We consume countless disposable products each day, such as chopsticks, paper tissues and assorted elaborate packaging, continuously generating pollutants. As we indulge in exquisitely crafted daily necessities, home appliances, furniture, genuine leather sofas, leather garments, silk apparel and ornate decorations, do we pause to reflect that we merely spend money to acquire these goods, yet behind these polished, beautiful items lies the sacrifice of countless unknown, pitiful living beings, or immense expenditure of manpower and resources? Are these beings sacrificed ruthlessly to serve humanity truly willing to become feasts for people, or to have their skins stripped and worn as clothing? If we could ask these creatures, surely they would refuse. This is one major factor behind the harm inflicted upon sentient beings and environmental degradation.
The second factor is human thoughts and ideas. Riding public transport or walking along streets each day, we see countless people whose faces betray exhaustion, sorrow, vexation, anxiety and fear. In truth, many people have spirits attached to them, making it extremely difficult for them to live happily and smoothly.
We humans constantly radiate all manner of negative thoughts and ideas. Animals slaughtered for food likewise emit powerful sentiments of resentment born from life-and-death suffering. These vengeful emotions linger in the surrounding space. The souls lie in wait to retaliate, ready to unleash all kinds of disasters upon humanity at any time. Our thoughts and ideas directly shape climatic shifts across nature. The changes in weather we experience now are the karmic retribution brought forth by our daily mental states. Hence a sutra states: “Contemplate the nature of the Dharma realm; all things are created by the mind alone.”
Namo Amitabha! Grateful for the empowerment of the Buddha, I departed riding a white lotus flower.
I caught sight of the two underworld messengers, Ox‑Head and Horse‑Face, ahead. I wondered where they were bound. I decided to go over and greet them.
“Amitabha! May I ask where you two, Ox‑Head and Horse‑Face, are heading?”
Ox-Head replied, “Oh! Ayù, you have come. Has The Inexorable Nether Laws been finished?”
“I am ashamed. I must strive harder. I will complete it as soon as possible. Thank you both for your concern. I see you two are constantly busy every time we meet. May I ask whether your work brings pressure? Would you be dismissed by the Nether Sovereign Yama King if you mistakenly apprehend the wrong person? You always look stern. Why not smile? Experts say maintaining a joyful state of mind improves health and relieves stress!”
Ox-Head said: “Ox‑Head and Horse‑Face serve as frontline personnel of the netherworld. Every day we receive numerous mortal death notices issued by the netherworld, namely the nether edict for soul entities, referred to simply as the nether edict.
“The nether edict for soul entities comes in two colors: pale yellow and dark crimson. Pale yellow nether edicts are carried by officials of the Good Reward Division and Evil Punishment Division of the netherworld to the mortal realm, to escort the souls of the deceased into the netherworld. Only dark crimson nether edicts are wielded by us Ox‑Head and Horse‑Face. A pale yellow edict signifies that the deceased mortal possessed abundant good karma. A dark crimson one indicates heavy evil karma, meaning the spirit shall descend into various hells to receive punishment.