Eighteen hells

Depiction of the hell realms from a thangka of the Wheel of Life

The hells (Skt. naraka; Wyl. dmyal ba) constitute one of the realms of the six classes of beings, they are characterized by extremely intense suffering; there are eighteen hells (Skt. aṣṭadaśanaraka):

• the sixteen hells grouped into
  • Eight Hot Hells and
  • Eight Cold Hells; along with
• the Neighbouring Hells and
• the Ephemeral Hells.

Chökyi Drakpa writes:

The cause of being born in any of these eighteen hells could be a vast accumulation of harmful actions perpetrated out of desire or delusion. Even so, a single momentary act such as taking life or speaking harsh words to an exceptional being, when carried out with a mind of intense anger, will propel you straight to the hells.

Further Reading

• Patrul Rinpoche, The Words of My Perfect Teacher (Boston: Shambhala, Revised edition, 1998), pages 63-72.

Internal Links

• hell beings

External Links

• Hell: Subjects and Depictions outline page on the Himalayan Art Resources website