Earth Store Bodhisattva said: “The mortal Shangguan Yuhua shall compose The Inexorable Nether Laws, a virtuous book designated by the nether realm to exhort people of the mortal world to abandon evil and return to goodness. Now tell Ayù: how did you end up in the Avīci Hell, and what crimes did you commit in your lifetime?” Weeping bitterly, the male soul replied that when he was alive, he specialized in developing aphrodisiacs for licentious purposes. He also produced obscene books and discs promoting masturbation, earning great wealth from these deeds. He admitted these were his grievous misdeeds and begged the Bodhisattva to save him. Earth Store Bodhisattva instructed the male soul: “Licentious aphrodisiacs, obscene books and discs corrupt people’s good, pure mind and nature. In particular, discs promoting masturbation shake the mind and nature of young boys with pure yang constitution. Once such youths fall into these bad habits, they embark on a path that harms their bodies, shortens their lifespan and severs their wisdom life—a transgression not pardoned by the nether laws. You cannot leave this hell until all such obscene articles made in the mortal world have completely vanished.” As soon as the Bodhisattva finished speaking, the male condemned soul was immediately dragged back into the hell.
Then it was the female soul’s turn. The female soul said: “I was beautiful, highly educated and eloquent when alive. Yet I was deeply greedy, arrogant and full of jealousy. Though married, I looked down on my husband and treated my parents-in-law without filial piety, often assaulting them with harsh, bitter words. I secretly engaged in multiple extramarital affairs leveraging my charm. I manipulated others with words so they handed over their money to me, then drove them into inferiority and to their deaths. I thought I was clever and no one would ever find out. The three men I drove to death filed accusations against me before Yama King. The king ordered the three souls to go back to the mortal world to seize my spirit and bring me to hell for punishment. Before being sent to the Avīci Hell, I had already endured all manner of torments in other hells. I beg you, Bodhisattva, rescue me. If I can leave, I will reform myself and never deceive others again.”
Earth Store Bodhisattva said: “Your fine features are the karmic result of sincerely offering flowers before the Buddhas in your past lives. Your eloquence and intelligence come from listening to the Dharma and reciting sutras in former lifetimes. Nevertheless, your arrogance dragged your life straight downwards. You ought to repent and reflect deeply upon the magnitude of the four great kindnesses. Remain here in the Avīci Hell to earnestly repent.” Right after the Bodhisattva spoke, ghost enforcers used their forks to prod the female soul back inside. A shrill, agonizing scream echoed forth.
Next came the other male soul. He said that in his earthly life, he manufactured and sold counterfeit medicinal herbs and fake wine. He also secretly trafficked weapons. After amassing huge profits, his enterprises kept expanding. He slandered other people’s reputations to boost the fame of his own company. He knew he had erred after arriving in hell, yet it was already too late.
The male soul pleaded: “Bodhisattva, please save me! I implore you. The suffering here is unbearable. I would even be willing to become another dog beside you. I can follow your hound and be a hardworking, obedient little dog at your side. Bodhisattva, please deliver me out of this place!”
Earth Store Bodhisattva instructed: “Selling counterfeit medicinal herbs and trafficking weapons gravely endanger human lives. Such acts are strictly prohibited even by mortal laws, and the nether laws mete out far harsher retribution. Upon the end of their lifespan, wrongdoers are cast into the Avīci Hell with no hope of transcendence. You must engage in sincere repentance within the Avīci Hell! The creature beside me is not a dog; its name is Diting. Diting is cultivated in the Dharma, manifested from my own mind and nature, and is not an animal born within the six paths of reincarnation.”
“I humbly ask Earth Store Bodhisattva: may Ayù speak with Diting?”
Earth Store Bodhisattva replied, “You may speak, Ayù.”
I said: “Amitabha! Diting! I did not know you were also cultivating the Dharma. I once thought you merely accompanied the Bodhisattva each day, and I truly admire you. You can follow Earth Store Bodhisattva day and night to liberate living beings everywhere. Ayù rejoices in all your meritorious virtues!”
Diting said: “You are too modest, Ayù. We are both cultivating. As the saying goes: ‘Fulfill the duties belonging to your station; attend to all matters within your responsibility.’ Every living being ought to exert their utmost strength and perform their own obligations well. While faithfully carrying out all one’s duties without fault, one should also undertake acts to aid others, namely altruistic deeds. To help others is in truth to accumulate meritorious virtues for oneself. Before we attain Buddhahood, all so-called altruistic acts we perform ultimately benefit ourselves, for our own blessings and virtues are yet incomplete. Until our blessings and virtues are fully perfected, we still need to amass blessings, virtues and spiritual provisions. Therefore, assisting others is gathering the provisions needed for our own cultivation. Only the Buddhas possess perfect, complete blessings and virtues. Hence only the Buddhas can be said to act wholly for others’ benefit. I, Diting, am blessed by the Bodhisattva’s compassionate care, granting me the opportunity to learn steadily.”