Disclaimer:
I am layman Buddhist/pagan.
The summary is based on what I perceive is 'important' in the book.
Conversation in between Deity JiGong, Yang Sheng and Prison Guard
If there is contradiction of meaning convey, the book prevails.
There are times I might questioning parts of the points inside the book doesn't mean I don't believe it. I need enlightenment on the doubts that I raise.
VISIT TO THE 7TH TRIBUNAL. INTERVIEW WITH THE KING OF HIGH MOUNTAIN VISIT TO PRISON BLAZING HEAT
Previously, there is an author who wrote the book after touring the Underworld. Nowadays, the world has change to the worse, so the mode of punishment in Hades will have to be changed to meet present day sins. The purpose of writing, printing and distributing this Book, has advantage of doing good deeds than evil deeds.
Narrated by King of High Mountain
It is customary when a person dies, his family will observe 7x7th day death ceremony prayers by employing monks to chant prayers hoping to release the soul from sufferings. The living tend to believe that the observance of first 7th day ceremony will help to lead the soul through 1st Tribunal, the second 7th day ceremony will help to lead the soul through the 2nd Tribunal, and so on, until 7th day ceremony which lead the soul to 7th Tribunal. It is not easy as that as the kin do not know whether the deceased committed how many sins. They think that after passing through 7th Tribunal, the soul would automatically pass through 8th, 9th and 10th Tribunal and then ready for rebirth. It is advisable the living not to waste so much money in paying and chanting of prayers in connection with 7x7th day ceremonies; rather, when one still alive it is better that he does more good deeds than evil deeds. Therefore, when one is alive, one must endeavour to do good whenever possible so that accumulation of good deeds done during one's lifetime will result in 'lucky saints' coming to guide the soul on its journey to death. No need to waste money by paying for chanting of prayers because no amounting of chanting can help a sinful soul to escape punishment.
Why do living always talk of 7x7th day, why not 8x7th or 9 x7th or 10 x 7th day?
Narrated by Prison Guard: In Underworld, the most important Tribunals are the first 7 Tribunals; it is in these 7 Tribunals that most sins are punished and 8th, 9th and 10th Tribunals will only deal with leftover sins that not dealt by first 7 Tribunals. It is good that descendants of dead persons should observe filial piety after death but it is definitely preferable that all parties, while still living should do good deeds.
Narrated by JiGong: When a person dies, his soul will have to undergo punishment in various Tribunals until his soul is due for rebirth. The descendants naturally wish the soul to be released from much sufferings. Therefore, they must do good deeds so as to influence the Heads of various Tribunals to remit sins of their forebears. If the descendants want to engage monks to chant prayers, the prayers will be effective only when chanted by monks who are very pious, otherwise the prayers will not have effect. I suggest human beings that is it better to respect their elders when they are still alive e.g. feed them grain of rice when they still alive rather than offering them a feast or wine after they are dead. Another way to relieve suffering of the soul of dead is for children to print and distribute religious books. By doing this kind of good deed, the soul of the dead will not suffer much.
Prison of Blazing Heat aka Prison of Red Hot Bricks
Because of great heat, it is difficult to breathe. The floor is paved with red bricks red hot, sinful souls walking the length of red hot brick floor keep tumbling and rolling on it, wailing loudly because of pain. At the beginning, the floor is not hot but it gets hotter and hotter as the journey progresses until when the bare feet of the souls cannot stand the heat of the floor, they start to jump and lose their balance, roll on the hot floor, the more they roll, the more feet and bodies get burnt.
Punishment for the following types of sins:
1) Those who over aspire for fame and gain, with sole aim of enriching themselves.
2) Those inclined towards opposite sex but are heartless and unhelpful to those of their own sex
3) Those who exploit or take under advantage of misfortunes of others
4) Those who hot tempered and often curse Heaven and Earth
5) Opportunist who use stealthy means for their own selfish ends and benefits
6) Those who worship the rich and influential but despise and look down upon the poor and less fortunate
7) Those who are partial and virtueless in all their dealings
The prison fire heat is adjusted to the multitude of the sins committed by each person, less sinful soul, less heat, more sinful soul, more heat.
For further details, please visit Journey #42
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