Ten spiritual realms
Encyclopedia
The ten spiritual realms are part of the belief of some forms of Buddhism
that there are ten conditions of life which sentient beings are subject to, and which they experience from moment to moment.
The ten spiritual realms are part of Buddhist cosmology
and consist of four higher realms and six lower realms
. Some schools of Buddhism see them as being external, ten different planes of existence beings can be born into, whilst others see them as states of mind that can be shifted between due to external and internal influences. The following is a description of the ten realms as mental states.
are Hell, Hunger, Animality, Arrogance, Humanity and Rapture. These six lower worlds arise automatically from within people’s lives in response to external surroundings. Three of the four remaining worlds are: Learning, Realization and Bodhisattva. These worlds are developed through seeking, discovering and aspiring. The tenth world, Buddhahood, is a condition of pure, indestructible happiness.
This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of Naraka
.
This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of the Preta
s (Hungry Ghosts).
This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of Animals
.
This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of the Asuras
or 'half-gods'.
This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of Humans
.
This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of the Devas
or 'gods'.
The majority of sentient beings spend most of their time moving between these six conditions of life, from Hell to Rapture, governed by their reactions to external influences and therefore highly vulnerable to all of the six lower realms, the experiencer's emotional state is totally controlled by externals. Indeed his/her entire identity is based on externals.
Buddhist cosmology
, the four higher realms are four of the ten spiritual realms.
The four higher worlds are characterized by the belief that humans need to make an effort to reveal themselves from within their lives.
This condition is comparable to the state of the Śrāvakabuddha.
This condition is comparable to the state of the Pratyekabuddha
.
The two above realms are collectively known as 'the two vehicles'. Even though these realms are based upon the desire to increase wisdom and insight, ego is still present, as these desires are primarily self-oriented.
This condition is that of a Bodhisattva
.
This condition is that of a fully enlightened Buddha
.
they make Buddhahood the dominant state of their lives, as it acts as a kind of filter, revealing the positive aspects of the other nine worlds from Hell to Bodhisattva
.
The realms are labeled the same by Buddhist sects that see them as planes of existence, the difference being the only way to shift between them is through rebirth. This is governed by karma (action and volition: the choices made during life).
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
that there are ten conditions of life which sentient beings are subject to, and which they experience from moment to moment.
The ten spiritual realms are part of Buddhist cosmology
Buddhist cosmology
Buddhist cosmology is the description of the shape and evolution of the Universe according to the canonical Buddhist scriptures and commentaries.-Introduction:...
and consist of four higher realms and six lower realms
Six realms
The desire realm is one of three realms or three worlds in traditional Buddhist cosmology into which a being wandering in may be reborn. The other two are the form realm, and the formless realm The desire realm (Sanskrit kāma-dhātu) is one of three realms (Sanskrit: dhātu, Tibetan: khams) or...
. Some schools of Buddhism see them as being external, ten different planes of existence beings can be born into, whilst others see them as states of mind that can be shifted between due to external and internal influences. The following is a description of the ten realms as mental states.
Six realms of desire
The six lower realmsSix realms
The desire realm is one of three realms or three worlds in traditional Buddhist cosmology into which a being wandering in may be reborn. The other two are the form realm, and the formless realm The desire realm (Sanskrit kāma-dhātu) is one of three realms (Sanskrit: dhātu, Tibetan: khams) or...
are Hell, Hunger, Animality, Arrogance, Humanity and Rapture. These six lower worlds arise automatically from within people’s lives in response to external surroundings. Three of the four remaining worlds are: Learning, Realization and Bodhisattva. These worlds are developed through seeking, discovering and aspiring. The tenth world, Buddhahood, is a condition of pure, indestructible happiness.
Hell
Hell is a condition of total claustrophobic aggression, in which one perceives no freedom of action and has very little life-force (physical or mental energy). One feels totally trapped by one's circumstances, the being is dominated by anger, hatred and frustrated rage and, in extreme cases, the urge to destroy oneself and everything else. It is a very difficult realm to escape from, since the condition tends to be self-perpetuating, with intense suffering and aggression feeding each other (one's sojourn in Hell is described as being measured in kalpas). Paradoxically, although this state is characterized by claustrophobia, there is an obsession with filling up any space which may present itself, since the space itself is perceived as being threatening. The desire not to fall into this condition is a powerful incentive for people to make efforts to rise above this state in daily life.This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of Naraka
Naraka (Buddhism)
Naraka नरक or Niraya निरय is the name given to one of the worlds of greatest suffering in Buddhist cosmology.Naraka is usually translated into English as "hell", "hell realm", or "purgatory"...
.
Hunger
Hunger is a condition characterized by possessiveness and insatiable desires which govern one's actions, for food, power, wealth, fame, pleasure and so on. In this state one is tormented by relentless craving and the inability, even when the desire is achieved, to enjoy its fruition. This realm is characterized by a total lack of willpower and the disregard of all things except the fulfillment of desires.This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of the Preta
Preta
Preta, प्रेत or Peta is the name for a type of being described in Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, and Jain texts that undergoes more than human suffering, particularly an extreme degree of hunger and thirst...
s (Hungry Ghosts).
Animality
Animality is a condition in which one is governed by instinct, in which one has no sense of morality and lives only for the present moment. In this state one won't hesitate to prey on weaker beings for personal gain, and will try to attract the attentions of stronger beings in order to side with them. This realm is characterized by the total lack of good judgment and reason.This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of Animals
Animals in Buddhism
The position and treatment of animals in Buddhism is important for the light it sheds on Buddhists' perception of their own relation to the natural world, on Buddhist humanitarian concerns in general, and on the relationship between Buddhist theory and Buddhist practice.-Animals in Buddhist...
.
Arrogance (or anger)
Arrogance is the condition in which one is dominated by the selfish ego, competitiveness, paranoid jealousy and the need to be superior in all things. The experiencer is a slave to his/her delusions, viewing oneself as more important than - and superior to - others. This realm is characterized by viewing other beings as potential threats. Still, the rest of the experience in this realm is generally quite pleasant as compared to the human realm.This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of the Asuras
Asura (Buddhism)
Asura in Buddhism is the name of the lowest ranks of the deities or demigods of the Kāmadhātu.-Origins and etymology:...
or 'half-gods'.
Humanity (or passionate idealism)
Humanity is the state in which the discriminating awareness and the thinking mind are most highly developed. It is characterized by ambitious passion for abstract ideals and role models, and is unique among the lower realms in providing both the potential means and the motivation to transcend suffering. It is also characterized by shortness of life, in comparison to the Deva and Asura realms, and by being extremely rare in occurrence, without refuge in the Dharma.This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of Humans
Human beings in Buddhism
Humans in Buddhism are the subjects of an extensive commentarial literature that examines the nature and qualities of a human life from the point of view of humans' ability to achieve enlightenment...
.
Heaven (or rapture)
Heaven is the condition of pleasure, when one's desires are fulfilled and one experiences short-lived but intense feelings of joy. Unlike the true happiness of Buddhahood, however, this state is temporary and, like Humanity, easily disrupted by even a slight change of circumstances. One will inevitably descend to a lower realm once the joy dies away. This realm is characterized by not feeling negative emotions and being less vulnerable to external influences than the lower realms.This condition is comparable to the Buddhist world of the Devas
Deva (Buddhism)
A deva in Buddhism is one of many different types of non-human beings who share the characteristics of being more powerful, longer-lived, and, in general, living more contentedly than the average human being....
or 'gods'.
The majority of sentient beings spend most of their time moving between these six conditions of life, from Hell to Rapture, governed by their reactions to external influences and therefore highly vulnerable to all of the six lower realms, the experiencer's emotional state is totally controlled by externals. Indeed his/her entire identity is based on externals.
Four higher (noble) realms
In traditional MahayanaMahayana
Mahāyāna is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice...
Buddhist cosmology
Buddhist cosmology
Buddhist cosmology is the description of the shape and evolution of the Universe according to the canonical Buddhist scriptures and commentaries.-Introduction:...
, the four higher realms are four of the ten spiritual realms.
The four higher worlds are characterized by the belief that humans need to make an effort to reveal themselves from within their lives.
Learning
Learning is a condition in which one seeks some skill, lasting truth or self-improvement through the teachings of others. To access this realm, the experiencer must first develop the desire to gain wisdom and insight into the true nature of all things, free from delusion. This realm is characterized by the seeking of truth and wisdom through external sources, e.g. other people and pre-recorded information (usually texts).This condition is comparable to the state of the Śrāvakabuddha.
Realization (or absorption)
Realization is a state in which one discovers a partial truth through one's own observations, efforts and concentration. Usually to access this realm the experiencer must first have decided external sources are inferior to internal sources, e.g. his/her own mind. This realm is characterized by the seeking of truth and wisdom through direct internal perception.This condition is comparable to the state of the Pratyekabuddha
Pratyekabuddha
A Pratyekabuddha or Paccekabuddha , literally "a lone buddha" , "a buddha on their own" or "a private buddha", is one of three types of enlightened beings according to some schools of Buddhism. The other two types are the Śrāvakabuddhas and Samyaksambuddhas...
.
The two above realms are collectively known as 'the two vehicles'. Even though these realms are based upon the desire to increase wisdom and insight, ego is still present, as these desires are primarily self-oriented.
Bodhisattvahood
Bodhisattvahood is a condition in which one not only aspires for personal enlightenment but also devotes oneself to relieving the sufferings of others through compassionate and truly altruistic actions, e.g. helping others. This realm is characterized by the feeling that happiness achieved through the benefit of others is superior to happiness achieved through the benefit of only the self.This condition is that of a Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva
In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is either an enlightened existence or an enlightenment-being or, given the variant Sanskrit spelling satva rather than sattva, "heroic-minded one for enlightenment ." The Pali term has sometimes been translated as "wisdom-being," although in modern publications, and...
.
Buddhahood
Buddhahood is the highest of the Ten Worlds, a condition of pure, indestructible happiness which is not dependent on one's circumstances. The experiencer is totally free from all delusion, suffering and anger. It is a condition of perfect and absolute freedom, characterized by boundless wisdom, courage, compassion and life force. This realm is difficult to describe and is generally only obtained through the direct internal perception of the realm of realization. This realm is characterized by not being shifted into lower realms due to external sources, and the non-reliance on external sources for happiness. This realm is manifested outwardly through the actions of the realm of bodhisattvahood.This condition is that of a fully enlightened Buddha
Buddhahood
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
.
Interpenetration of the Ten Realms
Each of the Ten Worlds possesses all Ten Worlds. Each has the potential to reveal any of the others at any moment. Some sects of Buddhism believe that as people practice BuddhismBuddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
they make Buddhahood the dominant state of their lives, as it acts as a kind of filter, revealing the positive aspects of the other nine worlds from Hell to Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva
In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is either an enlightened existence or an enlightenment-being or, given the variant Sanskrit spelling satva rather than sattva, "heroic-minded one for enlightenment ." The Pali term has sometimes been translated as "wisdom-being," although in modern publications, and...
.
The realms are labeled the same by Buddhist sects that see them as planes of existence, the difference being the only way to shift between them is through rebirth. This is governed by karma (action and volition: the choices made during life).