six realms of rebirth (2024)

FAQs

What are the six realms of rebirth in Buddhism? ›

(Skt., ṣaḍ-gati). The six levels that make up the possible range of existence within saṃsāra. These are the realms of the gods (deva), the demi-gods (asura), humans (manuṣa), animals (tiryak), hungry ghosts (preta) and hell denizens (naraka).

Buddhist cosmology typically identifies six realms of rebirth and existence: gods, demi-gods, humans, animals, hungry ghosts and hells.

In Buddhism, there are "Yāmā devāḥ", "Tush*tānāṃ", "Nirmāṇaratayaḥ devāḥ", and "Paranirmita-vaśavartinaḥ devāḥ" above Trāyastriṃśa and "Catumaharajika" below. They are called the six heavens together with Śakro devānām (Śakra). More heaven "Sunirmita devāḥ" is sometimes added to these depending on sūtras.

Although suffering pervades all six, there is more comfort and pleasure in the higher realms, and more suffering in the lower realms. These realms can be understood literally or figuratively. The Buddha's teachings present them as what we would consider actual states of being.

The Seven Realms include the mountainous Queendom of the Fells, the Kingdom of Tamron, the Kingdom of Arden, the southern Kingdoms of Bruinswallow and We'enhaven, the Southern Islands, and the Northern Islands.

The six are (1) generosity (dāna), (2) morality (śīla), (3) patience (kṣānti), (4) vigor (vīrya), (5) concentration (dhyāna), and (6) wisdom (prajñā). This list was expanded to complement the ten stages (bhūmi) traversed by a bodhisattva in the course leading to full buddhahood.

The sun and moon in the divine sky with their great power are unable to reach that [darkness] with their light. In [that space between the two diamond mountain ranges] there are eight major hells. Along with each major hell are sixteen smaller hells. The first major hell is called Thoughts.

Then there are also the six kinds of suffering: an uncertain lifespan, indefinite rebirth, repeated conception, fluctuations of loss and gain, the fact that we are alone at birth and alone at death. But this isn't all.

Brief description. In the Buddhist teachings, the three poisons (of ignorance, attachment, and aversion) are the primary causes that keep sentient beings trapped in samsara. These three poisons are said to be the root of all of the other kleshas.

The worlds are, in ascending order of the degree of free will, compassion and happiness one feels, the worlds of: (1) hell, (2) hungry spirits, (3) animals, (4) asuras, (5) human beings (6) heavenly beings, (7) voice-hearers, (8) cause-awakened ones, (9) bodhisattvas, and (10) Buddhas.

What is the number 33 in Buddhism? ›

In religion and mythology

The number of deities in the Vedic Religion is 33. The second level of heaven in Buddhism is named Trāyastriṃśa, meaning "of the 33 (gods)." The divine name Elohim appears 33 times in the story of creation in the opening chapters of Genesis.

The ten realms are part of Buddhist cosmology and consist of four higher realms and six lower realms derived from the Indian concept of the six realms of rebirth. These realms can also be described through the degrees of enlightenment that course through them.

What can a person be reborn as? Within Buddhism there are five or six possible forms that rebirth can take. These are from the highest to the lowest: gods, demi-gods, human, animal, hungry ghost and hell creature.

Beings in the six heavens are dominated by desire. The six heavens are, in ascending order, the Heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings, the Heaven of the Thirty-three Gods, the Yāma Heaven, the Tush*ta Heaven, the Heaven of Enjoying the Conjured, and the Heaven of Freely Enjoying Things Conjured by Others.

These 31 planes of existence comprise 20 planes of supreme deities (brahmas); 6 planes of deities (devas); the human plane (Manussa); and lastly 4 planes of deprivation or unhappiness (Apaya). The 31 planes are divided into three separate levels or realms: Arupaloka, Rupaloka and Kamaloka.

Within Buddhism there are five or six possible forms that rebirth can take. These are from the highest to the lowest: gods, demi-gods, human, animal, hungry ghost and hell creature.

The worlds are, in ascending order of the degree of free will, compassion and happiness one feels, the worlds of: (1) hell, (2) hungry spirits, (3) animals, (4) asuras, (5) human beings (6) heavenly beings, (7) voice-hearers, (8) cause-awakened ones, (9) bodhisattvas, and (10) Buddhas.

The cycle of rebirth is called samsara. and it is an ongoing cycle of life, death and rebirth. Humans go through an unknown number of cycles of rebirth over many lifetimes. Skilful actions lead to a good rebirth and unskilful actions lead to a bad rebirth.

The Six Realms Staff is a sacred staff in the form of an oversized prayer wheel. The staff stores the power of the six guardian Buddhas of the six realms in Buddhism, allowing it to change its form to another type of weapon or tool based on wielders emotions.