The female soul continued crying: “My head, my ears and my eyes were cut off piece by piece. Cutting the head hurt the most. The doctor sliced my head many times, hooked me out with a sharp blade-shaped hook, and clamped me with forceps. Every cut brought excruciating pain. I had no strength left to resist, and blood flowed nonstop. I shall never, never forget that suffering. The doctor who performed this abortion lacked experience. Her movements were slower than the previous doctor’s, and she made mistakes. Fewer cuts would have sufficed, yet her clumsy errors required extra instruments that intensified my agony — curette style agitators, suction cups, hooks, all used far more often than before. All this suffering came about simply because they did not want me. I will not seek vengeance against the doctor, for she suggested letting me be born, but they refused. They deprived me of seeing the light of day. It is their fault. They wished me dead time and again. I hate them both endlessly. I curse them to suffer miserable fates forever; I will never let them go.” Another wave of tormented wailing followed. Alas! She harbored such intense resentment and desire for retaliation. It seemed the expectant parents needed to engage in profound repentance. After all, what difference does it make whether a child is a boy or a girl?
The Magistrate said: “Yama King has granted this female infant soul permission to reincarnate once again into the household of these very same parents to exact karmic retribution. This time, the spirit will dwell within her mother’s womb while holding the yellow warrant token. When she fully assumes human form, the yellow token will lie directly over her genital region, misleading physicians into mistaking her for a male fetus. Throughout the pregnancy, she will receive devoted care and eager anticipation from both parents. Inevitably, they will be disappointed at her birth to find she is a girl—this is King Yama’s decree. These parents have failed to abide by moral duties, violated nether laws, and committed the crime of murder. The couple originally enjoyed considerable family blessings and good fortune, yet their two acts of abortion have reduced their blessings and shortened their lifespans across the board. In time, they must also endure the karmic repercussions of this daughter’s unfilial conduct toward them in this new life. It is not that Yama King has sentenced these parents to future suffering; their hardship arises solely from their violation of the universal law forbidding killing. Had they given birth to the child during the first pregnancy, their blessings and longevity would have remained intact. One reaps exactly what one sows. To slay any sentient being dooms the perpetrator to future karmic consequences: being killed by others, having a short life, and often falling ill. No matter how rapidly human technology advances, the three foundational laws of yin virtue will never change: saving lives, safeguarding widows’ chastity, and performing anonymous acts of supreme kindness. The eternal moral ethics of heaven, earth, and humanity are immutable. Every living being holds an inherent right to survive. Countless infant souls arrive in the netherworld each day, victims of deliberate human abortions. Nether law imposes severe punishment on those who commit such homicides. Even those who urge others to have abortions shall suffer depleted blessings and a shortened lifespan—all the more so those who have abortions themselves. Conversely, those who persuade others to spare unborn lives may gain blessings and longevity. The nether authorities will record a substantial hidden merit on their personal Registers of Life and Death, benefiting both themselves and others.”
The Magistrate went on to instruct Ayù: “Mortal people in the present age have largely lost an understanding of karma. Many falsely believe that unborn fetuses lack consciousness. In truth, once a life is conceived, it is like a human being, although still very fragile. It has memories and can feel pain. In particular, infant souls that have taken human form feel pain more strongly than those conceived only a month earlier, and so on. Ayù, listen to the grievances of the infant souls within the Wailing City of the Wrongfully Dead, and you will understand that the gynecological illnesses, back pain, headaches and other persistent bodily ailments of mothers who have had abortions are all connected to these wronged infant souls.”
I gazed upon the Wailing City of the Wrongfully Dead. It stretched on for an unimaginable expanse, its boundaries far beyond the scope of my sight. Unending, deafening wails of infant souls echoed throughout the city, and their suffering was heart-wrenching beyond measure.
Before departing, I resolved to visit the female infant soul soon to be reincarnated. “Amitabha! Little sister, cease your weeping. When you are reborn, you must practice filial piety toward your parents. Your mother will endure ten arduous months of pregnancy to carry you. Moreover, cycles of vengeance perpetuate endless strife. Yama King has bestowed this warrant token upon you, ensuring that this time you will not suffer abortion again. Let go of your desire for revenge.” At my words, the infant soul flared with rage: “Impossible. I will never pardon them.”
I said: “Consider this. Without King Yama’s warrant token, there is no knowing how much longer you might have had to wait to be reborn. You ought to be grateful to Yama King.” Her tears subsided upon hearing this, seemingly acknowledging her debt of gratitude toward the King. I urged her to honor his benevolence. She conceded she would thank Yama King, yet insisted she would still exact retribution against her parents.
“Farewell, little sister. Amitabha! May no further misfortune befall you; take care.”
I pressed my palms together toward the Magistrate. “My deepest gratitude, Magistrate.”
I took my leave for that day, riding a white lotus flower back to the human realm.
22 / Karmic Retribution for Abortion Doctors in This Life and Future Lives — Incarceration in the Shattering Hell for One Hundred Thousand Years