The Magistrate explained, “This condemned soul was a vital-essence-stealing ghost in its past life. Before that, he was a practitioner who possessed a generous heart yet failed to uphold the precepts. Neglecting the precepts caused him to fall into the ghost path and become a vital-essence-stealing ghost. After descending to the ghost path, he sustained himself by continuously stealing vital essence from living humans and precept-breaking practitioners, which soon condemned him to hell.”
Then the spirit knelt weeping bitterly to confess before Earth Store Bodhisattva and made a vow: “Compassionate Earth Store Bodhisattva! I have erred! I shall practice and uphold the true Dharma lifetime after lifetime, and forever safeguard your teachings.” After Earth Store Bodhisattva graciously accepted his repentance, the ghost enforcers led him away. The Magistrate said he would soon be reborn in the human realm.
The Hall of Initial Turning of Nether Radiance is the only place in the hells that does not feel gloomy to me. It is much like a warm hearth amid the inferno. Normally, my body temperature is very low if I stay in hell for too long, yet I felt quite well today. I was profoundly grateful for Earth Store Bodhisattva’s compassionate empowering radiance!
Empowered by Earth Store Bodhisattva’s divine power, I continued observing the souls here. I noticed the mind light of many souls was growing brighter, and they were drifting upward.
The Magistrate said: “All souls whose mind light rises can be reborn in the human realm, granted another chance to temper their mind and nature.”
I was overjoyed! I wished them all happiness, freedom from suffering, and diligent practice of the true Dharma. Looking toward the entrance, many new souls arrived. It seemed Earth Store Bodhisattva could not rest, for countless living beings still awaited deliverance. The hells stretched boundlessly wide, and I truly did not know when all condemned souls within would be delivered and the hells would become truly empty.
Ayù asked the Magistrate: “What fate awaits the spirit escorted away by the ghost enforcers just now?”
The Magistrate said: “Let me show you!”
We instantly arrived at the Netherworld’s Judgment Hall. There we saw the weeping spirit kneeling and giving thanks for Yama’s verdict. We heard the spirit say: “I am grateful for Yama’s judgment! I am grateful for Earth Store Bodhisattva’s compassion! From now on, I shall reform completely and sincerely practice the true Dharma.” Afterwards, the spirit was taken to drink Meng Po Soup before proceeding to reincarnate.
I asked the Magistrate: “What lies ahead for this soul-entity?” The Magistrate opened the Register of Life and Death, glanced over it, and said: “This soul-entity is destined to be reborn into a wealthy household lacking right understanding and right views. Though affluent, he will suffer persistent poor health; no grave ailments, yet constant minor illnesses. He is fated to be deceived repeatedly by others. At thirty years of age, he begins spiritual practice and will encounter a transformation body of Earth Store Bodhisattva dwelling in the human world to guide him. His practice in this life will be beset by many demonic obstacles, and he will have no child to attend him at his death. These are residual karmic retributions from his past existence as a vital-essence-stealing ghost. His affluence stems from merits gained through almsgiving when he was a cultivator. His poor health and obstacles in practice are the consequences of stealing vital essence from others. This lifetime presents a great trial, a test of the mind. Despite wealth, thoughts of theft will frequently arise within him, driven by past karmic forces. If he abides by his station, faithfully observes the precepts, bears poor health without complaint, endures deception without retaliation, meets demonic obstacles with calm acceptance, and repents immediately whenever stealing thoughts emerge, his spiritual nature can continue to rise after this life. If he acts in the opposite manner, we may meet again here in the hells.”