Journal of Chinese Art (Issue 5)

Author: Zhu Hengfu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: In the garden, vow not to sing the joy of the nun; also discuss the benefits of self-reflection. Since the official ascended to the heavens, the family's incense has grown cold and the lights dim. For three generations, we have eaten vegetarian and practiced kindness, yet how could we be unheard today? I now walk to the temple to see the reason for its movement and purity. I see the Three Officials' hall is desolate, and the main hall is covered in dust. Quickly sweeping the dust away, I change the vegetable oil and light the lamp. Burning incense, the clear smoke rises, and the high hall is astonishingly bright. I think the lady is truly unreasonable, yet now she has changed her vegetarian heart. Breaking her vegetarian vows and acting treacherously, she has disgraced the gods—she is a sinner. Yi Li broke his promise regarding Liu's affairs, yet he didn't know she hid after hearing it. I heard Yi Li speak in detail, and my anger flared. I roared, "Truly bold, such a servant deserves my hatred!" Spreading lies behind my back to provoke me, speaking nonsense and causing chaos. I called my child over, took his family law, and punished him. Luo Bu heard and reported, "Mother, why are you so upset?" Liu's lady spoke truthfully, "Such a bold servant deserves my hatred!" Spreading lies behind my back to provoke me, breaking her vegetarian vows and speaking nonsense. Feeding cats instead of catching mice in the house, she comes to seek the master. Quickly warn this evil servant and don't let outsiders hear. Luo Bu reported to his mother, "My words are clear. A mist may obscure the sky, but a cloud can obscure the sun. Let him repent and forget his past mistakes. For now, calm your anger." Yi Li reported, "My words are sincere. The old servant's speech is now confused. Madam, please don't believe him. Let him repent and listen to his explanation. Master and servant share the same good intentions; don't be petty strangers." Luo Bu heard and looked, seeing his mother's past vegetarian heart. His mother's decision was for convenience, so he kept silent to avoid trouble. Liu's lady scolded again, suspecting them both. Their glances met, and they wondered if she had broken her vegetarian vows. They conspired to deceive me—how could I distinguish truth from lies? I will swear in the garden to avoid spreading lies behind my back. Luo Bu quickly explained, "Mother, why trouble yourself?" They chatted idly, yet with a clear heart, false words were meaningless. I hope you have the wisdom of heaven and earth, don't swear in secret to harm the spirit. Liu's lady replied, "Both of you are one heart. Your lies cannot be justified. You will surely swear and see the spirits." She immediately went to the garden, and Luo Bu followed behind. Swearing to catch souls, she also spoke of evil spirits seizing souls. Secretly listening, she saw clear responses like in the mortal world. Liu immediately prayed, "Heaven, earth, and the three lights, hear my plea. I am Liu's true sister, practicing vegetarianism with my husband. Unfortunatly, my husband passed away, yet I remain devoted. Yi Li's family slandered me, saying I broke my vows and reneged on my promise. Many lies cannot be refuted, and they say I secretly broke my vows. If I had such thoughts, I would be immediately punished by the spirits. My seven orifices would bleed, and I would suffer in hell. She fell to the ground, and ghostly officers called out. Flames rose, and a pit was opened, white and gleaming. The bones of chickens, geese, and dogs were seen—the truth of killing was undeniable. Chains were tied, and souls were taken to the underworld. They were beaten relentlessly, blood streaming from their seven orifices. Luo Bu, seeing this, cried, "Mother, quickly turn around!" His mother spoke of the underworld, seeing her husband speak. She tried to stop him from saving her, saying, "He cannot save you. In the mortal world, you committed ten evils; the king of hell has come for you. Married couples are like birds in the same tree, but when their time comes, they fly apart. Quickly return to the mortal world to prepare for your punishment. Seeing you called, you returned before enjoying your time. Quickly take her back to her room and bury the coffin to avoid suffering." Hearing her words, they returned her to her room to rest. They feared no divination or gods, and she...