Introduction:

This little wonderful book titled "Journey to the Underworld" was written by a taiwaness temple keeper/medium in 1997. Claimed that JiGong showed him the underworld (in the astral ). But most important is the purpose of this little write-up - to discourage human from wrong doings and a little about the law of Cause & Effects.

This book is available in most temples. It is also available online:
i) English version :
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html
http://www.6park.com/ghost/messages/2656.html

iii) Easy to read comic version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

I first read it to kill time but soon found it to be a good medium for reflection and mediatation.

Journey #1:
This one hit me hardest! When my father passed away I was the only one beside him. He was sweating profoundly and I was trying to keep him dry with a towel. At the same time he was breathing so heavily like he was doing heavy labour works. (Of course at that time, I didn't realize he was on his journey up this "Xin Tou San").

On another occassion, my father-in-law who was suffering from the dreadful "Cxxxxx" thing, I was at his bedside at the hospital. The moment I saw the same 'symtoms',i.e he was breathing so heavily and sweating, I couldn't control my tears and have the run out and cry in the toilet.

So, when I read this story then I realized that when a person is about to pass on, he had to made this tedious 'uphill journey'. I think the "uphill journey" is not what a physical hill climbing journey is but is symbolic for the tough and tedious journey to hell. As JiGong sifu said "there is no gateway to hell and so the souls will have to encounter and overcome many obstacles and hardships before they can reach there." However, I now learned that if a person accumulate enough karma credit or xiu tao (the correct way), this passage will be easy (as there will be a guidance).

I also felt sad when reading JiGong wish to drunk himself to forget all the sins we human made!

So, to summarize, although this story is short but the message to us it very clear - we are committing too much sins ( even the living Buddha don't know what to do ).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All things alike go through their processes of activity,
and (then) we see them return (to their original state).
Then things (in the vegetable world) have displayed their luxuriant growth,
we see each of them return to its root.
This returning to their root is what we call the state of stillness;
and that stillness may be called a reporting that they have fulfilled their appointed end.
The report of that fulfilment is the regular, unchanging rule.
To know that unchanging rule is to be intelligent;
not to know it leads to wild movements and evil issues.
- Tao De Ching, cap16.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(OM MANI PAME HUM)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Journey#2:

How I wish that I can be 'reborn'!

In our 'modern' world we are living, it's a mad mad rat race. In order to survive, people are now more "goals" orientated and in order to achieve that, it's a mad race for survival. People are less caring because we are blinded by our desire to achieve our "goal" at whatever cost. If someone badmouth us, we hit back with double badmouth.

I also learned (in the past), that when I'm angry I lost my sense of reasoning and can't see the actual situation and would end up doing some silly things or said some silly words, which I would regret later.

I also learned (in the past), that when I hate someone, I'll be so blinded by this hatred and would schemed to seek revenge.

I also learned (in the past), that in my desired to get promotion, I would do whatever it take to achieve that goal.

I think JiGong sifu want us to "open" our eyes and not be blinded by our feeling like desires, hatred, anger so that we don't commit unnecessary sins (which we would have to answer when we pass on).
If we can do that, then we "can see what heavenly spirits can see" (not seeing as physical sight but understanding of what going on). Funny thing, when we understood something we alway said "I see"! (but do we really 'see'?)

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Colour's five hues from th' eyes their sight will take;
Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make;
The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste;
The chariot course, and the wild hunting waste
Make mad the mind; and objects rare and strange,
Sought for, men's conduct will to evil change.
-Tao De Ching, cap12.

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This book is available in most temples. It is also available online:
i) English version :
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html
http://www.6park.com/ghost/messages/2656.html

iii) Easy to read comic version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

Journey3

It's typical human, isn't it? When alive always quarrel and never respect parents, sibblings or spouse or even friends for this matter! After someone passed on, then regrets, cried and do all sort of things 'to make up"!

Another aspect I learned from this Journey is the commercized world we living in. I see these grandeur funeral celebration (yes, I meant celebration) as a result of our successful society. In the past, people are not so well off, thus the funeral is only a simple process (get six pieces of wooden plank and box up the corpse, then bury it. Simple). With the present successful lifestyle, many people left behind huge amount of wealth for their sibblings, thus can afford these grand funeral 'celebration' ..... (not sure if it's tear of sadness or tear of joy!). I've seen a few case myself

In short, I see this Journey as a reminder for us to do good deed(s) in this earth life so that when we passed on, an heavenly spirit will guide us the right path to heaven. At least didn't have to fall into the bottomless cave to suffer or retributions

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When the Great Dao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed,
benevolence and righteousness came into vogue.
(Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness,
and there ensued great hypocrisy.

When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships,
filial sons found their manifestation;
when the states and clans fell into disorder,
loyal ministers appeared
-Tao De Ching, cap18.

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This book is available in most temples. It is also available online:
i) English version :
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html
http://www.6park.com/ghost/messages/2656.html

iii) Easy to read comic version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

Journey4

This Journey clearly show why Taoism is the most religious tolerance religion.
We (taoist) are taught to respect all religion as equal, the 'Tao' of religious tolerance. This religious tolerance also explained why there are Buddhist's, Hindu's and other religion's deities in most taoist temple/sintua. People who cannot accept such thing do not understand that all religion have one ultimate aim ¨ to teach all to do good". These people hasn't found the 'truth path' nor found their 'inner-self'.
JiGong also reminded us to discard our selfishness and cultivate public-spiritedness. This is difficult, but if we bear it in mind and over time, slowly but surely we can do it (if we give it a try).

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Who knows how glory shines,
Yet loves disgrace, nor e'er for it is pale;
Behold his presence in a spacious vale,
To which men come from all beneath the sky.
The unchanging excellence completes its tale;
The simple infant man in him we hail.
-Tao De Ching, cap28.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This book is available in most temples. It is also available online:
i) English version :
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html
http://www.6park.com/ghost/messages/2656.html

iii) Easy to read comic version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

Journey#5

I recalled during one of Dua Kor's sittings, he 'educated' us (the tohtaos and lishi) about the First Tribunal.

One middle-age women (fat and well-dressed) came to consult Dua Kor whether her late father did rec'd those paper things she burnt for him and also how he is doing down-under.

After some checking, Dua kor advised her that those things she 'sent' during the first year was kept aside but recorded as he is serving his punishments for all the evil deeds he done while alive.

After further checking, Dua kor advised her not to sent things like paper tv, dvd, cars,etc because these things don't work down-under. Furthermore, as he is receiving punishment how is he going to enjoy such luxuries? Just 'sent' kim chua n wan seng chien (yellow chanting papers) because he need it to repay his debts. Dua kor also advise her to draw a circle on everything she intended to sent to her late father (this is like a signature) so that other wandering souls wouldn't steal/snatch it.

On whether how her late father is doing, Dua kor laughed and asked her to look at herself - that's the answer! Dua kor said: you're so fat and well-dressed so you must be having a good time here and you're also very kind hearted and generous in donating to charity and such. This in turn had benefited your late father. (Just like JiGong said, " If a human being does evil on Earth, his evil deeds will cause more sufferings to his dead forebears in Hades. This is called “casual relations”. In short, if one does good on Earth, his dead relatives in Hades will benefit; but if he does evil, his dead relatives in Hades will suffer!."

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It produces them and makes no claim to the possession of them;
it carries them through their processes and does not vaunt its ability in doing so;
it brings them to maturity and exercises no control over them;
--this is called its mysterious operation.
- Tao De Ching, cap51.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This book is available in most temples. It is also available online:
i) English version :
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html
http://www.6park.com/ghost/messages/2656.html

iii) Easy to read comic version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

Journey#6

I think the purpose of this book is “prevention is better than cure”. JiGong huo fuo left this wonderful story book for us to see what are the consequences of all wrong doings (not limited to actual evil actions but evil thoughts and intentions as well) so that we won’t commit it.

Ask you a question : Do you sometime experienced this – while reading or writing somethings, at the corner of your eyes you see a white shadow passes by very quickly (zoom....and it disappear)? I was told that this is your ‘guardian angel’.

All that happened during one's lifespan is 'recorded' in a person's memory bank. So don’t think nobody know what you have just done or thinking! This Magic Mirror will reveal to you all the evil deeds that you done during your earthly lifespan. You can hide from other people but you can’t hide from yourself!

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But I have three precious things which I prize and hold fast.
The first is gentleness; the second is economy;
and the third is shrinking from taking precedence of others.
-Tao De Ching, cap67.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This book is available in most temples. It is also available online:
i) English version :
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html
http://www.6park.com/ghost/messages/2656.html

iii) Easy to read comic version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

Journey#7

It is interesting to note that when a person passed on, only his/her soul is left, which is then ‘dragged’ into Hell (to be reborn after reparation of all previously committed wrong doings, and retraining). These souls, even in this intangible stage, do have feelings (as they felt tired and eyes painful after staining for so long). Doesn’t this mean that it’s all in the mind? Living and Dead are no different. Only different is the ‘form’, i.e. when alive, our soul resides in the physical body; once dead, it resides in our mind (memory bank)?

Although this Tribunal punishes monks, priests and nuns for cheating in their services, it showed clearly that everyone’s wrong doings would be punished. So if one cheats in any trade or profession, similar punishment will be met. Thus can those kitong(s) that trance false or ‘pretended’ to be in trance, can go unpunished? Not likely. No one can escape punishment for any wrongdoing.

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Not to value and employ men of superior ability
is the way to keep the people from rivalry among themselves;
not to prize articles which are difficult to procure
is the way to keep them from becoming thieves;
not to show them what is likely to excite their desires
is the way to keep their minds from disorder.
- Tao De Ching, cap3.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This book is available in most temples. It is also available online:
i) English version :
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html
http://www.6park.com/ghost/messages/2656.html

iii) Easy to read comic version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

Journey #8

I learnt many things here.

Seem that not many people take this wonderful book “Journey to the Under-World” seriously or unable to digest such 'delicious' materials?

“The purpose of writing this book is to exhort and teach human beings on Earth”, so said one of the guardian of Wang Si Cheng.

There are many temples and sintuas that perform rituals and prayers to pacify these unfortunate spirits suffering down-under.

JiGong huo fuo said: “I regret to see that human beings on Earth are very stupid. They fall in love and abort the foetus taking away life, so much so that even Sages cannot bear to see. I earnestly ask human beings to change their thinking and their ways and not to commit so much of such sins. Marriage is to perpetuate one generation after another so that there can be “home sweet home”. Spiritual love between man and woman is more rewarding than physical love and must be cultivated and encouraged whenever possible. You, therefore have to use your energy to the best advantage for the benefit of your society and human beings.”

Abortion or miscarriage to some may think are the fault of woman, but in actual fact, man also has to bear the responsibilities. If not the lust of men, how does women get pregnant? If one doesn’t get pregnant, how does act of abortion comes about? Just for lust and a “one night fling” or sweet talk someone into it, one throw caution to the wind, the outcome is devastating.....abortion!

Of course there are other reason for abortion and miscarriage such as:
a) Due to circumstances that does not permit one to have the babies;
b.) Some who does not want to be responsible for these babies;
c) Due to negligence;
d) Those who does not believe in ancient forbidden rules (Causes and Effects);
e) unmarried parents
etc......

One of the Guardian said: “The souls of the soldiers of the Armed Forces who were killed in action sacrificing for their country are specially treated. They are not sent here because such souls are honest, patriotic and righteous. Some are sent to Paradise depending on their past deeds on Earth to answer the divine principal of cause and effect, or to be reborn into good families. There are numerous temples to honor past loyal and patriotic Sages so that human beings can visit and pay their respects. Therefore, I beseech all human beings to be loyal and patriotic to their country so that after death they can be famous and be remembered and worshipped by the future generations.”

Could this be the origin of why people now pray to deity like Guan Ti cong, Chin Swee zhu shi, Ong Ya(s), Nezha, etc....

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He whose boldness appears in his daring
(to do wrong, in defiance of the laws) is put to death;
he whose boldness appears in his not daring (to do so) lives on.
Of these two cases the one appears to be advantageous,
and the other to be injurious.
- Tao De Ching, cap73.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This book is available in most temples. It is also available online:
i) English version :
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html
http://www.6park.com/ghost/messages/2656.html

iii) Easy to read comic version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

Journey #9:

JiGong Huo fuo commented: 'They do not understand the substance and composition of eternal life. To go to Paradise or Hades depends on the actions intentions and deeds of oneself. Paradise is not far and can be reached as quickly as the turning of one�fs head. Hades however is not so near as Paradise and can be avoided through ascetic practices.'

This statement seem to imply that although it's easy for anyone to go to Heaven but most people choose the hard and difficult road to Hell. Why are people now so blinded by our senses (desires, greed, jealousy, lust, pride, ego, temper, hatred, etc...) Society? Lame. But why? This is the accumulated effect through the process of innumerable transmigrations of souls, on rebirth became involved in earthly sins that present people are so sinful. We commit sinful act so frequent it become a habit...a way of life...part of our personality. I remember a wonderful story : Once there was a young man experiencing a down period in this life. Lost heavily in debts and turn to a well-known Sage. The Sage told him to go the seaside and look for a hot stone that can be found at the seaside. This young in desperation for a chance to turn-around, went to the seaside in search of this hot-stone. Industriously, he will pick up one stone after another and throw it away. Soon, hours become day. Days become week, week become months. Without fail, everyday he will go to the sea-side in search of this hot stone. He will pick up one stone and then throw it away...it become a habit. Then one day, he picked a stone that is very hot! But because this routine of picking and throwing is now a habit, he just throw it away! Then went on to pick another and throw it away.

Ask you a question. When you walk, which leg step out first? Your left or your right? Funny isn't it? We always take things for granted. Actually it's not taking thing for granted. It's habit.

Here, Yang Sheng learned that heaven is always fair. Whatever happened have a reason. However, we human are not able to see these reason thus felt Heaven is very unfair, like taking away innocent lives. This is the law of Cause & Effects. The General then give a brief explanation of Cause & Effect - Karma, as follow:
From the beginning of Time, there has been a chain of three cycle cause and effect (Karma) rotation in human existence and these Karmas have been continuing and will continue in human lifetime. Buddha himself had also mentioned this Karma. The meaning of past existence is not the immediate past existence but the accumulation of all the three-cycle past existences of each individual. Take the case of a present short three-cycle existence for consideration. Life is governed by 70% past existence and 30% present existence. Therefore the life span of an individual cannot be changed but his luck can be changed depending upon his behavior and everyday actions. This is also why Feng Shui is so important in our daily life. Because a person's luck can be changed (if you know how to).

Furthermore, we must learn to understand the doctrine of retribution that this is not the matter of revenge in this existence. Revenge breed revenge, there's no end to it. An eye for an eye?.....very soon all will be blinded.

It was also mentioned that Present day human beings are very fond of womanizing, thinking that females owe males a 'flower debt' in the previous life. That is why females must repay and males must womanize, they think. It cannot be argued that this action is to offset the previous Cause and Effect. The true meaning of retribution according to Karma is the happening of actions unintentionally; therefore the present intentional action or womanizing on purpose, is a great sin which will have to be repaid in the future existence. But sad to note that 'ying shiong bu kuo mei ren quan' ( or was it only an excuse to flirt?)

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If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom,
it would be better for the people a hundredfold.
If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness,
the people would again become filial and kindly.
If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thieves nor robbers
- Tao De Ching, cap19.

= * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * =

"Journey to the Under-World" is available here (FOC):

i) English version:
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html

iii) Easy to read version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

Journey #10

The First Tribunal is a ‘reporting station’ where dead souls are taken for ‘sorting’.

The Second Tribunal is the first Tribunal that punishes these souls according to the evil doings. It’s interesting to note that Hell is also ever-changing....new ‘division’ are formed to accommodate new sins created by inventions. The more human advances, the more evils they become. I wondered what happened to the inventor of atomic bomb!

In every Tribunal there is a special pulpit for preaching and discourse to the souls to rehabilitate them. This passage also explained why now a new born child is more enlightened, intelligent and active than one born many decades ago. Sadly, this is also why people are getting more and more evil. And thus I paused and ponder on this word ...’EVIL’.

Evil is a very powerful and negative word. So we are told that through ‘continuous transmigration of souls’ human are now more evil than before. Thus evil is in essence ever preset because we all hold the seeds for evil in our ‘shadow’ from our past 'birth & death' cycles. Not that human are born evil, but rather like the yin yang trigram, everyone contains a bit of darkness, and a bit of good. If one does not recognize the capability of inciting these shadows, perhaps the shadow will overtake you.

Funny we don’t find capital punishment as evil! Isn’t killing evil. Capital punishment is only another word for killing.

Funny we don’t find gambling evil. We gamble (bet in 4d, toto, soccer, cards, etc....) because we needed the money? To get out of debts?

Funny we don’t find divorce evil....leaving behind those poor children a broken home? And the list goes on.....

If we confront the problem of evil by understanding what it is and by bettering ourselves, by diminishing our capability of performing evil, of being evil....the battle is half won!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thus it is that to leave the subject of living altogether out of view is better than to set a high value on it.
- Tao De Ching, cap75.

= * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * =

"Journey to the Under-World" is available here (FOC):

i) English version:
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html

iii) Easy to read version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

Journey #11

JiGong Huo Fuo introduces this chapter by quoting Zhuang Zi:
“I did not like to be born, suddenly I was born;
I also did not like to die but suddenly I had to die.”

This means that the “birth and death” cycle is beyond the control of human beings, but to a certain extent we can still control birth and death. Because of the lack of comprehension of the meaning of birth and death, people do not really know what is birth and what is death. Therefore the King of Hades controls birth and death.

If there is no ‘birth and death’ cycle, why do we pray and sacrifice to the hungry ghosts during 7th Month Pudu Festival (Festival of Hungry Ghosts)? Why do we pray to our ancestors during Ching Ming? Even muslims pray to their ancestors during their new year day!

This wonderful book “Journey to the Under-World” showed us all the punishments and sufferings in Hades so that we can take the correct route in order to avoid these ‘wrong turns’. Don’t take Lu Cangyong’s “shortcut of Mt Zhongnan”
( for more details, visit http://www.eng.taoism.org.hk/daoist-belief...ise/pg2-6-4.asp ).

I suggest those with a weak stomach give this chapter a miss.

On first reading, I lost my appetite for almost a week!

Physical torture is bearable, mental torture?.......Can you image being throw into a pool of excrements? The thought made me turn inside out! This punishment is for those whom lived by cheating and unscrupulous earnings. (Don’t believe? Well....)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All things alike go through their processes of activity,
and (then) we see them return (to their original state).
Then things (in the vegetable world) have displayed their luxuriant growth,
we see each of them return to its root.
This returning to their root is what we call the state of stillness;
and that stillness may be called a reporting that they have fulfilled their appointed end.
The report of that fulfilment is the regular, unchanging rule.
To know that unchanging rule is to be intelligent;
not to know it leads to wild movements and evil issues.
- Tao De Ching, cap16.

= * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * =

"Journey to the Under-World" is available here (FOC):

i) English version:
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html

iii) Easy to read version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

JOURNEY NO. 12

JiGong Huo Fuo said: “do not regard this book lightly and treat it as an amusement book for the purpose of killing time. I hope that people will take it seriously and regard this as a matter of importance.”

This narration on “Hades o the Hungry Ghosts” highlighted the retribution of those who waste food and inhuman person. This is the law of “Cause & Effects”.

It appeared that the world is very unfair. There are rich people who doesn’t appreciate the gift of food and there are millions suffering with starvations. We didn’t have to look far away to see such wastage. Go to any food court you can see people ordering so much food but only taste a little bit and left the bulk of the food wasted. Functions like company’s events (Lunches and Dinners), Wedding dinners, Religious festivals, weekend outings, so much foods are wasted after these functions!

In Africa alone, there are millions suffering starvation:
(from a UN report)
http://www.worldrevolution.org/news/feature30.htm

In a well-developed country like Singapore, sadly there are also people starving. How many time have I seen old folks collecting paper boxes and used tin cans in the street, just for their daily meals! And yet.......

And yet well-off people do not relish their good fortune and help the poor. If only these well-off folks will do a little bit, there will be lesser sufferings (and at the same time accumulate merits). We, should therefore, “in this present life do charitable and good deeds to help those in need, or, printing and distributing moral tracts to advise people to do good. Not only will your name be known for a hundred years, but your good and meritorious deeds will be remembered and your souls will also go to Paradise.”.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Therefore the sage seeks to satisfy (the craving of) the belly,
and not the (insatiable longing of the) eyes.
He puts from him the latter, and prefers to seek the former.
- Tao De Ching, cap12.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This book is available in most temples. It is also available online:
i) English version :
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html
http://www.6park.com/ghost/messages/2656.html

iii) Easy to read comic version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm

Journey No.13

Naihe qiao aka Naihe Bridge:


Naihe qiao akak Naihe Bridge fascinates me!

In Chinese mythology, Naihe bridge is the bridge between the world of the living and the bridge of the dead. When a person dies, depending on one's karma and also all the deeds that he has done will then be assessed, the ultimately kind person will then be sent to heaven to reap the seeds he has sowed, whearas the ultimately sinful person will be sent to hell via the bridge of naihe, where he/she'll have to atone for all the wrong doings committed and before being given another chance and get reborn back into the mortal realm.

The Naihe bridge has special significance for lovers. One popular lovers' oath goes thus:
"We can not be born on the same day, but we ask to die at the same time. If one of us leaves a year early, three years on the Naihe Bridge we promise to wait." Because one year in the world of the living is equivalent to three years on the Naihe bridge, it is also a sign of the lovers' resolve to stay together.

In 1960 there was a famous musical film show entitled “Sister Lu” also popularly known as ‘Lu san zhe’. In this classical, it demands some classical way of singing, which is different from the rhythm of pop songs.
And at the end of the song, the lyrics say if one of the two couldn't live up to the promise of being together for one hundred years and dies at the age of 97, he or she should wait on Naihe Bridge, at the gates of the underworld, for three years. What a way to describe love!

The Draught of Forgetfulness (Mengpo's Soup)
After a person dies, and before he is reincarnated, he is asked to drink the Mengpo soup, which will allow him to forget everything in his previous life, and be reincarnate with a blank slate.
However, a person's past karma is not eradicated. Karma accumulation is an ongoing process till a person break away from the birth and death cycle.

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Men come forth and live; they enter (again) and die.

Of every ten three are ministers of life (to themselves);
and three are ministers of death

There are also three in every ten whose aim is to live,
but whose movements tend to the land (or place) of death.
And for what reason?
Because of their excessive endeavours to perpetuate life.

But I have heard that he who is skilful in managing the life
entrusted to him for a time travels on the land
without having to shun rhinoceros or tiger,
and enters a host without having to avoid buff coat or sharp weapon.
The rhinoceros finds no place in him into which to thrust its horn,
nor the tiger a place in which to fix its claws,
nor the weapon a place to admit its point.
And for what reason?
Because there is in him no place of death.
- Tao De Ching, cap50.

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This book is available in most temples. It is also available online:
i) English version :
http://www.geocities.com/compassiontoall/j...u_contents.html

ii) Chinese version:
http://www.webhope.info/lcbook/Dy/Dy.html
http://www.6park.com/ghost/messages/2656.html

iii) Easy to read comic version:
http://delta.xxking.com/hell/index.htm