3. Hell

Hell is the most inferior path within the realm of desire. Ground or earth（di地） means “bottom” or “base”（di底）. Considering all things on earth, the ground is the lowest therefore it is titled the “bottom.” Prison（yu獄） means “restriction”（ju 局）, sentient beings in hell suffer restriction and cannot be free, hence it is called “hell”. In a hell, there is no righteousness or merit, thus it is also called “not having.”

Hell has many different types and names. In general, hell is divided into eighteen different types. Among them, suffering in the Avici Hell{9} is the most severe. The karmic retributions for being reborn in the Avici Hell are caused by the following:

1)To commit the Five Rebellious Acts{10},

2)To slander the Triple Gem and disrespect the teachings of Dharma,

3)To infringe on monastery properties and monastics, dishonor the bhiksus or bhiksunis, or conduct sexual activities inside the monastery or murder members of the Sangha.

4)To disguise as a monastic, misusing and cheating on monastics and monasteries, deceiving laypeople, and violating the Vinaya,

5)To steal from properties of a monastery.

Within the Three Unwholesome Paths, beings in hell are experiencing brutal suffering, and their mind in confusion, thus they have no extra energy to accept the Buddhadharma. Animals on the other hand, as their minds are obscured by ignorance, they are therefore unable to accept the influences of Buddhadharma. As for hungry ghosts, thirst, hunger and their burning bodies cause them to be unable to accept the Buddhadharma. Heavenly beings and Asura{11} are indulged in comfort and pleasure that they are unable to know the value of hearing the Dharma. The Human path, which includes both pleasure and suffering, offers the most opportunity to listen to the Dharma. As a result, it is said that among the Five destinies and Six paths{12}, the Human path is most rare and profound.

【Key Words】

{9} Avici Hell　無間地獄
{10} Five Rebellious Acts　五逆重罪
{11} Asura　阿修羅
{12} Five destinies and Six paths　五趣六道