Once more the yaksha spoke fiercely to the female condemned soul, “You are fortunate today! The Magistrate has taken the trouble to explain so much to you. Get back to your punishments!” He delivered another kick. Alas, these yakshas! Always so fierce and rough‑mannered. Every yaksha here was grim‑tempered. Never fall into hell to suffer; misery meets you everywhere.
Then the Magistrate continued, “Mortals who have committed harsh speech and wish to avoid falling into hell after reading this account may repent of their harsh‑speech karma while still alive. Much depends on how grave the karma is, for instance whether it cost another person their life. Even grave offences can be greatly ameliorated through repentance. Ordinary harsh‑speech karma may be completely purified before the end of one’s lifespan. The method of repentance is the same as that given for false speech yesterday; simply substitute harsh speech for false speech. For example: I, so‑and‑so, at such‑and‑such time and place, committed such‑and‑such an act of harsh speech.
Bear this in mind: repentance must be sincere. This is of vital importance. One single sincere mind penetrates the three periods of time: past, present and future. One sincere mind can exhaust immeasurable evil karmas and reach straight to the principle of the Nether Laws of heaven and earth. Share and spread the sincere repentance method recorded in The Inexorable Nether Laws; doing so can dissolve one’s past evil karmas. The netherworld keeps detailed records of every mortal’s good and evil deeds. Do not neglect small good deeds. Great blessing rewards spring from small acts of goodness and scrupulous observance of the precepts. Remember: do not read this text, perform repentance, and then recklessly commit offences again, repenting over and over with full awareness of your wrongdoing. Those who knowingly transgress receive aggravated karmic retribution.
Ayù, our tour of the Harsh Speech Hell ends here for today. You are welcome to return at another time. I must attend to official duties now.”
“Ayù is bowing to the Magistrate! I am deeply grateful that you helped that auntie today.”
The Magistrate replied, “Do not stand on ceremony. In our view, all condemned souls are equal. The netherworld hopes all such souls can leave hell at the earliest opportunity. Assisting you with your writing is also my duty. Our goal is to prevent more mortals from falling into hell to undergo punishments once their lives end, which in turn eases our workload in the netherworld. I ought to give thanks to you instead. It would be ideal if you could visit more often and publish your book as soon as possible. Reveal all the sufferings of hell to the mortal world, inspiring living people to observe precepts, recite the Buddha’s name and practice good deeds. You must not betray the kindness of the Buddhas, nor the trust of the Jade Emperor and the Yama Kings, who divulge profound heavenly secrets by disclosing the truth of the netherworld and hellish punishments to save mortal beings.
Nowadays mortal beings in the human world commit evil deeds, disbelieve karmic retribution, and act recklessly. Sexual misconduct, killing, theft and false speech have almost spiralled out of control. Their misdeeds offend heaven and disrupt the righteous energy of heaven and earth. The publication of The Inexorable Nether Laws aims to rescue those who have done wrong yet still retain a conscience, guiding them out of the sea of suffering.
Now hurry back to compile your writings. I must attend to official affairs.”
“Amitabha! I am grateful to you for your help amid your busy duties, compassionate Magistrate.” I joined my palms together in thanks.
I returned home riding a white lotus flower.