Eight classes of gods and demons

Eight classes of gods and demons (Wyl. lha 'dre sde brgyad) — a classification of worldly spirits. There are many different classifications; one of them is:

• dü (Wyl. bdud; Skt. māra)—see four maras
• mamo (Wyl. ma mo; Skt. mātrika)
• naga (Skt. nāga; Tib. lu; Wyl. klu)
• ging (Tib. & Wyl.)
• rahula (Skt. rāhula)
• tsen (Wyl. btsan)
• rakshasa (Skt. rākṣasa; Tib. sinpo; Wyl. srin po)
• yaksha (Skt. yakṣa; Wyl. gnod sbyin)

On an inner level, they correspond to the eight consciousnesses.

Alternative Classifications

Alternative classifications include gods and demons such as:

• gods (Skt. deva; Wyl. lha)
• yama (Skt.; Wyl. gshin rje)
• gyalpo (Wyl. rgyal po)
• sadak (Wyl. sa bdag)
• miamchi (Wyl. mi'am ci)
• teurang (Wyl. the'u rang)

Further Reading

• Revue d'Études Tibétaines, Number 2, April 2003 - Numéro spécial Lha srin sde brgyad