---
title: "起世經 · 2"
description: "起世经是隋代高僧阇那崛多等人翻译的重要佛教经典，属于阿含部经典之一。该经主要阐述宇宙生成、世界构造及众生轮回的佛教世界观，详细描绘了世界的形成、毁灭及再生过程，并探讨了众生业力与轮回的关系。阇那崛多是北印度高僧，隋文帝时期来华，参与译经事业，对汉传佛教经典的传播贡献卓著。起世经在佛教中具有重要地位，为研究佛教宇宙观和轮回思想提供了经典依据，对后世佛教哲学和修行实践影响深远。"
url: "https://rushiwowen.co/en/r/cmadf8ukp002pl804zmgu4or5"
---

## 起世經卷第三

> Chapter 3 of the Genesis of the World Sutra

隋天竺三藏闍那崛多等譯

> Translated by Zhi Na Jueduo and others of the Sui Dynasty.

### 地獄品第四之二

> Chapter 4, Part 2: The Hells

「復次，諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時受極苦已，然後從此五百由旬燋渴獄出，奔走如前，略說乃至，求救護處。即復往詣膿血地獄，其地獄亦廣五百由旬，膿血遍滿，深至咽喉，悉皆熱沸。地獄眾生入其中已，東西南北，交橫馳走。彼諸眾生，如是走時，燒手燒足、燒耳燒鼻；手足耳鼻，既被燒已，一切支節，皆亦燒燃；其身支節，被燒燃時，諸罪人等，受大苦惱，嚴酷重切，不可思議。乃至人非人身所造所作惡不善業，未畢已來，命亦不盡。

> “Furthermore, monks, the beings in that hell, after enduring immense suffering for an inconceivably long time, finally emerge from that five hundred yojana-wide scorching and thirst hell. They flee as before, seeking a place of refuge. Then they come to the Pus-Blood Hell, which is also five hundred yojanas wide, filled to the throat with pus and blood, all boiling hot. When the hell-beings enter it, they run frantically in all directions—east, west, north, south. As they run, their hands, feet, ears, and noses are burned; their hands, feet, ears, and noses being burned, all their limbs and joints are also set ablaze. As their body parts burn, these sinners experience immense, intense, and unbearable suffering. And until the evil deeds they have done—harmful acts committed as humans or other beings—are fully exhausted, their lives do not end.”

「復次，諸比丘！膿血地獄復有諸蟲，名最猛勝，此諸蟲等，為彼地獄受罪眾生，大作惱害。從身外入，先破其皮；既破皮已，次破其肉；既破肉已，次破其筋；既破筋已，次破其骨；既破骨已，拔出其髓，隨而食之。彼諸眾生，當於是時受極重苦。乃至若人非人所造所作惡不善業，未盡未滅，壽命不盡，皆悉具受。

> "Furthermore, monks, in the pus and blood hell, there are worms called the Most Fierce and Mighty. These worms cause great torment to the beings suffering in that hell. They enter from outside the body, first breaking through the skin; after piercing the skin, they break through the flesh; after breaking through the flesh, they tear through the tendons; after tearing the tendons, they shatter the bones; after shattering the bones, they extract the marrow and devour it. At that time, those beings experience extreme agony. Until all the evil deeds they have done—whether as humans or non-humans—are fully paid for and their lives end, they endure every bit of this suffering."

「復次，諸比丘！膿血地獄所有眾生，飢渴逼急，或時以手掬取如是熱沸膿血，置於口中，置口中已，彼人脣口，應時燒燃；燒脣口時，即燒其腭；既燒腭已，即燒其喉；如是燒胸，燒心燒腸燒胃；既燒胃已，直過小腸，從下分出。彼諸眾生，於此地獄，受如是等嚴切重苦，命報未終。乃至未盡人非人身，曾所造作惡不善業，如是次第，具足受之。

> Furthermore, monks, the beings in the Pus-Blood Hell are tormented by extreme hunger and thirst. Sometimes, they scoop up this boiling, bubbling pus and blood with their hands and put it into their mouths. As soon as it enters their mouths, their lips and mouths instantly burn and blister. When the lips and mouth burn, it then burns the palate. Having burned the palate, it then burns the throat. In the same way, it burns the chest, the heart, the intestines, and the stomach. After it has burned the stomach, it goes straight through the small intestine and exits from the lower body. These beings in this hell experience such severe and intense suffering like this, yet their lives do not come to an end. They must endure it fully, in due order, until the unwholesome and evil deeds they have committed, whether in human or non-human form, have been completely exhausted.

「復次，諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時受極苦已，然後從此五百由旬膿血獄出，如前馳走，乃至追求救護之處。即復來入一銅釜獄，其獄亦廣五百由旬。罪人入已，獄卒見之，即前捉取，擲置釜內，頭皆向下，脚皆在上。是諸眾生在湯中時，地獄猛火極相煎迫。逐沸上時，亦煎亦煑；逐沸下時，亦煎亦煑；在中間時，亦煎亦煑；交橫往來，隨轉動時，亦煎亦煑；湯沫覆時，亦煎亦煑；若見不見，一切時煑。譬如世間或煑小豆大豆豌豆，置之釜內，著水令滿，下燃大火，於是涌沸，湯豆和合。浮向上時，亦煎亦煑；沈向下時，亦煎亦煑；住於中時，亦煎亦煑；交橫動時，亦煎亦煑；為沫覆時，亦煎亦煑；若見不見，一切時煑。諸比丘！如是如是，一銅釜獄，其中守卒，取彼罪人，以頭向下，以脚向上，擲置銅釜。在釜中時，地獄猛火之所煎逼，熱沸既盛，罪人逐沸或上或下，隨煑隨煎，略說乃至若見不見，一切時煑，亦復如是。彼諸眾生，於此獄中，受嚴劇苦。乃至往昔人非人身所作惡業，如是次第，於此地獄，具足而受。

> "Furthermore, monks, the beings in that hell endure immense suffering for an immeasurable time. Only then do they emerge from the Pus Hell, which spans five hundred yojanas. As before, they flee wildly, seeking refuge and rescue, until they stumble into the Copper Caldron Hell, also five hundred yojanas wide. Once they enter, the hell guards seize them, hurl them headfirst into a massive cauldron—feet up, heads down. In that scalding water, the hell fire fiercely assaults them. Whether the boiling surges upward, carrying them with it, they are boiled and scorched; whether they sink downward, they are boiled and scorched; floating in the middle, they are boiled and scorched; tumbling and turning sideways, they are boiled and scorched. Even when covered by foam, they are boiled and scorched. Visible or hidden, they are perpetually boiling. It is like cooking beans—mung beans, soybeans, or peas—in a pot. The cook fills it with water, lights a blazing fire below, and the roiling water mixes with the beans. Surged upward, boiled and scorched; sinking downward, boiled and scorched; staying mid-pot, boiled and scorched; tossed about sideways, boiled and scorched; even under foam, boiled and scorched. Visible or hidden, always boiling. Monks, just so, in this Copper Caldron Hell, the guards seize the condemned, flip them head down, feet up, and toss them into the cauldron. The hell fire drives the water to a violent boil, and the victims bob with it—surging up, sinking down, tossed every direction—endlessly boiled and scorched. They suffer excruciating agony here. Thus, they fully endure the karmic consequences of their past deeds—whether done as humans or non-humans—undergoing them in order within these hells."

「諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時受此苦已，從一銅釜五百由旬小地獄出，奔走如前，乃至欲求救護之處。爾時，即入眾多銅釜小地獄中，其獄亦廣五百由旬。罪人入已，時守獄者即來執之，捉取罪人，以脚向上，以頭向下，擲銅釜中，地獄猛火，熾燃煎逼，湯沸上時，亦煎亦煑；湯沸下時，亦煎亦煑；在中間時，亦煎亦煑；縱橫掩覆，若見不見，一切煎煑。譬如煮豆，以火煎逼，涌沸上時，亦煎亦煮，略說乃至，若見不見，一切煎煑。諸比丘！如是如是，此多銅釜五百由旬小地獄中，諸眾生等，為守獄卒，捉其兩脚，到竪其身，以頭向下，擲銅釜內。彼人于時被地獄火之所煎逼，或上或下，縱橫轉動，略說乃至若見不見，一切煎煑，亦復如是。諸比丘！此多銅釜五百由旬小地獄中，諸眾生等，又為獄卒，以其鐵爪，漉取罪人，從釜至釜，次第煑之。從此釜出，詣餘釜時，膿血皮肉，縱橫流散，於是皆盡，唯餘骸骨。罪人爾時，受極重苦，仍未命終。乃至若人非人一切身中所作惡業，不盡不滅，於此獄中，一切悉受。

> "Monks, the beings in that hell, after enduring this suffering for an immeasurable length of time, emerge from the one copper cauldron—a lesser hell measuring five hundred leagues wide. They then flee as before, even seeking a place of rescue. At that time, they enter the lesser hell of many copper cauldrons, also five hundred leagues wide. Once the offenders enter, the guardians immediately seize them, grabbing them by the feet, throwing them headfirst into the copper cauldrons. The hellish inferno blazes fiercely, scorching and oppressing them. As the boiling liquid rises, it sears and boils them; as it sinks, it sears and boils them; when they are in the middle, it sears and boils them—in every direction, covered and uncovered, whether seen or unseen, everything is seared and boiled. It is like cooking beans: when heated over a fire, as the liquid surges upward, they are seared and cooked, and so forth, until, whether seen or unseen, everything is seared and cooked. Monks, it is exactly the same in this lesser hell of many copper cauldrons, five hundred leagues wide. The beings there, seized by the guardians by both feet, are turned upside down and thrown headfirst into the cauldrons. At that moment, they are oppressed by the hellfire, moving up and down, turning in all directions—and so forth, until, whether seen or unseen, everything is seared and cooked, just as described. Monks, in this lesser hell of many copper cauldrons, the guardians also use iron claws to scoop out the offenders, transferring them from cauldron to cauldron to be boiled in turn. As they are taken out from one cauldron to enter another, their pus, blood, skin, and flesh scatter in every direction, until it is all gone, leaving only bones. At that time, the offenders experience the most severe suffering, yet they still do not die. And until all the evil deeds they have committed—whether as a human or a non-human being—are entirely exhausted and extinguished, they must experience all of this in this hell."

「諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時受此苦已，從多銅釜五百由旬小地獄出，馳走如前，乃至欲求救護之處。爾時，即入鐵磑地獄，其獄亦廣五百由旬。既入中已，時守獄卒即前捉取受罪眾生，仰𢷏置於鐵砧之上，熾燃猛焰，一時洞燃，於是罪人，悶絕仰臥。時，守獄卒更取大石，從上壓之；壓已復壓，因更研之；研已復研，遂成碎末；成碎末已，又更重末，末已復末，轉成細末；取其細末，又更研之，研已復研，於是乃成末中之末，最微細末。當於爾時，罪人身體，膏血腦髓，一邊橫流，微細骨末，猶尚存在，而於其間，命報未終，一切時中，受極重苦。乃至人非人身，所作惡業，未失未滅，如是次第具足受之。

> "Monks, the beings in that hell, after enduring this suffering for countless eons, emerge from the small copper cauldron hell that measures five hundred yojanas. They scurry about as before, seeking a place of refuge. At that moment, they enter the Iron Mill Hell, which also spans five hundred yojanas. Once inside, the hell guards immediately seize these suffering beings, fling them onto an iron anvil that glows with raging flames, burning all at once. The sinful beings lie on their backs, unconscious and stunned. The guards then pick up large stones and press down on them from above, pressing again and again, grinding them repeatedly. Having ground them, they grind them again, reducing them to powder. Once powdered, they grind them yet again, turning them into finer powder. Then, taking this fine powder, they grind it still further, grinding it over and over, until it becomes the finest of powder, mere dust. At that time, the victims' bodies—flesh, blood, brains, and marrow—spread in all directions. Yet even the tiniest fragments of bone still remain, and throughout all this, their lives are not yet ended. Every moment, they endure the most extreme suffering. And so, all evil deeds committed in human or non-human form, as long as they remain unexhausted and unforgiven, are undergone one by one in this manner.

「諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時受此苦已，乃從鐵磑五百由旬小地獄出，馳走如前，欲求室宅，欲求歸依覆護之處。爾時，即入凾量地獄，其獄亦廣五百由旬。既入中已，時守獄卒執取罪人，付以鐵凾，令其量火，其凾猛熱，光焰熾燃，地獄罪人，量彼火時，燒手燒脚、燒耳燒鼻、燒諸支節，乃至遍燒一切身分。於被燒時，此諸罪人，受極重苦、受重痛苦，然其壽命，未得終盡。乃至往昔若人非人一切身中，有所造作惡不善業，不滅不沒、不離不失，如是次第，具足受之。

> “Monks, the beings in that hell, after enduring such suffering for countless eons, finally emerge from that small hell of the Iron Mortar, which extends for five hundred yojanas. They then flee, as before, seeking a dwelling, seeking a refuge and a place of protection. At that time, they enter the Measuring Fire Hell, which also spans five hundred yojanas wide. Once inside, the wardens seize these sinners and give them iron measures, commanding them to measure the fire. The measures are intensely hot, blazing with brilliant flames. As the hell-beings measure the fire, it burns their hands, burns their feet, burns their ears, burns their noses, burns all their limbs and joints, and even burns every part of their bodies. While being burned, these sinners experience extreme and severe pain, yet their lives do not come to an end. This continues until every evil and unwholesome deed they have committed in the past—whether as human or non-human, in all forms of existence—has not vanished, not disappeared, not left them, nor been lost. Thus, in due order, they undergo all of it completely.

「諸比丘！彼地獄中所有眾生，經無量時受此苦已，得從凾量五百由旬小地獄出，馳走如前，求室求覆、求救求洲、求歸依處。爾時，即入雞小地獄，其獄亦廣五百由旬。彼地獄中，純生諸雞，遍滿彼獄，其雞身分，乃至膝脛，一切猛熱，光焰熾燃。是諸眾生，處在其中，東西馳走，足蹈熱焰，四向顧望，無處可依，大火熾燃，燒手燒脚、燒耳燒鼻，如是次第，燒諸支節，大小身分，一時洞燃。罪人爾時，受極重苦，痛切荼毒，然於其處，命報未終。乃至人非人身所造惡業，未滅未盡，如是次第，一切具受。

> "Monks, after the beings in that hell have endured suffering for an immeasurable length of time, they finally escape from the small hell measuring five hundred leagues. They then rush about as before, seeking shelter, seeking cover, seeking rescue, seeking an island of refuge, seeking a place of safety. At that moment, they enter the Chicken Small Hell, which is also five hundred leagues wide. That hell is filled entirely with chickens that cover the entire realm. The chickens’ bodies, from their heads down to their shins, are intensely hot and blazing with fiery flames. The beings there run east to west, their feet treading on the scorching flames. Looking around in all directions, they find no place to take refuge as the great fire blazes fiercely, burning their hands, feet, ears, and noses. In this way, successively, all their limbs and parts—large and small—are consumed all at once. At that time, the sinful beings experience the most extreme suffering, with pain cutting deep like poison. Yet, their lives do not end there. Until the evil deeds committed through a human or non-human body are completely exhausted and purified, they must undergo all of this in sequence without exception."

「諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時受此苦已，得從如是雞地獄出，馳走如前，乃至欲求救護之處。爾時，即入灰河地獄，其獄亦廣五百由旬。諸比丘！時彼灰河，流注漂疾，波浪騰涌，其聲吼震，灰水沸溢，彌盈兩岸。罪人入已，隨流出沒，灰河之底，悉是鐵刺，其鋒纖利，皆若新磨。於河兩岸，復有刀林，森竦稠密，極可怖畏。刀林之中，復有諸狗，其形烟黑，皮毛垢汙，又甚可畏。岸上復有眾多獄卒，守彼地獄。又其兩岸，別生無量奢摩羅樹，其樹多刺，並皆纖長，其鋒若磨。爾時，地獄諸眾生等，既入河中，欲趣彼岸。當於是時，便為大波之所淪沒，遂至河底，即為河中所有鐵刺，仰刺其身，舉體周遍，不得移動，罪人在中，受大重苦、受嚴毒苦；受之既久，方得浮出，從沸灰河，渡至彼岸。既上岸已，復入刀林，其林甚闊，枝莖稠密，經歷林間，󰨭突利刀，處處經過，去去不已，割手割脚、割耳割鼻、割支割節，遍割身體，無處不破。爾時，彼人受荼毒苦、受極重苦，乃至未盡人非人身往昔所作一切惡業，命亦未終，於此林中，皆悉受之。

> “Monks, after enduring immense suffering in the Chicken Hell for countless eons, the beings eventually escape from it. They then run frantically, as before, seeking refuge and salvation. At that moment, they enter the Ash River Hell, which is also five hundred leagues wide. Monks, the Ash River rages with swift currents and surging waves, roaring fiercely. The boiling ash water overflows its banks. When the beings fall into it, they are tossed about, sinking and floating. The riverbed is covered entirely with sharp iron thorns, honed to a razor-fine edge. On both banks grow dense forests of swords, deep and terrifying. Within these forests prowl dogs, their bodies as black as smoke, their fur matted with filth—a fearsome sight. On the shores, numerous hell-guards keep watch. Additionally, on both banks grow countless \*shalmali\* trees, covered with long, slender thorns as sharp as polished blades. When the beings in hell attempt to cross the river to reach the other shore, the massive waves submerge them, dragging them down to the riverbed. There, the sharp iron thorns pierce their entire bodies from below, immobilizing them. They suffer intense, excruciating torment. Only after enduring this for a long time do they finally surface and, having crossed the boiling Ash River, reach the other side. Once ashore, they enter the forest of swords. The forest is vast, with dense, tangled branches and trunks. As they stumble through the thickets, sharp blades tear at them relentlessly, cutting their hands, feet, ears, noses, and every joint and limb, shredding their bodies without mercy. At that moment, they endure torment—bitter and extreme. Until all their past evil deeds—committed in a human or non-human form—are completely expiated, their lives do not end. In this forest, they must undergo all this suffering.”

「復次，諸比丘！灰河兩岸，諸守獄者，見彼罪人，即前問言：『汝等今者欲得何物？』時，彼罪人，同聲答言：『我等甚飢！我等甚飢！』時，守獄者即捉罪人，𢷏置地上，其地猛熱，光焰熾燃，罪人在中，悶絕仰臥。又以鐵鉗，開張其口，持熱鐵丸，置其口內，應時燒爍，彼諸眾生，脣口燋破，略說乃至從咽喉下，徑至小腸，直過無礙。彼人爾時，受嚴切苦、受極重苦，命亦未終。乃至未盡往昔所作人非人身惡不善業，即於此中，具足皆受。

> "Furthermore, monks! On both banks of the Ash-Gray River, the wardens of hell saw those sinners and asked them: 'What do you want right now?' The sinners answered in unison: 'We are starving! We are starving!' Then the wardens grabbed the sinners and threw them onto the ground. The ground was scorching hot, blazing with intense flames. The sinners fell unconscious and lay on their backs. The wardens then used iron pincers to force open their mouths and placed red-hot iron balls inside. Instantly, the iron balls burned and seared. Their lips and mouths were charred and broken. In brief, the fire passed through their throats and went straight down to their small intestines, passing through without obstruction. At that time, those beings experienced severe, extreme suffering, yet their lives did not end. Only after they had fully endured all the evil, unwholesome deeds they had committed in past lives as humans or non-humans were they released—each and every one of them had to experience this suffering completely."

「復次，諸比丘！又此灰河兩岸之上，所有諸狗其身烟黑，垢汙可畏，睚𥈐嘷吠，出大惡聲，噉彼地獄眾生身分，舉體支節，所有肌肉，段段齧食，不令遺餘。彼人在中，受嚴切苦，乃至受於最極重苦，未得命終。乃至未盡惡不善業，往昔人身及非人身有所作者，一切具受。

> "Furthermore, monks, on both banks of this Ash River, there are dogs with bodies as black as soot, filthy and terrifying, with glaring eyes and howling barks that produce fierce, dreadful sounds. They feast on the bodies of those suffering beings in hell, devouring every part, every limb, every piece of flesh, leaving nothing behind. Caught in the midst of this, those beings endure intense suffering—even the most extreme pains—yet they cannot die. Until their evil and unwholesome deeds are exhausted, every action they committed in human or non-human form in their past lives, they must fully experience."

「諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，既為如是熱沸灰河之所逼切，又復困於纖利鐵刺刀刃稠林、諸守獄者、烟黑垢汙惡狗之類，種種厄急，無處隱藏。乃復走上奢摩羅樹，彼樹枝莖，純是鐵刺，其鋒纖利，皆若新磨，頭悉向下，劖刺其身。欲下樹時，是諸鐵刺，頭則向上。彼諸眾生，在奢摩羅樹上時，復有諸烏，名為鐵𭪿，飛來樹上，啄彼罪人。先啄其頭，破陷頂骨，唼食其腦。彼人爾時受極重苦、受痛切苦，不堪忍故，即還墮落沸灰河中。彼人於是，還為波浪之所漂沒，直至河底。至河底已，復為鐵刺之所劖刺。既被刺已，鐵刺遍身，不能復去，還於其中，受極重苦、大猛酷苦，不能堪忍。困苦多時，力極得起，從灰河渡，走趣此岸。到此岸已，得入刀林。入刀林時，復為刀刃，割其身體，割手割脚，乃至遍割一切支節，復於其中，具足受苦，命亦未終。略說乃至，從於往昔人非人身所作惡業，未滅未盡，次第悉受。

> "Monks, the beings in that hell, tormented by the burning ash river, further exhausted by the dense forest of sharp iron thorns and knives, the jailers, and the filthy black dogs with smoke-stained mouths, fall into all kinds of emergencies with nowhere to hide. They then climb up the \*shalmali\* tree, whose branches and trunk are made entirely of iron thorns, all newly sharpened to a fine point. The thorns point downward, stabbing into their bodies as they climb. When they try to climb down, the thorns turn upward and pierce them again. While on the \*shalmali\* tree, iron-beaked birds fly in, peck at the sinners, first splitting their skulls to eat their brains. At that moment, they suffer extremely severe and intense pain. Unable to bear it, they fall back into the boiling ash river. The waves toss them about and drown them, carrying them right to the riverbed. Once at the riverbed, the iron thorns stab them all over their bodies. Stuck fast by these thorns, they cannot move, and there they suffer the most intense, violent, and unbearable pain. After suffering for a long time, they eventually manage to rise up, exhausted, and cross the ash river to its bank. Upon reaching the bank, they enter the knife forest. As they enter, the blades cut their bodies, their hands, their feet, cutting every limb. There, they experience complete suffering, yet their lives do not end. In brief, the evil deeds they performed in past lives as human or non-human beings are not yet fully purified or exhausted, so they undergo each one in sequence, receiving their retribution in full."

「復次，諸比丘！灰河此岸諸守獄者，既見地獄受罪眾生從彼岸來，即前問言：『汝等今者何為遠來？欲得何物？』彼諸眾生，各各答言：『我等渴乏。』時，守獄者即復捉取彼諸眾生，𢷏置熾燃熱鐵地上，推令仰臥。於仰臥時，彼人身上，火焰洞起，便以鐵鉗，開張其口，融赤銅汁，灌其口中。時，彼地獄諸眾生等，既飲銅汁，即燒唇口乃至小腸，直過無礙，從下部出。彼人爾時受極重苦，乃至壽命，未盡未滅，彼於過去人非人身，所作惡業未滅盡者，悉皆受之。

> "Furthermore, monks, the jailers on this bank of the Ashes River see the beings who are suffering in hell as they come from the other shore. They approach and ask them: 'Why have you come from so far away? What is it you seek?' Those beings each reply: 'We are thirsty and parched.' The jailers then seize them, throw them onto a blazing, burning hot iron ground, and force them onto their backs. As they lie on their backs, flames flare up all over their bodies. Then the jailers use iron tongs to force open their mouths and pour molten copper into them. The beings in that hell drink the molten copper, which burns their lips and mouths, all the way down to their small intestine, passing straight through without obstruction, and coming out from below. At that moment, those beings experience immense suffering. They must undergo all the consequences of the evil deeds they committed in their past lives as humans or non-humans, as long as their karma is not exhausted and their life force is not extinguished."

「復次，諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，受此罪報經無量時，苦惱長遠，乃有風來，名為和合，吹彼地獄諸眾生等，至於岸邊，如是次第，乃得從彼灰河獄出，出已馳走，乃至求於救護之處。爾時，即入斫截地獄，其獄亦廣五百由旬。罪人入已，其守獄者即取罪人，𢷏置熾燃熱鐵地上，乃至推令仰臥於地，執大鐵鈇，熾燃猛熱，炎赫可畏，斫彼地獄受罪眾生，斫手斫脚，并斫手脚，斫耳斫鼻，并斫耳鼻，斫支斫節，并斫支節，如是次第，舉身皆斫。彼諸眾生，當於爾時，受極重苦，命亦未終。乃至未盡惡不善業，人非人身所造作者，如是次第，一切具受。

> Furthermore, monks, the beings in that hell endure this retribution for immeasurable time, with their suffering long and drawn out. Then a wind called "Combining" arises, blowing those beings in the hell to the riverbank. Only then, in this sequence, can they escape the Ashen River Hell. Having escaped, they run frantically, seeking a place of refuge. At that moment, they enter the Chopping Hell, which is also five hundred leagues wide. When the sinners enter, the guardians seize them, fling them onto a blazing hot iron ground, and force them to lie on their backs. They take huge, fiercely burning and terrifying iron axes and chop the beings suffering in that hell. They chop their hands, chop their feet, or chop both hands and feet. They chop their ears, chop their noses, or chop both ears and noses. They chop their limbs, chop their joints, or chop both limbs and joints. In this way, their entire bodies are chopped completely. At that time, those beings endure extreme pain, yet they do not die. Until their evil deeds and unwholesome karma—committed as human or non-human beings—are exhausted, they must experience all these punishments in full.

「復次，諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時受此苦已，得從斫截小地獄出，出已馳走，求歸依處，乃至求室求宅、求覆求洲、求救護處。爾時，即入劍葉地獄，其獄亦廣五百由旬。入其中已，惡業果故，忽有風來，吹諸鐵葉，猶如利劍，從空而墮，割截罪人一切身分，所謂截手截脚、并截手脚，截耳截鼻、并截耳鼻，截支截節、并截支節。爾時罪人，受極重苦、受嚴切苦，命亦未終，略說如上。乃至人非人身所作惡業，未滅未盡，於此地獄，一切具受。

> "Furthermore, monks, the beings in that hell, after enduring this suffering for an immeasurable time, are finally released from the Hell of Chopping and Cutting. Once out, they flee frantically, seeking refuge, a home, a shelter, an island of safety, a place of rescue. Then they enter the Hell of Sword-Leaves. This hell is also vast, spanning five hundred leagues. The moment they step inside, as a result of their evil karma, a wind suddenly gusts, blowing down the iron leaves. These leaves, sharp like swords, fall from the sky, slicing apart every part of the sinners' bodies—cutting their hands, cutting their feet, cutting both hands and feet together; cutting their ears, cutting their noses, cutting both ears and noses together; cutting their limbs, cutting their joints, cutting all their limbs and joints cleanly. At that time, the sinners experience the most intense, severe agony, yet their lives do not end. In short, as stated before, until the evil deeds committed by them as human or non-human beings are completely eliminated and exhausted, they must endure all these torments in this hell.

「復次，諸比丘！又彼劍葉小地獄中諸眾生等，惡業果故，有鐵𭪿烏忽然飛來，在彼眾生兩膊之上，足蹈其膊，翅覆其頭，便以鐵𭪿啄彼罪人兩眼之睛，口銜而去。爾時，罪人受極重苦，痛惱嚴切，不可思議，然其壽命，亦未終盡，略說如上。乃至人非人身，所作惡業，如是次第，一切悉受。

> "Furthermore, monks, in that Forest of Knives minor hell, due to the effects of their evil deeds, iron-beaked birds suddenly appear. Perching on the shoulders of those beings, they plant their talons on the shoulders and cover their heads with their wings. With their iron beaks, they peck out the sinners' two eyes, then carry them away in their beaks. At that time, the sinners experience extreme suffering—a pain so intense, it is beyond imagination. Yet their lives do not come to an end. As briefly described above, in this way, whether born as a human or non-human being, one must fully undergo all the evil deeds one has committed, receiving their consequences in due order.

「復次，諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時受此苦已，乃從劍葉小地獄出，出已馳走，欲求室宅、求覆求洲、求歸依處、求救護處。爾時，復入狐狼地獄，亦廣五百由旬。是諸眾生入此獄已，惡業果故，於地獄中出生狐狼，嚴熾猛惡，睚𥈐號吼，所出音聲，甚可怖畏，䶩齧地獄諸眾生身，所有肌肉及諸筋脈，脚蹋口掣，臠而食之。爾時罪人，受極重苦，痛惱酸切，命亦未終，略說如前。人非人身所作惡業，如是次第，皆於其中，一切具受。

> "Furthermore, monks, after the beings in that hell have endured such suffering for an immeasurable time, they eventually emerge from the Small Sword-Leaf Hell. Once out, they flee, seeking shelter, seeking cover, seeking an island of refuge, seeking a place of safety, and seeking a place of rescue. At that time, they enter the Fox-and-Wolf Hell, which is also five hundred yojanas in width. When these beings enter this hell, due to the fruition of their evil karma, foxes and wolves arise within that hell. They are fiercely blazing, violently savage, with glaring eyes and roaring howls; their voices are extremely terrifying. They bite and gnaw at the bodies of those hell beings, consuming all their flesh, muscles, and sinews. With their feet, they trample, and with their mouths, they tear, snatching pieces of flesh to devour. At that time, the sinful ones experience extreme suffering, with intense pain, anguish, and bitterness, yet their lives do not end. This is as previously described in brief. Whatever evil deeds were committed by human or non-human forms will, in this manner and in this order, all be fully experienced within it."

「復次，諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時受此苦已，得從狐狼小地獄出，出已馳走，乃至求室求宅、求覆求洲、求救護處、求歸依處。爾時，復入寒氷地獄，其獄亦廣五百由旬。是諸罪人入彼獄已，惡業果故，忽有冷風從四面來，吹大寒氣，麤澁嚴毒，觸彼地獄眾生身分。隨觸著處，皮即破裂；皮破裂已，次破其肉；破裂肉已，次破其筋；破裂筋已，次破其骨；破裂骨已，次破其髓。破裂髓時，彼諸眾生，受極重苦、最嚴切苦，乃至大苦，不可堪耐，便於彼中，壽命終盡。是為第一活大地獄及餘十六諸小地獄。

> "Furthermore, monks, after enduring suffering for an immeasurable time in that hell, the beings there eventually emerge from the small Hell of Wolves and Foxes. Once out, they run frantically, seeking shelter, a home, a refuge, a place of safety, and a protector. At that moment, they then enter the Hell of Freezing Ice, which is also vast, spanning five hundred leagues. When these sinful beings enter this hell, due to the consequences of their evil deeds, a cold wind suddenly blows from all directions. This wind carries a fierce, harsh, and deadly chill that touches the bodies of the hell beings. Wherever the wind touches, their skin immediately splits; after the skin splits, it tears their flesh; after the flesh tears, it breaks their tendons; after the tendons break, it shatters their bones; after the bones shatter, it crushes their marrow. As their marrow is crushed, these beings experience extreme, intense, and unbearable suffering, the greatest of agonies. Unable to endure any longer, they finally die right there. This concludes the first great Hell of the Reviving, along with its sixteen subsidiary small hells.

「復次，諸比丘！第二黑繩大地獄者，亦有十六五百由旬諸小地獄而相圍繞，從黑雲沙，乃至最後第十六者，名寒氷獄，為一眷屬。諸比丘！如是地獄，有何因緣，名為黑繩大地獄也？

> Furthermore, monks, regarding the second great hell, the Black Rope Hell: it is also surrounded by sixteen smaller hells, each five hundred leagues in size. These range from the Black Cloud Sand Hell to the sixteenth and final one, the Ice-Cold Hell, forming one connected group. Monks, what is the reason this hell is called the Black Rope Great Hell?

「諸比丘！於彼黑繩大地獄中所有眾生，生者有者出者住者，以其往昔不善之業，得果報故，於虛空中忽然出生麤大黑繩，熾燃猛熱，譬如黑雲，從空中出，黤黮充塞，下接於地。如是如是，於彼黑繩大地獄中所有眾生，以其宿世不善之業得果報故，從虛空中出大黑繩，熾燃猛熱，亦復如是。此諸黑繩，墮在地獄眾生身上，墮身上時，即燒罪人，一切身分。先燒其皮；既燒皮已，次燒其肉；既燒肉已，次燒其筋；既燒筋已，次燒其骨；於燒骨時，徹至其髓；髓即流出，為火所燃，骨髓燃時，出大猛焰。爾時罪人，受嚴切苦、受極重苦，以罪業故，命亦未終。乃至往昔人非人身，所有造作惡不善業，未滅未變、未除未畢，於此獄中，一切悉受。

> “Monks, for all the beings in the Great Black Rope Hell—whether they are being born, dwelling, or existing there—because of the karmic results of their past unwholesome deeds, suddenly, in the sky above, thick, coarse black ropes appear, blazing and fiercely hot. They are like black clouds emerging from the sky, dark and dense, filling the space and reaching down to the ground. In the same way, for all the beings in that Great Black Rope Hell, due to the karmic results of their past unwholesome deeds, those huge black ropes appear from the sky, blazing and fiercely hot. When these black ropes fall upon the bodies of the hell beings, they immediately burn the sinners’ entire bodies. First, they burn the skin; after the skin is burned, they burn the flesh; after the flesh is burned, they burn the tendons; after the tendons are burned, they burn the bones; when the bones are burning, the fire penetrates to the marrow. The marrow then flows out and is consumed by flames, and as the marrow burns, great blazing fires erupt. At that moment, the sinners experience severe and extreme suffering. Yet, due to their karmic offenses, their lives do not end. Until all the evil and unwholesome deeds they have committed in human or non-human form—deeds that have not been extinguished, changed, removed, or completed—are fully experienced in this hell, they must endure this suffering in its entirety.

「復次，諸比丘！又彼黑繩大地獄中所有眾生，生者有者住者化者，以其宿世不善果故，諸守獄者執取罪人，𢷏置熾燃熱鐵地上，光焰猛盛，舉身燋熱，推令仰臥，以熱鐵繩，處處拼度，拼度訖已，以熱鐵鈇熾燃赫奕，交橫而斫彼地獄中眾生身分，或作二分，或作三分，四分五分乃至十分，或二十分或五十分，或復百分。譬如世間善巧木匠、若木匠弟子，取諸材木，安置平地，便用墨繩縱橫拼度，拼度既訖，即以利鈇，隨而斫之，或作二分，或作三分，四分五分乃至十分，或二十分，或復百分。如是如是，諸比丘！於彼黑繩大地獄中所有眾生，亦復如是，諸守獄者執取罪人，𢷏置熾燃熱鐵地上，推令仰臥，以黑鐵繩，拼度開解，即以鐵鈇，斫破其身，作諸分段，亦復如是。爾時罪人，乃至痛惱酸切，受極重苦，命亦未終。若未盡彼人非人身，往昔所造不善諸業，於此獄中，一切具受。

> Furthermore, monks, in the Black Rope Hell, all beings—those born, dwelling, or manifested there—due to the unwholesome consequences of their past deeds, are seized by the wardens of hell. The wardens throw them onto a blazing, scorching iron ground, flaming and fiercely hot, causing their entire bodies to burn. They force them to lie on their backs and measure them all over with red-hot iron ropes. After measuring, they hack crosswise with blazing, fierce iron axes at the bodies of those beings in that hell, cutting them into two pieces, three pieces, four, five, up to ten pieces, or twenty, fifty, or even a hundred pieces. Just as a skilled carpenter or a carpenter's apprentice takes timber, places it on level ground, measures it lengthwise and crosswise with an ink line, and then cuts it with a sharp axe into two pieces, three, four, five, ten, twenty, fifty, or a hundred pieces—exactly the same, monks, is the treatment of beings in the Black Rope Hell. The wardens seize sinners, throw them onto the burning iron ground, force them onto their backs, measure them with black iron ropes, and then chop their bodies with iron axes into sections. At that moment, the sinner experiences intense, agonizing pain—sharp and severe—but their life does not end. Until all their past unwholesome deeds, committed as a human or otherwise, are fully exhausted, they must endure every bit of this suffering in this hell.

「復次，諸比丘！又彼黑繩大地獄中所有眾生，有者化者乃至住者，諸守獄卒執取彼人，𢷏置熾燃熱鐵地上，乃至推令仰臥於地，以黑鐵繩拼度其身，既拼度已，又以鐵鋸熾燃猛熱，依所拼處鋸解其身，鋸已復鋸，乃至大鋸，次更破已復破，乃至大破，或割或截，既割截已，復更割截，極細割截。譬如世間善巧鋸師、若鋸師弟子，取諸材木，安置平地，即以黑繩，縱橫拼度，拼度訖已，便以利鋸，隨而鋸之，鋸已復鋸，乃至大鋸，次復細破，破已復破，乃至大破，又更割截，既割截已，復重割截，極細割截。如是如是，諸比丘！於彼黑繩大地獄中所有眾生，生者有者乃至住者，諸守獄卒執取彼人，𢷏置熾燃熱鐵地上，乃至推令仰臥於地，以黑鐵繩拼度開解，即以鐵鋸熾燃猛焰，鋸解其身，鋸已復鋸，乃至大鋸，破已復破，乃至大破，割已復割，乃至大割，截已復截，乃至大截。彼人爾時乃至具受極嚴重苦，命亦未終。略說如上，乃至人非人身所作惡業，於中備受。

> "Furthermore, monks, in the Hell of Black Ropes, all beings—whether born there spontaneously or dwelling there—are seized by the hell-guards. The guards throw them onto scorching hot iron ground and force them to lie face-up. Using black iron ropes, they mark lines across the body. Once marked, they use red-hot iron saws to cut the body along those lines. They saw again and again, cutting thoroughly, then breaking and breaking again, then tearing and tearing again, and slicing and slicing into the finest pieces. It is like a skilled carpenter or his apprentice in the human world: they place timber on level ground, use a black rope to mark lines—both lengthwise and crosswise—and then use a sharp saw to cut along those marks. They saw again and again, cutting thoroughly, then breaking and breaking again, tearing and tearing again, and slicing into the finest pieces. In the same way, monks, in the Hell of Black Ropes, all beings—whether born there or dwelling there—are seized by the hell-guards. They throw them onto scorching hot iron ground and force them to lie face-up. Using black iron ropes, they mark and divide the body, and then with red-hot iron saws blazing with flames, they saw the body along those marks. They saw again and again, cutting thoroughly, breaking and breaking again, tearing and tearing again, slicing and slicing again. Throughout this, that being endures extreme, intense suffering, yet does not die. In brief, as described above, they endure the full retribution of evil deeds committed in human or non-human form."

「復次，諸比丘！又彼黑繩大地獄中所有眾生，生者有者乃至住者，諸守獄卒，以大鐵椎熾燃猛熱光焰暉赫，付諸罪人，令其各各自相椎打。於相打時，燒手燒脚，遍燒手脚；燒耳燒鼻，遍燒耳鼻；燒支燒節，遍燒支節。彼人爾時乃至受於極嚴重苦，命亦未終。略說如上，乃至往昔人非人身所作之業，一切具受。

> "Furthermore, monks, in the Black Rope Hell, all beings—whether just born, already existing, or long-dwelling there—are given enormous iron hammers by the hell wardens. These hammers are blazing, fiercely hot, bright and radiant. The wardens command the sinners to strike each other with these hammers. As they strike, their hands and feet burn, and are completely scorched; their ears and noses burn, and are completely scorched; their limbs and joints burn, and are completely consumed. At that time, those beings experience extremely intense suffering, yet their lives do not end. To put it briefly, just as before, they endure all the consequences of the actions they committed when they were human or non-human.

「復次，諸比丘！又彼黑繩大地獄中所有眾生，生者有者乃至住者，惡業果故，於虛空中有大黑繩從空而出，烟焰熾燃，極大猛熱，乃至墮在地獄眾生身分之上。黑繩著時，隨即絞縛罪人身體，絞已復絞，乃至大絞；縛已復縛，乃至大縛。既絞縛已，復有風來吹令開解。繩開解時，彼諸眾生身皮皆剝；皮既剝已肉亦隨剝；肉既剝已，次抽其筋，乃至破骨；筋骨破已，吹其精髓，隨風而去。罪人爾時，乃至受於極嚴重苦，命亦未終。略說如上，乃至未盡惡不善業，如是次第，一切具受。

> "Furthermore, monks, in that Black Rope Hell, all sentient beings who are born, dwell, or remain there suffer the consequences of their evil actions. From out of the empty space above, a massive black rope descends, blazing with smoke and flames, intensely hot and searing. It falls upon the bodies of those beings in hell. As soon as the black rope touches them, it immediately binds and constricts their bodies tightly—binding over and over, tightly again and again. After being bound and constricted, a wind comes and blows to loosen the rope. As the rope is loosened, the skin of these beings is completely peeled away. Once the skin is gone, their flesh also follows and is stripped off. After the flesh, their sinews are drawn out, and even their bones are shattered. When bones and sinews are destroyed, their marrow and essence are blown away by the wind. At that moment, these beings experience immense and extreme suffering, yet their lives do not end. As explained above, unless all of their evil and unwholesome deeds have been fully exhausted, they will undergo everything in this manner, from beginning to end."

「復次，諸比丘！彼地獄中所有眾生，經無量時受長遠苦，乃從黑繩大地獄出，出已馳走，乃至求室求宅、求覆求洲、求歸依處、求救護處。爾時，復入黑雲沙獄，其獄縱廣五百由旬。罪人入已，略說如上，乃至次第入第十六寒冰地獄。入諸獄已，乃至命終，受種種苦。

> Furthermore, monks, the beings in that hell, after enduring immense suffering for countless eons, eventually emerge from the Great Black Rope Hell. Once out, they frantically run, seeking shelter, a dwelling, a refuge, a sanctuary, a protector. At that point, they again enter the Black Cloud Sand Hell, which measures five hundred yojanas in length and width. Once these sinners enter, their suffering is much as described before. Then, they proceed in turn through each level, until they eventually enter the sixteenth hell, the Hell of Extreme Cold. In each of these hells, they endure all kinds of torment until their lives finally end.

「復次，諸比丘！合大地獄，亦有十六諸小地獄，並皆縱廣五百由旬，自相圍遶，從黑雲沙，略說乃至最後，名為寒氷地獄。諸比丘！有何因緣，彼大地獄說名為合？諸比丘！彼地獄中所有眾生，生者有者出者化者，乃至住者，由彼眾生惡業果故。有兩大山，名白羊口，熾燃猛熱，光焰炎赫。爾時，獄卒驅逼罪人入此山內，入山間已兩山遂合，更互相突，更互相打，更互相磨。時彼二山如是共合，相突相打，相揩磨已，還住本處。譬如毘佉㝹與囉毘佉㝹此二是閃電之名，相合相突，相打相磨；彼既相合相突相打磨已，各還本處。如是如是，諸比丘！彼之二山，相合相突，相打相磨，極揩磨已，各還本處，亦復如是。彼地獄中所有眾生，被山合突打磨之時，身體一切膿血流迸，唯碎骨在。彼人爾時乃至受於極嚴重苦，命亦未終。略說如上，次第皆受，當如是知。

> Furthermore, monks, there is also the Great Hell of Crushing, surrounded by sixteen smaller hells, each extending five hundred yojanas in all directions. Beginning with the Black Sand Hell and continuing in sequence, the last is called the Ice Hell. Monks, what is the reason this great hell is called "Crushing"? In that hell, all beings who are born, exist, emerge, are created, or reside there—due to the karmic results of their evil deeds—encounter two great mountains shaped like a ram’s mouth. These mountains are ablaze, fiercely hot, blazing with intense flames. At that time, the hell-guards force the sinners to enter between these mountains. Once they are inside, the two mountains come together, crashing, pounding, and grinding against each other. After they have smashed, pounded, and ground together, they return to their original positions. This is like the lightning flashes called "Vikhāṇa" and "Ravikhāṇa"<note>These are the names for lightning</note>, which strike, crash, and grind together before returning to their places. In exactly the same way, monks, those two mountains crash, pound, and grind together fiercely, then each returns to its original place. As for the beings in that hell, when they are crushed, pounded, and ground by the mountains, their bodies ooze with pus and blood, leaving only crushed bones. At that time, they experience the most severe and intense suffering, yet their lives do not end. As briefly explained above, they undergo all these sufferings in sequence. Know this to be the case.

「復次，諸比丘！又彼眾合大地獄中所有眾生，生者住者，其守獄卒，取彼地獄諸眾生等，𢷏置熾燃大熱鐵上，其焰猛盛，暉赫可畏。推令仰臥，更取大鐵，亦甚猛熾，以覆其上，猶如世間磑磨之法，如是磨之。磨已復磨，又更大磨；末已復末，又更大末；研已復研，又更細研，遂成塵末；既作塵已，又復細塵，如是展轉，成極微塵。作塵末時，一切身分，皆為膿血，流迸出盡，唯有骨塵，猶在彼處。爾時彼人，乃至受於極嚴重苦，命亦未終。略說如上，次第應知。

> Moreover, monks, in the same Great Unity Hell, among all the beings who are born there or reside there—the hell wardens seize those beings, cast them onto a blazing hot iron ground, where the flames are fierce, scorching, and terrifying. They force them to lie on their backs, then take another immense, fiercely burning piece of iron to cover them, just as grains are ground in a mill in the human world. In this way, they grind them, grind them again, and grind them yet more; pulverize them again and again, making them even finer; crush them repeatedly into an extremely fine powder. After becoming dust, they are ground into even finer dust, continuing until they become the most subtle particles. And as they are being ground into dust, all parts of their bodies are turned into pus and blood, spurting and flowing out completely, until only bone dust remains in that place. At that time, that person endures the most severe pain, yet their life does not end. I have already explained this in brief; thus, you should know accordingly in detail.

「復次，諸比丘！又彼眾合大地獄中所有眾生，生者有者乃至住者，其守獄卒取彼眾生，𢷏置猛熱大鐵槽中，其槽熾燃，一向炎赫。置槽中已，猶如世間壓諸甘蔗及胡麻法，如是壓時，壓已復壓，遂至大壓。既被壓已，唯見膿血流在一邊，所有骸骨皆為末滓。罪人爾時乃至受於極嚴重苦。略說如上，命亦未終，隨其所作，一切具受。

> "Furthermore, monks, in the Mass Assembly Hell, all beings who are born, exist, or dwell there are seized by the hell-guards and thrown into a violently hot, large iron trough. The trough is blazing, burning intensely. Once placed inside, they are pressed just like sugarcane or sesame seeds are pressed in the human world. They are pressed again and again, and finally, they are crushed completely. After being crushed, only pus and blood can be seen on one side, while all their bones are ground into residue. At that time, the sinners endure extreme, severe suffering. As briefly described above, their lives do not end; they fully experience everything they have done.

「復次，諸比丘！又彼眾合大地獄中所有眾生，生者有者乃至住者，其守獄卒，取彼眾生擲鐵臼中，其臼熾燃，猛焰赫奕，又熱鐵杵，亦甚猛熾，擣彼罪人。擣已復擣，乃至大擣；研已復研，乃至大研。既擣研已，遂成研末。如是等末，末已復末，更為微末。於研末時，唯見膿血一畔滂流，一邊猶有碎骨末在。爾時，罪人乃至極受嚴切重苦。略說如上，乃至爾時命亦未終，具受眾苦。

> "Furthermore, monks, in the Mass Combat Hell, all beings who are born, exist, or dwell there are seized by the hell wardens and thrown into an iron mortar. This mortar is blazing and raging with intense flames, and the iron pestle is also fiercely hot. The wardens pound those sinners, pounding them again and again, even heavily pounding them. They grind them, grinding them again and again, even heavily grinding them. After being pounded and ground, the sinners are reduced to powder. This powder is then ground further into finer and finer particles. As they are being ground, only pus and blood can be seen flowing on one side, while on the other side, there remain fragments of crushed bone. At that time, the sinners experience the most severe and intense pain, as described above, and even then their lives do not end, as they must endure all these sufferings completely.

「復次，諸比丘！又彼眾合大地獄中所有眾生，生者有者乃至住者，爾時於上虛空之中，有大鐵象自然出生，熾燃猛壯，乃至光焰一向赫奕。以其兩脚，蹋彼地獄諸眾生身，從頭至足，次第蹋之。先蹋髑髏，後蹋餘處，蹋已復蹋，乃至大蹋。於象蹋時，彼地獄中眾生身分，膿血迸流，散在諸處，唯有碎骨獨在一邊。爾時，罪人受大重苦。略說如上，命亦未終。如是次第，於中具受。

> "Furthermore, monks, consider the beings in the Avīci Hell of Crushing—those who are born, exist, or dwell there. At that time, up in the sky above, a huge iron elephant naturally appears. It is blazing hot, fierce, and overwhelmingly radiant. Using its two feet, it tramples the bodies of these hell-beings one after another, from head to toe. First, it crushes their skulls, then the rest of their bodies. It stomps again and again, violently, without cease. As the elephant tramples them, pus and blood burst from the hell-beings' bodies, splattering everywhere, while only crushed bones remain piled aside. At that point, the condemned person endures immense agony, like the previous descriptions; yet, their lives are not yet ended, and they must endure each stage fully."

「復次，諸比丘！又彼眾合大地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時受長遠苦。此苦畢已，乃從眾合大地獄出，出已一向馳奔而走，乃至求於救護之處。爾時，復入彼黑雲沙五百由旬小地獄中，入已復入諸餘小獄，如是乃至寒氷地獄，具足受苦。

> "Furthermore, monks, the beings in the Great Hell of Crushing suffer immense pain for countless ages. When this suffering finally ends, they are released from that hell and immediately rush away, desperately seeking refuge. At that time, they enter the smaller hell of Black Sand Clouds, which spans five hundred yojanas. After entering, they continue to undergo suffering in other smaller hells, and so on, all the way to the Hell of Ice and Cold, where they experience full torment.

「復次，諸比丘！又更入於叫喚地獄，此地獄中亦有十六五百由旬諸小地獄以為眷屬，從黑雲沙，乃至最後寒氷地獄。諸比丘！如是地獄有何因緣，名為叫喚？諸比丘！如是叫喚大地獄中所有眾生，生者有者乃至住者，其守獄卒，一時驅逼是諸眾生，令入鐵城，其城熾燃，熱鐵猛焰，光甚炎赫。爾時，罪人在鐵城中，乃至受於極嚴重苦，眾苦逼切，不堪忍故，恒常叫喚，是故名為叫喚地獄。又彼獄中以鐵為屋，房室輦輿亦皆是鐵，樓觀園池，一切皆是猛熱炭火，熾燃光曜，上下洞徹，獄卒駈逐受罪眾生，令入其中，諸苦逼切，不可忍耐，即便叫喚，是故名為叫喚地獄。罪人在中，受大重苦，略說如上，命亦未終。若未盡彼惡不善業，如是次第，具足而受。

> "Again, monks, there is also the Howling Hell. This hell is accompanied by sixteen smaller hells, each spanning five hundred yojanas, from the Black Sand Hell to the final Ice Hell. Monks, what is the reason this hell is called 'Howling'? In this great Howling Hell, all beings who are born, exist, or dwell there are herded by the hell guards into an iron city. The city is ablaze, with scorching iron and fierce flames shining intensely. At that time, the sinners in the iron city endure extreme and severe suffering. Overwhelmed by the myriad tortures, unable to bear them, they constantly howl—this is why it is called the Howling Hell. Furthermore, in this hell, everything is made of iron: buildings, rooms, carriages, and palanquins; even towers, gardens, and ponds consist entirely of blazing hot charcoal. The flames burn brightly, illuminating everything above and below. The hell guards drive the suffering beings into these places, where they face unbearable torment and immediately howl—hence the name Howling Hell. The beings endure immense suffering there, briefly as described, yet their lives do not end. As long as their evil and unwholesome karma is not exhausted, they undergo these experiences one after another in full.

「諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，受苦長遠經無量時，乃得從此叫喚獄出，出已馳走，略說如前，乃至求於救護之處。即復往詣黑雲沙等五百由旬諸小地獄，入已如前，具受諸罪，略說乃至最後方入寒氷地獄，具受眾苦，乃得命終。」

> "Monks, the beings in that hell experience suffering for a very long time, through countless ages, before they are finally released from the Hell of Shouting. Once out, they frantically flee, as described before, seeking a place of refuge and protection. Then they go straight to the various smaller hells, such as the Black Sand Hell and the others that stretch for five hundred leagues, where they once again undergo all the same torments as before. In brief, they continue this until finally they enter the Hell of Frozen Ice, where they endure the full range of agonies before their lives finally come to an end."

「復次，諸比丘！彼大叫喚大地獄中，亦有十六諸小地獄、以為眷屬，皆悉縱廣五百由旬，從黑雲沙，乃至最後寒氷地獄。諸比丘！如是地獄有何因緣，而得名為大叫喚也？諸比丘！彼大叫喚大地獄中所有眾生，生者有者乃至住者，諸守獄卒取彼眾生，亦皆擲置鐵城之中，熾燃大熱，乃至上下光焰猛徹，罪人在中受極重苦，眾惱逼切不堪忍故，遂大叫喚。以是因緣，名彼地獄為大叫喚。彼地獄中亦以熱鐵為屋宇，房舍輦閣樓觀悉皆是鐵，炭火熾燃，充滿炎赫，罪人在中，受極重苦，略說如前，命亦未盡。如是次第，具足受之。

> Furthermore, monks, in the Great Screaming Hell, there are also sixteen smaller hells that accompany it, each extending five hundred yojanas in all directions, from the Black Sand Hell up to the final Hail Hell. Monks, what is the reason this hell is called the Great Screaming Hell? Monks, all beings in the Great Screaming Hell—whether born there, dwelling there, or existing there—are seized by the hell guards and thrown into an iron city that is blazing hot, glowing with flames that shoot upward and downward. The sinners within suffer immense pain, overwhelmed by such intense torment that they cannot bear it, and thus they let out great screams. For this reason, it is called the Great Screaming Hell. In this hell, even the houses, buildings, palaces, towers, and pavilions are all made of iron, burning with charcoal fire, filled with raging flames. The sinners there suffer extreme pain, as briefly described before, yet their lives do not end. In this way, they experience all this suffering completely, stage by stage.

「諸比丘！又彼地獄諸眾生等，受長遠苦經無量時，乃得從此大叫喚大地獄出，出已馳走，乃至略說，求救護處。於是復詣黑雲沙等小地獄中，入已受苦，乃至最後寒氷地獄，具受眾苦，乃得命終。

> "Monks, the beings in these hells endure immense suffering for an immeasurably long time. Only after a vast duration are they finally released from the Great Screaming Hell. Once free, they flee in panic—to put it briefly—seeking refuge and rescue. They then find themselves entering the smaller hells, such as the Black Cloud Sand Hell, and so on. There they undergo torment all the way to the final Hells of Freezing Ice, where they endure all kinds of agony until their lives finally end."

「復次，諸比丘！於彼熱惱大地獄中，亦有十六諸小地獄以為眷屬，其獄各各如前，縱廣五百由旬，從黑雲沙乃至最後寒氷地獄。諸比丘！如是地獄有何因緣，名為熱惱大地獄耶？」

> "Moreover, monks, within that great scorching hell of burning torment, there are also sixteen smaller hells that belong to it as attendants. Each of these hells is, as before, five hundred leagues in extent, from the Black Cloud Sand Hell up to and including the final Ice Hell. Monks, for what reason is this hell called the Great Scorching Hell of Burning Torment?"

「諸比丘！於此熱惱大地獄中所有眾生，生者有者乃至住者，諸守獄卒取彼眾生，擲置熾燃熱鐵鑊中，頭皆向下，脚皆向上，騰波沸涌，一向猛熱。罪人於中，被煎被煮，極受熱惱，是故名為熱惱地獄。又彼獄中，多諸鐵釜鐵甕、鐵盆鐵瓨、鐵鑊鐵鼎，及諸鐵𨫼，並皆熾燃，一向猛熱。罪人在中，被燒被煑，是故名為熱惱地獄。於此獄中，乃至受於極嚴重苦，命亦未終。未盡彼人惡不善業，如是次第，一切悉受。

> "Monks, regarding all the sentient beings who are born, exist, and dwell in this Scorching and Tormenting Hell, the wardens of hell seize these beings and cast them into blazing hot iron cauldrons. They cast them in headfirst, feet up, into the churning, boiling, intensely fierce heat. The sinners within are seared and boiled, suffering extreme heat and torment. Therefore it is called the Scorching and Tormenting Hell. Furthermore, in that hell there are many iron pots, earthen jars, iron basins, iron vessels, iron cauldrons, iron tripods, and iron pans, all intensely blazing with fierce heat. Sinners within are burned and boiled. Therefore it is called the Scorching and Tormenting Hell. In this hell, they undergo extremely severe suffering, yet their lives do not end. Until their evil, unwholesome karma is exhausted, they experience all such torments in due succession."

「諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時受長遠苦，乃從熱惱大地獄出，出已乃至馳奔而走，欲求救護歸依之處。爾時，復入黑雲沙等小地獄中，略說乃至寒氷地獄，具受眾苦，乃得命終。

> "Monks, after enduring immense suffering for countless eons in the great hell of scorching torment, beings there eventually emerge. Upon escaping, they flee frantically, seeking a place of refuge and rescue. At that moment, they fall again into lesser hells such as the Black Cloud Sand Hell, and, in brief, continue through hells like the Ice Hell, experiencing every kind of agony until their lives finally end."

「復次，諸比丘！彼大熱惱大地獄中，亦有十六諸小地獄，各各縱廣五百由旬，從黑雲沙小地獄為始，乃至最後寒氷地獄。諸比丘！如是地獄，有何因緣，名大熱惱大地獄耶？諸比丘！彼大熱惱大地獄中諸眾生等，生者有者乃至住者，諸守獄卒取彼眾生，以頭向下，以脚向上，到擲釜中。其釜猛熱，湯火俱熾，衝擊罪人，隨沸上下。當於是時，受極熱惱、極大熱惱、大大熱惱，是故名為大熱惱獄。又彼獄中，所有鐵甕鐵盆鐵鑊鐵鼎鐵鐺，亦皆熾燃，極大猛熱，又以罪人擲置其中。罪人爾時，為地獄火或煮或煎，受諸苦惱，惱已復惱，極大逼惱，是故名為最熾猛熱極惱地獄。罪人於中受極重苦，略說如前。乃至命終，如是次第具受眾苦。

> Then, monks, within that Great Heat Hell, there are also sixteen smaller hells, each spanning five hundred yojanas. They begin with the Black Sand Cloud Hell and continue up to the final Ice Hell. Monks, why is this great hell called the Great Heat Hell? Monks, the beings born, living, or dwelling in this Great Heat Hell are seized by hell-wardens, turned upside down with heads down and feet up, and thrown into cauldrons. These cauldrons blaze fiercely, with boiling water and raging flames surging, tossing the sinners up and down violently. At that moment, they experience intense heat, extreme heat, and overwhelming heat—hence its name. Furthermore, within this hell, all the iron vats, iron basins, iron pots, iron cauldrons, and iron pans are likewise blazing fiercely with extreme heat. Sinners are thrown into them. At that time, they are boiled or seared by the hell-fire, enduring immense suffering. Suffering again and again, they are incredibly tormented — hence it is also called the Fierce Extreme Heat Torment Hell. Sinners there undergo unbearable pain, as described earlier, and in this manner, they endure all kinds of suffering until their lives end.

「諸比丘！彼地獄中諸眾生等，經無量時長遠道中。受諸苦已，乃從如是熾燃猛盛極大熱惱大地獄出，出已馳走，乃至略說，欲求救護歸依之處。於是復詣黑雲沙等小地獄中，乃至最後寒氷地獄，命若未盡，受諸苦惱，次第如前。

> "Monks, after beings in that hell have endured suffering for countless eons along that long and distant path, they eventually emerge from that blazing, fiercely burning, intensely hot and agonizing great hell. Once out, they run frantically—to put it briefly—seeking a place of refuge, rescue, and safety. Then they proceed into the lesser hells, beginning with the Black Cloud Sand Hell and so on, all the way to the final Hail Hell. As long as their karma hasn't been exhausted, they continue to experience suffering in each one, going through the same sequence of torments as before."

## 起世經卷第三

> Chapter 3 of the Genesis of the World Sutra