The
Six Realms are a description of conditioned existence, or samsara, into which
beings are reborn. Although sometimes they are described as "real"
places, more often these days they are appreciated as allegories.
The
nature of one's existence is determined by karma. Some realms seem more
pleasant than others -- heaven sounds preferable to hell -- but all are dukkha,
meaning they are temporary and imperfect. The Six Realms often are illustrated
by the Bhava Chakra, or Wheel of Life.
(These
Six Realms are the realms of the world of desire, called Kamadhatu. In ancient
Buddhist cosmology, there are Three Worlds containing a total of thirty-one
realms. There are Arupyadhatu, the formless world; Rupadhatu, the world of
form; and Kamadhatu, the world of desire. Whether it's useful to know anything
about the thirty-one realms is a matter to debate, but you might run into them
in old texts.)
Please
note that in some schools the realms of Devas and Asuras are combined, leaving
five realms instead of six.
In
Buddhist iconography, a bodhisattva is placed in each realm to help beings out
of it. This may be Avalokiteshvara, bodhisattva of compassion. Or it may be
Ksitigarbha, who travels to all the realms but who has made a special vow to
save those in the hell realm.
Deva-gati,
the Realm of Devas (Gods) and Heavenly Beings
In
Buddhist tradition, the Deva realm is populated by godlike beings who enjoy
great power, wealth and long life. They live in splendor and happiness. Yet
even the Devas grow old and die. Further, their privilege and exalted status
blind them to the suffering of others, so in spite of their long lives, they
have neither wisdom nor compassion. The privileged Devas will be reborn in
another of the Six Realms.
Asura-gati,
the Realm of Asura (Titans)
The
Asura are strong and powerful beings who are sometimes depicted as enemies of
the Deva. Asura are marked by their fierce envy. The karma of hate and jealousy
causes rebirth in the Asura Realm.
Zhiyi
(538-597), a patriarch of the Tiantai school, described the Asura this way:
"Always desiring to be superior to others, having no patience for
inferiors and belittling strangers; like a hawk, flying high above and looking
down on others, and yet outwardly displaying justice, worship, wisdom, and
faith -- this is raising up the lowest order of good and walking the way of the
Asuras." You may have known an Asura or two.
Preta-gati,
the Realm of Hungry Ghosts
Hungry
ghosts (preta) are pictured as beings with huge, empty stomachs, but they have
pinhole mouths, and their necks are so thin they cannot swallow. A hungry ghost
is one who is always looking outside himself for the new thing that will
satisfy the craving within. Hungry ghosts are characterized by insatiable
hunger and craving. They are also associated with addiction, obsession and
compulsion.
Naraka-gati,
the Hell Realm
As
the name suggests, the Hell Realm is the most terrible of the Six Realms. Hell
beings have a short fuse; everything makes them angry. And the only way hell
beings deal with things that make them angry is through aggression -- attack,
attack, attack! They drive away anyone who shows them love and kindness and
seek out the company of other hell beings. Unchecked anger and aggression can
cause rebirth in the Hell Realm.
Tiryagyoni-gati,
the Animal Realm
Animal
beings are marked by stupidity, prejudice and complacency. They live sheltered
lives, avoiding discomfort or anything unfamiliar. Rebirth in the Animal Realm
is conditioned by ignorance. People who are ignorant and content to remain so
are likely headed for the Animal Realm, assuming they aren't there already.
Manusya-gati,
the Human Realm
The
Human Realm is the only realm of the six from which beings may escape samsara.
Enlightenment is at hand in the Human Realm, yet only a few open their eyes and
see it. Rebirth into the Human Realm is conditioned by passion, doubt and
desire.
https://medium.com/@ekklesiagora/bhavachakra-the-wheel-of-samsara-ea8f3e3d50a9
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