Loka

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Loka

In Hindu religion, a term for a world or division of the universe. For general purposes, there are three lokas: heaven, earth, and hell, but different philosophical schools have enumerated seven or even eight lokas. The seven lokas are: Bhurloka (earth), Bhwar-loka (space between earth and the sun, inhabited by semi-divine beings), Swar-loka (region between the sun and polar star, the heaven of the god Indra), Mahar-loka (the abode of great sages and saints), Jana-loka (abode of the sons of the god Brahma), Tapar-loka (abode of other deities), and Satya-loka or Brahma-loka (abode of Brahma, where souls are released from the necessity of rebirth).

In Buddhism, there are three worlds—or world systems— named lokas: the kamaloka (world of desire), the rupaloka (world of matter or form), and the arupaloka (world without form). These terms have been adopted by the Theosophical Society.

(See also Lokaloka )

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