32. The Accumulation of Good

4. The Divine Messengers

The Buddha's Observation of Sentient Beings

Thus have I heard: 

At one time, the Buddha was dwelling in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park, in the country of Śrāvastī. At that time, the Bhagavān told the bhikṣus: “Just as a house has two doors facing each other, and someone lives in the middle of the house, and someone else lives above, observing those below, knowing and seeing all who enter, exit, and come and go—I am also like this. With the divine eye, I observe the various kinds of sentient beings: those born and those who die, those in fortunate states of existence and those in unfortunate states of existence, those with good colour and those with bad colour, whether beautiful or ugly. Based on what they have planted, I know all of this.

The Fruits of Wholesome and Unwholesome Actions

“If there are sentient beings whose bodily action is wholesome, whose verbal action is wholesome, whose mental action is wholesome, who do not denigrate noble ones and sages, whose practice is in accordance with right view and is bound with equal views, when their body breaks up and their life ends, they are born in a happy condition, in the heavens above. This is called a sentient being practising goodness. If there are sentient beings who practise these wholesome dharmas and do not create evil karma, when their body breaks up and their life ends, they come to be born among human beings. If there are sentient beings whose bodily, verbal, and mental actions are unwholesome and who create unwholesome actions, they are born among the hungry ghosts after their life ends. Or if there are sentient beings whose bodily, verbal, and mental actions are unwholesome, who denigrate noble ones and sages and are bound with mistaken views, they are born among animals after their life ends. Or if there are sentient beings whose bodily, verbal, and mental actions are unwholesome, who create unwholesome actions, who denigrate noble ones and sages, after their life ends, they are born in hell.

The Transgressors Before King Yama

“At that time, the hell-wardens will take these transgressors and show them to King Yama and say this: ‘Great King, you should know that this person, in their previous life, whose bodily and mental actions were unwholesome, having created all kinds of evil actions, is now born in this hell. Great King! What punishment should be given to this person?’

The First Divine Messenger: Birth

“At that time, King Yama will gradually and privately ask that person about their offences and say to that person: ‘Why is it, son? In your previous life, when you were a human being, did you not see people being born and obtaining a human body, experiencing extreme distress at the time of being in the womb, suffering pain that was truly difficult to endure? And when they grew up, were they not cared for with nursing and feeding, and had their bodies bathed?’

“At that time, the transgressor will reply: ‘Indeed, I saw it, Great King!’ King Yama will say: ‘Why is it, son? Did you not know for yourself the essential practice of the Dharma of life? Bodily, verbal, and mental actions should cultivate all the fortunate states of existence.’ The transgressor will reply: ‘Like this, Great King, as the Great King teaches. However, due to ignorant delusion, I did not distinguish between wholesome and unwholesome actions.’ King Yama will say: ‘As you say, the matter is not different, and I also know that you did not do wholesome bodily, verbal, and mental actions. But for today, I will thoroughly investigate your negligent, harmful behaviour. Your parents did not do these, nor were they done by the king or high ministers. Originally, you created the offence yourself—now you will receive the consequences yourself.’

The Second Divine Messenger: Old Age

“At that time, King Yama will first ask about their offences and then command that they be punished. Next, the second heavenly messenger will ask that person: ‘When you were previously a human being, did you not see an old person whose physical body was extremely weak, whose gait was laboured and exhausted, whose clothing was filthy and dusty, whose movements were faltering and trembling, whose breathing was groaning, and who had no youthful vigour?’

“At that time, the transgressor will reply: ‘Indeed, Great King, I have seen this.’ King Yama will reply: ‘You should have known for yourself: “I, too, will have this nature of old age, be afflicted by old age, and should cultivate good deeds.”’ The transgressor will reply: ‘Indeed, Great King, I truly did not believe it at that time.’ King Yama will reply: ‘I truly know that you did not perform good actions with your body, speech, and mind. Now, I will punish your transgressions so you will not transgress again. Your parents did not do the evil you committed, nor was it created by the king, ministers, or the common people. You yourself created these transgressions, and you will receive the retribution yourself.’

The Third Divine Messenger: Sickness

“At that time, after King Yama has instructed the transgressor with this second divine messenger, he will again say to that person with the third divine messenger: ‘When you were previously a human being, did you not see a sick person lying on a pile of faeces and urine, unable to get up and move about?’ The transgressor will reply: ‘Indeed, Great King, I truly saw this.’ King Yama will say: ‘Why, man, did you not know for yourself: “I, too, will have this sickness and will not avoid this suffering”?’ The transgressor will reply: ‘Indeed, Great King, I truly did not see this.’ King Yama will say: ‘I also know that you were ignorant and did not understand. Now, I will inflict punishment on you for your transgressions so that you will not repeat this harmful behaviour. Your father or mother did not do this transgression, nor was it created by the king or ministers.’

The Fourth Divine Messenger: Death

“At that time, after King Yama has given these instructions, he will again say to that person with the fourth divine messenger: ‘Why, man, did you not see a body like dried-up wood, when the wind has departed and the fire extinguished, without feelings or thoughts, surrounded by five relatives wailing and crying?’ The transgressor will reply: ‘Indeed, Great King, I have seen this.’ King Yama will say: ‘Why did you not think: “I, too, will not avoid this death”?’ The transgressor will reply: ‘Indeed, Great King, I truly did not perceive this.’ King Yama will say: ‘I also believe that you did not perceive this Dharma. Now, I will punish you so that you will not transgress again. Your father or mother did not do this unwholesome transgression, nor was it created by the king, ministers, or the common people. You yourself created it, and now you will receive the suffering for it.’

The Fifth Divine Messenger: Punishment of Wrongdoers

“At that time, King Yama will again say to that person with the fifth divine messenger: ‘When you were previously a human being, did you not see a thief breaking through walls and destroying houses, taking the wealth and treasures of others, sometimes setting fires, or hiding on the road? Suppose that when he was caught by the king, his hands and feet were cut off, or he was killed. Some are confined in prisons; some are bound and led to the market; some are made to carry sand and stones; some are taken and hung upside down; some are pierced with a hail of arrows; some have molten copper poured over their bodies; some are scorched with fire; some have their skin peeled off and are then forced to eat it; some have their bellies opened and stuffed with grass; some are boiled in hot water; some are hacked with knives or have their heads crushed by wheels; some are trampled to death by elephant feet; some are marked on the head, even unto death?’

“The transgressor will reply: ‘I truly saw it.’ King Yama will say: ‘Why did you steal the possessions of others? Knowing full well that there would be consequences, why did you commit this offence?’ The transgressor will reply: ‘Indeed, Great King! I was truly deluded.’ King Yama will say: ‘I also believe what you say. Now, I shall punish you for your crime so you will not commit it again. This crime was not done by your parents, nor by the king, ministers, or the people. You created this crime yourself, and you will receive its retribution yourself.’

The Descent into Hell

“At that time, King Yama, having questioned the transgressor, will command the hell-wardens: ‘Quickly take this person and cast him into prison!’ At that time, the hell-wardens, receiving the king’s command, will take that transgressor and cast him into prison. The left side of the hell will be blazing with fire, with an iron city and iron walls, and the ground also will be made of iron. There will be four city gates, an extremely foul place, appearing as if defiled by faeces and urine, with mountains of swords and forests of sword trees surrounding all four sides. Furthermore, it will be covered with a cage made of loosely spaced iron bars.”

At that time, the Bhagavān then uttered a gāthā:

“Four walls, four city gates,
Broad and long, truly a prison,
Covered by a cage of iron bars,
With no fixed term for escape.  

“At that time, on the iron ground,
The fire will blaze extremely fiercely.
The walls will be one hundred yojanas square,
A single colour, all ablaze.  

“In the centre will be four pillars.
To behold them will be truly terrifying,
And on the sword-trees,
Iron-beaked crows will perch.  

“A foul place, truly difficult to dwell in.
To behold it will make one’s body hair stand on end,
Various instruments of terror,
With sixteen compartments.

Torments of the Hell-Wardens

“Bhikṣus, know this: at that time, the hell-wardens will beat this person with various painful instruments. When that transgressor lifts his foot to enter the prison, his flesh and blood will be completely exhausted, with only bones remaining. At that time, the hell-wardens will take that transgressor and again hack at his body with sharp axes. The suffering will be immeasurable, and he will not be able to seek death. Only after his transgressions are extinguished will he then attain liberation. The transgressions he committed among humans must be exhausted—only then will he be able to escape.

The Sword Tree Torment

“At that time, those hell-wardens will take that transgressor and make him climb up and down the sword tree. At that time, those iron-beaked crows will eat the transgressor on the tree. Some will peck at his head and take his brains to eat; some will take his hands and feet and strike the bones to extract the marrow. But his transgressions will not yet be exhausted—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape.

The Red-Hot Copper Pillar

“At that time, the hell-wardens will take that transgressor and make him embrace a red-hot copper pillar and sit down. In his previous life, he delighted in debauchery and incurred this transgression. Pursued by transgressions, they will never escape. At that time, the hell-wardens will pull out the tendons from the soles of his feet, stretching them up to his neck and pulling them forward. Sometimes, he will be made to ride in carts, moving forward or backward, unable to attain independence. The suffering he will endure within will be incalculable—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape.

The Fiery Mountain

“At that time, the hell-wardens will take those transgressors and place them on a fiery mountain, driving them up and down. At that time, they will be utterly burned and destroyed, and only then will they escape. Because of these causes and conditions, the transgressors will not be able to seek death and obtain it—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape.

The Mountain of Knives

“At that time, the hell-wardens again will take the transgressors, pull out their tongues, and throw them behind their backs. The suffering they will endure within will be incalculable, and they will not be able to seek death and obtain it. At that time, the hell-wardens again will take the transgressors and place them on a mountain of knives, where their feet will be cut off, or their heads will be cut off, or their hands will be cut off—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape.

The Hot Iron Leaves and Labour

“At that time, the hell-wardens again will cover the bodies of the transgressors with large, hot iron leaves, as if putting on clothes as when they were alive. The suffering, pain, and poison will be difficult to endure—all because of greed; therefore, they will incur these transgressions. The hell-wardens again will make the transgressors perform five kinds of labour, driving them to lie prostrate, taking iron nails and nailing their hands and feet, and again nailing one nail into their hearts. The suffering they will endure within will be truly indescribable—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape.

The Cauldron of Burning

“At that time, the hell guards again will take the transgressors, turn their bodies upside down, and lift them into a cauldron. Their bodies will be utterly burned and destroyed from the bottom up. If they return to the top, they will also be burned and destroyed. If they go to the four sides, they, too, will be burned and destroyed. The sour, bitter, poisonous pain will be incalculable. Whether visible or invisible, they will be burned. It will be like boiling small beans in a large pot—some going up and some going down. Now, these transgressors will also be like this; whether visible or invisible, they will be burned. The suffering they will endure within will be incalculable—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape.

The Gates of Hell in the East

“Bhikṣus, you should know that sometimes in that hell, after experiencing many years, the east gate will open. At that time, the transgressors will again go towards the gate, but the gate will naturally shut down. Those people will all fall to the ground, and the suffering they will endure within cannot be fully described. Sometimes, each one will lament their grievances: ‘Because of you, we cannot get out of the gate!’

At that time, the Bhagavān then spoke this verse:

"Fools are always joyful,
Like the devas of the Abhasvara Heaven;
Wise people are always concerned
L:ike prisoners in jail.

The North Gate and Beyond

“At that time, in the great hells, after experiencing hundreds of thousands of years, the north gate will again open. The transgressors will go towards the north gate again, but the gate will immediately shut down—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape. Those transgressors will go through hundreds of thousands of years, and only then will they escape. The offences committed among human beings must be brought to completion.

Repeated Torments

“At that time, the hell guards again will seize the transgressors and, with iron axes, chop their bodies. Having undergone such suffering, they will be made to experience it again—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape.

The Crushing Mountains

“Bhikṣus, know that there are times when that east gate will be opened again. At that time, those beings will approach the east gate again, but the gate will close by itself, and they will not escape. Even if they do escape, outside there will be a great mountain, and they will go towards it. They will enter the mountain and be crushed by the two mountains as if pressing sesame oil. In that place, they will undergo immeasurable suffering—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape.

The Hot Ash Hell

“At that time, those transgressors will manage to move forward and again encounter the hot ash hell, which will be tens of millions of yojanas long and wide. In that place, they will undergo immeasurable suffering—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape.

The Knife-Thorn Trees

“Moving forward again, next, there will be the hell of knife-thorn trees. The transgressors will enter this hell of knife-thorn trees, and then a great wind will arise, destroying the transgressors’ bodies, sinews, and bones. In that place, they will undergo immeasurable suffering. Their transgressions must be extinguished, and only then will they be released.

The Great Hot Ash Hell

“Next, there will be the great hot ash hell. The transgressors will again enter this hell. Their bodies will melt and decay, and they will undergo limitless suffering. Their transgressions must be extinguished, and only then will they be released.

The Hell of Swords

“At that time, even though the transgressors escape this hot ash hell, they will again encounter the hell of swords, which will be tens of millions of li long and wide. The transgressors will enter this hell of swords, and in that place, they will undergo immeasurable suffering—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape.

The Boiling Excrement Hell

“Next, there will be the boiling excrement hell, in which there will be tiny worms that will enter their bones and pierce their marrow, eating these people. Even though they escape this hell, they will encounter hell guards ahead. The hell guards will ask the transgressors: ‘Where do you want to go? Where do you come from?’ The transgressors will reply: ‘We do not know where we come from, and we also do not know where we should go. But we are extremely hungry and exhausted today, and we want to have food.’ The hell guards will reply: ‘We will provide it for you.’

The Hot Iron Balls

“At that time, the hell guards will take the transgressors and lay them on their backs, take large, hot iron balls, and make the transgressors swallow them. The transgressors will undergo immeasurable suffering. The hot iron balls will pass down from their mouths, and their intestines and stomachs will be entirely destroyed, and they will undergo suffering that will be difficult to fathom. It will be necessary that their transgressions be extinguished—only when their transgressions are completely exhausted will they then escape.

The Molten Copper

“Then, those transgressors will not be able to endure this suffering, and they will return to the Boiling Excrement Hell, the Sword Tree Hell, and the Hot Ash Hell, returning to undergo suffering in those hells. Those beings will not be able to endure the suffering and will turn back to the Boiling Excrement Hell. The hell guards will say to those beings: ‘Where do you want to go? Where do you come from?’ The transgressors will reply: ‘We cannot know for ourselves where we come from, and now we also do not know where we should go.’ The hell guards will ask: ‘What do you need now?’ The transgressors will reply: ‘We are extremely thirsty and want to drink water.’

“Then, the hell guards will seize the transgressor, lay him on his back, and pour molten copper into his mouth, forcing it down. The suffering endured therein will be immeasurable. They must ensure the transgression is exhausted before he can be released. The transgressor will not be able to endure this suffering and will return to the Boiling Excrement Hell, the Sword Tree Hell, and the Hot Ash Hell, returning into the great hells.

The Nature of Suffering in Hell

“Bhikṣus, know that at that time, the suffering of the transgressor will be immeasurable. Even if that transgressor’s eyes see forms, his mind will not delight in them. If he hears sounds, smells scents, tastes flavours, experiences delicate and smooth touch with his body, or knows concepts with his mind, he will only give rise to anger. The reason is this: the retribution for not performing good deeds in the past and constantly creating evil karma will lead to this suffering.

King Yama’s Final Admonition and Aspiration

“At that time, King Yama will command the transgressor, saying: ‘You did not obtain good gains. In the past, while among humans, you received human blessings, but your actions of body, speech, and mind were not in accordance with Dharma. You were neither generous, kind, beneficial to others, nor empathetic. Therefore, you now receive this suffering. These evil deeds were not done by your parents, nor by the king or ministers. All beings whose body, speech, and mind are pure, without defilement, are like the devas of the Abhasvara Heaven. All beings who commit evil deeds are like those in hell. Your body, speech, and mind are impure; therefore, you will incur this suffering.’

“Bhikṣus, know that King Yama then says: ‘When will I escape this tribulation and be born among humans? Having obtained a human body, I will then be able to renounce the world, shave my head and facial hair, wear the three Dharma robes, and leave home to study the path.’ Even King Yama has such thoughts—how much more should you, who have now obtained a human body and are able to become śramaṇas!

The Buddha’s Exhortation to the Bhikṣus

“Therefore, bhikṣus, you should constantly be mindful of practising good actions of body, speech, and mind, without allowing any flaws. You should extinguish the five bonds and cultivate the five faculties. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

At that time, the bhikṣus, hearing what the Buddha said, rejoiced and practised the Dharma.