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six realms of rebirth

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

six realms of rebirth (Skt., ṣaḍ-gati). The six levels that make up the possible range of existence within saṃsāra. These are the realms of the gods (deva), the demi-gods (asura), humans (manuṣa), animals (tiryak), hungry ghosts (preta) and hell denizens (naraka). Generally Buddhism tends to teach that these levels are real modes of existence although some forms of Buddhism, especially within Mahāyāna, emphasize that they are rather more like symbolic of states of mind or modes of experience. According to Mahāyāna teachings, rebirth in each of these modes of existence is brought about by a predominance of a particular spiritual defilement (kleśa): as a god through pride, a demi-god through jealousy, human through lust, animal through stupidity, hungry ghost through greed and hell-denizen through hatred. These six levels are depicted in the popular Tibetan Wheel of Life (bhavacakra) paintings.

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DAMIEN KEOWN. "six realms of rebirth." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "six realms of rebirth." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-sixrealmsofrebirth.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "six realms of rebirth." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-sixrealmsofrebirth.html

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Six realms

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Six realms (six states of possible rebirth): see TIBETAN WHEEL of LIFE.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Six realms." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Six realms." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Sixrealms.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Six realms." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Sixrealms.html

Learn more about citation styles

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