Desire realm

In Mahayana Buddhism the world is often used in Six realms (Sanskrit: Six Lokas ) are shown. Rebirth leads, depending on self- knitted Karma in one of these areas. As a precious birth of the birth is in the area of ​​people, as is most likely to occur there liberation from the painful cycle of existence ( samsara ). Pictorial representations of the realms come in all Buddhist traditions. Most frequently they are encountered in the wheel of life of Tibetan Buddhism.

• The realm of the gods ( Devas ): The form of existence as a god is not salvation; the Devas are not free from suffering and death, and still subject to the constraints of samsara. Because the existence as God is, however, relatively happy, it is more difficult to understand the need of redemption; they are narrow-minded by their temporary state of happiness and are therefore not susceptible to the teaching of the Buddha. Their characteristic emotion is pride.

• The area of the jealous gods: They are also called the Asuras or Titans. The jealous gods contend constantly with the gods and try to take their place, but they may not succeed. There is a constant battle. Do not have time to practice the Buddhist teachings. Their characteristic emotion is jealousy.

• The range of people: Although great suffering subject ( birth, aging, illness, death, grief, separation) is the human world, the most favorable range, as it is the people most likely possible to listen to the Buddha's teaching and to live according to the teaching. The chance to achieve relief from suffering and rebirth from this form of existence is higher than in any other area. The human state is therefore preferable to all other forms of existence.

• The range of animals: Animals are not able to reflect on their own situation and to have a lasting escape from their situation with their own forces. You can only follow their instincts and instincts and other creatures often helpless. Again, the Buddha delivers his message. Under very favorable circumstances, an animal can attain liberation. The characteristic emotion of the animals is ignorance.

• The area of ​​the hungry ghosts: They are also known under the name Pretas. Here are those who were greedy, stingy or greedy in their pre-existence, in short, those who could never get enough. Their characteristic emotion is greed. Hungry ghosts are constantly tormented by thirst and hunger. In the pictorial representation of their bellies are big, thick and bloated. The narrow mouths and thin necks make it impossible for them to fill the huge belly, they can never be satisfied. These transforms in some representations, any water which they approach, in liquid fire and food into excrement, etc. Even sleeping is made hunger spirits heavy. Demonic beings or the hot If the soil they keep you from getting to lie down and sleep. Buddha encouraged them to come closer to him and to raise their petitions, and shows with the wish granting gesture his willingness to help. He holds nectar prepared by the preta can absorb at least some drops.

• The field of Hell: The kingdom is divided into two in the hot and the cold hells, these two forms of hell turn are divided into numerous sub- dens. Horrible torments await located in these dens. They end when the unwholesome karma that led here, has been exhausted. The characteristic emotion of the hell realms is hate.