The Chinese Underworld (Di'Yu) in traditional Chinese beliefs is based on a combination of the Buddhist concept (Na'Ra'Ka) and a variety of popular interpretations. It is depicted as a subterranean maze with various levels and chambers, to which souls are taken after death. The exact number of levels differs and the souls are not judged there. Instead it is a place of torments in which the length of a being's stay is not eternal, though it is usually long, from hundreds of millions to quintillions of years. Abeing is born into this place as a direct result of his/her accumulated actions (karma) until that karma has achieved its full result. After his/her karma is used up, he/she will be reborn in one of the higher worlds as the result of karma that had not yet ripened.
Physically, the underworld is thought as a series of cavernous layers which extend below the ordinary human world into the earth. Each deals with a different aspect of atonement and different punishments.
The East Hell.-
Chamber of Tongue Ripping is the first layer in which those who stir up troubles by gossiping will find their tongues being ripped.
Chamber of Scissors is the second layer in which those who break the marriage of others will have their fingers cut off.
Chamber of Iron Cycads in the third level in which those who cause discords among family members of others will hung on Iron Trees.
Chamber of Mirror is the fourth level in which those who managed to escape the punishment for their crimes during earthly life will be shown their true shape.
Chamber of Steamer is the fifth level in which hypocrites and troublemakers will find their punishment in a steamer.
Forest of Copper Column is the sixth level in which arsonists for retaliation will be bound to columns of glowing cooper.
Mountain of Knives is the seventh level in which those who kill sentient beings with knife without a reason or for pleasure will find themselves climbing a hill of knives. Sinners are made to shed blood by climbing a mountain with sharp blades sticking out.
Hill of Ice is the eighth level in which schemers, deceivers of elders (including parents) and adulterers will be left naked in freezing cold.
Cauldron of Boiling Oil is the ninth level in which rapists, abusers, false accusers will be boiled in fried oil.
The West Hell.-
Chamber of Ox is the first level in which those who abuse animals will find themselves being bullied by animals.
Chamber of Rock is the second level in which those who abandon or kill babies will hold a heavy rock and eventually crushed and will be surrounded by putrid water.
Chamber of Pounding is the third layer in which those who voluntarily waste food will be forced to be fed by demons with hell-fire.
Pool of Blood is the third level in which those who do not respect others will find themselves soaked in blood.
Town of Suicide is the fourth level in which people who commit suicide will find themselves wandering in the city. The wind of sorrow and the rain of pain lash day and night this desolate place. They are those who have voluntarily altered the karmic course of incarnation.
Chamber of Dismemberment is the fifth level in which tomb raiders will find their body torn into pieces.
Mountain of Flames is the sixth level in which thieves, robbers and corrupt will be thrown into the flames in a hellish volcano.
Yard of Stone Mill is the seventh level in which those who subdue the weak, abuse their power and oppress the people will be crashed and pulverized in a stone mill.
Chamber of Saw is the eighth level in which those who exploit the loopholes in the law and engage in unfair practices in business will be sawn into half by demons.
Some Chinese folk religion say that new underworlds with new punishments are created as the world changes and that there is a City of Innocent Deaths designed to house those who died with grievances that have yet to be redressed.
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