諸經要集 18.7

18.7

Question: Why is it called hell (diyu)? Answer: According to the Lokasthiti-abhidharma-śāstra, its Sanskrit name is Niraya because there is no sport or joy, nor is there any gladness or delight; furthermore, there is no stepping forth from it, and there is no merit; moreover, beings are born therein because they have not eliminated or abandoned evil karma. It is also said: among the desire realm (kāmadhātu), this destiny is the most inferior and vile, and is called 'non-path'. On account of these reasons, hell is called Niraya. As in the Vibhāṣā-śāstra, it is named 'lack of autonomy', meaning that those sinful people are restrained and controlled by the hell-wardens and ox-headed demons (Āpāṅgas) and do not obtain autonomy; hence it is called hell (diyu, earth-prison). It is also called 'unlovely and unenjoyable'; hence it is called hell. Furthermore, 'di' (earth) means 'di' (bottom), that is, the very bottom. Among all things, the earth is the lowest; hence it is called the bottom. 'Yu' (prison) means confinement; confinement means being restricted and restrained without obtaining autonomy; hence it is called hell (diyu). Furthermore, the name Nili (Niraya) is a Sanskrit word, which here means 'non-existence', signifying that within that hell there is no benefit or profit; hence it is named 'non-existence'.