Post on “31 Realms of Existence”

  • This topic has 8 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 5 years ago by Lal.
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    • #25949
      Tobias G
      Participant

      31 Realms of Existence

      In the table above the sugathi realms have as “cause of birth” 8 kusala kamma. I think that should be 8 punna kamma. But my question is, which 8 (punna) kamma? Is it the BIG EIGHT: avoiding of killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, gossiping, slandering, harsh speech and getting “drunk”?

    • #25958
      Lal
      Keymaster

      You are quite right, Tobias. I just revised that post and added new note 1.

      The answer to your question is in the post (specificall # 11 there) referred to in Note 1. That post is:
      Kamma, Saṅkhāra, and Abhisaṅkhāra.”

      Please feel free to ask more questions if not clear.

      Also, the forum software still has some bugs and they are working on it. You are likely to get a message saying, “This topic is pending moderation” when you submit a comment.
      – I have to manually update the topic for it to show up. I try to refresh the forum page every few hours to catch them.
      – If you like you can send me an email ([email protected]) and I can get it to quicker that way. If you do not see your comment published within a day, please do send an email to me.

    • #25965
      Tobias G
      Participant

      I still search for the 8. Which 8?

    • #25967
      Tobias G
      Participant

      What is the cause for birth in the asanna realm?

    • #25969
      Lal
      Keymaster

      It is the “asanna bhavana.” In simple terms that means one removes ALL arammana (or thoughts about ANYTHING) that come to the mind.
      – I know of some people who engage in this type of meditation.

      If properly cultivated, this kind of meditation will lead to memory loss. Since one is trying to remove all thoughts, all memories are lost too, after some time.
      – The Buddha taught NOT to remove all thoughts, just the “bad thoughts.’
      – One NEEDS to cultivate “good thoughts.” That is the correct Anapanasati meditation.

      I discuss this in the post, “Myths about Meditation
      – See, #3 there.

    • #25973
      sybe07
      Spectator

      Hi Lal,

      in which sense does that bad meditation you describe differ from sannavedayitanirodha?

    • #25975
      Lal
      Keymaster

      Siebe asked: “in which sense does that bad meditation you describe differ from sannavedayitanirodha?”

      There is a HUGE difference between “saññā nirodha” that I described above and “saññāvedayita nirodha” that can be experienced ONLY by an Arahant who has cultivated ALL jhanas too.
      P.S. To get to saññāvedayita nirodha” an Arahant has to systematically go up through all the jhanas, and then get to saññāvedayita nirodha.” That is, in essence, the full experience of Nibbana. He/she can stay in that state for up to seven days.
      P.P.S In other words, in “saññā nirodha” thoughts arise without much of past memories. In saññāvedayita nirodha” thoughts DO NOT arise (like in full Nibbana after the death of an Arahant.)

      See (starting from #12) in the post, “Nirōdha Samāpatti, Phala Samāpatti, Jhāna, and Jhāna Samāpatti

    • #26032
      cubibobi
      Participant

      Lal said: “In other words, in “saññā nirodha” thoughts arise without much of past memories….”

      Is this similar to Alzheimer’s / dementia?

      I’m in a position to be in contact with elderly people with this condition. They exhibit: (1) almost no short term memory, (2) not able to keep track of date/time, and (3) thoughts that arise seem disjointed from one another.

      This seems uncannily similar to saññā nirodha. If anyone has insights into communicating with those with Alzheimer’s / dementia, please share.

      Metta

    • #26033
      Lal
      Keymaster

      Hello cubibobi:

      No. Patients with Alzheimer’s / dementia lose memories because their brains have defects. Their brain scans likely reveal that parts of their brains have been damaged or not functioning properly.
      – If you have information on this (brain scans of such patients), please share.

      Both “saññā nirodha” and “saññāvedayita nirodha” take place in people with properly functioning brains.

      One gets to “saññā nirodha” by doing a version of anariya meditation where one discards ALL thoughts that come to the mind.

      On the other hand, only an Arahant can get to “saññāvedayita nirodha” which is the experience of FULL Nibbana in this life.
      – The correct Anapanasati meditation of DISCARDING immoral thoughts and CULTIVATING moral thoughts (and eventually kusala thoughts) lead to the Arahanthood.
      – Moral thoughts BECOME kusala thoughts when one comprehends the futility of existence in any of the 31 realms and, in general, the dangers of the rebirth process.
      Understanding that last part, happens at the Sotapanna stage. Implementation of that will be complete only at the Arahanthood.

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