Ten spiritual realms

The ten spiritual realms[1] (Jap. jikkai)

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.[2]
The ten spiritual realms are part
of Buddhist cosmology and consist of
four higher realms[2] and six lower realms.
[2]

Contents

1Six realms of desire

1.1Hell
1.2Hunger
1.3Animality/Brutality
1.4Arrogance (or anger)
1.5Humanity (or passionate
idealism)
1.6Heaven (or rapture)
2Four higher (noble) realms
2.1Learning
2.2Realization (or absorption)
2.3Bodhisattvahood
2.4Buddhahood

Six realms of desire

The six lower realms are Hell, Hunger, Animality, Arrogance, Humanity and Rapture. [3] These six
lower worlds arise automatically from within peoples 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 knowledge.

Hell
Hell is a condition of total claustrophobic aggression,[4] 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).[5] 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.

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. [4] 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 Pretas (Hungry Ghosts).[4]

Animality/Brutality
Animality is a condition in which one is governed by instinct,[4] 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.

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, be they mundane or spiritual. Though potentially
virtuous, the experiencer is a slave to his/her delusions, considering one's ego and beliefs 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 or 'half-gods'.[4]

Humanity (or passionate idealism)

Humanity is the state in which the discriminating awareness and the thinking mind are most highly
developed.[4] 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.

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 or 'gods'.[4]
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 Mahayana 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.

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 rvakabuddha.

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.
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.

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.
In the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha declares that all living beings can become a Buddha. The Buddha
also inculcates the aspiration of attaining Buddhahood in his disciples. The aspiration toward
Buddhahood is the key to eventually arrive at the shore of Supreme Perfect Enlightenment, i.e.
Buddhahood.
In Mahaparinirvana Sutra, the Buddha explains the state of Buddhahood that is characterized by
four qualities - True Self, Eternity, Purity, Happiness. All sentient beings have the Buddha-Nature
within them, and hence all living beings are capable of attaining Buddhahood.
This condition is that of a fully enlightened Buddha.