Introduction to Yu Li Ch'ao Chuan

Back in 2018 I had a psychedelia trip that showed me the Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Protectors wandering in the Montana backwoods and a complete tour of the "Cycle of Birth and Death." The closest thing that I could account it to would be Dante's Divine Comedy, and my own personal place in line for the Cosmic Judgement. I was connected to my entire line of ancestors and descendants. 

It was humbling and empowering to say the least. I was told that my repentance was seen as sincere, and as long as I promised to sin no more, I would be set free. I read the story of Mila Repa. I read the Buddhist texts, some Zen, some Shinto. But truly I was led to the Taoist texts and the universe keeps... blatantly throwing it in my face. Not that I mind, I've found some old and significant writings that I love so much I've read over and over. 

One of them has been the Yu Li Ch'ao Chuan, as it perfectly depicts exactly what I saw and experienced to such a degree is all I have to do is read the text or even meditate on it and I'm back there. If I were to dig further on it's significance to me, I use it as a measure for people's character that I come across. I find it harsh but ultimately fair. 

Some of the punishments are silly and clever and puts some of Dante's to shame.

Thank you for your patience, here is the Yu Li Ch'ao Chuan as it was given to me.

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On the birthday of the Savior, as the spirits of Purgatory were thronging round to offer their congratulations, the ruler of the Infernal Regions spake as follows:

"My wish is to release all souls, and every moon as this day comes round I would wholly or partially remit the punishment of erring shades and give them life once more in one of the Six Paths of Angels, Men, Demons, Hungry Ghosts, Brute Beasts, and Tortured Sinners. But alas! the wicked are many and the virtuous few. Nevertheless, the punishments in the dark region are too severe and require some modification. Any wicked soul that repents and induces one or two others to do likewise shall be allowed to set this off against the punishments which should be inflicted."

The Judges of the Ten Courts of Purgatory then agreed that all who led virtuous lives from their youth upwards shall be escorted at their death to the land of the Immortal; that all those whose balance of good and evil is exact  shall escape the bitterness of the Three States of the Hungry Ghosts, Brute Beasts, and Tortured Sinners, and be born again amongst Men; that those who have repaid their debts of gratitude and friendship, and fulfilled their destiny, yet have a balance of evil against them, shall pass through the various Courts of Purgatory and then be born again amongst Men, rich or poor, old or young, diseased or crippled, to be put a second time upon trial. Then, if they behave well, they may enter into some happy state; but if badly they will be dragged by horrid devils through all the Courts, suffering bitterly as they go, and will again be born, to endure in life the uttermost in poverty and wretchedness, in death the everlasting tortures in Hell.

Those who are disloyal, unfilial, who commit suicide, take life indiscriminately, or disbelieve the Doctrine of Cause and Effect, saying to themselves that when a man dies there is an end to him, that when he has lost his skin he has already suffered the worst that can befall him, that living men can be tortured but no one ever saw a man's ghost in the pillory, that after Death all is unknown, etc-- truly these men do not know that the body alone perishes but the Soul lives forever and ever; and that whatsoever evil they in in life, the same will be done unto them in the life to come.

All who commit such crimes are handed over to the everlasting tortures of Hell; for alas! in spite of the teachings of the Three Systems, some will persist in regarding these warnings as vain and empty talk. Lightly they speak of Divine mercy and knowingly commit many crimes, not more than one in a hundred ever coming to repentance. Therefore the punishments of Purgatory were strictly carried out and the tortures dreadfully severe.

But now it has been ordained that any man or woman, young or old, weak or strong, who may have sinned in any way, shall be permitted to obtain remission of the same by keeping his or her thoughts constantly on the Savior and on the birthdays of the Judges of the Ten Courts, by fasting and prayer, and by vows never to sin again. Or for every good work in life they shall be allowed to escape one ward in the Courts below.

From this rule to be excepted: Disloyal ministers, unfilial sons, suicides, those who plot in secret against good people, those who are struck by lightning, those who perish in flood or fire, by wild animals, or poisonous reptiles -- there to pass through all the Courts and be punished according to their deserts. All other sinners to be allowed to claim their good works as a set-off against evil, thus partially escaping the agonies of Hell and receiving some reward for their virtuous acts.

This account of man's wickedness on the earth and the punishments in store for him was written in language intelligible to every man and woman, and was submitted for the approval of the Savior, the intention being to wait the return of some virtuous soul among the sons of men and by these means publish it all over the earth. When the Savior saw what had been done, he said it was good; and on the 3rd of the 8th moon proceeded with the ten Judges of Purgatory to lay this book before God.

Then God said, "Good indeed! Good indeed! Henceforth let all spirits take note of any mortal who vows to lead a virtuous life and, repenting, promises to sin no more. Two punishments shall be remitted him. And if in addition to this he succeed in doing five virtuous acts, then he shall escape all punishment and be born again in some happy state. But more than five virtuous acts shall enable such a soul to obtain the salvation of others and redeem partner and family from the tortures of Hell. Let these regulations be published in the Divine Panorama and circulated on earth by the power of the City Guardians. In fear and trembling obey this decree and carry it reverently into effect."