understanding of realms according to Theravada

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Ervin
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Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 4:46 pm

understanding of realms according to Theravada

Post by Ervin »

Can somebody explain to me please about different realms in Buddhism?

For instance, is hell the state of your mind in our human realm or is it a place where our mind goes to suffer?

My question is to put it simply are they metaphors or literal meanings?

And I would like to point out that in this life we can see people going through "hell" and we can also see people having great lives like gods or demigods
santa100
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Re: understanding of realms accordinng to Theravada

Post by santa100 »

The suttas indicate a literal meaning of those realms since they frequently use the the phrase: "..in the breakup of the body, after death, he/she reappears in the plane of (good/bad) destination..": http://www.accesstoinsight.org/search_r ... &sa=Search

More details on those realms are available here
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retrofuturist
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Re: understanding of realms accordinng to Theravada

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings Ervin,
Ervin wrote:My question is to put it simply are they metaphors or literal meanings?
They are what is experienced... and if they are experienced, does their ontological status actually matter?

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
SarathW
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Re: understanding of realms accordinng to Theravada

Post by SarathW »

Good suggestion Retro!
Never thought about it.
When you are happy or in pain, it does not matter whether you are a human, animal, bird, man , woman, rich or poor.
:)
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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