What is Hell: Real or a Metaphor?

What is Hell: Real or a Metaphor?

A fundamental difference primarily appears between Abrahamic religions and Indian religions: Christianity and Islam tend to describe hell as eternal and definitive for the damned, whereas Hinduism and Buddhism see hell realms as temporary stations in a cyclical, karmic process. Gnosticism presents the material world itself as a form of hell from which souls seek liberation through spiritual knowledge.
In conclusion, hell serves as a moral and spiritual boundary in many faiths—a deterrent, a place of justice, and sometimes a realm of purification. Its precise nature reflects each tradition's worldview, ranging from eternal fiery torment to temporary karmic consequence or metaphorical states of separation from the good or divine.