One who practices Buddhism should know which are the Realms of Becoming, and of Mind, in order that he may act in the right way in this Dhamma to attain the state which he desires. There are four Realms of Mind (Bhumi), including:
1.The Sensual Realm of Mind (Kamavacara Bhumi).
2.The Form Realm of Mind(Rupavacara Bhumi).
3.The Formless Realm of Mind(Arupavacara Bhumi).
4.The Transcendental Realm(Lokuttara Bhumi).
These are the Realms of Mind of Beings, whereas the following are the Realms of Becoming (Bhava)1 of Beings. There are three Realms of Becoming, including:
1.The Sensual Realm of Becoming(Kamabhava).
2.The Form Realm of Becoming(Rupabhava).
3.The Fromless Realm of Becoming(Arupabhava).
The further sub division of these Realms of Becoming is as follows:
1.The Sensual Realm of Becoming is divided into two aspects; these being:
a)The Way of Misfortune (Duggati), which includes:
1)The Hells.
2)The unhappy ghosts of evil doers (Peta).
3)Demonic apparitions (Asurakaya)
4)The Animal Kingdom.
These four are called the “Realms of Misfortune” (Apaya Bhumi).
b)The Way of Good Fortune (Sugati), which includes:
1)The Human Realm (Manussa).
2)The six Heavens of the Sensual Realm of Becoming.
This makes up the eleven realms which are to be found in the Sensual Realm of Becoming.
2.The Form Realm of Becoming is divided into sixteen different realms. These extend from the realm of the “Great Brahma” (Brahma parisajja) which is the lowest, to the highest which is the realm of the “Gods of the Pure Abode” (AkanitÚtÚha Realm).
3.The Formless Realm of Becoming is divided into four different realms. These extend from the realm of the “Jhana of the Knowledge and Perception of the Infinity of Space” (Akasa nancayatana Jhana) which is the lowest, to the highest which is the realm of the “Jhana of Neither Perception Nor Non Perception” (Nevasannayatana Jhana).
This covers all the thirty one Realms of Becoming of Beings.1 The relationship between the Realms of Becoming and the Realms of Mind, is as follows:
1.The Sensual Realm of Mind is within the Sensual Realm of Becoming.
2.The Form Realm of Mind is within the Form Realm of Becoming.
3.The Formless Realm of Mind is within the Formless Realm of Becoming.
4.The Transcendental Realm has no corresponding Realm of Becoming, because it transcends all the three Realms of Becoming and tends towards Nibbana.
When someone who practices this Dhamma knows clearly the realm of Mind, and of Becoming, in which beings exist, he ought to examine himself to find out in which of them he is at present. This time, we are human in the Sensual Realm of Becoming, which we may consider to be our good fortune.
Our desires lead us towards the appropriate Realm of Becoming, and of Mind; therefore, we should decide towards which one we wish to go.
The Buddhist Order (Sasana) dispenses the teachings of the Lord Buddha and is only interested to help others to develop their understanding. It is not concerned to compel them to follow its teachings. If they want to go towards the realms of misfortune, then they may do evil things. If their evil deeds are only of a mild nature, then they will go towards the “Lesser Hells”; but if they are severe, then they go to the “Great Hell”.
If they wish to go to the Heaven states, or become Indra or Brahma, then they must do meritorious acts.
For a small amount of merit, they gain the lower Heaven realms, and for a great amount, the higher realms. Thus, the realm that they gain accords with the actions which they perform.
One may want to attain these states, but mere vain repetition of magic formulae and prayers are not likely to be of much use. This is not only true of this Dhamma, but it also applies to the things of this world; for, one who wants to become a person of high status, such as an executive or a commander must be well versed in all sorts of learned subjects. If he has only a little knowledge, he can gain only a little, whereas if he has a lot of knowledge, he can gain a lot. Thus, one’s level of attainment will depend on one’s knowledge.
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