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玉历宝钞
The Jade Guidebook

Appendices

These appendices, in the same order given here, are normally appended to the text for the tenth court, of which they are considered a part.

photo by DKJ

APPENDIX I: THE HALL OF THE GREAT WHEEL (Zhuǎn Jié Suǒ 转劫所)

The Hall of the Great Wheel is 101,200 miles in extent, 转劫所地方宽一万一千二百里(七百由旬),

Zhuǎn Jié Suǒ dìfang kuān yīwàn yīqiān èrbǎi lǐ (qībǎi yóu xún),

轉劫所地方寬一萬一千二百里(七百由旬),
enclosed on all sides by an iron palisade. 周围上下都是铁的栅栏。

zhōuwéi shàngxià dōu shì tiě de zhà lán.

周圍上下都是鐵的柵欄。
Within are eighty-one subdivisions, each of which has its judges and officers to keep records. 其中分八十一个处所。每一各处所都有亭台,并有判官、官吏设案纪事。

Qízhōng fēn bāshí yī gè chùsuǒ. měi yī gèchù suǒ dōu yǒu tíng tái, bìng yǒu pànguān, guānlì shè àn jì shì.

其中分八十一個處所。每一各處所都有亭臺,並有判官、官吏設案紀事。
Beyond the palisade there is a labyrinth of 108,000 paths leading by direct and circuitous routes back to earth. 栅栏外,另有羊肠样的细小道路,共有十万八千条,盘旋弯曲地通往四大部洲。

Zhàlan wài, lìngyǒu yángchángyàng de xìxiǎo dàolù, gòngyǒu shí wàn bāqiān tiáo, pánxuán wānqū dì tōngwǎng Sìdà bù zhōu.

柵欄外,另有羊腸樣的細小道路,共有十萬八千條,盤旋彎曲地通往四大部洲。
Inside it is so dark that stretching out one's hand, one cannot see one's fingers 路上暗得伸手不见五指,

Lùshang àn dé shēnshǒu bù jiàn wǔzhǐ,

路上暗得伸手不見五指,
and through it pass the spirits coming and going. 众鬼死生投胎,进出都走此路。

zhòng guǐ sǐ shēng tóutāi, jìnchū dōu zǒu cǐ lù.

衆鬼死生投胎,進出都走此路。
But to one who looks from the outside everything is seen as clear as crystal, 可是由外望入,却又亮如水晶,

Kěshì yóu wài wàng rù, quèyòu liàng rú shuǐjīng,

可是由外望入,卻又亮如水晶,
and one sees not a trace of what is within. 所有情事丝毫隐藏不得。

suǒyǒu qíngshì sīháo yǐncáng bude.

所有情事絲毫隱藏不得。
The judges assign officials and demon soldiers assigned to guard duty. 判官派遣官吏、鬼卒,轮班把守。

Pànguān pài qiǎn guānlì, guǐzú, lúnbān bǎshǒu.

判官派遣官吏、鬼卒,輪班把守。
The spirits coming and going all have the faces and features they had while alive and are easily recognized. 各鬼进进出出,都按初生本来面目,很容易可以分辨。

Gè guǐ jìn jìnchū chū, dōu àn chūshēng běnlái miànmù, hěn róngyì kěyǐ fēnbiàn.

各鬼進進出出,都按初生本來面目,很容易可以分辨。
The judges and attendants are chosen from very virtuous people 所有掌理这些事务的判官、官吏,都是在世

Suǒyǒu zhǎnglǐ zhè xiē shìwù de pànguān, guānlì, dōu shì zàishì

所有掌理這些事務的判官、官吏,都是在世
who in life were noted for filial piety, friendship to siblings and elders, harmony with relatives and friends, who did not take life, but freed animals. 孝顺父母、友爱兄长,和睦亲友,同时行戒杀、放生的大善人。

xiàoshùn fùmǔ, yǒu'ài xiōngzhǎng, hémù qīnyǒu, tóngshí xíng jièshā, fàngshēng de dà shànrén.

孝順父母、友愛兄長,和睦親友,同時行戒殺、放生的大善人。
After death they were sent here to look after the transmigration of souls, the turning of the kalpa, and such duties. 死后送入此所,查办所有轮回、转劫等事务。

Sǐhòu sòngrù cǐ suǒ, chábàn suǒyǒu lún huí, zhuǎn jié děng shìwù.

死後送入此所,查辦所有輪迴、轉劫等事務。
If for a space of five years they make no mistakes they are promoted to a higher office and rewarded; 办过五年后,假如没错误,就加级、调升,予以奖励;

Bàn guò wǔ nián hòu, jiǎrú méi cuòwù, jiù jiājí, diàoshēng, yǔyǐ jiǎnglì;

辦過五年後,假如沒錯誤,就加級、調升,予以獎勵;
but if found to be lazy or domineering or willful 假如怠惰,或者专权跋扈、刚愎自用;

jiǎrú dàiduò, huòzhě zhuānquán báhù, gāngbì zìyòng;

假如怠惰,或者專權跋扈、剛愎自用;
or do not carry out what has been decided in an appropriate meeting of the judges and officials 不配合所有判官、官吏妥善会议后决定办理的发放事宜;

bùpèi hé suǒyǒu pànguān, guānlì tuǒshàn huìyì hòu juédìng bànlǐ de fāfàng shìyí;

不配合所有判官、官吏妥善會議後決定辦理的發放事宜;
or through oversight allow a ghost to be left out of a list, or to escape, or to hide 或者有失察、致鬼犯漏列、逃走、隐匿的话,

huòzhě yǒu shīchá, zhì guǐ fàn lòu liè, táozǒu, yǐnnì dehuà,

或者有失察、致鬼犯漏列、逃走、隱匿的話,
then they are reported for demotion or censure. 则奏请降职、贬官。

zé zòuqǐng jiàngzhí, biǎn guān.

則奏請降職、貶官。
photo by DKJ
Those who in life have been unfilial or have destroyed much life, 凡是在世不孝、及杀生繁多的凶魂,

Fánshì zàishì bùxiào, jí shāshēng fánduō de xiōng hún,

凡是在世不孝、及殺生繁多的凶魂,
when they have been tortured in the various Courts 受过各殿的地狱所施加的苦刑后,

shòu guò gè diàn de dìyù suǒ shījiā de kǔxíng hòu,

受過各殿的地獄所施加的苦刑後,
are brought to the Hall of the Great Wheel 经发交转劫所内的,

jīng fājiāo zhuǎn jié suǒ nèi de,

經發交轉劫所內的,
and first beaten to death with peach twigs. 先用桃花枝抽打致死。

xiān yòng táohuā zhī chōudǎ zhìsǐ.

先用桃花枝抽打致死。
They then become jiàn, and with changed heads and altered faces 死后化为聻,将他改头换面,

Sǐhòu huàwéi jiàn, jiāng tā gǎitóu huànmiàn,

死後化爲聻,將他改頭換面,
they are turned out into the labyrinth to proceed by the path which ends in the birth of animals. 发进羊肠小路,投生为畜生。

fā jìn yángcháng xiǎolù, tóushēng wéi chùshēng.

發進羊腸小路,投生爲畜生。
Birds, beasts, fishes, and insects may after many myriads of kalpas again resume their original shapes; 所有的禽兽、鱼虫,要经过上万、上千、上百次沦堕的劫难,才能受苦期满。

Suǒyǒu de qínshòu, yúchóng, yào jīngguò shàngwàn, shàngqiān, shàngbǎi cì lún duò de jiénàn, cáinéng shòukǔ qīmǎn.

所有的禽獸、魚蟲,要經過上萬、上千、上百次淪墮的劫難,才能受苦期滿。
thus animals with wombs, like cows and horses, or animals that lay eggs like dragons, tortoises, snakes, and birds; 像胎生的牛马等禽兽;卵生的龙龟蛇鸟;

xiàng tāishēng de niúmǎ děng qínshòu; luǎnshēng de lóng guī shé niǎo;

像胎生的牛馬等禽獸;卵生的龍龜蛇鳥;
might become butterflies, honeybees, maggots, and so on, 湿化生的蝴蝶、蜜蜂、蛆虫之类,

shī huàshēng de húdié, mìfēng, qūchóng zhīlèi,

濕化生的蝴蝶、蜜蜂、蛆蟲之類,
all receiving the results of the ever-turning wheel 都是不断地轮回受报,

dōu shì bùduàn de lúnhuí shòu bào,

都是不斷地輪回受報,
and if any do not escape within four lifetimes 在此四生中,不得出离,

zàicǐ sì shēng zhōng, bude chū lí,

在此四生中,不得出離,
then at kalpa's end 等到劫数已满,

děngdào jiéshù yǐ mǎn,

等到劫數已滿,
if there are any that during three existences did not destroy life, 若能连续三世不伤生物之命,

ruò néng liánxù sānshì bù shāngshēng wù zhī mìng,

若能連續三世不傷生物之命,
they may be born amongst human beings as a reward, 方可使再投生为人。

fāng kě shǐ zài tóushēng wéirén.

方可使再投生爲人。
For these animals reborn as humans a clear description is made 这些由动物投生为人的,均叙述明白,

Zhè xiē yóu dòngwù tóushēng wéirén de, jūn xùshù míngbai,

這些由動物投生爲人的,均敍述明白,
and noted in a book, which is forwarded to the First Court 记在册籍上,奏呈给第一殿,

jì zài cè jí shàng, zòu chéng gěi dìyī diàn,

記在冊籍上,奏呈給第一殿,
where the opportunities and happiness of the next life are decided. 批注判定其来生的因缘、福报。

pīzhù pàndìng qí láishēng de yīnyuán, fú bào.

批註判定其來生的因緣、福報。
But all shades to be born as men and women 再发往生到四大洲中,出生为男子、女人。

Zàifā wǎngshēng dào Sìdà zhōu zhōng, chūshēng wéi nánzǐ, nǚrén.

再發往生到四大洲中,出生爲男子、女人。
must first proceed to the Terrace of Drunken Oblivion. 发放之前,要先交醧忘台下。

fāfàng zhī qián, yào xiānjiāo YùwàngTái xià.

發放之前,要先交醧忘臺下。
bildo bildo


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Appendix II: GRANDMOTHER MENG (Mèng Pó Shén 孟婆神)

The Terrace of Drunken Oblivion is overseen by Grandmother Mèng 醧忘台为孟婆神所管理。

Yùwáng Tái wéi Mèng pó shén suǒ guǎnlǐ.

醧忘臺爲孟婆神所管理。
Grandmother Mèng was born in the Earlier (Western) Hàn Dynasty. 孟婆神生于西汉,

Mèng pó shén shēng yú Xīhàn,

孟婆神生於西漢,
In her childhood she studied the Four Books and Five Scriptures of the Confucian school; 幼年时即熟读儒家的四书、五经;

yòunián shí jí shúdú Rújiā de Sìshū, Wǔjīng;

幼年時即熟讀儒家的四書、五經;
and devoted herself to seriously chanting Buddhist scriptures. 并庄敬地诵读佛经。

bìng zhuāng jìng dì sòngdú Fójīng.

並莊敬地誦讀佛經。
In this she immersed herself until she became unaware of what was past 修到:凡是过去的事不思;

Xiū dào: fánshì guòqù de shì bù sī;

修到:凡是過去的事不思;
and had no care about the future, 未来的事不想的境地。

wèilái de shì bùxiǎng de jìngdì.

未來的事不想的境地。
but occupied herself in exhorting mankind to desist from taking life and to become vegetarians. 在世时,专心壹志地劝人戒杀、吃素。

zàishì shí, zhuānxīn yī zhì dì quàn rén jièshā, chīsù.

在世時,專心壹志地勸人戒殺、吃素。
At eighty-one years of age, though her hair was white, her complexion was clear as a child's. 年八十一岁时,童颜鹤发,

Nián bāshí yī suì shí, tóngyán-hèfà,

年八十一歲時,童顔鶴髮,
She was pure throughout her life, unblemished in her virginity. 始终守精,未损童贞。

shǐzhōng shǒu jīng, wèi sǔn tóngzhēn.

始終守精,未損童貞。
The only name she knew for herself was her surname Mèng. 只知道自己姓孟,

zhǐ zhīdào zìjǐ xìng mèng,

只知道自己姓孟,
but men called her " Granny Mèng." 当时的人都称她“孟婆阿奶”。

dāngshí de rén dōu chēng tā "Mèng pó ānǎi".

當時的人都稱她“孟婆阿奶”。
She retired to the hills and lived as a religious hermit until the Later (Eastern) Hàn. 后入山修真,一直到东汉时仍在。

Hòu rùshān xiūzhēn, yīzhí dào Dōnghàn shí réng zài.

後入山修真,一直到東漢時仍在。
Then certain people, especially sensitive, were able to understand the causes and effects in their previous lives, 世人有人由于灵机深厚,能够知晓前世的因果,

Shìrén yǒu rén yóuyú língjī shēnhòu, nénggòu zhīxiǎo qiánshì de yīnguǒ,

世人有人由於靈機深厚,能夠知曉前世的因果,
and liked to beguile others and play tricks, and they revealed secrets of the netherworld, 因为喜欢耍弄智巧、术数,露了阴间的天机。

yīnwèi xǐhuan shuǎnòng zhìqiǎo, shùshù, lù le yīnjiān de tiānjī.

因爲喜歡耍弄智巧、術數,露了陰間的天機。
until their former family members recognized them from their previous existence, and worldly affairs thus became confounded. 致令世间人妄认前生的眷属,扰乱了世情。

zhì lìng shìjiān rén wàng rèn qiánshēng de juànshǔ, rǎoluàn le shìqíng.

致令世間人妄認前生的眷屬,擾亂了世情。
So his celestial majesty the Jade Emperor ordered Granny Mèng to become a goddess in the afterworld 因此玉皇大天尊命孟婆阿奶为幽冥之神,

Yīncǐ Yùhuáng dà tiānzūn mìng Mèng pó ānǎi wéi yōumíng zhī shén,

因此玉皇大天尊命孟婆阿奶爲幽冥之神,
and to construct the Terrace of Drunken Oblivion, and he permitted the selection of ghostly officials to assist her and carry out her commands. 建造醧忘台,准予选拔鬼吏供使唤。

jiànzàoYùwáng Tái, zhǔnyǔ xuǎnbá guǐ lì gōng shǐhuan.

建造醧忘臺,准予選拔鬼吏供使喚。
The souls which the tenth court has declared should be reborn as humans 将第十殿所拟定,发往何地为人的鬼魂,

Jiāng dì-shí diàn suǒ nǐdìng, fā wǎng hédì wéirén de guǐhún,

將第十殿所擬定,發往何地爲人的鬼魂,
[are made to] consume an herbal decoction, neither liquor nor non-liquor, 用采自俗世的药物,合成似酒非酒的汤,

yòng cǎi zì súshì de yàowù, héchéng sì jiǔ fēi jiǔ de tāng,

用採自俗世的藥物,合成似酒非酒的湯,
made in five flavors: sweet, bitter, acrid, sour, or salt. 分为甘苦辛酸咸五味。

fēnwéi gānkǔ xīnsuān xián wǔwèi.

分爲甘苦辛酸鹹五味。
All ghosts, before they are reincarnated, are forced to consume this elixir 所有的鬼魂在转世前,派饮此汤,

suǒyǒu de guǐhún zài zhuǎnshì qián, pài yǐn cǐ tāng,

所有的鬼魂在轉世前,派飲此湯,
making them forget everything about their former lives. 使忘记前生的事,

shǐ wàngjì qiánshēng de shì,

使忘記前生的事,
photo by DKJ
They (instead) carry with them to the next life only slight influences such as 药力同时带往阳间,

Yàolì tóngshí dàiwǎng yángjiān,

藥力同時帶往陽間,
the mouth watering when the spleen is impaired [by anger], 令其或因多思伤脾而流涎;

lìng qíhuò yīn duō sī shāng pí ér liúxián;

令其或因多思傷脾而流涎;
laughter inducing perspiration, 或因多喜多笑而多汗;

huò yīn duō xǐ duō xiào ér duō hàn;

或因多喜多笑而多汗;
or worry producing tears 或因多虑多忧而流涕;

huò yīn duōlǜ duō yōu ér liútì;

或因多慮多憂而流涕;
anger inducing sobs, 或因多怒而流泪;

huò yīn duō nù ér liúlèi;

或因多怒而流淚;
or spitting from nervousness. 或因惊恐而流唾。

huò yīn jīngkǒng ér liú tuò.

或因驚恐而流唾。
Each (flavor?) brings one, two, or three such weaknesses. 各令带一分、二分、三分的病。

Gè lìng dài yīfēn, èrfēn, sānfēn de bìng.

各令帶一分、二分、三分的病。
For good people, the eye nose, tongue, and four limbs will be made more refined, brighter, stronger, and healthier. 在世为善的人,令其眼耳鼻舌四肢较以往更精、更明、更強、更健。

Zàishì wéi shàn de rén, lìng qí yǎn ěr bí shé sìzhī jiào yǐwǎng gèng jīng, gèng míng, gèng qiáng, gèng jiàn.

在世爲善的人,令其眼耳鼻舌四肢較以往更精、更明、更強、更健。
But evil people's voices, intelligence, spirits, and ambition will be used up and gradually grow feeble. 作恶的人使其声音、神智、魂魄、精志消耗,逐渐疲惫衰弱;

Zuò'è de rén shǐ qí shēngyīn, shénzhì, húnpò, jīng zhì xiāohào, zhújiàn píbèi shuāiruò;

作惡的人使其聲音、神智、魂魄、精志消耗,逐漸疲憊衰弱;
Be warned; repent; do no evil; do good. 俾令自我警惕、忏悔,不为恶,重新为善。

Bǐ lìng zìwǒ jǐngtì, chànhuǐ, bù wéi è, chóngxīn wéi shàn.

俾令自我警惕、懺悔,不爲惡,重新爲善。


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Appendix III: THE TERRACE OF DRUNKEN OBLIVION (Yùwáng Tái 醧忘台)

The Terrace of Drunken Oblivion is situated in front of the Ten Courts, outside the six bridges. 醧忘台位于第十殿,冥王殿前六桥之外。

Yùwàng Tái wèiyú dì shí diàn, Míngwáng diàn qián liù qiáo zhīwài.

醧忘臺位於第十殿,冥王殿前六橋之外。
It is square, measuring ten feet every way, and surrounded by 108 small rooms. 高大如方丈,四周的廊房有一百零八间。

Gāodà rú fāngzhàng, sìzhōu de lángfáng yǒu yībǎi líng bā jiān.

高大如方丈,四周的廊房有一百零八間。
Running to the east there is a raised path, one foot four inches in breadth, 有一条通道,通向东方,公一尺四寸宽。

Yǒu yītiáo tōngdào, tōngxiàng dōngfāng, gōng yīchǐ sì cùn kuān.

有一條通道,通向東方,公一尺四寸寬。
and each of the male or female ghosts transferred here is equpped with a cup. 所有奉令押解到的男女鬼魂,在各廊房中,都设有杯子,

suǒyǒu fènglìng yājiè dào de nánnǚ guǐhún, zài gè lángfáng zhōng, dōu shèyǒu bēizi,

所有奉令押解到的男女鬼魂,在各廊房中,都設有杯子,
Whether they swallow much or little it matters not; 招各鬼饮下此汤,多饮少饮不论。

Zhāo gè guǐ yǐn xià cǐ tāng, duō yǐn shǎo yǐn bùlùn.

招各鬼飲下此湯,多飲少飲不論。
Should there be obstinate or crafty ones, who refuse to drink, 假如有刁蛮、狡猾的鬼魂不肯吞饮此汤的话,

Jiǎrú yǒu diāomán, jiǎohuá de guǐhún bùkěn tūn yǐn cǐ tāng dehuà,

假如有刁蠻、狡猾的鬼魂不肯吞飲此湯的話,
Then beneath their feet sharp edged hooks appear, to hold them in place, 脚下就会现出钩刀,将他绊住;

jiǎoxià jiùhuì xiànchū gōu gōu dāo, jiāng tā bànzhù;

腳下就會現出鉤刀,將他絆住;
and a copper tube is forced down their throats, 并以铜管刺喉,

bìng yǐ tóng guǎn cì hóu,

並以銅管刺喉,
and after enduring some pain, they are compelled to swallow some. 令其受尽痛苦后,强迫灌吞。

lìng qí shòujìn tòngkǔ hòu, qiǎngpò guàn tūn.

令其受盡痛苦後,強迫灌吞。


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Appendix IV: THE BRIDGE OF SORROWS (Nàihé Qiáo 奈何橋)

When all the ghosts have drunk this elixir of forgetfulness, 所有鬼魂饮下醧忘汤后,

Suǒyǒu guǐhún yǐn xià醧 wàng tāng hòu,

所有鬼魂飲下醧忘湯後,
ghostly attendants and soldiers are sent to escort them out by the path. 各派鬼役、鬼卒,搀扶着从通道送出,

gè pài guǐ yì, guǐzú, chānfúzhe cóng tōngdào sòng chū,

各派鬼役、鬼卒,攙扶著從通道送出,
and push them on to the hemp-tied Bamboo Floating Bridge of Sorrows. 推上麻绳扎的苦竹浮桥。

tuī shàng máshéng zhā de kǔzhú fúqiáo.

推上麻繩紮的苦竹浮橋。
photo by DKJ
Beneath it there are torrents of rushing red water on either side. 桥下是红水横流的山涧。

Qiáo xià shì hóng shuǐ héngliú de shānjiàn.

橋下是紅水橫流的山澗。
Looking ahead from half-way across they perceive that, written in large characters on a red cliff on the opposite side, 由桥中向前一望,对岸的赤名岩上,

Yóu qiáo zhōng xiàngqián yīwàng, duì'àn de chì míng yán shàng,

由橋中向前一望,對岸的赤名巖上,
are the following lines: 有斗大的粉字四行,写着:

yǒu dǒudà de fěn zì sì xíng, xiězhe:

有鬥大的粉字四行,寫著:
"To be human is easy, but to act human is hard. 「为人容易做人难,

Wéirén róngyì zuòrén nán,

「爲人容易做人難,
Yet to be reborn human perhaps is harder still. 再要为人恐更难。

Zài yào wéirén kǒng gèng nán.

再要爲人恐更難。
For those who would be born again in happy state there is no great difficulty; 欲生福地无难处,

Yù shēng fúdì wú nánchu,

欲生福地無難處,
It is only necessary to keep mouth and heart in harmony." 口与心同却不难。」

Kǒu yǔ xīn tóng què bù nán."

口與心同卻不難。」
When the spirits have read these words 鬼魂们正在看读之时,

Guǐhún men zhèngzài kàn dú zhī shí,

鬼魂們正在看讀之時,
two huge demons jump out from the opposite shore 对岸跳出又高又大的二个鬼,

duì'àn tiào chū yòu gāo yòu dà de èr gè guǐ,

對岸跳出又高又大的二個鬼,
and separately pass over the water surface 分别扑到水面,

fēnbié pū dào shuǐmiàn,

分別撲到水面,
so frightening the spirits that they can scarcely stand. 令两旁的鬼魂个个吓得站立不稳:

lìng liǎngpáng de guǐhún gègè xià dé zhànlì bùwěn:

令兩旁的鬼魂個個嚇得站立不穩:
One wears a black official hat with formal clothes and a brocade jacket; 一个是头戴乌纱帽,身穿体面的礼服、锦袄。

Yī ge shì tóu dài wūshāmào, shēnchuān tǐmian de lǐfú, jǐn ǎo.

一個是頭戴烏紗帽,身穿體面的禮服、錦襖。
in his hand he holds paper and writing brush, 手拿着纸笔,

shǒu názhe zhǐbǐ,

手拿著紙筆,
and over his shoulder he carries a sharp sword. 肩上插着利刀,

jiānshang chāzhe lìdāo,

肩上插著利刀,
with instruments of torture hanging at his waist. 腰上挂着刑具,

yāo shàng guàzhe xíngjù,

腰上掛著刑具,
He fiercely glares from large, round eyes and laughs a horrid laugh. 睁着圆滚滚的大眼睛,哈哈大笑。

zhēngzhe yuángǔngǔn de dà yǎnjing, hāha dàxiào.

睜著圓滾滾的大眼睛,哈哈大笑。
His name is Short Life. 他名叫“活无常”。

Tā míng jiào "Huó Wúcháng".

他名叫“活無常”。
The other has a dirty face, smeared with blood; 一个是面上污垢、流血,

Yī ge shì miànshang wūgòu, liúxiě,

一個是面上污垢、流血,
he wears a white coat, an abacus in his hand 身穿白衫,手持算盘。

shēnchuān báishān, shǒuchí suànpán.

身穿白衫,手持算盤。
and a rice sack over his shoulder. 肩上背着米袋,

jiānshang bèizhe mǐ dài,

肩上背著米袋,
Round his neck hangs a string of paper money (burnt to the dead); 胸前悬挂银纸钱,

xiōngqián xuánguà yínzhǐ qián,

胸前懸掛銀紙錢,
his brow contracts tightly, and he utters long sighs. 愁眉紧锁,声声长叹。

chóuméi jǐnsuǒ, shēng shēng chángtàn.

愁眉緊鎖,聲聲長歎。
His name is "Death Has a Part," 他名叫“死有分”。

Tā míng jiào "Sǐ Yǒufèn".

他名叫“死有分”。
The duty of these great demons is to push the shades 此二大鬼,催促推落鬼魂们,

Cǐ èr dà guǐ, cuīcù tuī luò guǐhún men,

此二大鬼,催促推落鬼魂們,
off the bridge into the red water. 落于红水横流之内。

luò yú hóng shuǐ héngliú zhīnèi.

落于紅水橫流之內。
Those of a superficial nature rejoice at the prospect of being born once more as human beings; 根器道行浅薄的,欢呼可以幸运地得生人身:

Gēn qì dào xíng qiǎnbó de, huānhū kěyǐ xìngyùn dì dé shēngrén shēn:

根器道行淺薄的,歡呼可以幸運地得生人身:
Those of a deeper nature weep and lament 根器道行深厚的,则悲伤哭泣,

Gēn qì dào xíng shēnhòu de, zé bēishāng kūqì,

根器道行深厚的,則悲傷哭泣,
that in life they did not lay up a store of virtuous acts, 自恨在世未修出世的功德,

zìhèn zàishì wèi xiū chūshì de gōngdé,

自恨在世未修出世的功德,
and thus pass away from the state of mortals for ever. 以致痛苦的根身,身体难以断除。

yǐzhì tòngkǔ de gēn shēn, shēntǐ nányǐ duànchú.

以致痛苦的根身,身體難以斷除。
Yet both male and female ghosts, as though drunk or mad, rush on 男女鬼魂等,如醉如痴地,纷纷各依因缘,

Nánnǚ guǐhún děng, rú zuì rú chī dì, fēnfēn gè yī yīnyuán,

男女鬼魂等,如醉如癡地,紛紛各依因緣,
to be born again in any house where a woman is about to give birth 投身各房舍中将生的胞胎之内。

tóushēn gè fángshè zhōngjiàng shēngdì bāotāi zhīnèi.

投身各房舍中將生的胞胎之內。


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HOMILY ON THE FUTILITY OF REBIRTH

The change from the land of the dead to that of the living is both stifling and murky. 由于阴间、阳世的改变,气闷昏昏。

Yóuyú yīnjiān, yángshì de gǎibiàn, qìmèn hūnhūn.

由於陰間、陽世的改變,氣悶昏昏。
And in the womb one's body is upside down and confined, with no room to move, 再加上胎身颠倒,不能自由,

Zài jiāshàng tāi shēn diāndǎo, bùnéng zìyóu,

再加上胎身顛倒,不能自由,
so that both feet kick with force, trying to break out of the womb. 于是双脚用力一踢,蹬破胞胎,奔出娘胎。

yúshì shuāngjiǎo yònglì yī tī, dēng pò bāotāi, bēn chū niángtāi.

於是雙腳用力一踢,蹬破胞胎,奔出娘胎。
At last the sound of "Wah" is heard, and another life begins “哇”地一声落地,开始一生的形形色色。

"Wā" dì yī shēng luòdì, kāishǐ yīshēng de xíngxíng sèsè.

“哇”地一聲落地,開始一生的形形色色。
Because most people greedily seek the five desires and flavors 一般众生,由于长久累月地贪好世间各种五欲、滋味;

Yībān zhòngshēng? yóuyú chángjiǔ lèi yuèdì tānhào shìjiān gè zhǒng wǔyù, zīwèi;

一般衆生,由於長久累月地貪好世間各種五欲、滋味;
and especially those associated with killing (e.g., meat) 尤其杀生数多,

Yóuqí shāshēng shùduō,

尤其殺生數多,
they foolishly lose the buddha nature provided them at birth. 迷失了重生本有的如来佛性。

míshī le chóngshēng běn yǒude Rúláifó xìng.

迷失了重生本有的如來佛性。
They are ungrateful for the mercy of the Buddha, or of the Jade emperor, or for the instruction of the various gods 辜负了佛恩,以及玉皇大帝,诸神明的训诫之恩,

Gūfù le fó ēn, yǐjí Yùhuáng Dàdì, zhū shénmíng de xùnjiè zhī ēn,

辜負了佛恩,以及玉皇大帝,諸神明的訓誡之恩,
They have not thought about how to lead better lives, let alone to become buddhas or bodhisattvas. 从未想到如何做是善终,得成佛菩萨;

cóngwèi xiǎngdào rúhé zuò shì shànzhōng, dé chéngfó púsà;

從未想到如何做是善終,得成佛菩薩;
or about how to lead lives of evil, engaging the three bad ways, 如何做会恶死,堕落三恶途;

rúhé zuò huì è sǐ, duòluò sān è tú;

如何做會惡死,墮落三惡途;
They pay no attention to the end that must overtake them; 自己未来是怎样的结局,

Zìjǐ wèilái shì zěnyàng de jiéjú,

自己未來是怎樣的結局,
and finally, they bring themselves once more to the same horrid plight. 致反复地造恶,

zhì fǎnfù dì zào è,

致反復地造惡,
with demons dragging along their bodies, 终于又成为拖尸的鬼,枉为一世之人,

zhōngyú yòu chéngwéi tuō shī de guǐ wǎng wéi yīshì zhī rén,

終於又成爲拖屍的鬼,枉爲一世之人,
having wasted another incarnation. 又将堕为无间地狱鬼魂。

yòu jiāng duò wéi wújiàn dìyù guǐhún.

又將墮爲無間地獄鬼魂。
So the above lines about the Terrace of Drunken Oblivion 以上二十二行,醧忘台下的书吏,

Yǐshàng èrshí èr xíng,Yùwáng Tái xiàde shūlì,

以上二十二行,醧忘臺下的書吏,
were respectfully submitted to the Jade Emperor 恭谨附奏给玉皇大帝,

gōngjǐn fù zòu gěi Yùhuáng Dàdì,

恭謹附奏給玉皇大帝,
for inclusion in the Jade Guidebook, 并编纂记载于玉历宝钞之中,

bìng biānzuǎn jìzǎi yú Yù Lì Bǎochāo zhīzhōng,

並編纂記載於玉曆寶鈔之中,
to be sent throughout the world so all might know them 通行于凡间,令世人知悉,

tōngxíng yú fánjiān, lìng shìrén zhīxī,

通行于凡間,令世人知悉,
and might do good and eschew evil 以从善去恶,

yǐ cóng shàn qù è,

以從善去惡,
and value precious human life. 善待宝贵的人生。

shàndài bǎoguì de rénshēng.

善待寶貴的人生。


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