your ears listen to pornographic publications and materials that disturb and agitate the mind and nature. In addition, persistently cultivate the Buddhadharma diligently, vow to propagate and uphold the true Dharma, and sincerely repent past transgressions of sexual misconduct. It is crucial to genuinely resolve to eradicate all sexual misconduct entirely. If you truly attain the state where “when the mind ceases, offences vanish, and both become empty”, you need not fear the karmic retribution of hellish suffering.
Reciting the holy name of Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva can also gradually help living beings abandon sexual misconduct. If you recite the Bodhisattva’s holy name devoutly each day, you will surely receive the Bodhisattva’s invisible compassionate empowerment, reducing the karmic offences of sexual misconduct that would condemn you to hell. Living beings who uphold their oath strictly after making the vow will be spared the retribution of falling into hell upon the end of their mortal lives and can be reborn in favorable realms. As for the exact extent to which hellish punishment is reduced, the final verdict shall depend on the strength of the living being’s resolve and power of repentance.”
“Shangguan Yuhua! Do you have any further questions?”
“I have none for the moment. I am deeply grateful for your explanations, Great Emperor. This humble commoner bows and takes her leave!”
Ayù paid homage to Great Emperor Dongyue, the Magistrate and all the officials!
I returned riding a white lotus flower!
13 / Spirit of Blessings and Virtues: Tudigong (Earth God)