Does hell exist? An unanswerable question for mere mortals, but one perspective can be clearly seen on display in Buddhist temples, where wall paintings depict the horror that punishes the sins of mankind.

Artwork at Vat Nakhorpha encourages believers to do the right thing.

Buddhist art often illustrates dharma, reminding people to live in harmony and not be greedy or take advantage of others.

Graphic paintings of torture in hell are important dharma messages reflecting social issues, particularly drinking alcohol and committing adultery, which are violations of the Buddhist faith.

Most people can reflect on their actions for themselves and know they should maintain balance by carrying out good deeds. But for a detailed visual explanation of what lies down the other path, all that is required is a visit to a temple to find out from the resident monks.

Vat Nakhorpha, in Thinphia village, Hadxaifong district, Vientiane, is one temple that features elaborate artwork on its walls which Abbot Lattana Xaykosin hopes will help him share his teachings with the faithful.

The temple is a local landmark with many fascinating features, including a dramatic gateway and large drum tower. The visitor’s eye is immediately drawn to the horphachaonak – a stupa housing the phachaonak, a Buddha image which has remained within the temple since it was built.

The murals of tormented souls that decorate the temple walls demonstrate how people can learn from dharma to try to be morally sound and free of sin, and do good so that they pass peacefully into their next incarnation and don’t suffer in the afterlife.

The paintings show a myriad of torturous agony inflicted on those who don’t abide by the five moral precepts: not to tell lies, commit adultery, kill, drink alcohol or steal.

In the paintings some who have lived sinfully are seen to be punished by being sawn in half, while those who have committed adultery are forced into naked climbing expeditions up a giant kapok tree, covered in thorns.

Halfway up the prickly tree the hapless nudists find themselves stuck between the beak and the blade: if they climb higher a huge bird will descend and peck them into tiny pieces; if they descend it will be onto a sharpened sword.

In the meantime those caught lying or drinking alcohol have their tongues cut out, while anyone who killed animals adopts the head of the slain beast.

Those who fight with or kill their parents are thrown into a large pot to boil for all eternity.

When asked if they fear this unending agony, some may say that there are no more thorns left on the kapok tree, as many have climbed before them.

But the Abbot warns that people can experience hell while they are alive; the pain experienced when a hand is accidentally placed on a hot pot is no different to that in hell.

Although these are only paintings, the Abbot says that people should learn from the messages they portray and give close consideration to their everyday behaviour.

By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun
September 26, 2009
Vientiane Times