Bhante Anandajoti: The Planes of Existence

This video is built around a talk given in the Vivekavana Buddhist Society, Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia on September 2nd 2012.
The talk is illustrated with infographics describing the planes of existence as they are envisioned in the traditional Buddhist conception, and with photographs of representations of the various realms.
The talk shows how knowing these realms can be useful for a person's understanding of their place in the universe, and how they move between these realms both in this life, and in future lives.
An extension of the Geography of Buddhism series, this video looks at the sacred geography of Buddhism.
The original infographic can be found here: www.photodharma.net/Nature/Pos...
A second talk discusses Devolution and Evolution: • Bhante Anandajoti: Dev...
For references to the Planes in the Tipitaka, please see here: www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dh...
For more detailed information on the Planes of Existence, please see Bhante Suvanno's book here: archive.org/download/The31Plan...

[@DharmaRecords]

Hi Rakuna, the only way to be SURE of the 31 planes of existence is to so develop your meditation that you have experience of them for yourself. This is not so difficult as it may sound, because as mentioned in the video the cosmological is a reflection of the psychological, so if you develop your meditation sufficiently you will experience these planes yourself.

[@ebenizisiktikmi]

+Dharma Records What does BUddhist think happen to the humans when the sun will die?

[@DharmaRecords]

+umut barat from the Buddhist perspective, the death of one sun is a small matter, as beings are not living only in one world or solar system.

[@ebenizisiktikmi]

***** yes but HUMAN beings will die eventually and no trace will be left behind them. Buddhism says everything is impermanent, so what is permanent ? No beings are permanent so what is lefft to be permanent ? If nothing is permanent, how can be 'nirvana' permanent ? If nirnava is permanent, does it mean it is permanent death ? If so, what is it its difference from normal death?

[@DharmaRecords]

+umut barat all conditioned things are impermanent, nirvāṇa is not conditoned. It is true all human being will die one day, but then rebirth is not confined to human life, but takes place amongst the gods also, where it is will continue until the next evolution. Rather than try and argue it out listen to the video on Evolution and Devolution. If you can't accept it fine, you must make up your own mind.

[@ethand958]

Dharma Records ok

[@Khemadhammo]

It is very rare to find anyone teaching about this and believing in it, even in Asia, let alone the west. My compliments, bhante.

[@ivanwong3273]

Lp Sander Khemadhammo tru meditation they will know

[@bodhitcg8100]

Bhante, it is very rare that such kind of systematic explanation of the planes of existence. i think it is important to us for understanding traditional teaching of Buddhism.

[@shrutijoshi553]

I am studying buddha's teachings in depth. This is really good way of presentation and explanation. Vandami & Gratitude bhante ji

[@limkeanlee]

My goodness, what an enlightening and refreshing dhamma talk! Thank you Bhante for this talk. It’s been a long while since I last heard such a beautiful dhamma talk. Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

[@DharmaRecords]

You should maybe have listened a little longer as the point is it is fairly easy to fall down into the lower realms if you are not careful, but once there it is difficult to get out as there is little room for good deeds in lower destinations. This is not eternal hell, as all realms are impermanent, but it is best not to go in the first place...

[@jenniferrodolfo7555]

Thank you and Much Love from the Philippines.

[@DharmaRecords]

Sorry I stated that wrong, it should have been "all beings in any of the realms are impermanent", but if you listen to the talk you will see that in Buddhist cosmology nearly all realms are impermanent too. Best if you listen to the whole talk first...

[@behappy8012]

This is an excellent explanation of the realms of existence. 🙏🏽

[@irfannawas5878]

I have deep respect for sri Gautama Buddha.

[@iAreNugget]

this is a phenomenal talk with some great insight, thank you very much!

[@allannielsen5308]

Thanks for your beautiful efforts to help to inform. 🌟🍀❤️🙏

[@megatronmoneybag8576]

thank you for uploading video I've learn alot. sadu sadu sadu

[@SusmitaBarua_mita]

Realm of Mara around 11th level is noteworthy (1 hour marker). Mara, the personification of delusion and desire, creator of fine sensual pleasures, lives here (paranimmita-vasavatti deva)...so divine and human realms below 11th are subject to Mara's snare....not to be blindly worshipped. As you say more come down than go up.

[@paulnewberry9548]

Thank you kindly for the video and best wishes for your journey.

[@nithinhmmm]

Loved the explanation so much, thank you from the bottom of my heart. May all beings be happy. One kind suggestion, you need step a little back from the mic, just so the voice and audio becomes more clearer. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

[@SunPing32]

Very Beautiful Lecture!!! Thank you so very much for sharing and your Service Support!!! Namo Amituofo!!!🙏🙏🙏

[@yuenjhb9048]

Thank you. Very well explained and inspiring.

[@kamma44]

Thank you for sharing the Dharma.

[@mudkipfan2420]

May all beings be happy :)

[@Asifk88]

Very good talkthank you Bhante Anandajoti

[@mr.bunthansakka1324]

Hi Ven. teacher, now I already follow your youtube. And I really thankful for your shearing

[@tenbre5748]

Very informational. Glad the idea of the psychology was stressed.

[@PuggiTheGreat]

Saadhu ! Saadhu ! Saadhu !

[@WalidHADDAD60]

An amazing explanation of the plans of existence. It should be taught at schools. Are there any books that contain these planes of existence in details? In my humble opinion, everyone should know about these planes as it's a starting point to lead a good life empty of greed, hatred, jealousy, etc... Looking forward to listen to the discussion about Devolution and Evolution. Thank you Bhante Anandajoti.

[@thetruthseeker5448]

Hi there. I assume you are from the middle east where Buddha Dhamma hardly known or heard. What made you to have an interest in Buddha dhamma? I am just curious, no offense intended. Unlike other faiths Buddhism is NOT promoted in street corners. One has to come to the house to looking for it.

[@tonymike7197]

amazing, had no idea Buddha spoke about Hell. But all this information you have given is all from the Canon Tipitaka?

[@DharmaRecords]

That the Buddha spoke about hells (niraya) is Canonical, the fully worked cosmology is from both Canon and Commentary.

[@withself5537]

I just want to add to the point ending at 5.40 * This also is because there is a ‘body’ or ‘aspect’ of us at each one of these planes here and now, hence the idea rediscovery rather than new discovery in spirituality. So rather rediscovery in new ways 😂

[@manoharsurdas6764]

Bhante Vande Good Rare Pl. to explain stages to get Human

[@guaylayhua5653]

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu 🙏🙏🙏

[@janakiebalasuriya1032]

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!

[@-budismotierrapura-shandao]

Bhante would you allow me to subtitle this video in Spanish?

[@DharmaDocumentaries]

Yes, Johann I would very much appreciate it if you could. You can write to me at [e-mail]

[@koustubhmuktibodh4901]

Can we experience this states of existence in vipassana meditation.? I mean how we will experience this

[@bhaweshbadge3563]

Yes

[@murlidharbakal6857]

Yes, during first to fourth zanas

[@vikasgour369]

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

[@chindertitan]

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu...

[@moonbayer2323]

i can attest that in my astral body in buddhism its called mind made body i have travelled to lower realms ghost realm its on earth where dead people are stuck like zombies and they are plenty of them.. 2. once i was in astral realm when some creatures emerged they where identical to this pictures half animal half human beings with heads of pigs,donkeys,horses they catapulted me in their realms basically they where dead humans who after death their astralbodies changed like that because when they where living on earth they where on meat eating buisness killing animals for money had butchers and so on.. thats why when they died there astral body where like half animal half human. 3. being in red infernal hell realm with red infernal demons with horn and staff there was buddhist monk who was guarding gate of hell i said what level of hell it was he said last level of hell places energy is very bad claustrophibic and emanaites so much fear.. i never have been in heavenly realm or any good realm in my life.. but i want to.

[@thisulwickramarachchi2380]

I have heard that in order to go there u have to astral travel up into the sky... Theres a famous old scientist called emmanuel swedenborg who has astal travelled to heaven & have written his experinces in books..

[@abdool212]

Can you name the suttas which describe these planes of existence?

[@cariyaputta]

Dhammacakkapavattanasutta, near the end of the sutta.

[@MrOktony]

Hi Bhante, am I reading this right, ref death-promixate kamma, the last thoughts from your previous life, not the current life you just lived, well be responsible for your next plane of existence?

[@DharmaRecords]

Hi MrOktony, the classical theory is that the death moments in this present life will influence the coming life.

[@MrOktony]

Dharma Records hi Bhante, I was referring to page 7 in The thirty one plane's of existence by ven. Suvanno Mahathera, "it maybe good or bad, but whatever it is, it tends to be the state of of the mind characteristic of the individual in his previous life, which takes possession of his last moments of consciousness before it leaves the body". So this Is not part of Gotama's teachings?

[@DharmaRecords]

I think what Bhante Suvanno means (though it is not written very clearly) is that it is the previous mind characteristics in the present life which takes possession... etc.

[@MrOktony]

Dharma Records hi Bhante, yes, it was very confusing context. Thanks for clarifying this and thank you for your talk, very helpful to see how the physiological states can affect your next life. Nasa recently confirmed that our universe has 2 trillion galaxies, imagine! I ponder if the human realm also exists in other galaxies or universes!?

[@-joi-]

Let's not forget that the Budda teachings come from tantra, tantric masters who teached him about the lokas, which by the way it is perceived and teached from the perspective of a high conscious being to humans not from a human perspective so there are simplifications in favor of the complete and deep understanding of a human from his human perception so please don't think the earth is flat or something like that understand that is referring to planetary systems and their state of consciousness in levels, that aswell doesn't mean that they are layered one on top of the other all of this is just a representation of purity and density just how oil piles in water in layers to represent the subtle and gross planes of existence, it's a subtle knowledge.

[@jailbreak852]

Really, planes of existence exist outside of the idea of reincarnation.

[@thisulwickramarachchi2380]

Wrong, all these 31 planes are in the rebirth process

[@aFoxyFox.]

Would anyone like to talk to me about these things mentioned here? The speaker keeps making reference to "you", saying this will happen to "you" or that will happen to "you". When there are connectivity issues in the brain, one side seems unable to communicate to the other, and learn and act independent. Which one of those is "you"?

[@davidsaintjohn4248]

Even the gods suffer stupidity lol. This is great thank you

[@marcocalarco7575]

You can quiet the mind in the same way you quiet a cough. This is non traditional modern method. Once the newer and noise filled brain is numb and silent - presto. Study this carefully and proceed with common sense.

[@derSchweiz]

Do different religions exist in different planes? i.e. a Devaloka for Buddhists and another for Christians each following their own scriptures for heaven and hell Catu Apaya? In the Bible when they mention God, who are they likely referring to within the plane? I have a feeling that they may be referring to more than one God as a single entity. I know both Buddha and Jesus exists, just want to know how everything interrelates in the big picture.

[@EatMyOats]

In theory or in practice or in reality? If you accept a Federal Reserve Note on faith, In God We Trust is your agreement.

[@mudkipfan2420]

derSchweiz i read a book somewhere of someone respected upon able to travel to those realms, according to that reference i’d think that it’s the same But to know the truth crystal clear itself, there’s really no other way to find out by yourself i think

[@iknowiamwrong.butstill...2073]

God or mahabrhahma lives in the 14th realm,,,called mahabrhahma lok

[@iknowiamwrong.butstill...2073]

@derSchweiz

[@JudoMateo]

Oddly there is are many ancient deities in Buddhist cosmology who mistakenly believe themselves to be an eternal creator due to their having watched the universe unfold before them on the lower planes with its many lower life forms. Ironically even the most powerful deities are under the subtle control of Mara Devaputta who commends all in their delusions of grandeur. www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.049.than.html Reread the Old Testament book of Job after having read the Brahma-nimantanika Sutta and I think some correlations will be obvious.

[@simplythinking4805]

the explanation that people don't land up in the plane relevant to their current life's merits, because of other previous lives, does not explain much. Surely, the reason why you come into the human realm is because the NET merits of all the past lifetimes - hence the merits of all past lives have already been taken into account when you are born into the human realm. Only your incremental amount of merits, while you are a human, will decide where you go next. If you say, there is a lot of merit or demerit that has not yet been taken into account when you were born - it means once again that there is a very poor correlation between just the merit actions and the next realm. What may be more important is the mental state you are in when you execute the merit actions.

[@mlegacywlyfe1115]

Hmmm...incarnating in the human world is rare..but people are having past live regressions where they consistantly remembering 'rebirth' back to back with incarntion sometimes 100 years apart..while others are coming back immediately as children or sudden unexpected deaths..remembering also pre birth memories...conflicting info all around..no wonder why humans are feeling stuck or deluded...something us off wuth all these belief systems...we see the lack of moral but somthing is off with the infirmation of rebirths vs what is happening in reality...it seems like somthing has changed drastically and we still havent figured it out..unless you mean its rate when coming from the lower worlds?

[@mlegacywlyfe1115]

How does one get over the fear of death to know thst our loved ones if they fall down in the lower worlds will still cstchbup with us later sobwe can them in these heaves.. Alsp many people who are haivng NDEs Near Death Experiences and alstral traveling are actually finding these levels...however ..they are blockong the information of how to create the '3rd heaven'. What thy are saying to thr masses..os thst they are seeing many people create in the realms bear Earth that the deceased habitants are creating their own 'heavens' ..sure they are healthier and no death, so suffering because they are creating similar constructs and homes just like Earth based life todsy..and even tho they arent in the lower worlds persay...they are still stuck in these "hollow heavens'...they are creating by mind ..fake family memebers ..they arent the real souls of the people they left in this incarnstion..so they still have detatchments somewhat...kind of like a stopping point where they recreate their past live while waiting..but if another person from their last incarnation moves on and they will be creating their own construct as well... No one who is seein these realms or 'hollow heavens' saying how the people who shared other lives are able to move around to get to visit thr others...

[@titanium775]

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu