Buddhist Education Centre
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhasa

Twenty-one Heavenly Planes

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Buddhist Education Centre
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World Fellowship of Buddhists Regional Centre

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Summary

This is a list and brief description of the 21 heavenly planes of existence. Alternate spellings are included.

Content

Twenty-one Heavenly Planes – Blissful Planes – Realm of Happiness

1. CATUMMAHARAJIKA (CATUMAHARAJIKA)
   : Realm of the Four Great Kings who protect the world.
2. TAVATIMSA
   : Realm of the Thirty-Three Gods. The Sukhavati – Happy Place.
3. YAMA
   : Realm of Yama Gods, the Kingdom of Gods without suffering and pain.
4. TUSITA
   : Realm of satisfied Gods, the Kingdom of Bodhisattva who will come to attain the Enlightenment to become the Buddha in the future.
5. NIMMANARATI
   : Realm of the Gods who rejoice in their own creations.
6. PARANIMMITAVASAVATTI
   : Realm of Gods who lord over the creations of others
7. BRAHMAPARISAJJA
   : Realm of Great Brahmas – Attendants.
8. BRAHMAPAROHITA (BRAHMAPUROHITA)
   : Realm of Great Brahmas Ministers.
9. MAHABRAHMA
   : Realm of Great Brahmas.
10. PARITTABHA
    : Realm of Brahmas with limited lustre.
11. APPAMANABHA
    : Realm of Brahmas with infinite lustre.
12. ABHASSARA
    : Realm of Brahmas with radiant lustre.
13. PARITTASUBHA
    : Realm of Brahmas with limited aura.
14. APPAMANASUBHA
    : Realm of Brahmas with infinite aura.
15. SUBHAKINHA (SUBHAKINNA)
    : Realm of Brahmas with steady aura.
16. VEHAPPALA (VEHAPPHALA)
    : Realm of Brahmas with abundant reward (return of good karma).
17. AVIHA
    : Realm of Brahmas who do not fall from prosperity.
18. ATAPPA
    : Realm of Brahmas who are serene.
19. SUDASSA
    : Realm of Brahmas who are very beautiful.
20. SUDASSI
    : Realm of Brahmas who are clear sighted.
21. AKANITTHA
    : Realm of the highest or supreme Brahmas.

Additional Notes

MANUSSA : Human Realm, Human Kingdom, Human World.

Those who wish to be born in these 21 Heavenly Planes and Human Realm must practice 1 or 10 Perfections (Parami).

One who wishes to attain the Arhat must practice Sila, Samadhi, Panna (Wisdom).

One who wishes to attain Parinibbana must leave everything in this world.