Yes. When I first realized this a few years ago, I was awestruck.
- This is the key message the Buddha sought to convey. In those days, one had to first take his word based on faith.
- But now we have another confirmation via modern science. Colors, tastes, etc., are not real; they are mind-made perceptions, and that is why the Buddha called ‘saññā‘ a mirage.
Without realizing this, all living beings attach to those /mind-made pleasures and engage in akusala kamma.
- That leads to rebirths in the apayas, where most rebirths are. That is the root cuase of suffering!
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The following quote is from the post “Cuti and Marana – Related to Bhava and Jāti.”
8. The series of specific suttas start with the “Manussacutiniraya Sutta (SN 56. 102)” which says, “..those who die as humans (not the physical death, but cuti) and are reborn as humans are few, while those who die as humans and are reborn in hell are many ….”
- Then the following suttas say that those who die as humans and are reborn in the animal and hungry ghost realms are many: “Manussacutitiracchāna Sutta (SN 56. 103),” and “Manussacutipettivisaya Sutta (SN 56. 104).“
- The “Manussacutidevanirayādi Sutta (SN 56. 105)” says those who die as humans and are reborn in Deva realms are few, but born in niraya are many. Then the “Devacutinirayādi Sutta (SN 56. 106)” states, “who die as Devās and are reborn as Devās are few, while those who die as Devās and are reborn in hell, animal realm, or the hungry-ghost realm are many.”
- Note that “Manussacutiniraya Sutta” is “Manussa cuti niraya Sutta” and indicates a human grasping a niraya bhava at the cuti moment. The other suttas have similar names.
- Many such combinations are shown in the rest of the series. It is a good idea to click through the rest of the suttas.
