法苑珠林 7.40

7.40

The Sūtra on Inquiring about the Hells says: 'To the east, west, south, and north of King Yama's city, the various hells are arranged. The light of the sun and moon is present there, yet it is neither bright nor clear; only the Black Ear Hell is untouched by any light. When a person's life ends, they are born into the intermediate state (antarābhava). The intermediate state means having discarded the aggregate of death without yet reaching the aggregate of birth. The sinners ride their intermediate state bodies into the Niraya City. Niraya City (in the Liang language called mìtiáo chéng, also called bì chéng, the "Closed City") is the place where all sinners gather together before receiving their punishments. Blown by a dexterous wind, they take on large or small bodies according to the weight of their karma. Blown by a foul wind, the coarse and ugly forms of sinners are completed. Blown by a fragrant wind, the subtle and delicate bodies of meritorious persons are completed.'