The Ten Courts of Hell @ Haw Par Villa, Singapore
The Ten Courts of Hell is part of the attraction at Haw Par Villa, the theme park in Singapore.
Here, through this display of Chinese mythology, visitors learn about life after death. Its primary objective is to instil traditional values through Chinese folklore.
Due to the graphic nature of the exhibits here, visitors’ discretion and parental guidance are advised. Similarly, it applies to this particular post too.
The “Nether World” is guarded by the “Ox-head” and “Horse-face” who would chase spirits into the gates of hell with a steel spear and ivory stick, to face the various punishments meted out by the Emperors of Hell (Yama).
Upon reaching the First Court of Hell, King QinGuang conducts preliminary trials and each prisoner is judged according to his deeds in his past life.
Those deemed to have a virtuous conduct in their past life are led over the “Golden Bridge” to the path to paradise.
Those whose past good deeds outweigh their sins will be sent to the “Silver Bridge” which will also take them to paradise.
On the other hand, those who were evil doers in their past life are sent to repent before the “Mirror of Retribution” and then taken to a subsequent Court of Hell to be punished.
Second Court of Hell – Yama: King Chujiang
Sins: inflicting physical injury, con, robbery
Punishment: thrown into volcano pit
Second Court of Hell – Yama: King Chujiang
Sins: corruption, stealing, gambling
Punishment: frozen into blocks of ice
Second Court of Hell – Yama: King Chujiang
Sin: prostitution
Punishment: thrown into a pool of blood and drowned
Third Court of Hell – Yama: King SongDi
Sins: ungratefulness, disrespect to elders, escape from prison
Punishment: heart cut out
Sins: drug addicts & traffickers, tomb robbers, urging people into crime and instigators of social unrest
Punishment: tied to red hot copper pillar and grilled
Fourth Court of Hell – Yama: King Wuguan
Sins: tax dodger, refusal to pay rent, business fraud
Punishment: pounded by stone mallet
Sins: disobedience to one’s siblings, lack of filial piety
Punishment: grounded by a large stone
“Wang-Si” Town accommodates those who were wronged and driven to their death. They would be asked to view how their enemies receive retribution. They would then be judged on their past deeds and given an appropriate punishment.
Fifth Court of Hell – Yama: King YanLuo
Sins: plotted another’s death for his property or money, money lenders with exorbitant interest rates
Punishment: thrown onto a hill of knives
The Viewing Home Tower is for the evil doers to see how their relatives and family are suffering as a result of their wrong-doings.
Sixth Court of Hell – Yama: King PienCheng
Sins: cursing, abducting others
Punishment: thrown onto a tree of knives
Sins: misuse of books, possession of pornographic material, breaking written rules and regulations, wasting food
Punishment: body sawn into two parts
Seventh Court of Hell – Yama: King TaiShan
Sins: rumour-mongering, sowing discord among family members
Punishment: tongue pulled out
Sin: driving someone to his death
Punishment: thrown into wok of boiling oil
Eighth Court of Hell – Yama: King Dushi
Sins: lack of filial obedience, causing trouble for parents or family members, cheating during examination
Punishment: intestines and organs pulled out
Sin: harming others to benefit oneself
Punishment: body dismembered
Ninth Court of Hell – Yama: King PingDeng
Sins: robbery, murder, rape, any other unlawful conduct
Punishment: head and arms chopped off
Sin: neglect of the old and the young
Punishment: crushed under boulders
Tenth Court of Hell – Yama: King ZhuanLun
In the Tenth Court, there is the “Wheel of Reincarnation” and the “Pavilion of Forgetfulness” (“Meng-Po” Pavilion).
After serving their sentences, prisoners arrive at the Tenth Court where King ZhuangLun passes the final judgement.
These prisoners are then brought to the “Pavilion of Forgetfulness” where an old lady “Meng Po” hands them a cup of magic tea which upon drinking, makes them forget their past life.
They will then go through the “Wheel of Reincarnation”. Depending on the prisoner’s past life, he would be reborn either as a human or an animal. Some would be reborn into a life of ease and comfort while others into sorrow and suffering.
After they have drunk the magic tea, the sinners leave the Ten Courts of Hell via one of the six paths of the Wheel of Reincarnation or Samsara.
The Ten Courts of Hell @ Haw Par Villa
Add: 262, Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118628.
Visiting hours: 9am – 6pm daily
Admission: Free
Tel (Enquiry/Feedback): 6872 2780
Tel (Emergency): 6872 4909
Email: lawrence.nacj@jurong.com
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It is good to have such exhibition to remind us all that there will be ‘payment’ waiting for all our wrong doings so that we will live in a better lifestyle.
i saw something similar to this.. i think it was at a temple in genting highlands.
I only heard some history from my mum..Hope M’sia got such place to visit and let us know more about the ghost story. haha
Wow I never been to this kind of place before. Looks abit creepy but adventurous XDDD
quite similar with Peng lai temple in genting!!
wow! this is a little bit scary yet interesting at the same time.. love all these cultural stuff!
this is really similar to the one at Genting temple, but the graphic they do seriously scary too
Interesting place, can understand better the Chinese mythology after the trip 🙂
ohh this is interesting. I love chinese mythology. I recall having seen something similar before.. not sure where
Interesting place to visit. at first i thought it’s at Ipoh, but was surprised to find that it’s in Singapore! lol. will definitely check it out.
As Muslims, we believe the same thing. We’ll pay for our sins before we get to cross the bridge to Heaven
Beautiful heritage and so nicely maintained. Should take kids here.
this is really good illustration. i bet not all of us know all these
Thanks dos sharing this place in Spore. Have not heard about it though…a well maintained heritage worth visiting. Cheers, SiennyLovesDrawing