Six heavens of the desire realm: Difference between revisions

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==Terrestrial Heavens==
==Terrestrial Heavens==
===Heaven of the Four Guardian Kings===
===Heaven of the Four Great Kings===
*Skt. ''Caturmahārājakāyika''; Tib. ''Gyalchen Rikshyi''; [[Wyl.]] ''rgyal chen rigs bzhi''
*Skt. ''Caturmahārājakāyika''; Tib. ''Gyalchen Rikshyi''; [[Wyl.]] ''rgyal chen rigs bzhi''


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It is said that Vishnu resides in this realm.
It is said that Vishnu resides in this realm.
Fifty human years equal one day in this realm.


===[[Heaven of the Thirty-Three]]===
===[[Heaven of the Thirty-Three]]===
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It contains the city ''Fair to See'', in which [[Indra]] is King.
It contains the city ''Fair to See'', in which [[Indra]] is King.
A hundred human years equal one day in this realm.


==Celestial Heavens==
==Celestial Heavens==
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This is the first celestial heaven. It is located in the space above Mount Sumeru and, as such, it is no longer subject to the attacks of the [[demi-gods]].
This is the first celestial heaven. It is located in the space above Mount Sumeru and, as such, it is no longer subject to the attacks of the [[demi-gods]].
Two hundred human years equal one day in this realm.


===Joyous Realm===
===Joyous Realm===
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It is said that wicked [[Mara]] also resides in this heaven.
It is said that wicked [[Mara]] also resides in this heaven.
Four hundred human years equal one day in this realm.


===Enjoying Emanation===
===Enjoying Emanation===
*Skt. ''Nirmāṇarataya''; Tib. ''Trulga''; Wyl. '' 'phrul dga' ''
*Skt. ''Nirmāṇarataya''; Tib. ''Trulga''; Wyl. '' 'phrul dga' ''
Gods in this realm create and enjoy their own objects of pleasure.
Gods in this realm create and enjoy their own objects of pleasure.
Eight hundred human years equal one day in this realm.


===Controlling Others' Emanations===
===Controlling Others' Emanations===
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This is the most refined state in which one can be reborn within the desire realm. Gods in this realm enjoy pleasures created magically by other gods.
This is the most refined state in which one can be reborn within the desire realm. Gods in this realm enjoy pleasures created magically by other gods.
Sixteen hundred human years equal one day in this realm.


==Sources==
==Sources==
*[[Kangyur Rinpoche]], ''[[Treasury of Precious Qualities]]''
*[[Kangyur Rinpoche]], ''[[Treasury of Precious Qualities]]''
*[[Mipham Rinpoche]], ''[[Gateway to Knowledge]]'', Volume II
*[[Mipham Rinpoche]], ''[[Gateway to Knowledge]]'', Volume II
*[[Patrul Rinpoche]], ''[[The Words of My Perfect Teacher]]
*[[Gampopa]], ''[[The Jewel Ornament of Liberation]]''
*[[Gampopa]], ''[[The Jewel Ornament of Liberation]]''


Revision as of 19:05, 14 February 2011

Depiction of the gods from a thangka of the Wheel of Life

The six heavens of the desire realm are (from lowest to highest):

Terrestrial Heavens

Heaven of the Four Great Kings

  • Skt. Caturmahārājakāyika; Tib. Gyalchen Rikshyi; Wyl. rgyal chen rigs bzhi

The Four Great Kings, along with their retinues, reside upon the fourth terrace of Mount Sumeru. Upon the lower terraces live, in descending order, the gods of the Ever-Ecstatic, Garland-Bearers, and Vessel-Bearers. The crests of the seven mountain ranges, the sun, the moon, and all the stars also belong to the abodes of the Four Great Kings.

It is said that Vishnu resides in this realm.

Fifty human years equal one day in this realm.

Heaven of the Thirty-Three

  • Skt. Trāyastriṃśa; Tib. Sumchu Tsasum; Wyl. sum cu rtsa gsum

This is the uppermost terrestrial heaven, and is located on the peak of Mount Sumeru.

It contains the city Fair to See, in which Indra is King.

A hundred human years equal one day in this realm.

Celestial Heavens

Free of Combat

  • Skt. Yāma; Tib. Tabdral; Wyl. 'thab bral

This is the first celestial heaven. It is located in the space above Mount Sumeru and, as such, it is no longer subject to the attacks of the demi-gods.

Two hundred human years equal one day in this realm.

Joyous Realm

  • Skt. Tushita; Tib. Ganden ; Wyl. dga' ldan

The Buddha resided here until the time came to take rebirth in the human realm, and demonstrate the twelve deeds of the supreme nirmanakaya. Before passing from Tushita he prophisied the bodhisattva Maitreya's enlightenment as the buddha to follow him, and placed his crown on Maitreya's head, making him his regent. Maitreya will abide here until the time has come for him to demonstrate the twelve deeds.

Later, the Buddha returned to give teachings to his mother, who had been reborn here after giving birth to him.

It is said that wicked Mara also resides in this heaven.

Four hundred human years equal one day in this realm.

Enjoying Emanation

  • Skt. Nirmāṇarataya; Tib. Trulga; Wyl. 'phrul dga'

Gods in this realm create and enjoy their own objects of pleasure.

Eight hundred human years equal one day in this realm.

Controlling Others' Emanations

  • Skt. Parinirmitvashavartin; Tib. Shyentrul Wang Jé; Wyl. gzhan 'phrul dbang byed

This is the most refined state in which one can be reborn within the desire realm. Gods in this realm enjoy pleasures created magically by other gods.

Sixteen hundred human years equal one day in this realm.

Sources

Further Reading

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