PICTORIAL OF HELL

Painted by Mr. Jiang, Yi-Zi

Life is short and inpermement, our lives depend on the continuation of one single breath, since there is life it is in-avoidable that there will be death. There are lots of questions as to where do we will go after we die, are we going to the World of Ultimate Bless are we going to the Heavens or to the Hells or to the Realm of Hungry Ghost, or are we going to reincarnated as animals or human beings. Our ultimate destination will depend on the karma that we accumulate during our present lives.

The paintings of Pictorial of Hell displace the truth of human suffering after falling into the wrath death of hells. This particular painting also demonstrate all human suffering is all self inflicted rather than been imposed by the judicators of hells. After viewing this painting we should realized that it is truly difficult to be reincarnated back into human form. And this idea in itself is terrifying to thoughts that will lead us to suffering in the tortures in hells.

The Sutra said: That sincerely confessing and repenting of our past sins and misdeeds, we can eliminate misfortunes। Let us remind one another about this.

1. Amitabha Buddha and other sages welcome sainthood beings to the World of Ultimate Bliss.

The greatest achievement in one’s lifetime, is to be reborn in the pure land within this life, this will allow us to break away from the Perpetual Cycle of Rebirth and free us from the suffering of both life and death. The World of Ultimate Bliss is unsurpassed pure land, created by Amitabha Buddha saint’s incomparable will power, with purpose of ending the suffering of all beings. If we have the faith, the vow, and the practice enchanting Amitabha Buddha mindfully, if we have complete sincerity in our faith, vow in practice, abide by the teaching of Buddha, and practice this continuously all our lives, if at the time of our lives come to an end, the Buddha and Bodhisattvas will come and lead us to the World of Ultimate Bliss.

2.Practices of Ten Good Deeds lead to the Heavens

If we can not go to the World of Ultimate Bliss, however we accumulate good karma thru good deeds within our lifetime, we can still go to the heavens to enjoy heavenly bliss, but these ten good deeds must be observed. What are the Ten Good Deeds? No killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no lying, no enticing speech, no delusive speech, no abusive speech, no greed, no anger, no ignorance.

3. To gain a human forms by observing the Five Pre-steps

Buddha said: To be borne into a human form is unbelievably rare like a blind turtle meets a floating wood. And the human form once lost is extremely hard to regain. How can one obtain a human form in the next life? The basic requirement is to observe the Five Pre-steps. What are the Five Pre-steps? No killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no lying, no intoxicants. Whether one is rich or poor, depends on the amount of good and bad deeds one accumulate within their lifetime. There is a saying that to know what we did in our previous lives, we only need to just look what we have in our present lives; to know what might result in our future life, we simply look what we are doing now. It is fundamental that we understand this concept.

4. Practices of Ten Bad Deeds leading to suffering in hells.

The Ten Bad Deeds are the opposite of the Ten Good Deeds. There are only a few decades in one’s life, if we do not realize the need to practice good deeds, or we do not know the Law Of Cause And Effect, or we do not accumulate merits of virtue when we are taken by the judge of impermanent. Impairment When we are standing on the hall of hells, it will be too late to regret.

5.Too late to regret now, the judge is here to trial us.

It is like waking up from a dream, all actions done in one’s life will be judged after one’s death.

6. The kings and soldiers in hells manifest from our karma

People who have no causes to go to these hells, do not experience the horrors of hells. These horrors are not there because the kings of hells are cruel, or that they are willingly inflict pain and suffering to the dead. The things of these hells are the manifestation of one’s own karma, nothing more and nothing less.

7. The First Hall in hells, the Hall of King Qin-Guang

Here in the first hall in hells, the length of life, the level of auspiciousness, and the punishment in hells are decided. All sins thru souls are brought to King Qin-Guang to be trailed and sentenced accordingly, these souls will be punished in hells and to have their karma reduced. If any soul can balance their good deeds with their bad, this soul can then be send to the tenth hall to await rebirth.

8. No one can hide in front of Karma Mirror, the cunning and deceitful people will be exposed.

When one dies, nothing is retained except one’s karma. All of our bad deeds will be exposed in the Karma Mirror. No one can deny anything.

9. The first and the most good deed is filial piety, the most serious sin of all is to commit suicide.

It is foolish and also agonizing for one to commit suicide, the suffering after suicide is more painful. One would experience the pain of suicide repeatly, because one has yet to repay the four great kindnesses (the kindnesses of parents, teacher, country, and all other beings). If one commits suicide without fulfilling one’s duty, not only parents will be heart broken, spouse and children will live miserable lives, therefore this sin is exceptionally severe.

10. A chaotic world begins with the loss of conscience and lack of moral education.

In our physical world, it is easy to commit uncountable bad karma. For example, indulging in sexual misconduct or gambling, indulging in alcohol, or not been dutiful or filial to the parents, or forgetting the kindness of others. One mistake leads to thousand lifetimes of regret, and it would be too late to realize this at the end of one’s life.

11. If anyone fails to perform his or her duties at work, endless karma will be committed.

The force of all misconduct comes from three poisons (greed, anger and ignorance). The lack of morality these days are due to the failure of the hearing teaching of sages and moral people. Many people know their own religions only at superficial level, and not their true essence, which is about moral education. Ignoring the essence of our own religion, focus only on formality, further confuses them and lead to deterration of their morals.

12. If one does not practice what one learns, one should feel ashamed in front of virtuous books.

We study the teachings of sages to educate our community, if we do not harmonize ourselves with these teachings, and not act as role models for others, but instead, indulging in fame and financial gain, then will be the first to come to these hells for remedial study, next, one goes to other hells to clear one’s sins.

13. People who profit by cheating, and disappoint those of sincerity

The purpose of social educators is to serve and educate the people; their only purpose is to look after the people’s interests. Should anyone try to gain profit for themselves, he will not only damage the image of the educators, but also disappoint the people. Such as if people who lead Buddhist chanting ceremony missed a few lines, or if they are unfocused or insincere, they will have to make up their lessons after their death, then they will be sent to different hells to resolve their sins.

14. The dim light cannot show up for the black hearted people.

Intelligent capable people can bring good fortune to others, or bring disaster too. For some proclaim to be religious, and fail to perform the teachings of the sutras, their suffering will be unbearable once the judge arrives. They will also be reborn as animals to repay for their sins.

15. People go to different hells according to their sins.

Dictated by the course of one’s karma, one will go to a specific hell according to one’s past deeds, as the due punishment is personally experienced as served.

16. The Hell of Pillars

It is said, new thoughts arise from a comfortable life. Today sexual indulgence is widely spread. Most who suffering in this hell indulge in their past lives in sexual misconduct and adultery, and selling of pornographic books, tapes and disks, or in photographing, writing or obsessing or was involved in public exhibition of pornography and similar materials. These people will be sent to this particular hell after their death. They will be forced to embrace a red hot copper pillar, die from burns all over their bodies, and then be born repeatly in this hell as a form of perpetual punishment. This pain and suffering would be unbearable, once these people can eliminate their karma, they are often be born as animals. Ending their karma as animals they will gain a human form, they will usually be poor and despised, short or harsh lives.

17. The Hell of Fire Bed

The Hell of Fire Bed is like a cooking grill. Male who engaged in sexual misconduct will be forced to embrace a copper pillar, as female suffers on iron bed. Who used to like to take other lives, or cook flesh in various ways, or those who trample on small insects, come to this hell for suffering. The period of suffering in this hell is inconsidering long. If they completely eliminate their karma in this hell, but they still have other karma, they will be sent to other hells to clear those karma.

18. The Second Hall in hells, the Hall of King of Chu-Jiang

King Chu-Jiang is in charge of second hall, known as the Great Hell of Lasting Suffering. We are forced to come here due to our countless killing in our formal lives. The punishment will be accordance with each and every particular killing that we had committed. One gets kill the same way which kills others. These come to this hell of life due to their love of killing in their previous lives. If the degree of killing can be classified into three levels, there will be three levels of corresponding hells. In short, the punishment depends on one’s karma, one can be sent to as many as sixteen places for punishment. One goes to other hells after completing the suffering here. The punishments can last hundreds or thousands of years. The level of suffering increases at each of the sixteen places. They are linked successively. The torture seemed endless.

19. The Hell of Stomach Piercing

Those who viciously harm other beings, such as killing aquatic beings using forks and spears or hunting animals will be pierce in their stomachs. They will not only having their stomachs pierced, but also have their bodies stabbed beyond recognition. Their misery is extreme and their lasting suffering will be revived at mere touch of breeze. The torture process will be repeated and endlessly.

20. The Hell of Sword Leaves

Ruthless people who use knives and clubs to fight with others or who instigate fights or who engage in gang fights, or who invade other country or those who initiate wars, would suffer in this hell after death. When we look at current state of our world, we see the weak falling the victim of the strong. Competition escalate into fighting, the escalation of fighting becomes war, many innocent people are facing unprecedented disasters. Today the earth has becoming global community, invasion and occupation of another country should not occur. When we observe others suffering condemnation in this hell, we should contemplate the meaning and value of our lives!

21. The Hell of Tongue Raking

Conflict can arise from too many expression of wrong words, the karma of speech causes endless of misdeeds। The punishments are numerous and extreme. In this painting the tongue is raked, as it is been pulled out. The Buddha said: those who bear tales so discord, often either flash on their own back. People in those hell suffering incessantly, after karma in this hell is completely eliminated, they will be sent to the hell of molten copper, and have their tongue, heart, lung, liver, intestine scalded. So much suffering with just the karma of speech. Those defame the Buddha and sages, or those who created rumors or extensive conflicts, or those who cheat elderly and kinder people, cannot escape from the torture of this hell after their death.

22. The Hell of Whipping

A creature no matter how insignificant is still a life form. When we whip and hurt small animals, or stamp on ants. Although these creatures cannot talk or fight back, the pains that they suffer are no less than that of human beings. Unsympathetic people will be flapped and severely beaten after death. Retribution follows an action, like a shadow follows a form. We must be on our guard.

23. The Hell of Chopping

To satisfy from one’s own craving from meat, people slaughter animals and chop them into pieces. Themselves will be chopping into pieces after their death. As it is said, mind is the painter, painting one’s own karma. One has to take the consequences of one’s action.

24. The Hell of Icy Coldness

Putting creatures into cold places to freeze to death. For example, putting caught fish into freezers, or freezing a person soon after death, is extremely unkind. People who commits these act will be send to this hell. The book Jade Standard says that people who abuse power to bully others, or who cold heartily threaten others to loose hope, will be sent to this hell. Today many unlawful people use threats to force others into submission. These lawless people will not be able to get out of this hell easily. The same apply to people who indulge in alcohol and sex, and for those who are not dutiful and un-filial to their parents.

25. The Hell of Hungry Ghost

A moment of anger will cause millions of obstacles. People falling into this hell because of their greediness. Because of greed, they do not want to give. These hungry ghost suffer from extreme hunger and thirst, and are inflicting with the burning of their bodies, they weep torrents of tears, they moan with great sorrow. As we see the moment of Guanyin Bodhisattva comes to rescue and provides food. Should they deeply feel remorseful at this moment, they will rapidly free from the realm of hungry ghost.

26. The Hell of Pus and Blood

Jade Calendar says: Those fond of killing go to this hell. It is very sad and cruel sight to see animal slaughtered, lying in their own pool of blood, they often wail and bleed to their death. How miserable that is! If it was a human being that was being slaughtered, wouldn’t we be angry, wouldn’t we want to take revenge? Jade Standard talks about people who use trick and cheat others for their wealth. For example, those who cheat old people to take possession of their money and belongings, to cause these people to leave to die miserably. They are guilty of the most heinous crimes like vampires. They will be forced into this hell to pay their retribution.

27. The Hell of Urine and Feces

This hell is filled with urine, feces and boiling copper. Not only its unbearable smell, there are also worms in the feces, with shells that are as hard as steel, the worms enter the body when offenders eat them. The worms feed on person’s lips, and next their tongues, throats, hearts, lungs, livers, intestines, and tendons, alone with the rest of flesh and bones. Such torment is to last for endless of times. Those who likes to eat the animal’s intestines, or commit sinful behaviors when drunk, or betrayed their parents, of bring great harm to their friends and relatives, or commit adultery, or abandon responsibility and use harsh language, will be summoned to this hell. While our science and technology advances, our moral and values are retrogressing. For better of worse, it determine our destiny. We have to act with all possible caution!

28. The Third Hall, the Hall of King Song-Di

This king rules the Great Hell of Black Ropes. People come to this hell for their ill thoughts, resentment, ignorance, and fondness for killing. Those who are forced into this hell by engulfed by the rage of hot flame and bound with black ropes, then they are pushed onto a scorching ground with full of sharp knives, dogs with flaming iron teeth, tear them from the sides. Their bodies are torn apart and eaten, It is miserable, and the sound of wailing is deafening. There is no getting out until the karma is cleared. If they are to be born as human form, these people will often be born as lowest class of existence, and often suffer from hunger and thirst. The suffering here is greater then the Great Hell of Live. When this karma is paid, and if there should be other karma, they will be send to other hell to clear those. Knowing such suffer exist, we must not go to the hells.

29. The Hell of Pounding

One who pound another to death, they will be force to go this hell after their death. For example, in order to eat delicious food, one pounds fish or meat into paste or make them into balls. It is also apply to people who often cheat and harm others. Currently many choose to cheat elderly and children, leaving them miserable and helpless. Those who cause this suffering will go to this hell.

30. The Hell of Eye Gauging

The retribution in this hell is cycle-able, one misdeed often result in many transgressions. The more offenses one commits, the more karma one faces. Eye gauging in only one of them. The Jade Standard said: The people who forge documents and default others with their personal belongings and properties will fall into this hell. Those who commit misdeeds, will be forced into the hell of Black Ropes. Many of them will also suffer eye gauging.

31. The Hell of Inverting Tortures

If one tortures others, like taking pleasures in forcing creatures to walk upside down, or hanging others upside down. Like those who grill pawn and fish after capture them, or those who roast pig, lamb, beef, pork, chicken, and ducks, will be send to this hell. Those who set up traps for animals and poaching, and hang them upside down, and those who abduct and sexually assault their victim, will also be sent to this hell.

32. The Hell of Feet Amputation

Jade Standard says, the strong that abuses the week, or those who use their position to bully others, like being mean to subordinates and servants, and making life a living hell for them, will be sent to this hell, where their feet will be amputated, as a form of punishment.

33. The Hell of Blood Sucking

Jade Calendar says that those who use their position of power to embezzle public funds, property and food, are like blood suckers who exploit the weak and the vulnerable. Such people will be sent to this hell of Blood Sucking, they will be helplessly attacked and assaulted by crows and bats. They will die from having their blood sucked completely dry. They will be revived when the wind touches them, and then they will have to suffer the same agony over and over again, until their karma is cleared. Then they will be sent to other hells to pay for their other sins.

34. The Hell of Eating Maggots

Those who commit bad and impure deeds will be sent to this particular hell. Poisonous maggots will bite and chew on them. Every inch of their skin, flash, and every part of the body will be devoured. This incomparable torture is sting to your heart been drilled while you are been still alive.

35. The Hell of Rib Piercing

Jade Calendar says, the government official who are disloyal, receiving bribes, or who did not look after their own people; or those who escapes from prison, deface graves, defame others, commit perjury, or help others terminate marital contract, will be sent to this hell. Today, freedom of speech has reached unrestrained levels, more and more disputes and misfortune are raised due to slander and criticism, this causes great danger and chaos in our society. Those who choose a profession to commit perjury or to be witness to divorces thus destroying families, will suffer in the Hell of Rib Piercing.

36. The Hell of Tendon Taking

Those who like eating animal tendon, such as ox tendon, or those who trafficking drugs, or coarse others into committing crimes, will be sent into this hell. Those in this hell are chained on iron carts; their tendons are pulled out and are used as rope to pull the carts. Hell wards are whipping continuously, painful and agonizing cries fill the air. Jade Standard also says, those who entertain new thoughts after seeing attractive people, those who are persistent and indulge in sexual misbehavior, or those who encourage others to break their marriage arrangement, those who encourage one’s husband to commit sexual misconduct, will be sent to this hell.

37. The Forth Hall, the Hall of King Wu-Guan (five senses)

King Wu-Guan is in charge of this hall, the suffering occurs here are worse than those in previous two halls. The reasons that ones are forced into this hell include: indulging in killing, stealing, and evil deeds in the previous life. People in this hall are engulfed by infernal cruelty. Tears of fire flow from their eyes and burn their bodies. The hell wardens chop away their eye socket, and beat these people with iron hooks, and rip apart their anus with hot iron vises, hot liquid wax is injecting into the body, while fire burn away from the outside. With intense heat inside and out, the torture is beyond description. It will take countless years before the sins to be cleared. Should one later be born as human being, that person will usually have digestive track illness, and his body will be dry, dull and unattractive.

38. The Hell of Waist Level Chopping

Here are those who pretend to be Taoist or alike, who use scam ceremony to deceive people of their money and personal belongings. Jade Standard says that those who disrespectful towards heaven and earth, and the gods, will be sent to this hell. Destroying the environment and not treasuring our natural resources are consider being disrespectful to nature. Nowadays, people generally have no concept of respecting nature. In fact, many disasters are caused by humans, like over logging forest, and contaminating water sources.

39. The Hell of Tongue Removal

Those who like to bear false tales; or those who use abusive, wrongful or flattering word; or those who are arrogant, and defame the scriptures; or those who envy, despise and slander talented people, will be sent to this hell. Their tongues will be pulled out by the hell wardens, and torn apart by the burning hooks, and their throats will be stabbed by hot burning spears. They wanted to die, but they can not. The torture is beyond description, and it will last millions of years. Should they obtain human form, most of them will be handicapped. By seeing this hell, we will understand how miserable the retribution of verbal karma is.

40. The Hell of Boiling Water

Those like to eat live seafood will be forced into this hell. Some people indulge in eating live seafood, often throwing live fish and pawns into boiling water, and watch them painfully in vain trying to escape, the sea creature later become their delicious food. Think about this, for a moment pleasure, will experience the same pain later the future, is it worth it? Also those who kills chicken, ducks, pigs, cattle and sheep, in order to remove their hair easily, who often cook and boil these animal alive, the animal suffering is unspeakable, their hatred is endless! Then those people die, they will suffer in the same way. We must carefully consider this!

41. The Hell of Skin Pealing

Those who come to this hell, often skin animals for living. Snake killers who often skin snakes, eat their flesh and suck the blood. Or those who whip, torture, and offend others, will be sent to this hell. Also bullies who humiliate others, so they feel stripped, leave them unbearable suffering. All those mentioned above will be forced into this hell.

42. The Hell of Burning Wheels and Carts

This hell is also called Burning Carts. Those who chopped other beings to death; those who mistreat their stepchildren; and those who kill, steal, and commit sexual misconduct, will be sent to this hell after death. It is a tragedy that family can not stay together, innocent children suffered the most of all. Already without the love of their own parents, if they have to suffer the mistreatment of their stepparents, their misery is further compounded! Human nature is originally good, everyone possesses a loving heart, individuals form a family due to their affinities of their past lives. Human only lives only a few decades; the bully today may become the weaker party in the future. Retribution can come soon, and it will be too late for regrets!

43. The Hell of Sword Tree

The trees in this hell is forty miles tall, with thorns sixteen inches long. The hell wardens drag the offenders up the trees and throw them down, shearing their flesh and piercing their bodies. Those who ignoring their own families and have affairs, leaving their spouses to suffer, will be sent to this hell. When offenders look up to the top of the trees, all they see are attractive and seductive soft body women. Mesmerized, they rush to the sword tree. The sword like leaves cut into their flesh and tendons, shear their bones and break their spines, until their bodies are cut into pieces. Revived by the wind of karma, they rush up to the trees for the seductive women again, only to find them on the ground below. Deceived by karma, they let desires take control and rush down the trees. Again, the trees cut their flesh, break their tendons, shear bones, and break spines, until their whole body cut into pieces. These people rush up and down the trees and suffer over and over again. This kind of retribution should make everyone fearful. From this, we can conclude, that the harm from sexual misconduct is countless. We don’t have many years in this life, so why don’t we make use of our lives to do something that would beneficial to others!

44. The Hell of Eye Shooting

Treating parents with hostility is the most un-filial thing a child can do. Aged parents feel like candles in the wind, will be heartbroken when they see such behavior from their children. Filial piety is the foremost among all good deeds. Filial piety is the fundamental for being a human, and is the foundation of family education. Be filial, we set good example for our children to follow. Today, no emphasis is placed on moral education, children know how to study, not how to be grateful to their parents! From the time a child is born, parents provide them the best, when a child is spoiled and pampered since young, that child will naturally grow up recalcitrant and un-filial. Who is responsible for this? The Three Character Classic says that as a child is not taught, the father is at fault. If a child is not taught when young, un-filial behavior is expected in the future. For one clear his karma in this hell, should he obtain a human form, he will be blind, hunchbacked, and will have a short life. Those who falling into this hell, will remain in the dark forever, even in their human form, they will still not be able to see.

45. The Hell of Knee Torture

Jade Standard says, one who embezzles ancestral property, and creates problems, conflict, and lawsuits among siblings, will fall into this hell after death. Today, it is common for family members to become enemies by fighting over their ancestor’s assets. When descendents inherit from their ancestors, they should be grateful and sincerely carry on the good names of their ancestors.

46. The Fifth Hall, the Hall of King Yan-Luo

King Yan-Luo is in charge of this Hell of Great Wailing. Those who are falling in here were indulging in killing, stealing, misconducts and intoxicants. The suffering here is more severe than those previous hells. Offenders, who suffer these punishments, cannot stop wailing loudly, that’s the name of this hell. If they obtain human form after this retribution, they often suffer from blood related illness, or they will be born poor or in desolate countries. Most who found here have already been to previously mentioned hells, and have suffered lengthily period of time. Those who cleared their karma, will be allowed to be reincarnated. Those with more severe karma, must send to other hells to clear their karma, after ascending to the Tower of Hometown Viewing.

47. The Tower of Hometown Viewing is 8000 miles long, and is full of people attaching stubbornly to their faults.

After climbing up the Tower of Hometown Viewing, they look forward to meet their loves ones they can never see again. All that they get to see are heartbreaking things! For example, the family shrine in ruin, and family moral tradition fade away; creditors come to collect debt while the corps is still warm; siblings become enemies, fighting over assets they are left; fire destroys properties and wealth of rich families; wife run away with another man; a beloved daughter is bullied and forced into prostitution. Viewing all these miserable things is the most heart wrenching experience for offenders on the Tower of Hometown Viewing.

The family shrine in ruin, and family moral tradition fade away

Siblings become enemies, fighting over assets they are left

Creditors come to collect debt while the corps is still warm

Fire destroys properties and wealth of rich families

Wife run away with another man

A beloved daughter is bullied and forced into prostitution

48. The Hell of Intestine Ripping and Heart Slicing

Jade Calendar says, for fame and gain, some will use unscrupulous means to deceive the public. Even worse, some repay kindness with enmity. Such merciless people have no conscience at all, will be forced into this hell after death. Also for those appear to be gentleman but commit rape, may indulge in momentary pleasure, but in the future, they will pay dearly for it. They will have their intestine ripped, and heart sliced up.

49. The Hell of Blade Mountain

In this hell, there are knives and blades everywhere. Offenders are tossed up from sky, their intestines are pierced, and their blood cascades everywhere. Those who harm genuine places of proper teachings, or defame saints and sages, will fall into this hell after their death. Jade Standard says that those who deceive others with fake products, and those who deceive uneducated and ignorant women, even causing them to die, will also fall into this hell. Nowadays, there are syndicated people who are taking advantage of the weakness of human nature, to cheat people with despicable scams, such as making counterfeit products and medicines for profit. These unscrupulous people don’t know how terrible their retribution will be.

50. The Hell of Flying Swords and Burning Stones

Flying swords and burning stones rain down from the sky, the offenders have no escape and will be caught up and be crushed to pieces. The offenders are forced here, because they had bullied the weak, or they had caused wars, or curse and offend the way of heavens and nature, they will be forced into this hell after their death.

51. The Sixth Hall, the King of Bian City

The King of Bian City is in charge of this Great Hell of Screaming; the suffering here is more severe than those in previous hells. Because the level of killing, stealing, and misconduct committed are more serious than the previously mentioned. First, the torture is proportionate to their crimes, and their suffering are more severe. They scream in pure agony every time they undergo the tortures, thus it is called Great Hell of Screaming. Here, the penalty for wrongful verbal expression is more severe, and the time of suffering is extended beyond the times in other hells. The torture is extreme and intense beyond human comprehension.

52. The Hell of Throat Nailing

This hell is for those commit sexual misconducts. Ignorant people blinded by their heart and passion, commit the offences and receive their retribution here. It is not worth it at all. People who speak obscene words, will have their throat pierced by hot burning nail. Should they clear their karma and obtain human form, they will have foul smelling mouth from any remaining retribution.

53. The Hell of Pounding Pillar

Those who slaughter animals or catch fish for living will get this retribution after their death. Offenders are placed in the mortar, the hell wardens use metal pillar to pound the offender, until their flesh and blood are smashed together.

54. The Hell of Mill

Males who commits sexual misconduct; or who have many wives; who visit brothels, will fall into this hell after their death. When they are alive, they enjoy having many women; after their death, they will be milled into mince. The retribution for sexual indulgence is incredibly miserable.

55. The Hell of Decapitation

Well educated people utilize their knowledge to cause harm to others, for example, the promotion of violence or pornography. Powerful people abuse their power to hurt others, for example, they abuse authority in oppression to virtuous people. These able people use their ability to harm others, and those in high position who seek interest only for themselves, will all fall into this hell. The mass media today promote violence and pornography, which contaminates the minds of the young, harms society and ruin traditions. Those who commit such deeds will fall into this hell after death.

56. The Hell of Tiger Biting

People who are not contended would just eating gourmet food, set up traps to catch wild animals, such as wild bore, deer, and monkey. Those who like eating animals will fall into this hell after death, and become food for tigers. Pregnant women who abort the pregnancy with medication will receive such retribution. In this world of declining morality, many ignorant young girls and women often have abortions; they do not know the horror in hell of tigers biting!

57. The Hell of Fire Cattle

Jade Standard says that cattle, horses, and dogs contribute a lot to the farms. When these animals get old, owners with no compassion will try to sell or kill them for profit. These behaviors are extremely inhuman. These people will fall into this hell after their death.

58. The Hell of Kidney Eating

Jade Standard says that those who have families and still want other’s wives and daughters as concubines, or those who devise tricks to harm others, or cause other families to break up or the members to die will fall into this hell after death.

59. The Seventh Hall, the Hall of King Tai-Shan

He is in charge of the Great Hell of Heat And Fire. This hell is for those foresaid crimes, such as killing, stealing, wrongful thoughts and misdeeds, drinking intoxicants and untruthful speech, but yet have not a single thought of remorse. These people will fall into this hell after death. The suffering in this hell is a lot harsher than the previous ones, as the burning fire in this hell aren’t remitting. Those who clear their karma will spend three hundred lifetimes within the hungry ghost realm, follows by two hundred lifetimes within the animal realm. After that, should they obtain human form again, they will be born of disrespectful children, without remorse or shame with their misconduct, they will be despicable and behave like animals, have terribly crack hands and feet, and be incapable of earning enough to even buy food, their entire life will be void of happiness and merits. This hell is encircled by great fire and heat. In this hell, they will be cut into pieces and burnt, suffering immense pain from birth to death, and from death to birth.

60. The Hell of Tongue Removal And Cheek Piercing

Jade Standard says, those who often wrote dishonest words, harm others by instigating unnecessary lawsuits, devise harmful tricks, manipulate facts, cheat for financial gain, or cause others die from miscarriage of justice, will fall into this hell after death. Today, people fabricate legal documents to manipulate facts, instigate lawsuits, threaten, extort, or cheat others for money, or even cause others to die from miscarriage of justice. All such people will receive their retribution after their death, and fall into the Hell of Tongue Removal And Cheek Piercing.

61. The Hell of Stone Bearing

Jade Standard says that ferocious women who act ruthlessly, or those who cheat and kill for money, or those who do not respect teachers or show gratitude to their parents, or those who do not behave in propriety, will fall into this hell.

62. The Hell of Dog Howling And Wolf biting

Those who start dispute or cause trouble to retain power, or who are void of loyalty and kindness, will fall into this hell. The Chinese proverb describe heartless and malicious people as having the heart of the wolves, and the lung of the mad dogs. These people may have enjoy wealth and power, but after death, they will be bitten by mad dogs and wolves, dismembered and their joints and bones crushed. The tragic retribution is too horrible to contemplate!

63. The Hell of Boiling Oil

Those who like frying the flesh of living creatures, setting fires in mountains or forests, or putting living creatures over a fire, will suffer in this hell after their death। People today who wish to develop mountainous or forest area often uses fire or explosives to clear the land. Not only do they destroy the natural environment, they also taking millions of lives. People who like to hike or barbecue in the woods, they carelessly start a fire, and those who cause other creatures to die in such ways will fall into this hell!

64. The Hell of the Scale
Merchants who cheat customers, take advantage of others, or dishonest in business dealing, or refuse to pay their debts, intentionally windup the company without good cause, or keep property or assets that belong to others, will fall into this hell after their death.

65. The Hell of Iron Balls

Sutra says that those who fall in to the abyss of hell suffer relentlessly swallowing iron balls when hungry, and drinking molten iron when thirsty. Being in this hell laying on the hot iron, as their mouths are opened by clamps, burning iron balls will drop into their mouths, the balls burn their lips, tongues, throats, intestines, when excreted, the balls are still red hot. The process repeats endlessly, and pain is beyond imagination!

66. The Eighth Hall , the Hall of King Du-Shi (city)

King Du-Shi is in charge of the Great Hell of Fire And Heat, the torture and suffering in this hell is never ending. From the ground to the sky, the infernal is everywhere, burning continuously for infinity. Those in this hell are burnt for infinite time. They are bath in boiling blood until death, and then revive again in the same hell. After their karma cleared, then falls into the ghost and animal realms. When they suffer from thirst and hunger, even fond eating one another. After such suffering from immeasurable life, it will be extremely hard for them to become human again, even if they were to be reborn as human, they will be easily irritated and have short lives as the remaining retribution for their karma. Suffering in this hell is far more severe than in prior ones, the main causes are similar but the offenses are much worse, therefore the retribution is much more extreme.

67. The Hell of Burning Marrow

Those who instigate the burning of the lowlands or who do so themselves, or build cell spaces to suffocate and thus kill mice, mosquitoes or ants will fall into this hell. People often use electricity or fumigation to kill insects. Out of convenience, people burn the weed without knowing that many small creatures live below, and will be killed by fire. We must aware that these are serious killing offenses.

Additionally, when cleaning, people often fumigate or use poison to kill ants and small insects. These are very bad karma. Three days prior to these activities, we should sincerely ask Guanyin Bodhisattva, to compassionly protect these small creatures and ensure their safety. According to the Cause And Effect Sutra, incompetent doctors who worsen the conditions of their patients, will also fall into this hell after their death.

68. The Hell of Pointed Spikes or Hell of Steal Spikes

Those who engage in corruption, fraud, or bribery, and who oppress the poor, who are unscrupulous and cut other’s wages, who treat others meanly, or who induce and encourage lawsuits, will fall into this hell to suffer the pain of pointed spikes.

69. The Hell of Hacking

Those who cheat or steal money from others, disbelieve the dharma, or have wrong views will fall into this hell. Dishonest people, who cheat and confuse the public for profit or pleasure, will be punished the same way. Their bodies will be hacked into pieces just like the log. The pain is extreme.

70. The Hell of Iron Snakes

Foolish beings who condemned and looked downed upon the merits of charity giving, who instigate others to hoard and be stingy, and who speak against the nature’s Law of Cause And Effect, will fall into this hell after death. Buddha said, giving wealth result in gaining wealth; giving teachings result in obtaining wisdom; and giving fearlessness result in having health and longevity. Also, the Law of Cause And Effect runs thru numerous lifetimes. Causing good to be done produce good effects; whereas causing negative actions will produce bad effects. Those who perform good deeds, but have not receive good effects; or who committed offenses but have not been punished, are still undergoing retributions from their previous lives.

71. The Hell of Molten Iron

In this hell, molten iron is poured into offender’s mouth from head to toe. The whole body burn instantly, and miserable scream of horror and wailing could be heard everywhere. This is the direct result of one’s bad deeds of ill perform within one’s previous lifetime, especially from verbal misconduct. Beware that the mouth is door to good and bad fortune.

72. The Hell of Fire Dogs

Sutra says, silkworm farmers will go to this hell. Those who fries living beings, and who feed small animals to tigers or leopards will fall into this hell after their death, to suffer the stamping and tramping of fire dogs. Just as nature provides for all living beings, we should also have compassion for all animals.

73. The Ninth Hall, the Hall of King Ping-Deng (equal)

King Ping-Deng is in charge of the biggest hell of all, which is the Hell of Incessant Suffer. Suffering in this hell is much worse than the previous ones. Those who kill their parents or committed even more serious evil deeds, because of their greed, anger, and ignorant will be sent to this hell. This hell is arranged in layers of punishment halls, the fire from all sides. The offenders had committed the most evil deeds when they were alive, so here they are to suffer the most severe torture. In addition to be burnt, they will be sent to freezing places where cold wind blowing on them cuts like knives, their excruciating pain is beyond description. All transgressions are caused by one’s karmas. There are sixteen small hells with increasing level of suffers, due to their varying degree of causes, it would be an infinite time until the karmas are cleared completely, and only then can the beings here leave.

74. The Hell of Wasps and Scorpions

Jade Standard says, those who have power and wealth but who are reckless and unscrupulous, or who seduce unmarried girls, who pretend to obey rules and orders, who fail to be good role models, and who cause others to do evil shamelessly, will fall into this hell after death. Today people tend not to trust each other, or obey rules publicly but indulge in evil behavior privately. Those are examples of why these people go to this hell.

75. The Hell of Poisonous Snakes

Jade Standard says that the Hell of Wasps and Scorpions and Hell of Poisonous Snakes punish those who are shameless, those with strong hatred also fall into this hell after death. Those who do not know the meaning of shame can easily commit all sorts of bad deeds; those who are filled with hatred would act irrationally and thus create endless karmas, they will fall into this hell after death.

76. The Hell of Brain Removal

Those who treat parents and teachers arrogantly, who show others how to do things illegally, who impose all sorts of hardship on others, such as catching living animals by their heads thus frightening them and making them great pain, will be sent to this hell after their death.

77. The Hell of Standing On Mountains Full Of Pointing Stones

Jade Standard says those who disloyal to their superiors, and those who misbehave without restrain, thereby causing misfortune for their superiors, will be sent to this hell. Those who cut trees excessively and ruin the environment, or those who disrupt nature will go to this hell.

78. The Hell of Crow Eating

Jade Standard says that those who kill others with hatred and impute the blame, or talented people who are arrogant and commit sexual misconduct, or those who conspire to cause death of others, will fall into this hell after death. Offenders here will be tear into pieces by iron crows, and suffer endlessly life after life in the same hell.

79. The Hell of Raining Needles

In this hell, steel needles falling like rain from the sky, the body of offenders will be pierced by the fine needles as they scream and scream in agony. These people committed immeasurable negative karmas due to using deceiveful words, or using medication to abort a pregnancy. These are the causes for falling into this hell after their death.

80. The Tenth Hall, the Hall of Great King Zhuan-Lun (wheel turning)

This hall faces our polluted world, and this king runs over all souls brought here from the other halls. He will judge the fortunes and misfortunes of the offenders before sending them to the Four Great Continents for rebirth. Depending on their amount of good and bad deeds, these souls will cross the Bridge Of Vanity where there are gold, silver, jade, stone, or wood to be reborn.

The lists of names are compiled and send to the First Hall for registration before the souls are sent to the City of Fong-Du, to be categorized further according to their lifespan or according to the changes of fortunes or misfortunes they have.

The whole process is carefully managed. The people in this picture had done good deeds, they are admired by heavenly and the human beings when they were alive. They are greeted respectfully by the King Zhuan-Lun after their death. Good deeds will resolve in good results, they will be born to the fortunate or wealthy families. In summary, good deeds lead to good results; bad deeds lead to bad results. The Law Of Cause And Effect functions flawlessly.

81. Performing good deeds will accumulate good merits

Those who enjoy giving and helping others, and who always follow moral principles, who are filial to parents, respectful to teachers and elders, who are compassionate and do not kill any living beings, will die in peace and be reborn either in heaven or human realm. Therefore, what people do in their current lives, will determine what they become in their next lives. It is not arranged by deities or someone in the heaven.

82. People in all walks of lives will have their own causes and effects

There are reasons being rich or poor, so we should not envy the rich nor be frustrated that we are not. After understanding the principle of Cause And Effect, we should make piece within ourselves, and try our best to fulfill our responsibilities. As it said, rich or poor, everyone should behave in accordance with who they are. Be responsible with our complaint is the way to clear one’s karma.

83. People on the Bridge Of Vanity will find it is too late for regrets
After leaving the hell and stepping on to the Bridge Of Vanity, they will be lead by their karma to happiness or suffer, to be animal or ghost, or even human. They will suffer thru a countless cycle of rebirth endlessly.

84. Sutra followers who do bad deeds will send to the Pavilion of Meng-Po first
Jade Calendar says that it would be hard for the kings of hell to sentence offenders who had recited sutras and mantras. So they will be first send to the Pavilion of Meng-Po, and made to drink the Soup of Forgetfulness, and then send to reborn, but they will die young, they will forget the sutras and mantras they had learned, and then be sentenced.85. Jade Calendar says that the Jade Emperor ordered Meng-Po to be the Goddess of Darkness, and build the Forgetful Platform. Those who are to be reborn, will be sent to this platform to drink the soup, so they will forget everything they had done in their previous lives.

86. After drinking the Soup of Forgetfulness, it is time for rebirth

Having drunk the Soup of Forgetfulness, those had done good deeds will be reborn as humans, wiser and stronger than before; those with bad deeds will become dull minded, weak, and weary, they therefore will have the motivation to start afresh to become a better person.

87. It is hard to be born as human to encounter Buddhist teaching

The Buddha said that a chance to obtain human form is unbelievably rare, we should treasure this precious opportunity to be a human and cultivate seriously. The suffering in Six Realms are too terrible to bear. Being have been suffering from realms unknowingly! Now that we have encountered the teachings of Buddha, it’s like a light been lit in a room been darken for millennium. We should treasure every second and learn diligently, so that we can escape the suffering of rebirth.

88. Most of those named on the rebirth list, are to be reborn as forms lower than human

Checking the names on the list, the King of Ghost will find mostly animals and ghosts. Seen all the animal skins, it becomes very clear that the chance to be reborn as human is very rare!

89. The King of Ghost waves willow twigs and souls are reborn

Thousands of souls will be reborn according to their karma, either as human or as different kinds of animals, including flying birds, running beasts, even ribbing worms, they will reenter the Cycle of Endless Rebirth!

90. The morning sun is shining, and the world is very bright, good or bad results, are caused by us.

After completing the suffering in hell, new lives are reborn, and there is the new dawn! The Three Character Sutra says that the essence of nature is pure and kind. We have committed numerous offenses because of our polluted karma habits, which are not innate in our true nature. It is hard to obtain a human form but we have right now; it is harder to meet the Buddha dharma but we have found it, we must treasure every second in this life, cultivating diligently and avoid further rebirth.

Lao-Zi says that good fortune and misfortune are created by us, so we need to be responsible for our behavior. After viewing the painting of the hells, we can feel the horror and realize that been sent to hell is due to committing wrong deeds. Everything is impermanent except the Law of Causality. Having already committing bad karma, what could we do? Buddha told us to sincerely repent and not to repeat the same mistakes again, this way we can clear our offenses.

Lastly, let us all follow the teachings of Buddha: Do all that is good, and avoid all that is bad!

**Spreading this blog to other people is considered a good deed, and your positive influence will accumulate to your merits of good virtues. It is your chance to pass it on to as many people as possible, so your sins will be cleared, and avoid suffering in hells.