Reincarnation
Reincarnation is one of the most important ideas of Buddhism. Reincarnation is the idea that after death, you are reborn as another person. According to Buddhist beliefs, there are six separate realms one can be reborn in, based on your karma (the total sum of all the good/bad deeds you have committed). Three of them are fortunate, and three are unfortunate. The six realms are:
Hell The realm of hell is the least favourable realm to be reincarnated into. Here, you suffer insufferable pains and agonies to pay for your terrible deeds and sins. Once reborn here, you will stay there for an extremely long period of time. Ghosts The realm of ghosts is the second least favourable realm to be reincarnated in. Here, you appear to exist in the same realm as animals and humans, however you are invisible to them. As a ghost, you suffer for your greed and envy. You are never being able to satisfy your hunger and thirst. Animal The realm of animals is the most 'favourable' of the three unfavourable realms, however the pains are still great. As an animal, you are controlled purely by your instincts, which means there is no way to gain good karma. You are also slaughtered, hunted, driven, and worked by humans and other animals. Humanity The realm of humanity can be considered as the most favourable realms to be reincarnated in, because it is the only one where you can escape the cycle of reincarnation. Humanity is the only place where you will determine your future reincarnations through racking up either good or bad karma. Asura The realm of the Asura is technically tiered above humanity, however there are still bad things about it. As an Asura, you have a lust for power, are envious, and greedy. The Asura also have quarrels with both the heavenly gods, humanity, and themselves. Heaven The realm of heavenly gods is the most favourable realm to be reincarnated in within the cycle of reincarnation. Here, life is very long, happy, and pleasurable and there is never fear, suffering, unfulfilled desires, etc. However you must realise that you are still within the cycle of reincarnation and will eventually experience the suffering of the other realms. To truly reach happiness, you must escape the cycle through enlightenment and reach the realm of Nirvana, where you will forever live happy and without suffering. |