Narokbhūm in Traibhūm-Phramalai: A text significantly related to Buddhist scripture

Abstract

     This article aims to study the content of Narokabhūm (Naraka Bhumi: story of hell in Buddhism) in Traibhūm-Phramalai, a piece of cosmological literature of the Ayutthaya period, compared with other Buddhist scriptures, i.e. Tipitaka, Lokadīpakasāra, Lokpaññatti and Cakkavāladīpanī. The results show that the Traibhūm-Phramalai describes a content of hell similar to other Buddhist scriptures in the following aspects: 1) The conditions of the Major hells and the names of hells are the same as that mentioned in Devadūtasutta and Saṅkicca-Jātaka in Tipitaka and Lokadīpakasāra scripture; 2) The previous deeds and the suffering of creatures in the major hells are the same (a denizens of hell)  in the great hells are the same as that described in Lokadīpakasāra and Lokpaññatti scriptures; 3) Usudanarok (minor hells) have details similar to that in Devadūtasutta and Saṅkicca-Jataka in Tipitaka and Lokpaññatti scripture; 4) Yamaloka is detailed in parallel with the Nemirāja-Jataka in Tipitaka; 5) The ages of beings in heavens, the human world and hells are equal to those defined in Vitthatuposathasutta in Tipitaka, Lokadīpakasāra and Cakkavāladīpanī scriptures.
     The significant information of hells, names, physical characteristics, the previous deeds of creatures in the major hells (a denizens of hell), sufferings and ages of beings of six levels of heaven in Traibhūm-Phramalai are identical with that in the Tipitaka and other cosmological scriptures such as Lokadīpakasāra, Lokpaññatti and Cakkavāladīpanī. The differences are only minor details. So, Traibhūm-Phramalai can be classed as cosmological literature of Ayutthaya period, showing comprehensively  the principles of hells.