“Yes, Magistrate. Ayù shall obey. I will do everything within my power.”
I returned by white lotus flower.
13 / First Encounter with Emperor Fengdu, Supreme Ruler of the Netherworld
I had devoted my utmost efforts to composing The Inexorable Nether Laws. Though I, Ayù, have limited schooling and my writing is simple and unrefined, my sincere wish that all sentient beings uphold the Buddha’s precepts is utterly genuine.
Recently, I witnessed a female fellow‑practitioner relentlessly slandering Teacher Tan. Her speech was vehement and allowed no room for reconciliation. Teacher Tan has shown me great kindness, and I have learned many vivid Buddhist truths from his writings, for which I am deeply grateful. Furthermore, the King of the Netherworld personally appointed Teacher Tan to review the manuscript of The Inexorable Nether Laws, and the teacher readily accepted the task. For the sake of liberating sentient beings from suffering and granting them joy, Teacher Tan would never decline such a mission. If slander against him hindered the publication and circulation of this book, the consequences would be extremely grave.
Hence I must do my part to stand up in support of Teacher Tan at this juncture. I will personally consult the Magistrate to clarify the truth of all matters.
Grateful for the empowerment of the Buddha! I set forth riding upon a white lotus flower.
I pressed my palms together in greeting to the Magistrate.
Today I wished to ask the Magistrate: “Is what Teacher Tan expounds the true Dharma?”
The Magistrate replied: “What Teacher Tan expounds is indeed the true Dharma; there is no need to doubt it. Otherwise, why would the King of the Netherworld appoint him to review this book? Ayù, by posing such a question, you seem to disregard the wisdom of the King of the Netherworld.”