Yan Mo, originally translated into Sanskrit, literally translated as "binding", which means "binding ghosts to create heaven". According to the Five Bitter Chapters, Yan Mo is in charge of hell, can "subdue ghosts and gods", and is responsible for judging and adjudicating people's karmic crimes, and punishing or redeeming them. In Buddhism, Yan Mo, also known as "Yan Luowang", "Yamaraja Society" and "Yan Luowang", is the devil who manages hell.
Besides "Yan Mo", there are other names about Yan Luowang. For example, in Youyang Miscellany, the names of five princes were recorded, namely Iron Face, Emperor Huang of Mount Tai in Dongyue, Emperor Chong Black Tiger of Four Days Zhao of Hengyang in Nanyue, Emperor Gao Taibao of Jintianshun of Huashan in Xiyue and Emperor Anyuan of Hengshan in Beiyue. Among them, Yan Luowang is called "the iron face", and its name is not given directly.
The Legend of Yan Luowang
Yan Luowang is an important figure in ancient myths and legends of China. It is said that he is the ruler of the underworld, responsible for judging the crimes of the dead and punishing or redeeming them. The legend of Yan Luowang has been widely circulated in the history of China, with far-reaching influence, and many people still believe it.
There are many versions of the legend about Yan Luowang, the most famous of which is Youyang Miscellanies. According to legend, it is not a fixed figure, but a collective name of five princes, namely: Jiang, Qin Guangwang, Chu, Song Emperor Yu Zhuo, Guan Wang and Yamaraja. These five princes are in charge of different affairs, each with its own personality and characteristics, but they are all impartial judges.
Besides these five princes, there are some people who are called Yan Luowang. For example, in Strange Tales from a Lonely Studio, there is a story called Yamaraja, which tells the story of a scholar named Cui Yuanshi who was promoted to a higher position because he saved an official in the underworld, and eventually became the story of Yan Luowang.