Torture in Buddhist Hell, Naraka. Sculptures near the Killing Caves, Phnom Sampeau, Battambang Cambodia. 07-12-2018
The horrific sculptures near the Killing Caves at Phnom Sampeau are scenes of Naraka, a kind of Buddhist or Hindu Hell. These statue tableau are found at religious sites elsewhere in Cambodia and south east Asia; especially Thailand. Each scene depicts what a wrongdoer might expect as punishment or correction for their sins. The God of death, Yama, reads from the book of justice and the sinners are treated appropriately; depending on what they have done during their lives. Those who slander or lie might have their tongues torn out; a mother guilty of infanticide might have to forever suckle a monster; those who have unnatural intercourse are made to climb a thorny tree that has knives to lacerate their flesh; those who mistreat or kill animals for pleasure are boiled in hot oil; and so on; for each sin there is a punishment. There are many different Narakas; each one a separate Hell for that particular sin. Despite what many visitors believe, the Naraka scenes near the entrance to The Killing Caves probably has little directly to do with the slaughter that took place there, but are more likely associated with the nearby temple. However if one is looking for justice there is an appropriate Naraka for Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge; the people responsible for the terrible deeds that took place in The Killing Cave. It is the Naraka of Sarameyasanam (torture by dogs). It is for those who are involved in massacre, torturing, house burning, destroying communities and mass slaughter. These sinners will be cast into Hell where they will be savaged by thousands of hungry dogs who will tear and eat their flesh, almost to the end of time, until their term is done.
Size: 2994px × 4217px
Location: Phnom Sampeau, Battambang, Cambodia.
Photo credit: © Dale Warren / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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