The 31 Planes of Existence

In Buddhist cosmology, the universe consists of 31 planes of existence (bhava) where beings can be reborn according to their karma. These planes are organised into three main domains: the Sense-Sphere Realm (Kāma-loka), the Form Realm (Rūpa-loka), and the Formless Realm (Arūpa-loka).

These 31 planes represent the entirety of saṃsāra (the cycle of rebirth) in Buddhist cosmology. According to Buddhism, all unenlightened beings cycle through these realms based on their karma. The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice is not to achieve rebirth in higher realms but to attain Nibbāna (Nirvana), which transcends all 31 planes and ends the cycle of rebirth entirely.

The Sense-Sphere Realm (Kāma-loka): Planes 1-11

The Four Lower Worlds (Apāya)

  1. Hell Realms (Niraya) – Realms of intense suffering where beings who committed severely harmful actions are reborn. There are various hells of different intensities and durations.
  2. Animal Realm (Tiracchāna-yoni) – The world of animals, characterised by fear, survival instinct, and being prey to stronger creatures. Beings are reborn here due to delusion and basic desires.
  3. Hungry Ghost Realm (Peta-loka) – A realm of beings with intense craving and hunger that can never be satisfied. Beings here have enormous bellies but tiny mouths and throats.
  4. Asura Realm (Asura-loka) – The realm of demigods or titans, characterised by jealousy, combat, and anger. Asuras constantly war with the devas but lack their power.

The Human and Heavenly Realms

  1. HUMAN REALM (Manussa-loka) – Our world, considered precious in Buddhism, as it offers the ideal balance of suffering and pleasure for spiritual development and potential enlightenment.
  2. Heaven of the Four Great Kings (Cātummahārājika) – The lowest deva realm, ruled by four guardian kings who protect the four directions.
  3. Heaven of the Thirty-Three Gods (Tāvatiṃsa) – Ruled by Sakka (Indra), this heaven is populated by 33 devas who once performed extraordinary meritorious deeds as humans.
  4. Heaven of Yama Devas (Yāma) – A peaceful realm where devas experience less sensual pleasure but greater peace than the lower heavens.
  5. Heaven of Contented Devas (Tusita) – A realm of joy where future Buddhas reside before their final human birth. Currently home to Metteyya (Maitreya), the future Buddha.
  6. Heaven of Devas Delighting in Creation (Nimmānarati) – A realm where devas can create and manifest anything they desire.
  7. Heaven of Devas Wielding Power Over Others’ Creations (Paranimmitavasavatti) – The highest sensual realm where devas enjoy pleasures created by others. Māra, the tempter of the Buddha, resides here.

The Form Realm (Rūpa-loka): Planes 12-27

First Jhāna Realm

  1. Realm of Brahma’s Retinue (Brahma-pārisajja) – The lowest of the first jhāna realms, inhabited by brahmas who were skilled in the first jhāna meditation.
  2. Realm of Brahma’s Ministers (Brahma-purohita) – The middle first jhāna realm, for those who attained moderate mastery of the first jhāna.
  3. Realm of Great Brahmas (Mahā-brahma) – For those who have completely mastered the first jhāna. Beings here may mistakenly believe they created the universe.

Second Jhāna Realm

  1. Realm of Minor Luster (Parittābha) – The first realm corresponding to mastery of the second jhāna, characterised by lesser radiance.
  2. Realm of Infinite Luster (Appamāṇābha) – The middle second jhāna realm, with beings of medium radiance.
  3. Realm of Radiant Luster (Ābhassara) – The highest second jhāna realm, inhabited by intensely radiant beings who communicate through light.

Third Jhāna Realm

  1. Realm of Minor Aura (Parittasubha) – The lowest third jhāna realm, characterised by beings with a subtle aura of beauty.
  2. Realm of Infinite Aura (Appamāṇasubha) – The middle third jhāna realm, with beings of more refined beauty.
  3. Realm of Steady Aura (Subhakiṇha) – The highest third jhāna realm, populated by beings of complete, penetrating beauty.

Fourth Jhāna Realm

  1. Realm of Great Reward (Vehapphala) – A realm of great merit for beings who have mastered the fourth jhāna.
  2. Realm of Mindless Beings (Asaññasatta) – A unique realm where beings have form but no consciousness, arising from mistakenly believing that consciousness is the source of suffering.
  3. Pure Abodes (Suddhāvāsa) – Aviha – The first of the five Pure Abodes, reserved exclusively for Non-Returners (Anāgāmis) who will achieve enlightenment without returning to lower realms.
  4. Pure Abodes – Atappa – The second Pure Abode, characterised by serenity.
  5. Pure Abodes – Sudassa – The third Pure Abode, a realm of clear beauty.
  6. Pure Abodes – Sudassī – The fourth Pure Abode, a realm of clear vision.
  7. Pure Abodes – Akaniṭṭha – The highest Pure Abode and the highest of all form realms, where many Non-Returners achieve final enlightenment.

The Formless Realm (Arūpa-loka): Planes 28-31

  1. Realm of Infinite Space (Ākāsānañcāyatana) – The lowest formless realm, attained by mastering the meditation on boundless space.
  2. Realm of Infinite Consciousness (Viññāṇañcāyatana) – Attained by focusing on the boundlessness of consciousness itself.
  3. Realm of Nothingness (Ākiñcaññāyatana) – Attained by focusing on the absence of everything, the concept of “nothing.”
  4. Realm of Neither Perception Nor Non-Perception (Nevasaññānāsaññāyatana) – The highest of all 31 planes, extremely subtle, where consciousness is so refined it cannot be said to exist or not exist.

Movement Between Planes

Karma and Rebirth

The movement of beings between these 31 planes is governed by karma (kamma). Beings are reborn in specific planes based on:

  1. Wholesome Karma (Kusala Kamma): Ethical conduct, generosity, and positive mental states lead to rebirth in higher realms (human and deva realms).
  2. Unwholesome Karma (Akusala Kamma): Harmful actions, greed, hatred, and delusion lead to rebirth in lower realms.
  3. Meditative Attainments (Jhānas): Mastering specific meditation states corresponds to rebirth in particular Form or Formless realms.

The Role of Mental States

  • Greed (Lobha) and attachment tend to lead to rebirth in the hungry ghost realm
  • Hatred (Dosa) and anger tend to lead to rebirth in hell realms
  • Delusion (Moha) tends to lead to rebirth in the animal realm
  • Jealousy and a competitive nature tend to lead to rebirth in the asura realm
  • Virtuous conduct with some attachment leads to rebirth in heavenly realms
  • Balance of virtues and experiences leads to human realm rebirth
  • Deep meditative absorptions lead to rebirth in Form or Formless realms

Lifespan in Different Planes

The duration of life varies dramatically across the planes:

  • Hell beings may endure suffering for eons
  • Human lifespans are relatively brief
  • Devas in the sensual heavens live for thousands to millions of years
  • Brahmas in the form and formless realms live for eons, with lifespans increasing in higher realms
  • In the highest formless realm, beings live for 84,000 eons

The Path to Liberation

The Buddha taught that all of these planes, even the highest heavenly realms, are impermanent and part of saṃsāra. Even beings in the highest realms will eventually die and be reborn elsewhere when their karma is exhausted.

The Noble Eightfold Path leads to:

  • Stream-entry (Sotāpanna): No more rebirth in lower realms (planes 1-4)
  • Once-returning (Sakadāgāmi): At most one more rebirth in the sense-sphere
  • Non-returning (Anāgāmi): Rebirth only in Pure Abodes (planes 23-27)
  • Arahantship: No further rebirth in any plane