The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-08
CHIN FsE IDEAS OF a FUTURE.
what Celestial sinners May Expes
Upon Arriving In HasIes.
lFrom the london chroniele.l

y
Upon Arriving In Hasies.
(From the London Csnronicle,)
The papers of the Royal Asiatic Society
contain interesting Illustrations of the
Chinese conception of future state. Some
years ago the society published the Rev
George Clark's translation OF The Yu-Ii,
or Precious Records work that cane
into existence at some indefinite date about
the tenth century and was supposed to sup
plement the teachings OF Confuclus, VINO
had left the transactions OF another word
in some uncertainty There Is no uncer-
tainty in the Precious Records for they
give in fuIl detail everything the Celestial
sinner may expect to happen 10 him when
his soul arrives in Hades in sedan chair.
and IS formally received there by the GOD
OF Fate" Rades is conducted like a state
department, and is divided into so many
halls OF judgment, each with its e:ldent,
staff OF officials, and specified number of
heliS. The DEGREES of every president and
the penalties in every hep 7re so ninutely
set down that there is sns possibility Of
mistaken address for any soul, although
1t is recorded that one FirtTous man was
cut of in the prime of sanciity, and his
soul conducted to a han of judgment by
the blunder of a demon who was severely
reprimanded. There is no red tape in this
administration, and rewards ard punish
ments are allotted with scrupulous care.
It sometimes happens that the merits of
an accused soul exactly balance his Of
fences, and he is then allowed another
chance, and begins life again with excel-
lent opportunities Of well doing. If his &C
count does not stand TO his credit he may
be born again to deformity or incurable
disease. People thus afflicted in China are
believed TO have miseonducted themselves
in a previous life. There are Inducements
to virtue as well punishments for vice.
If a woman should please the gods in one
stage of existence she may be born man
in the next. According TO Chinese philo5-
ophy. the principle of good is male (Yang),
and the principle of evil is female (Yin).
The lady who has the privilege OF changing
her sex in new life must, therefore, feel
highly BATTERED by the favor of the immor-
tails
There is no litigation in the Halls of
Judgment, for no soul dreams of disputing
the Precious Reeof -aa<<---!sgers of
Hades are kept most pGnctiliously, and, as
the sacred text remarks impressively
there is no deception" By way however,
Of preventing any cantankerously litigous
Eoul from raising difficulties and wasting
the presidents time, there is a simple but
effeetual ceremony at the door When re-
ceived by the God OF Fate the soul is
offered a cup of tea. which induces for
getfu;ness. DR.. Clark says that when
the missionaries offer tea to Chinese visit
ors it is usually declined the Chinese be-
Heving that we put something in the tea
which Will cause them TO invOluntarily
join the church" The Halls OF Judgment
are very severe on suicides, unless the sui
eide has been committed for some virtu-
Gus reason. a debtor some times stskes his
life to spite an importunate cree. or who
has to defray the funeral EXPENSES and
compensate the family OF the deceased
~ IF IlIdp ms Tf1aT
the suicide was due to oppression or to
mean spirit of revenge. Uafilial conduct is
about the worst offence with which soul
can be laden; but the most dutifui son can
not escape If he has defrauded the Govern
ment or neglected to pay taxes Fraud on
the Government seems 10 be limited to a
very small sum, and therefore the exact
moral position Of highly placed mandarin
in Hall Of Judgment is not clear.
Quaeks are sternIy treated, but the
worst fate of all befalls the scofers-peo-
pie who openly mock the Precious Rec
ords." There is a terrible story of what
befeH certain priests who ordered copies
of The Yu-Li'' to be burned. Liars have
very disagreeable portion in this world
as well as others. There is q certain tenn
pie where an idol devotes itself to the
function Of striking liars dead. DR.. Clark
asked 4 young priest whether he had ever
seen any liars struck dead. Yes, two
said the priest My young friend take
care thai you are not the third" said DR..
Clark.
To escape the various bells. which are
like the circles of Dantes Inferno with
out The poetry, it seems 10 be a good plan
to turn vegetarian. 1T is believed that
animals, birds fishes, and insects are pos
sessed by some ones spirit: If their death
is prevented the spirit obtains some mftf-
cation Of the pains of he'll; therefore,
ag4Th il Cht
erty living creatures" The greatest rner-
1t Of all is not to eat a flesh diet Mi.
Pao killed Wan San, whose soul thristed
for revenge Wan San mel Pao. who was
willing 10 submit to the forfeiture of his
life, but because he was vegetarian
Wan San had pity on him, and only cut
off his pigtail"