I. Sense-sphere Realm
| This is the lowest realm. There are six planes of
existence under this category. (a) The hells, states of intense torment and suffering. (b) The sphere of the 'pretas', the afflicted spirits (sometimes called the hungry ghosts). These are beings with strong, tormenting desires, insatiable hunger and thirst; they are always on the look out for food and drink. (c) The animal kingdom. The dominant characteristic of the animals is dullness of mind and strong brutal desire. (d) Sphere of the asuras Titanic beings dominated by the desire for power, by ambition and competitiveness. The hells, spheres of pretas, asuras and the animal kingdom are called the 'plane of misery'. These are unfortunate and undesirable states of rebirth. In the sense sphere there are two fortunate planes of rebirth: (e) The human world. Devas are beings inhabiting the heavenly worlds, enjoying long life, beauty, happiness and power. But the life in the heavens is also impermanent, subject to pass away, and therefore heaven is not the ultimate goal for those following Buddha's path to liberation. |