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The Six Realms Of Existence - Online Term Paper

The Six Realms Of Existence

Cody Wood
Mr. Trujillo
Phil 32
March 17, 2010

The Six Realms of Existence

The 'six realms of existence', sometimes also translated as the 'six states of samsara' or the 'six paths of rebirth', are the six main types of birth that beings may have within Buddhist cosmology. Which state we are born into is driven by our karma - our actions and states of awareness from previous lives. According to Buddhist teachings, we will endlessly incarnate within these realms until we receive and practice the teachings, and through them break free of the karmas that pull us into the six realms, thereby attaining enlightenment. A human birth, which is one of the six realms, is the easiest realm ...

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realms are not only relevant in terms of studying rebirth, but also in terms of understanding the karma associated with different states of awareness while we are in a human birth. Each realm has a certain mind-state that drives it, and the teachings on the six realms can help us to understand the risks and challenges of each mind-state.
Deva or 'God' Realm - Defined by bliss and pleasurable states of all types, this realm is reminiscent of Greek myths about the realm of the gods. But in Buddhism, this is not an immortal state, and also not the ideal one for attaining liberation. We can become addicted to pleasure here, including meditative bliss, and can become trapped, forgetting to work towards liberation, and falling into lower realms because of this forgetfulness and self-absorption.
Asura or 'Demi-God' Realm - Also pleasurable, this realm is nevertheless defined by jealousy and competitiveness. Although a birth here does offer more opportunities for pleasure than a ...

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 6/15/2011 10:06:48 AM
Submitted By: cacwoody
Category: Religion
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 898
Pages: 4

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