Ayù is a Buddhist disciple who has taken refuge in the Three Jewels and observes the Five Precepts. I feel deeply honored that out of compassion, the Buddha has entrusted me with this mission. As stated in the Earth Store Bodhisattva Fundamental Vows Sutra, to enter the hell realms, one “must rely either upon divine spiritual power or karmic force”. In truth, without the Buddha’s grace and empowerment, I lack the sufficient merits, blessings and wisdom to shoulder this sacred undertaking. Yet I will cherish this opportunity dearly and exert my utmost efforts to fulfill this great task arranged by the Buddha out of compassion.
There is a well-known saying: “Those who propagate the Dharma are Bodhisattvas; those who protect the Dharma are Buddhas.” All meritorious virtues ultimately originate from the Buddha. The Buddha makes countless arrangements and continually bestows blessings behind the scenes, unseen by us all. Therefore, all practitioners and cultivators must earnestly uphold the precepts to repay the kindness of the Buddha and one’s spiritual teachers.
Written with reverence by Shangguan Yuhua,
an unworthy disciple
[Register of Life and Death]
Register of Life and Death
Per Ayù’s firsthand visions, the Register of Life and Death is pale yellow. Its cover is adorned with linear ornamentation inscribed with the three Chinese characters 生死簿 , and it is bound in the traditional thread‑book format.
This pale yellow tome records every fortune, misfortune, blessing and disaster that befalls souls during their mortal incarnations. Netherworld magistrates also possess a dark red Register of Life and Death, which stores exhaustive personal dossiers for souls dwelling in the nether realm. It matches the pale yellow volume exactly in binding and styling, with color as its sole distinction.
[Pass to the Underworld]
Pass to the Underworld