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/Officer.
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.
VISITING THE COMMON PEOPLE'S SECTION
A City. Lots of people moving about. Everyone smiling and in happy mood. Absence of hell guards in this place.
A human being whose merits and de-merits balance, who had no hatred but more love when alive, after death, his/her soul will be sent here.
Life is like in Earth, with merchants and farmers. During his lifetime, it is good person was either a merchant or a farmer, after death his soul will be sent here to be either merchant or a farmer but conditions are not as advanced as on Earth and he has to work hard.
Buildings are made of wood, unlike mansions in Earth, as suitable for souls to stay in wooden buildings.
There are restaurants and shops. There are chaps very much like people on Earth but keep their hair long with old fashioned dress. This section had souls with different generations, and keep their old methods of living.
Although Earth and Underworld are separated, yet the mind is same. What occupation the person had in Earth, he will follow the same occupation after death.
The farmers use manual labor working the farm, no animals or machines. This is because the souls not so lucky like those on Earth, they have to depend on their own hands, sweat and strength to work the farms.
Life
The souls here have three meals (food and drinks). They have seven passions (joy, anger, grief, fear, love, hatred and desire) and six roots of sensation (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind).
There is marriage in this Section.
They will grow old with age and when the time comes, they are retired and reborn.
Burning of joss paper, candles, joss sticks etc
A square inch of land can be worth an inch of gold. Burning of joss sticks etc, turning into ashes on earth, transforming into gold in this Section. The souls will enjoy the benefits of the joss paper burnt throught their five vitals absorbing vapor. This is exactly like human beings absorbing nourishment for promotion of body growth.
Dream of dead relatives asking for money etc
In Underworld, the souls consume the vapor or fume of food offerings. The souls must do work if not, their energy is lost. Therefore, they asking for food to replenish the lost energy.
Not necessary to burn a lot of joss papers etc. A token burning will meet the case as mark of respect. The reason why the living make offerings in any form to the dead is to show their gratitude and respect to the dead, this is quite alright considering the living are left with money by the dead, the benefits which the dead cannot enjoy.
When the joss papers of different qualities are burnt and arrive in Underworld, there are bound to be many 'returned cheques' which means manufacturers who want to make easy money will have to answer their misdeeds, after they die.
Difference to the sinful souls in Underworld
More freedom. But must obtain permission when they want to visit Earth e.g. 7th month of lunar calendar.
Narrated by JiGong:
I advise humans to engage in regeneration, and learn the ascetic practices so they can acquire knowledge of the truth, and realize that their bodies are all but illusory. They should not hold on to life after death. If they do not mend their ways and lead a path toward spiritual perfection, they will never escape from the cycle of birth and death. They will be entangled in the vicious circle without end.
For further details, please visit Journey #59
FOr
No comments:
Post a Comment