Metempsychosis in Buddhism

According to Buddhism, there is an endless circle of transmigration in 六道(Rokudo)-six posthumous worlds, depending on their behavior before death.

They are ..

地獄(jigoku) - hell

餓鬼(gaki) - preta : the world which always suffers from hunger

畜生(chikusho) - realm of beasts

阿修羅(ashura) - the world fightings never end

人道(jindo) - the world human beings live

天道(tendo) - the world celestial beings live

恵心僧都源信(eshinsozu-genshin) is a monk (942-1017) in Heian era, who showed the images of after death. His images have hugely affected on the hell and heaven the Japanese image.

The aim in the Buddhism seems to be to leave the Rokudo and live in 極楽浄土(paradise, eden, nirvana). It is called 解脱（gedatsu in Japanese).

After a funeral, we have a custom to have ceremonies for the 7th day, 49th day and the 3rd year after the death at the temple where the grave is.

That's because it is believed that the next world the dead person will live is judged by 十王(ju-ou) ,meaning ten kings, on mostly every 7 days after death.

The 7th day is the day for the first judge, and the 49th day is the day the judge is finally decided.

The relatives and a monk pray for him or her going to the nirvana.

The name of the kings :

秦広王 (shinko king) - 7th day

初江王(shoko king) 14th day

宋帝王(sotei king) 21th day

五官王(gokan king) 28th day

閻魔王(enma king) 35th day

変成王(henjo king) 42th day

泰山王(taizan king) 49th day

平等王(byodo king) 100th day

都市王(toshi king) 1st year

五道転輪王 (godotenrin king) 3rd year

:Bibliography:

Special exhibition at Mitsui Memorial Museum in 2017

`Wonderland of buddhism hell scenes'