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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.
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.
Cause of rebirth
Comments
Realm here
(31) Neither-perception-nor-non-
perception(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) hear Dhamma teachings. Third formless jhana
(29) Infinite
Consciousness(viññanañcayatanupaga Second formless
deva) jhana
Cause of rebirth
Realm Comments here
(27) Peerless devas (akanittha deva) These are the five Pure
Abodes(suddhavasa), which are
(26) Clear-sighted devas (sudassi deva) accessible only to non-
returners (anagami) andarahants.
(25) Beautiful devas (sudassa deva) Beings who become non-returners
in other planes are reborn here,
(24) Untroubled devas (atappa deva)
where they attain arahantship.
Third jhana(highest
(20) Devas of Refulgent Glory(subhakinna degree). (See,
deva) e.g., AN 4.123.)
(18) Devas of Limited Glory(parittasubha Beings in these planes enjoy varying Third jhana (minor
deva) degrees of jhanic bliss. degree)
Second
jhana(highest
(17) Devas of Streaming degree). (See,
Radiance(abhassara deva) e.g., AN 4.123.)
Second
(16) Devas of Unbounded jhana(medium
Radiance(appamanabha deva) degree)
This realm includes all the non- · Ten unwholesome actions (MN 41)
human forms of life that are visible · Lack of virtue, holding to wrong views. If
(2) Animals(tiracchana to us under ordinary
yoni) one is generous to monks and nuns,
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).
Sources:
The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction (fourth edition), by R.H. Robinson & W.L.
Johnson (Belmont, California: Wadsworth, 1997).
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Introduction), translated by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli
and Bhikkhu Bodhi (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995).
Teacher of the Devas (Wheel Publication 414/416), by Susan Elbaum Jootla (Kandy: Buddhist
Publication Society, 1997).
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:
Heavens (sagga)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html