The Wheel of LifeThe Wheel of Life

Six Realms• Divas (gods)• Titans• Hungry Ghosts• Hell• Animal• Human

The Wheel of LifeThe Wheel of LifeBhava ChakraBhava Chakra

• Six Realms are an allegorical description of conditioned existence, or samsara, into which beings are reborn.

• Traditionally conceived as real places, but are also interpreted symbolically

• The nature of one's existence is determined by karma -one's human actions (good or bad) determine one's future births

• Life in any of these realms is ultimately impermanent—one does not suffer forever in hell, nor enjoy eternal bliss in heaven

The Realm of Devas (Gods) and The Realm of Devas (Gods) and Heavenly BeingsHeavenly Beings

• Enjoy great power, wealth and long lifeEnjoy great power, wealth and long life • Privilege and exalted status blind them to

the suffering of others • They have neither wisdom nor

compassion • Will be reborn in another of the Six

Realms

The Realm of Asura (Titans)The Realm of Asura (Titans)

• Always desiring to be superior to others, having no patience for inferiors

• Looking down on others, and yet outwardly displaying justice, worship, wisdom, and faith

The Realm of Hungry GhostsThe Realm of Hungry Ghosts

• One who is always looking outside himself for the new thing that will satisfy the craving within himself/herself

• Characterized by insatiable hunger and craving

• Associated with addiction, obsession and compulsion

The Hell RealmThe Hell Realm

• Most terrible of the Six Realms • Have a short fuse; everything makes them angry • Hell beings deal with things that make them

angry through aggression • Drive away anyone who shows them love and

kindness and seek out the company of other hell beings

• Unchecked anger and aggression can cause rebirth in the Hell Realm

The Animal RealmThe Animal Realm

• Marked by stupidity, prejudice and complacency

• Live sheltered lives, avoiding discomfort or anything unfamiliar

• People who are ignorant and content to remain so are likely headed for the Animal Realm, assuming they aren't there already.

The Human RealmThe Human Realm

• The Human Realm is the only realm of the six from which beings may escape samsara

• Enlightenment is at hand in the Human Realm

• Rebirth into the Human Realm is conditioned by passion, doubt and desire