| A large number of existing ancient temples in Shanxi province are not only valuable material and cultural resources,but also provide information for the study of ancient history.Many of the buildings,statues,and murals preserved in these ancient temples refer to the Buddhist belief in hell.According to the statistics of related ancient temples and local chronicles and inscriptions,it can be seen that the Buddhist belief in hell was very common in Shanxi during the Ming and Qing dynasties.It can be said that the Buddhist belief in hell has been thoroughly integrated into people’s lives and thoughts.Yu Li Bao Chao is a classic example of the formation of a Chinese style hell.In the Yu Li Bao Chao,hell is the place where people imagine they will be judged after they die.The Ten Kings of Hell and various judges are responsible for judging and determ ining the responsibility.The good person can directly take a good birth or get the Tao,while the evil person will be left in hell to be punished,every wrong he did while he was alive will be punished here.There are many kinds of hell,"Jade calendar"is to take the eight hell,each of the hell and 16 small hell,each hell in different penalties,but are very cruel,it is scary to hear.Images of the most direct-viewing people’s minds to show the hell,Shanxi still retains a large number of exquisite mural hell theme.Ten Kings of Hell,judges trial is the center of gravity of this kind of fresco,surrounded by various scenes of hell and torture.These murals are easy to understand,vivid image.When people see these murals,they want to get away from evil and get closer to good.The popularity of hell-related buildings,texts and images during the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Shanxi revealed people’s urgent need for a better life and a harmonious social environment.During this period,people generally faced many serious survival difficulties,such as disease,natural disasters,famine and so on,there are many bad social habits.People hope to punish evil through hell,Karma to carry forward good,also hope that through the earthly efforts,for the family,future generations,for their own stability in the afterlife.In this process,Buddhist belief in hell is constantly adapting to the needs of believers,but also in the subtle influence of the moral values of believers. |
