Unveiling Avici: The Lowest Realm of Buddhist Hell
When travelers think of Japan, images of cherry blossoms, serene Zen gardens, and bustling neon streets usually come to mind. However, beneath the surface of the country’s rich spiritual tapestry lies a darker, more terrifying concept that has fascinated and frightened believers for centuries: Avici, or in Japanese, Mugen Jigoku (無間地獄).
As a culture enthusiast exploring the depths of Japanese mythology, understanding the concept of hell—specifically its lowest, most agonizing level—provides a fascinating window into the moral compass of ancient Japan. Avici is not just a place of punishment; it is a philosophical concept of eternal consequence that continues to influence modern pop culture.
Origins: The Eighth Naraka
The concept of Avici originates from ancient Buddhist cosmology. In the Buddhist worldview, “Naraka” refers to the realms of hell. Unlike the Christian concept of eternal damnation, Buddhist hells are usually temporary (though they last for incomprehensibly long periods) and are places of purgatory where karma is burned off.
However, Avici stands apart. The Sanskrit word Avīci translates to “without waves” or “without interval.” In Japanese, Mugen (無間) carries a similar meaning: “interminable” or “without gaps.” This signifies that in this specific realm, suffering is continuous, with no respite, not even for a singular moment.
It is the eighth and deepest of the “Eight Hot Hells.” While other hells allow for momentary pauses in torture, Avici is reserved for those who commit the “Five Grave Offenses” (Anantarya-karma):
- Patricide
- Matricide
- Killing an Arhat (enlightened being)
- Shedding the blood of a Buddha
- Creating a schism within the Sangha (community of monks)
Legend: The Architecture of Agony
According to classical descriptions found in texts like the Dirgha Agama, Avici is a cube of terror buried deep beneath the earth. It is said to be 20,000 yojanas (an ancient unit of distance) wide and equally deep, surrounded by seven walls of iron and encased in a net of iron.
The imagery associated with Mugen Jigoku is visceral and horrifying. The legends describe a place where flames are so intense they cast no shadow. The bodies of the damned are stretched to fill the entire space of the hell so that they feel the pain of the iron walls and flames on every inch of their existence. If a sinner is alone, their body fills the hell; if there are many, they are packed together so tightly that they grind against one another, yet each feels isolated in their agony.
Time here is the most terrifying element. A life span in Avici is said to be one kalpa—a unit of time so long it is often described metaphorically as the time it takes to wear away a mountain by brushing it with a silk cloth once every hundred years. For the condemned, it is effectively eternity.
Modern Culture: From Sutras to Screens
The concept of Avici has transcended religious texts to become a staple in modern storytelling, particularly in East Asian cinema and anime.
The most famous reference is arguably the Hong Kong film masterpiece Infernal Affairs (and its Japanese title Mugen-da). The film opens with a quote about Avici, using the concept of “Continuous Hell” as a metaphor for an undercover cop and a mole who are trapped in identities that are not their own, suffering a psychological hell without end.
In anime and manga, references to Mugen Jigoku appear in series like Naruto and One Piece. In One Piece, the underwater prison Impel Down features a level called “Eternal Hell,” clearly modeled after Avici, reserved for the world’s worst criminals who are erased from history.
Traveler’s Tips: Experiencing “Hell” in Japan
While you certainly don’t want to visit the actual Avici, adventurous travelers in Japan can visit sites that depict these Buddhist realms safely.
1. The Hells of Beppu (Jigoku Meguri)
Located in Oita Prefecture, Beppu is famous for its hot springs. The “Hells of Beppu” are a collection of spectacular thermal vents. While not religious sites per se, they are named after Buddhist hells. The boiling red waters of Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell) offer a visceral, physical representation of what the ancients imagined the Hot Narakas looked like.
2. Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple (Kyoto)
This temple is dedicated to the goddess of mercy, but it also houses fascinating historical artifacts. You can find depictions of the realms of existence here, offering a solemn look at how the Japanese historically viewed the afterlife.
3. Kyoto National Museum
Keep an eye on special exhibitions. The museum houses the famous Jigoku-zoshi (Hell Scrolls) from the 12th century. These National Treasures depict the various hells with grotesque and fascinating detail, providing an artistic insight into the medieval Japanese imagination.
4. Osorezan (Mount Osore)
Located in Aomori, this is one of Japan’s three most sacred mountains. It is believed to be the entrance to the afterlife. With its barren, sulfurous landscape and the Sanzu River bridge, it provides a chillingly atmospheric experience that feels like stepping onto the shores of the underworld.
Sources & Further Reading
For those wishing to delve deeper into the theology and history of Japanese hells, the following texts are essential:
- The Ojoyoshu (The Essentials of Rebirth in the Pure Land): Written by the monk Genshin in 985 AD, this text provided vivid descriptions of the hells that influenced Japanese art and culture for a millennium.
- The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Purvapranidhana Sutra: The primary Buddhist text dealing with the vow of Ksitigarbha (Jizo Bosatsu) to save all beings from hell.
- Nihon Ryoiki: An early collection of Japanese Buddhist legends (setsuwa) that mixes Buddhist karma with indigenous folklore.
- Jigoku-zoshi (Hell Scrolls): Visual scrolls from the late Heian and early Kamakura periods depicting the suffering of the damned.