There exists another form of hellish retribution for masturbation that lasts twenty thousand years. Those who crave sensory stimulation in life, using ice, warm water, chilies, lubricants, personal artifacts or other means to masturbate, or even to teach others to commit such sexual misconduct, will fall into the Hell of Five Layers of Ice and Fire after death.
I asked why the punishment for masturbation is so severe, with even casual offenders facing ten thousand years of torment.
The Magistrate replied that masturbation gravely harms the body and corrupts virtue, depleting the human body’s three treasures: essence, vital energy, and spirit. It is also a profound act of unfilial conduct toward one’s parents, akin to suicide. Though no other person is harmed, taking one’s own life is still taking a life, hence the heavy sentence. Those who are fond of masturbation repeat the act with high frequency. The first instance of masturbation in mortal life reduces one’s blessings and lifespan by half a month; the second offense deducts a full month of blessings and lifespan. Upon death, such living beings are cast into the hells to endure retribution. If they can engage in sincere, profound repentance while alive, they may avoid torment in the hells after death, yet this is judged individually according to each person’s circumstances.
The Magistrate asked if I wished to tour the Hell of Five Layers of Ice and Fire. I thought it would be worthwhile to see it.
The scenes here were far crueler than those witnessed in the Hell of Two-Headed Fire Serpents. This place was filled with countless torture implements. These instruments were translucent, nearly white, sharply tapered and piercing. They appeared unbearably icy and razor-sharp. When they touch the male souls, their genitals are instantly frozen and shattered. Yet immediately after being destroyed, the genitals regenerate once again.
After enduring the ice torture, the condemned souls immediately undergo unceasing retribution known as the crashing volcanic mound. This punishment awaits those who use warm water, chilies and other substances to heighten stimulation while practicing masturbation and sexual misconduct. A fiery red torture implement shaped like a small hill hurtles toward the male souls. Fitted as if tailor-made, it bears a clasp that presses upon their genitals and sears them off with blazing heat. Agonized screams, moans and cries of agony fill every corner of the hell. Driven by karmic force, the souls revive and their bodies heal, only to suffer the torment repeatedly in endless cycles. The sight was unbearably harrowing and pitiful.
Witnessing this hell tonight churned my stomach. Witnessing this hell tonight churned my stomach. The Magistrate told me the hell had been newly built, yet it has already become insufficient; more still needs to be built. Countless mortals indulge in masturbation, and they will fall here to receive retribution once their lives end.
I also saw numerous Beauty Hells still under construction, reserved for those who operate beauty salons offering breast augmentation, vaginal tightening surgeries and similar procedures for women. Many unscrupulous beauty companies and medical centres deliberately fuel women’s lust and tempt them into sexual misconduct. Such beings lose blessings and shorten their lifespans while alive. Upon death, they enter these hells to endure punishment for ten thousand years.
The Magistrate sensed my unspoken questions; we communicated through thought transference. I wished to ask why sexual intercourse in improper locations constitutes a precept violation, and the Magistrate showed me a vision.
It turns out that outdoors, in restrooms, or on thunder‑riven stormy nights, hordes of ghosts, mei, sprites and elves gather to draw the vital essence from those given to sexual misconduct, or seize the moment of their seminal emission to possess and usurp their bodies. Engaging in sexual acts in improper places harms one’s own body and disrupts the righteous energetic field of nature, bringing countless harms with no benefits whatsoever. Thus those who commit such acts must endure the suffering retribution they have created.