Difference between revisions of "Gods"
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| − | + | [[Image:Gods.jpg|thumb|350px|Depiction of the gods from a [[thangka]] of the [[Wheel of Life]])] | |
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| + | '''[[Gods]]''' (Skt. ''[[deva]]''; Tib. ''[[lha]]''<ref>The [[Tibetan]] [[word]] ''lha'', in different contexts, can refer either to: | ||
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| + | * [[Gods]], as a class of being, | ||
| + | * [[Wisdom deities]], or even | ||
| + | * [[Helpful spirits]] </ref>) — one of the [[six classes of beings]]. | ||
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| + | These [[divine]] [[samsaric]] states are the fruit of positive [[karma]] generally related to acts of [[generosity]], [[meditative concentration]] or practices of [[asceticism]], but which are still [[tainted]] by [[worldly]] goals. Because the [[life]] of the [[gods]] is free from [[suffering]], the [[idea]] of practising [[Dharma]] never occurs to them, and when the effect of the [[actions]] which sent them there is exhausted, these [[gods]] inevitably fall back into the [[lower realms]] of [[samsara]]. | ||
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| + | [[Sogyal Rinpoche]] writes: | ||
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| + | ::The main feature of the [[realm]] of the [[gods]], is that it is devoid of [[suffering]], a [[realm]] of changeless [[beauty]] and {{Wiki|sensual}} {{Wiki|ecstasy}}. [[Imagine]] the [[gods]]: tall, blond surfers, lounging on beaches and in [[gardens]] flooded by brilliant sunshine, listening to any kind of {{Wiki|music}} they choose, {{Wiki|intoxicated}} by every kind of stimulant, high on [[meditation]], [[yoga]], bodywork, and ways of improving themselves, but never taxing their {{Wiki|brains}}, never confronting any complex or [[painful]] situation, never [[conscious]] of their [[true nature]], and so anesthetized that they are never aware of what their [[condition]] really is.<ref>From ''[[The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying]]'', page 117</ref> | ||
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| + | ==Subdivisions== | ||
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| + | * [[Gods]] of the [[desire realm]] called ''devaputras'' (Skt.) (see [[six heavens of the desire realm]]), | ||
| + | * [[Gods]] of the [[form realm]] and | ||
| + | * [[Gods]] of the [[formless realm]]. | ||
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| + | {{reflist}} | ||
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| + | {{RigpaWiki}} | ||
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| + | [[Category:God]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:13, 3 April 2016
[[Image:Gods.jpg|thumb|350px|Depiction of the gods from a thangka of the Wheel of Life)]
Gods (Skt. deva; Tib. lha[1]) — one of the six classes of beings.
These divine samsaric states are the fruit of positive karma generally related to acts of generosity, meditative concentration or practices of asceticism, but which are still tainted by worldly goals. Because the life of the gods is free from suffering, the idea of practising Dharma never occurs to them, and when the effect of the actions which sent them there is exhausted, these gods inevitably fall back into the lower realms of samsara.
Sogyal Rinpoche writes:
- The main feature of the realm of the gods, is that it is devoid of suffering, a realm of changeless beauty and sensual ecstasy. Imagine the gods: tall, blond surfers, lounging on beaches and in gardens flooded by brilliant sunshine, listening to any kind of music they choose, intoxicated by every kind of stimulant, high on meditation, yoga, bodywork, and ways of improving themselves, but never taxing their brains, never confronting any complex or painful situation, never conscious of their true nature, and so anesthetized that they are never aware of what their condition really is.[2]
Subdivisions
- Gods of the desire realm called devaputras (Skt.) (see six heavens of the desire realm),
- Gods of the form realm and
- Gods of the formless realm.
Footnotes
- ↑ The Tibetan word lha, in different contexts, can refer either to:
- Gods, as a class of being,
- Wisdom deities, or even
- Helpful spirits
- ↑ From The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, page 117
