Six lower realms: Encyclopedia - Six lower realms

Six lower realms

In traditional Mahayana Buddhist cosmology, the six lower realms are six of the ten spiritual realms; these six realms compose samsara.

Six lower realms - Good realms

Note that the order of the realms may differ among different Buddhist traditions; for instance, some traditions place the asura realm second, before the human realm.

Six lower realms - Deva realm

The deva realm is the realm of bliss and pride.

The deva realm is sometimes also referred to as the gods realm, because its inhabitants are so powerful, they resemble the gods of Greek or Roman mythology. However, while the devas may be referred to as gods, they are mortal, and are not omniscient, not omnipotent, not creators and not able to judge at death, so they are notably distinct from the monotheistic concept of God.

When making a graphical representation of Wheel of life (example) God realm is placed on the top, with Human realm to the left, and Titan realm to the right.

Six lower realms - Human realm

Human realm (also manushyas realm) is based on passion, desire, and doubt.

Buddhists see this realm as one in which homo sapiens live. It is seen as one of the more conducive realms to achieving enlightenment because of the possibilities that it offers.

When making a graphical representation of Wheel of life (example) Human realm is placed at 10 o'clock, with God realm to the right, and Animal realm below.

Six lower realms - Asura realm

Asura realm is based on jealousy, struggle, combat, and rationality. The asuras are said to experience a much more pleasurable life than humans, but they are plagued by envy for the devas, who they can see, just as humans routinely perceive animals.

The asura realm is also sometimes referred to as the Ashura realm, Titan realm', Jealous God realm, Demigod realm, or Anti-God realm. Asura is also sometimes translated as "demon" or "fighting demon" or "those without wine" or "frightened ghost", which can cause confusion because beings of the hell realm are also sometimes referred to as demons.

When making a graphical representation of Wheel of life (example) Asura realm is placed at 2 o'clock, with God realm to the left, and Hungry ghost realm below.

Six lower realms - Evil realms

Six lower realms - Hungry ghost realm

Hungry ghost realm (also Pretas realm) is based on possessiveness and desire.

The reason why sentient beings in this realm are known as hungry ghosts is because they cannot enjoy food or drink. In Tibetan versions of Wheel of Life they are drawn with narrow necks to represent that condition.

When making a graphical representation of Wheel of life (example) hungry ghost realm is placed at 4 o'clock, with Asura realm above, and Hell realm to the left.

Six lower realms - Animal realm

Animal realm (also Tiryakas realm) is based on stupidity and prejudice. Buddhists believe that this is a realm of non-human animals on Earth.

When making a graphical representation of Wheel of life (example) Animal realm is placed at 8 o'clock, with Human realm above, and Hell realm to the right.

Six lower realms - Hell realm

Hell realm is based on hatred.

Note that the sentient beings in the hell realm are sometimes referred to as demons, which can cause confusion, because this term is also used to refer to beings in the asura realm.

Buddhist view of hell realm differs significantly from monotheistic religions in that beings in this realm are not there permanently. Rather, they remain there until their negative karma is used up, at which point they are reborn in another realm.

When making a graphical representation of Wheel of life (example) Hell realm is placed on the bottom, with Animal realm to the left, and Hungry ghost realm to the right.

See also

• dharma
• Om mani padme hum
• samsara
• wheel of life

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Six lower realms", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki