An Analytical Study of the Five Individuals Swallowed by the Earth in Avīci Great Hell

Abstract

This academic article aims to study the meaning and characteristics of Avīci Great Hell, particularly the grave karmic offenses (Anantarika-kamma) as found in the Tipitaka and its commentaries.It uses five case studies of individuals who were swallowed by the Earth into Avīci Great Hell. Through case studies of Devadatta, King Suppabuddha, Ciñcā Māṇavikā, Nanda Māṇavaka, and Nanda Yakkha. The article also aims to synthesize new knowledge about the relationship between intention, kamma and the results of kamma in the Earth-swallowing phenomenon. The research finds that the Earth-swallowing' phenomenon is a result of Anantarika-kamma. These actions include, 1) matricide, 2) patricide, 3) the killing of an arahant, 4) causing the Buddha to bleed, and 5) schism in the Saṅgha. The case of Devadatta, the two actions that fit the definition of Anantarika-kamma are schism in the Saṅgha and causing the Buddha to bleed. In case of King Suppabuddha, Ciñcā Māṇavikā, Nanda Māṇavaka, and Nanda Yakka their offenses were not directly against the Buddha, they still committed grave kammas with malicious intent toward the Buddha and Arahants, who are the highest field of merit. The analysis of the study found that interpretations of the Earth-swallowing phenomenon in scriptures and academic works were divided into three types 1) A miraculous interpretation, which believes the earth splits immediately upon the completion of that karmic transgression. 2) A social symbolic interpretation, which views the Earth-swallowing as a reflection of community punishment for serious offenders and 3) An Ethical interpretation, which emphasizes the severity of karmic results based on the virtue of the victim and the effects of karmic retribution in the phenomenon. The cases of these five individuals explain why karma can ripen immediately within this life, and they can be applied to analyze other of Diṭṭhadhamma-vedanīya-kamma found in the Buddhist scriptures.