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Basic Buddhism Course 

 

Chapter 6
 
31 Realms of Existence 
 
 
Supramundane (Lokuttara)
 
Formless Spheres (Arupavacara) [4 Realms]
Form Spheres  (Rupavacara) [16 Realms]
Sensual Spheres  (Kamavacara) [11 Realms]
 

 
 
 
 

31 Realms of Existence
31
The realm of neither Perception nor Non-Perception 
(N’evasanna Nasannayatanabhumi)
Formless
84,000MK
30
The realm of Nothingness 
(Akincanayatananabhumi)
Formless
60,000MK
29
The realm of Infinite Consciousness 
(Vinnanacayantanabhumi)
Formless
40,000MK
28
The realm of Infinite Space 
(Akasanacayantanabhumi)
Formless
20,000MK
27
The Highest realm 
(Akanittha)
4th*
Form
16,000MK
26
The Clear-sighted realm 
(Sudassa)
4th*
Form
8,000MK
25
The Beautiful realm 
(Sudassi)
4th*
Form
4,000MK
24
The Serene realm 
(Atappa)
4th*
Form
2,000MK
23
The Durable realm 
(Aviha )
4th*
Form
1,000MK
22
The realm of Mindless Beings 
(Asannasatta)
4th
Form
500MK
21
The realm of Great Reward 
(Vehapphala )
4th
Form
500MK
20
The realm of Steady Aura 
(Subhakinna )
3rd
Form
64MK
19
The realm of Infinite Aura 
(Appamanasubha)
3rd
Form
32MK
18
The realm of Minor Aura 
(Parittasubha)
3rd
Form
16MK
17
The realm of Radiant Lustre 
(Abhassara)
2nd
Form
8MK
16
The realm of Infinite Lustre 
(Appamanabha)
2nd
Form
4MK
15
The realm of Minor Lustre 
(Parittabha)
2nd
Form
2MK
14
The Maha Brahma realm 
(Mahabrahma)
1st
Form
1AK
13
The realm of Brahma’s Ministers 
(Brahmapurohita)
1st
Form
0.5AK
12
The realm of Brahma’s retinue 
(Brahmaparisajja)
1st
Form
0.3AK
11
The realm of the gods who lord over the creation of others 
(Paranimmaitavasavatti)
Sensual
16,000CY
10
The realm of the gods who rejoice in (their own) creation 
(Nimmanarati)
Sensual
8,000CY
9
The Delightful realm 
(Tusita)
Sensual
4,000CY
8
The realm of Yama gods 
(Yama)
Sensual
2,000CY
7
The realm of the 33 gods 
(Tavatimsa)
Sensual
1,000CY
6
The realm of the 4 Kings 
(Catummaharajika)
Sensual
500CY
5
The Human realm  
(Manussa)
Sensual
No Limit
4
The host of Asuras 
(Asura)
Sensual
No Limit
3
Peta Sphere 
(Peta)
Sensual
No Limit
2
Animal Kingdom 
(Tiracchana)
Sensual
No Limit
1
Woeful state 
(Niriaya)
Sensual
No Limit
 

 
 

Notations 
 
1st = First Jhana
2nd = Second Jhana
3rd = Third Jhana
4th = Forth Jhana
4th* = Pure Abodes
Sensual = Sensual Sphere
Form = Form Sphere
Formless = Formless Sphere
MK = Maha Kappa
AK = Asankheyya Kappa 
CY = Celestial Year
 

There are 3 kinds of kappas - namely, antara kappa, asankheyya kappa, and maha kappa. 
The interim period when the age limit of human beings arises from ten to an indefinite  time and then falls to ten again, is known as an antara kappa. 

Twenty such antara kappa equal one asankheyya kappa, literally - an incalculable cycle. 
Four asankheyya kappas equal one maha kappa. 

Books state that 50 human years equal one celestial day. The age-limit of gods of the realm of Four Kings is 500 celestial years, that is, according to human cycle reckoning  9,000,000. 
 

 
 

Destruction of the Universe by Fire, Wind and Water
 
 
 
3 Elements that can destroy the Universe 
(Fire, Water and Wind)
 
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Water
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Water
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Water
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Water
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Water
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Water
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Water
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Fire
Wind
 


 

The 4 Modes of Birth
Body affected in 4 ways
 

Four Modes Of Birth

Buddhism states that there are four modes of birth - namely :

    1.   egg-born beings (andaja), 
 
    2.   womb-born beings (jalabuja), 
 
    3.   moisture-born beings (samsedaja) 
 
    4.   beings having spontaneous births (opapatika).

This broad classification embraces the 4 modes of birth of all living beings.

Birds and oviparous snakes belong to the first division.

The womb-born creatures comprise all human beings, some devas inhabiting the earth, 
and some animals that take conception in a mother’s womb.

Embryos, using moisture as nidus for their growth, like certain lowly forms of animal life, 
belong to the third class.

Beings having a spontaneous birth are generally invisible to the physical eye. 
Conditioned by their past Kamma, they appear spontaneously, 
without passing through an embryonic stage. 
Petas and Devas normally, and Brahmas belong to this class.
 

Four Ways Body Is Affected

Our body can be affected by the following 4 conditions: 

    1.   Food
 
    2.   Weather 
 
    3.   Mind
 
    4.   Kamma
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

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