“If mortals, after reading The Inexorable Nether Laws, pass it on, or reprint it free of charge and circulate it widely while purifying their own minds, all their good aspirations shall be fulfilled. The netherworld will record a great meritorious virtue in their individual Register of Life and Death. Such beings may be absolved of past karmic offenses that would condemn them to hell, and upon the end of their lifespan, ascend to the heavenly realms sustained by this great meritorious virtue.
“Those who slander or obstruct the circulation of this virtuous text shall have grave evil karma marked down in their Register of Life and Death in the Netherworld. When their life ends, they will be cast into the Howling Hell, the Tongue-Pulling Hell, the Eye-Gouging Hell and other hells to endure torment. Even before their natural lifespan concludes, they will suffer afflictions and an untimely death. The exact punishment is determined by the specific circumstances of their slander or obstruction. Should many sentient beings accept and believe their slander, the slanderer will not only receive punishment in the aforementioned hells but also be cast into the Avīci Great Hell, where escape and rebirth become exceedingly difficult!
“Now, we are heavily occupied. You may return for today first and record what I have told you regarding the origins of this book. I hope all mortals will encourage one another, spread these words, diligently cultivate their conduct and inner nature, accumulate virtue and practice goodness.”
Amitabha! I bowed in gratitude to Great Emperor Fengdu, the Nether Sovereign Yama King!
Having pressed my palms together and expressed gratitude to all magistrates and officials, I returned by white lotus flower.
3 / Attending the Tribunal in Person at the Seventh Hall
Grateful for the empowerment of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. This journey to the hells has broadened my knowledge and further strengthened my resolve to uphold the precepts. Since childhood, I have experienced special spiritual perceptions. Events that are about to unfold or will take place in the future often appear to me in visions that resemble dreams yet are not mere dreams. I can clearly perceive my soul departing from my physical body; I see my own body lying on the bed, while my spirit travels forth to witness occurrences, and I retain full recollection of everything I behold. Generally speaking, such visions will later come to fruition in time, or serve as hints, so that I have already dealt with matters before the events occur.
The foresights I received in the past concerned only myself and my family. This time it is different. I am tasked to share these truths with all sentient beings, so everyone may understand how critical every thought is. As the saying goes: If you do not wish others to know of your deeds, simply refrain from committing them. Many ordinary acts unfolding around us each day are transgressions, yet few recognise them as such. Take legally wedded couples for example. Even if they have no extramarital affairs, both may violate the precept against sexual misconduct. Why? Because they fail to observe the prohibitions against intercourse at improper times, in improper places and using improper parts of the body.
Last night, I travelled to tour the hells once more in a state akin to dreaming. Upon arriving, I was enveloped by dense yin energy. Male and female souls here are engulfed in agony, letting out shrill, mournful screams. No smiles can be found here, nor any freedom. Some are bound by iron chains; others are dragged, beaten and pierced with iron forks by ghost enforcers. The ghost enforcers and the magistrates never smile; their demeanor is solemn, and many appear ferocious. Only a few officials of the netherworld bear less menacing appearances; the other ghost attendants look menacing. Unlike the mortal world, the hells never receive sunlight. The sky is a murky grey tinged with faint red hues — an indescribable, deeply oppressive atmosphere.
I arrived at the Seventh Hall of the Netherworld just as a male soul charged with sexual misconduct stood trial. I obtained permission from the Magistrate to go in and observe the trial. Seated in the middle of this great hall was King Taishan, the presiding deity in charge of this hall. This hall contains sixteen lesser hells, all under King Taishan’s administration. Yama King is the highest authority of hell. He governs all of hell, including all Twelve Halls. Each hall has its own king, and every hall‑king oversees sixteen lesser hells. Next to King Taishan were two netherworld officials. One of them was a magistrate. There were also ghost enforcers carrying large broadswords and iron chains. All of them listened to the trial with stern gravity. The atmosphere was ghastly and oppressive, and a cold chill hung in the air.