Dazu Rock Carvings Baodingshan Great Buddha Bay Niche 20: Illustration of the Hells - Girl Rearing Chickens

CHINA, Chongqing, Dazu; Southern Song dynasty

This image is located in the central section of the lower row of the niche, just above the illustration of the Hell of the Knife Boat. It depicts a girl rearing chickens. The girl bends down and lifts a basket, releasing the chicken inside. Beside the basket, two chickens are fighting for an earthworm. The young village girl wears a long, loose robe and her hair is tied into a topknot. Her dress is typical of villagers from this time period. The illustration has a calm, peaceful atmosphere, which is markedly different than the pain and torment depicted in the hell illustrations around this image.
The Hell of the Knife Boat is depicted below the girl, and is comprised of a large boat filled with numerous knives and swords. Two people are being executed on the boat. Inscriptions on the boat read “one suffers from one’s own actions, and cannot blame heaven or other people” and “the Tripitaka states: the Buddha tells Mahakasyapa that all sentient beings rearing chickens will go to hell.” These inscriptions refer to the Buddhist notions of cause and effect, and karmic retribution.