The Hell Of The Boiling Cauldron

Hell Punishments, right side
Scene 21, Baodingshan, Dazu (map)

In this hell, a horse-headed "hell warden" (see next page) boils sinners in a cauldron. In spite of their horrific punishments, the hells are not eternal; in fact they are more like the Western concept of Purgatory. While it is always better not to sin in the first place, you can avoid the hells (or at least shorten your stay) by repenting, invoking the proper deity during your lifetime, and by being prayed for after your death. Otherwise, you must suffer in them until your full karmic debt is paid.