This was a fascinating part of the Haw Par Villa theme park, in Singapore. It describes, in detail, the torture and punishment for each sin one commits in a lifetime.

As you enter the tunnel, you are greeted by the first court’s king. The following descriptions of each Court are excerpts taken from inside the cave:

First Court of Hell – Yama: King Qinguang

In the First Court of Hell, King Qinguang conducts priliminary trials and each prisoner is judged according to his deeds in his past life. The ‘good’ are distinguished from the ‘evil’ and the King recommends appropriate reward or punishment. Punishment is then carrid out in the various Courts.

Those with virtuous conduct in their past life will be lead over the ‘Golden Bridge’ to reach paradise.

Those whose past good deeds outweigh crimes committed will be sent to the ‘Silver Bridge’ to reach paradise.

Those who were evil doers in their past life will be sent to repent before the ‘Mirror of Retribution’ and then taken to a subsequent Court of Hell to be punished.

Second Court of Hell – Yama: King Chujiang

Crime Punishment Inflicting physical Injury Thrown into a volcanic pit Robbers Corruption Frozen into blocks of ice Stealing and Gambling Prostitutes Thrown into a pool of blood and drowned

Third Court of Hell – Yama: King Songdi

Crime Punishment Ungratefulness Heart cut out Disrespect Elders Escape from Prison Drug addicts and traffickers Tied to red hot copper pillar and grilled Tomb Raiders Urging People into crime

Fourth Court of Hell – Yama: King Wuguan

Crime Punishment Tax dodger Pounded by a stone mallet Business Fraud Disobedience to one’s siblings Grounded by a large stone

“Wang-Si” Town

This accommodates those who were wronged and driven to their death. They would be asked to view how their enemies receive retribution. They would then be judged on their past deeds and given an appropriate punishment.

Fifth Court of Hell – Yama: King Yanluo

Crime Punishment Plotted another’s death for his property or money Thrown onto a hill of knives Money lenders with exorbitant interest rates (ha!)

The Viewing Home Tower is for the evildoers to see how their relatives and family are suffering as a result of their wrong-doings.

Sixth Court of Hell – Yama: King Piencheng

Crime Punishment Cheating Thrown onto a tree of knives Cursing Abducting Others Misuse of books Body sawn into two Possession of pornographic material Breaking written rules and regulations Wasting Food

Seventh Court of Hell – Yama: King Taishan

Crime Punishment Rumours-mongers Tongue pulled out Sowing discord among family members Rapists Thrown into a wok of boiling oil Driving someone to their death

Eighth Court of Hell – Yama: King Dushi

Crime Punishment Causing trouble for parents or family members Intestines and organs pulled out Cheating during examinations Harming others to benefit oneself Body dismemberment

Ninth Court of Hell – Yama: King Pingdeng

Crime Punishment Robbery Head and arms chopped off Murder Rape Any other unlawful conduct Neglect of the old and young Crushed under boulders

Tenth Court of Hell – Yama: King Zhuanlun

In the Tenth Court, there is a ‘Wheel of Reincarnation’ and the ‘Pavilion of Forgetfulness’ (Men-Po Pavilion).

After serving their sentences, prisoners arrive at the Tenth Court where King Zhuanlun passes final judgement. The prisoners are then brought to the ‘Pavilion of Forgetfulness’ where an old lady “Men Po” hands them a cup of magic tea which on drinking makes them forget their past lives.

They will then go through the ‘Wheel of Reincarnation’ – Samsara. Depending on the prisoner’s past life, they would be reborn either as a human or an animal. Some would be reborn into a life of ease and comfort while others into sorrow and suffering.

With the morbid side of it aside, I found this exceptionally interesting! My lesson has been learned – I will not be misusing books, or cheating during examinations any time soon!

Have you ever been to a cultural centre which depicted such graphic figures to get a message across? Have you been a good citizen and not ‘misused books’? When faced with the mirror of truth – will you appear pure or evil in your reflection?