Taizong's hell

Tenth court -
The Wheel-turning King

Additional Scrolls

Main Gates

Comments

E Series Map

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E Series (E1-E10)

Commissioned in 1972 by Joe Kagle in I-Lan, Taiwan, the E Series has never been used, its colors extremely vibrant and the scrolls in general as yet unblemished. In fact, this set might be considered not quite finished because its texts are limited to identifying the magistrates and a couple architectual structures even though there is empty space for cartouches and advisory statements. Regardless, this set is definitely in the best condition relative to the rest of the Taizong's Hell collection. (Image: 74 X 145 cm.)

Madame Meng

A common figure in the final hell, Madame Meng (far left) brews her tea of forgetfulness which all those who pass through hell must drink. Because of that tea, we have no remembrance of hell or lives past. As the Vidor collection (p. 46) describes her establishment: "She is the presiding goddess of the Terrace of Oblivion. Messengers are being dispatched by her to collect leaves for the "Tea of Five Tastes" and water from earthly ponds. From those ingredients she skillfully prepares beverages which are sweet, sour, pungent, bitter, or salty for the migrating souls. After drinking these potions each soul forgets everything which has happened in its former life, and then it proceeds to the tenth court." For other depictions of Madame Meng, see B10, C6, I1, J3, K10, S3 and S5. For a description of Madame Meng by a Taiwanese spiritual medium who had engaged in a series of hell tours between 1976 and 1979, see Voyages to hell, Chapter 57.