The Thirty-one Planes Of Existence.docx

The Thirty-one Planes of Existence © 2005 Scattered throughout the suttas are references to as many as thirty-one distinct "planes" or "realms" of existence into which beings can be reborn during their long wandering through samsara. These range from the extraordinarily grim and painful hell realms all the way up to the most exquisitely refined and blissful heaven realms. Existence in every realm is temporary; in Buddhist cosmology there is no eternal heaven or hell. Beings are born into a particular realm according to their past kamma. When they pass away, they take rebirth once again elsewhere according to the quality of their kamma: wholesome actions bring about a favorable rebirth, while unwholesome actions lead to an unfavorable one. And so the wearisome cycle continues. The realms of existence are customarily divided into three distinct "worlds" (loka), listed here in descending order of refinement: 

The Immaterial World (arupa-loka). Consists of four realms that are accessible to those who pass away while meditating in the formless jhanas.

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The Fine-Material World (rupa-loka). Consists of sixteen realms whose inhabitants (thedevas) experience extremely refined degrees of mental pleasure. These realms are accessible to those who have attained at least some level of jhana and who have thereby managed to (temporarily) suppress hatred and ill-will. They are said to possess extremely refined bodies of pure light. The highest of these realms, the Pure Abodes, are accessible only to those who have attained to "non-returning," the third stage of Awakening. The FineMaterial World and the Immaterial World together constitute the"heavens" (sagga).

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The Sensuous World (kama-loka). Consists of eleven realms in which experience — both pleasurable and not — is dominated by the five senses. Seven of these realms are favorable destinations, and include our own human realm as well as several realms occupied by devas. The lowest realms are the four "bad" destinations, which include the animal and hell realms.

The information on this page was assembled from a variety of sources. In the interests of economizing space I have not attributed each fact to its respective source. I. The Immaterial World (arupa-loka)

Realm

Comments

Cause of rebirth here

(31) Neither-perception-nor-nonperception(nevasaññanasaññayatanupaga Fourth formless deva) The inhabitants of these realms are jhana possessed entirely of mind. Having (30) Nothingness(akiñcaññayatanupaga no physical body, they are unable to deva) Third formless jhana hear Dhamma teachings. (29) Infinite Consciousness(viññanañcayatanupaga

Second formless

deva)

jhana

(28) Infinite Space(akasanañcayatanupaga deva)

First formless jhana

II. The Fine-Material World (rupa-loka)

Realm

Comments

(27) Peerless devas (akanittha deva)

These are the five Pure Abodes(suddhavasa), which are accessible only to nonreturners (anagami) andarahants. Beings who become non-returners in other planes are reborn here, where they attain arahantship.

(26) Clear-sighted devas (sudassi deva) (25) Beautiful devas (sudassa deva) (24) Untroubled devas (atappa deva)

Cause of rebirth here

Among its inhabitants is Brahma Sahampati, who begs the Buddha to teach Dhamma to the world (SN (23) Devas not Falling Away (aviha deva) 6.1). (22) Unconscious beings(asaññasatta)

Only body is present; no mind.

(21) Very Fruitful devas (vehapphala deva)

Fourth jhana. (See, e.g., AN 4.123.)

(20) Devas of Refulgent Glory(subhakinna deva)

Third jhana(highest degree). (See, e.g., AN 4.123.)

(19) Devas of Unbounded Glory(appamanasubha deva)

Third jhana(medium degree)

(18) Devas of Limited Glory(parittasubha Beings in these planes enjoy varying Third jhana (minor deva) degree) degrees of jhanic bliss.

(17) Devas of Streaming Radiance(abhassara deva)

Second jhana(highest degree). (See, e.g., AN 4.123.)

(16) Devas of Unbounded Radiance(appamanabha deva)

Second jhana(medium degree)

(15) Devas of Limited Radiance(parittabha

Second jhana(minor

deva)

(14) Great Brahmas (Maha brahma)

degree) One of this realm's most famous inhabitants is the Great Brahma, a deity whose delusion leads him to regard himself as the all-powerful, all-seeing creator of the universe (DN 11).

(13) Ministers of Brahma (brahmapurohita deva)

First jhana(highest degree) First jhana(medium degree)

Beings in these planes enjoy varying First jhana (minor degrees of jhanic bliss. (12) Retinue of Brahma (brahma-parisajja degree). (See, deva) e.g., AN 4.123.) III. The Sensuous World (kama-loka) HAPPY DESTINATIONS (SUGATI) Realm

Comments

(11) Devas Wielding Power over the Creation of Others (paranimmitavasavatti deva)

These devas enjoy sense pleasures created by others for them. Mara, the personification of delusion and desire, lives here.

(10) Devas Delighting in Creation(nimmanarati deva)

These devas delight in the sense objects of their own creation.

(9) Contented devas (tusita deva)

A realm of pure delight and gaiety. Bodhisattas abide here prior to their final human birth. This is where the bodhisatta Maitreya (Metteya), the next Buddha, is said to dwell.

(8) Yama devas (yama deva)

(7) The Thirty-three Gods (tavatimsa deva)

These devas live in the air, free of all difficulties. Sakka, a devotee of the Buddha, presides over this realm. Many devas dwelling here live in mansions in the

Cause of rebirth here

· Ten wholesome actions (MN 41) · Generosity · The development of virtue andwisdom (AN 10.177)

air.

(6) Devas of the Four Great Kings(catumaharajika deva)

Home of the gandhabbas, the celestial musicians, and the yakkhas, tree spirits of varying degrees of ethical purity. The latter are analogous to the goblins, trolls, and fairies of Western fairy tales. You are here (for now).

(5) Human beings (manussa loka)

Rebirth as a human being is extraordinarily rare (SN 56.48). It is also extraordinarily precious, as its unique balance of pleasure and pain (SN 35.135) facilitates the development of virtue and wisdom to the degree necessary to set one free from the entire cycle of rebirths.

· The development of virtue andwisdom (AN 10.177) · The attainment of streamentry(sotapatti)guarantees that all future rebirths will be in the human or higher realms.

STATES OF DEPRIVATION (APAYA) Realm

Comments

(4) Asuras (asura)

The demons — "titans" — that dwell here are engaged in relentless conflict with each other. · Ten unwholesome actions (MN 41)

(3) Hungry Shades/Ghosts(peta loka)

Cause of rebirth here

Ghosts and unhappy spirits wander hopelessly about this realm, searching in vain for sensual fulfillment. · Ten unwholesome actions (MN 41) Read Ajaan Lee's colorful description of this realm.

· Lack of virtue, holding to wrong views (AN 10.177)

· Ten unwholesome actions (MN 41) This realm includes all the nonhuman forms of life that are visible · Lack of virtue, holding to wrong views. If (2) Animals(tiracchana to us under ordinary one is generous to monks and nuns, yoni) circumstances: animals, insects, however, one may be reborn as an

fish, birds, worms, etc.

"ornamented" animal (i.e., a bird with bright plumage; a horse with attractive markings, etc.;AN 10.177). · Behaving like an animal (MN 57) · Ten unwholesome actions (MN 41)

These are realms of unimaginable suffering and anguish (described in graphic detail in MN 129 and MN 130). Should not be confused with theeternal hell found in other religious traditions, since one's time here is — as it is in every realm — temporary. (1) Hell (niraya)

· Lack of virtue, holding to wrong views (AN 10.177) · Murdering your parents, murdering an arahant, injuring the Buddha, or creating a schism in the Sangha (AN 5.129) · Being quarrelsome and annoying to others (Snp II.6)

Sources: 

Buddhist Dictionary, by Nyanatiloka Mahathera (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1980).

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The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction (fourth edition), by R.H. Robinson & W.L. Johnson (Belmont, California: Wadsworth, 1997).

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The Long Discourses of the Buddha (Introduction), translated by Maurice Walshe (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1987).

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A Manual of Abhidhamma, by Ven. Narada Thera (Kuala Lumpur: Buddhist Missionary Society, 1979).

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The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Introduction), translated by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995).

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Teacher of the Devas (Wheel Publication 414/416), by Susan Elbaum Jootla (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1997).

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The Three Worlds (wall chart), compiled by Ven. Acaro Suvanno (printed for free distribution by devotees and Mr & Mrs Lim Say Hoe and family).

See also: 

Intentional Action (Kamma)

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Heavens (sagga)

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The Round of Rebirth (samsara)

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html