Realms Beyond Borders

Poetry

We apologise, the poets have their creative caps on and are currently working on the poems…
Once the poetry is finished, they will be posted on this page.

In the meantime, you can familiarise yourself with the Buddhist Realms of Existence

Nay Myo Set Lu

Muang Day

Jan-Philipp Sendker

Realms of Existence

The Realms of Existence in Buddhism, often associated with samsara (the cycle of birth and rebirth), are both a cosmological framework and a psychological metaphor to illustrate the range of human experiences and the consequences of karmic actions. Each realm represents different mental and emotional states influenced by karma and symbolizes moral, psychological, and spiritual aspects of existence.

Purpose of the Realms

These Realms serve as a conceptual guide for understanding suffering, ethical behavior, and the journey toward enlightenment. They represent stages where beings experience the consequences of their karma and illustrate the mental states one might inhabit due to particular actions and thoughts. By recognizing these states, practitioners can cultivate awareness and compassion, aiming at transcending samsara and achieving Nirvana.

Hungry Ghosts Realm (Preta)

  • Craving - Beings in this realm are defined by their intense and insatiable desires, which they are never able to satisfy, leading to constant suffering.

  • Addiction - Being consumed by unending desires and cravings, which perpetuate suffering and prevent spiritual fulfillment.

  • Detachment - Learning to let go of insatiable desires and focus on spiritual fulfillment.

Hell Realm (Naraka)

  • Suffering - This realm is a place of punishment and intense suffering, where beings endure the consequences of their negative karma.

  • Cruelty - Engaging in harshness and lack of empathy, exacerbating one's own suffering and the suffering of others, hindering the path to redemption.

  • Compassion -Embracing kindness and understanding as tools for alleviating suffering and paving the way for redemption.

The Animal Realm (Tiryagyoni)

  • Ignorance - Animals operate primarily on instinct and lack the higher cognitive functions to comprehend suffering in a way that leads to spiritual growth.

  • Instinctual Reactivity - Acting solely on primal urges without higher conscious thought, limiting personal growth and understanding.

  • Awareness - Elevating consciousness beyond mere survival instincts to a broader understanding of existence.

The Human Realm (Manushya)

  • Suffering and Opportunity - Humans experience a mix of pain and pleasure, which uniquely positions them to pursue spiritual enlightenment due to their ability to comprehend suffering and seek meaning.

  • Ignorance - Failing to see the deeper truths of life, leading to unwise choices and missed opportunities for enlightenment.

  • Wisdom - Utilizing human intelligence and moral understanding to make choices that lead to enlightenment.

The Demi-God Realm (Asura)

  • Conflict - Beings in this realm are constantly involved in battles and disputes, driven by jealousy and a never-ending quest for power.

  • Jealousy - Allowing envy and rivalry to disturb peace and balance, leading to constant dissatisfaction and conflict.

  • Equanimity - Developing balance and emotional stability amidst envy and competition.

The God Realm (Deva)

  • Bliss - This realm is characterized by immense pleasure and happiness, often leading to a sense of complacency or detachment from spiritual urgency.

  • Complacency - Becoming overly absorbed in comfort and pleasure, losing sight of spiritual growth.

  • Mindfulness - Cultivating an awareness of the temporary nature of pleasure and the importance of spiritual growth.

The "7th Realm" in certain Mahayana Buddhist traditions, including in Myanmar's Theravada-influenced Mahayana practices, is often identified as the realm of Bodhisattvas or Buddhahood, transcending the cycle of samsara to represent the state of enlightenment or Nirvana. The purpose of this realm is to embody the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice: liberation from suffering and the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Unlike the six traditional realms, the 7th realm is not associated with trials or suffering but rather with the realization of profound wisdom, boundless compassion, and the ability to guide others towards enlightenment. This realm is significant as it symbolizes the culmination of spiritual practice, where one attains a state free from samsaric existence.