–Volume9(Par1)
Author: Fafu
Translator : Gemini
Dear Dharma Friends,Welcome to this episode of the podcast provided by the Buddhas’ Practice Incorporated of Australia.
Today, we will jointly explore the overview of the various levels of Heavenas revealed in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra.
I. The Various Levels of Heaven:
1. The Desire Realm Heavens (Six Heavens):
These heavens are still within the realm of desire and physical pleasure, but the level of subtle enjoyment and freedom from gross desire increases with each ascending level:
- Heaven of the Four Great Kings
- Heaven of the Thirty-three
- Heaven of Su-yāma
- Heaven of Tusita
- Heaven of Enjoying Emanations
- Heaven of the Others’ Enjoyment of Emanations
2. The Form Realm Heavens (Eighteen Heavens):
These heavens are attained through the cultivation of the Four Dhyānas (meditative concentrations). Beings here possess subtle material bodies but are free from the gross desires of the lower realm.
- The First Dhyāna (Three Heavens):
Heaven of the Multitude of Brahmā
Heaven of the Ministers of Brahmā
Heaven of the Great Brahmā
- The Second Dhyāna (Three Heavens):
Heaven of Lesser Light
Heaven of Limitless Light
Heaven of Pervading Light
- The Third Dhyāna (Three Heavens):
Heaven of Lesser Purity
Heaven of Limitless Purity
Heaven of Pervading Purity
- The Fourth Dhyāna (Nine Heavens):
Heaven of the Birth of Merit
Heaven of Profound Merit
Heaven of Vast Fruit
Heaven of No Thought (Sometimes listed separately as a condition, not a true heaven)
The Five Heavens of Non-Return: These are the highest heavens of the Form Realm, where Anāgāmis (Non-Returners) are born:
- Heaven of No Vexation
- Heaven of No Heat
- Heaven of Good Manifestatio
- Heaven of Good Seeing
- Heaven of Ultimate Form
3. The Formless Realm Heavens (Four Heavens):
These heavens are attained through the cultivation of the Four Formless Concentrations. Beings here have transcended all material form, existing only as consciousness or mental activity.
- Concentration of the Sphere of Boundless Space
- Concentration of the Sphere of Boundless Consciousness
- Concentration of the Sphere of Nothing Whatsoever
- Concentration of the Sphere of Neither Perception Nor Non-Perception
II. Conclusion:
The Sūtra points out: “All this is due to not realizing the Wonderful Illuminating Mind of Perfect Enlightenment. Accumulating delusion gives rise to the delusion of the Three Realms.” This means that regardless of the Desire, Form, or Formless Realms, although all heavenly beings are superior, because they have not awakened to their Self-Nature, they will eventually “exhaust their retribution and enter the wheel (of transmigration).”
This indicates that the fundamental cause of transmigration is “not knowing one’s original mind and receiving this cycle of transmigration”. Only through the thorough awakening to our Wonderful Perfect Illuminating Mind can we be permanently liberated from the cycle of rebirth.
The Kings of the various Heavens are in fact Bodhisattvas who are sporting in Samādhi, leading the heavenly beings step-by-step toward the path of cultivation that turns back toward the Buddha.
Thank you for listening.
