佛經中關於目連的記載甚多，本文將重點集中於《目連救母變文》之地獄形象探究，希望透過分析《目連救母變文》中地獄的名稱演變及描寫，以便了解目連救母一文的地獄形象對前代的繼承；並探討《目連救母變文》地獄中的人物及對地獄內實施的酷刑作ー敘述，以了解《目連救母變文》中地獄的具體形象特色。經由本文的分析爬梳，可以發現《目連救母變文》固然是以宣揚目連的孝心感天動地，因而得以完成救母出地獄的願望爲主，但不可否認，當中的地獄場景描寫足以讓人驚悚萬分，不管在地獄描寫、人物及酷刑方面，都精心刻畫出一個未知又神祕的世界。

There are many writings about Mulian in Buddhist scriptures, consequently, it was the purpose of this study to examine particularly passages that illustrate images of hell in the Transformation Text of Mulian Saves His Mother. This paper aims to provide an analysis on the shifts in naming and descriptions of hell in the Transformation Text of Mulian Saves His Mother, in order to understand the associations of the image of hell in Transformation Text of Mulian Saves His Mother with that of earlier texts. The characters and punishments in the hell of Transformation Text of Mulian Saves His Mother are also described so as to illustrate the specific traits of the image of hell in Transformation Text of Mulian Saves His Mother. Analysis shows that, although the Transformation Text of Mulian Saves His Mother is a tale that illuminates touching fidelity and demonstrates Mulian’s wish and determination to save his mother from the sufferings of hell, it cannot be denied that the descriptions of the horrors of hell instill in readers terror and awe. From the descriptions of scenes in hell, to the characters of the tale and punishments that were inflicted, every word and line are carefully orchestrated to reveal an unknown and mysterious underworld.