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Of particular interest to visitors, especially children, may
be the depiction of ten Chambers of Hell. These chambers line
a path that gently winds up a hill at the fringe of the
square. The walk up the path is named the Journey to
Enlightenment because these chambers aim to discourage bad
conduct by depicting the painful experiences an evil person
would encounter in Hell.
According to Chinese beliefs, the First Chamber of Hell would
screen the character of a dead person and his past deeds to
decide whether or not and where he should receive punishment.
A good person would be sent for rebirth in the Heavenly Realm
or the Western Pureland of Great Bliss. An evil person would
be sent to one of the remaining nine chambers of Hell, each of
which is authorised and empowered to impose various degrees of
punishment. Hence, all the newly arrived souls of the dead
would proceed to the First Chamber of Hell where Chin-Kwong-Wang,
the King of the First Chamber would determine their fate.
The Second Chamber
of Hell said to be located below the ocean would deal
specially with people who had abducted men or women, occupied
properties not belonging to them, or caused bodily harm to
others. Doctors who had cheated their patients or carried out
malpractices, adulterous couples and those who had committed
suicide before completing their filial obligations would
likewise receive their punishment here. |
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The Third Chamber of Hell would mete out punishment to
ungrateful or disloyal people and thieves. The Fourth Chamber
punishes those guilty of tax evasion, bullying and negligence. In the Fifth Chamber would be placed
those found guilty of rape, murder and fighting while those
who had engaged in vandalism or has shown disrespect for religion would end up in the Sixth
Chamber. The Seventh Chamber of Hell awaits those who had been
involved in trafficking, abortion, gambling and other dishonest activities. The Eighth Chamber
punishes people who had not shown filial piety towards their
parents and respect for their elders. The Ninth Chamber deals
with people who burn and damage properties. The Tenth Chamber
decides on the place, form and sex in matters of reincarnation
and rebirth.
While the tour of the Hell chambers can be an educational trip
for everyone, it can also be an eye-opener for people who have
little knowledge of the basic principles of cause and effect
in Buddhism, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese beliefs.
The huge colour-dotted stone mushrooms can be a source of
cheer for children. |
