View source for Eighteen hells

[[Image:Hell_realm.jpg|frame|Depiction of the hell realms from a [[thangka]] of the [[Wheel of Life]]]]
The '''hells''' (Skt. ''naraka''; Tib. དམྱལ་བ་, ''nyalwa'',  [[Wyl.]] ''dmyal ba'') constitute one of the realms of the [[six classes of beings]], they are characterized by extremely intense suffering. The hell realms are as real or as illusional as the human realm. It is important within our mind training to reflect upon the intense suffering of the hell beings, in order to strengthen our [[bodhicitta]] and our [[renunciation]].  There are '''eighteen hells''' (Skt. ''aṣṭadaśanaraka''):

*the [[sixteen hells]] grouped into
**[[Eight Hot Hells]] and
**[[Eight Cold Hells]]; along with
*the [[Neighbouring Hells]] and 
*the [[Ephemeral Hells]].

[[Chökyi Drakpa]] writes:
:The '''cause''' of being born in any of these eighteen hells could be a vast accumulation of harmful actions perpetrated out of [[desire]] or delusion. Even so, a single momentary act such as taking life or speaking harsh words to an exceptional being, when carried out with a mind of intense anger, will propel you straight to the hells.<ref>In ''[[A Torch for the Path to Omniscience]]''</ref>

==Notes==
<small><references/></small>

==Further Reading==
*Samuel Bercholz and Pema Namdol Thaye, ''A Guided Tour of Hell—A Graphic Memoir'' (Boston & London: Shambhala Publications, 2016) 
*[[Patrul Rinpoche]], ''[[The Words of My Perfect Teacher]]'' (Boston: Shambhala, Revised edition, 1998), pages 63-72, ISBN 978-0300165326

==Internal Links==
*[[hell beings]]

==External Links==
*[http://www.himalayanart.org/pages/hell/index.html Hell: Subjects and Depictions outline page on the Himalayan Art Resources website]

[[Category: Hell Realms]]
[[Category: Three Realms of Samsara]]
[[Category: Enumerations]]
[[Category: 18-Eighteen]]