[the Choosing of the Womb-Door]
[Instructions to the Officiant]: There are, nevertheless, many classes of those who—though reminded, and instructed to direct their thoughts one-pointedly—are not liberated, owing to the great force of evil karmic obscurations, and because of being unaccustomed to pious deeds, and of being much accustomed to impious deeds throughout the aeons. Therefore, if the womb-door hath not been closed ere this, a teaching also for the selection of a womb-door is going to be given hereinafter. Now, invoking the aid of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, repeat the Refuge; and, once more calling the deceased by name thrice, speak as follows:
O nobly-born, (so-and-so), listen. Although the above setting-face-to-face teachings have been given one-pointedly, yet thou hast not understood them. Therefore, if the womb- door hath not been closed, it is almost time to assume a
best teaching. Listen attentively, and hold it in mind.
[THE PREMONITORY VISIONS OF THE PLACE OF REBIRTH] O nobly-born, now the signs and characteristics of the
place of birth will come. Recognize them. In observing the place of birth, choose the continent too.’
If to be born in the Eastern Continent of Liipah, a lake adorned with swans, male and female, [floating thereon], will be seen. Go not there. Recollect the revulsion [against
endowed with bliss and ease—is one wherein religion doth not predominate. Therefore, enter not therein.
If to be born in the Southern Continent of Jambu, grand delightful mansions will be seen. Enter therein, if one is to enter.
If to be born in the Western Continent of Balang-Chdd, a lake adorned with horses, male and female, [grazing on its shores], will be seen. Go not even there, but return here. Although wealth and abundance are there, that being a land wherein religion doth not prevail, enter not therein.
If to be born in the Northern Continent of Daminyan, a lake adorned with male and female cattle, [grazing on its shores], or trees, [round about it], will be seen. Although duration of life, and merits are there, yet that Continent, too, is one wherein religion doth not predominate. Therefore enter not.
rebirth in those [Continents]. Recognize them. Enter not.’
If one is to be born as a deva, delightful temples [or
One may enter therein; so enter therein.
* The Christian conception of Heaven, as a definite place, having streets of gold and walls of precious stones, probably owes its origin to pre-Christian beliefs parallel to the Hindu and Buddhist beliefs concerning the Heaven of the Devas. Nirvana misleadingly has been called the Buddhist Heaven: a Heaven implies a place and sangsdric phenomena, whereas Nirvana is non-sangsaric, is beyond all phenomena, being ‘the Unbecome, the Unborn, the Unmade, the
If to be born as an asura, either a charming forest will be seen or else circles of fire revolving in opposite directions. Recollect the revulsion; and do not enter therein by any means.
If to be born amongst beasts,’ rock-caverns and deep holes in the earth and mists will appear. Enter not therein.
If to be born amongst pretas, desolate treeless plains and shallow caverns, jungle glades and forest wastes will be seen. If one goeth there, taking birth as a preta, one will suffer various pangs of hunger and thirst. Recollect the revulsion ; and do not go there by any means. Exert great energy [not to enter therein].
If to be born in Hell, songs [like wailings], due to evil
therein unresistingly. Lands of gloom, black houses and white ~ houses, and black holes in the earth, and black roads along which one hath to go, will appear. If one goeth there, one will enter into Hell; and, suffering unbearable pains of heat and cold, one will be very long in getting out of it.2 Go not there into the midst of that. It hath been said, ‘Exert thine energy to the utmost’: this is needed now.