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The Netherlands Houses Many Emperors
- From TBN, issue 456
- By Living Buddha Lian Sheng, Sheng-Yen Lu
- Translated and Edited by True Buddha Foundation Translation
Team
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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.)
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