Translated and Edited by TBF Translation Team

In my spiritual travel—

I have seen many past emperors who are still dwelling in the netherworld. These emperors were known to have been extremely arrogant when they were alive. Yet, upon their death, they all fell into the netherworld.

Why is this so? It really startled me when I first observed this situation.

The answer is simple. Many of these past emperors were very ambitious, seeking great achievements and often engaging themselves in battles either by conquering other countries or being invaded by others, creating a terrible environment, jeopardizing people’s lives and property, causing turmoil and chaos everywhere. The citizens of the [emperor’s own] country, his subjects, were the ones who inevitably suffered from these wars.

Also—

When the emperor was happy, his subjects received immediate promotion and wealth.

[In ancient China] when the emperor was angry, his subjects suffered immediate death, the death penalty extending to all of the subject’s nine generations of paternal and maternal relatives.

This is true of the emperors in China, as well as the [leaders] of other countries. Throughout history, quite often one wrong thought by the ruler of the time caused the deaths of whole cities.

This statement is seen in the netherworld:

"Even one who is an emperor may end up here, for only one who has holy virtue shall ascend to heaven."

I have seen many such cases in the netherworld, where past emperors are still repaying their karmic debts over a long period of time. Until they have paid their dues, it is impossible for them to be freed from their imprisonment.

Indeed, the saying, 'A life as a government official may result in nine lives as an ox' carries much truth.

When I was in the netherworld, I saw many heads of states. I would rather not reveal their identities, but they are there in great numbers. Should a ruler go against the laws of heaven, cause harm to others, disregard ethics, make a careless decision or a wrong statement, it can lead to the deaths of thousands in the land. Therefore, it is important that rulers take great caution in what they say and do!

In fact, inventors must also take note—

Many of those who invented weapons of mass destruction have found themselves eternally imprisoned in the netherworld. It appears that people of virtue are far too few.

I quote from the Analects of Confucius, “I am a Transmitter”:

"I have not yet been able to meet a saint, but I would be satisfied to meet a real gentleman [someone who has made significant progress in self-cultivation]. I have not yet met a man of true goodness, but I would be satisfied to meet a man of constancy [in good deeds and cultivation].

One who has nothing inside, but pretends noble achievement;

One who is weak inside, but pretends strength and courage;

One whose house and pockets are empty, but pretends wealth and means;

How difficult it is for such a one to have constancy!"

(When we perform good deeds, we must do it consistently. Likewise, when we cultivate, we must do it consistently.)

《本文譯自真佛報第456期頭版師尊「真佛論劍」文章「天子皇帝冥府多」》