The Netherworld

Daoist Beliefs

The Great Dao

Original Meaning of Dao Laozi's Creative Use of The Concept of Dao The Main Meaning of the Concept of Dao The Major Functions of Dao Virtue The Significance of Virtue Expression of the Unity of Dao and Virtue Becoming an Immortal by Attaining Dao is ruled by Spontaneity The Significance of Spontaneity Observing the Way of Heaven and Following its Motions

Cosmogony

Cosmogony The Creation of the World Formation of the Daoist Theory of Universal Evolution The Process of The Creation of the World The Thirty-six Heavens The Netherworld

Yin-Yang and the Supreme Ultimate

Yin-Yang and the Supreme Ultimate Vital Breath The Infinite and the Supreme Ultimate The Infinite The Supreme Ultimate and the Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate Yin-Yang and the Five Agents

Social Ideals

Social Ideals The Ideal of Supreme Peace Purity, Tranquility and Non-interference Salvation of Humanity

Philosophy of Life

Understanding Dao and Establishing Virtue Education by Daoist Enlightenment

Ethical Education and Practise

Ethical Education and Practise Accumulation of Hidden Merits The Secret Meaning of Karma Norms for Doing Good Works Methods of Doing Good Works

The Underworlds

Daoism divides the world into nine levels, which are called the Nine Realms ( 九壘 Jiulei ). Each Realm can further de divided into four Realms, for a total of Thirty-Six Realms. Each Realm is governed by an Emperor of the Soil ( 土黃 Tuhuang ). The names of the Nine Realms are as follows:

1. Realm of Colourful Brilliance ( 色潤地 Serundi );
2. Realm of Diamond Brilliance ( 剛色地 Gangsedi );
3. Realm of Paraffin Brilliance ( 石肢色澤地 Shizhise Zedi );
4. Realm of Humid Brilliance ( 潤澤地 Run Zedi );
5. Realm of Golden Millet Brilliance ( 金粟澤地 Jinsu Zedi );
6. Realm of Diamond and Iron Brilliance ( 金剛鐵澤地 Jinggangtie Zedi );
7. Realm of Water Brilliance ( 水制澤地 Shuizhi Zedi );
8. Realm of Great Wind Brilliance ( 大風澤地 Dafeng Zedi );
9. Colourless Diamond-Link Realm of the Pervasive Abyss ( 洞淵無色剛維地 Dongyuan Wuse Gangwei Di ).

The underworld is dark and obscure. The netherworld cannot be entered by common people, but the soul of the dead must inevitably go there, unless it has become an Immortal. The Chinese call the place wher the sould of the dead go 'Supreme Yin' ( 太陰 Taiyin ). The underworld is governed by the Five Kings of Hell ( 五嶽 Wuyu ), especially by the Spirit of the Eastern Hell of Mt. Tai ( 東嶽泰山之神 Dongyu Taishan Zhi Shen ). It is also said that the netherworld is governed by the Great Emperor of Fengdu ( 酆都大帝 Fengdu Dadi ). The netherworld is the location of hell, where the souls of sinners are locked up, as well as ghosts and goblins.