Eighteen heavens in the form realm
eighteen heavens in the form realm (色界十八天), or eighteen Brahma heavens. Gods with pure desires reside in the form realm, in eighteen heavens, classified into four dhyāna heavens (四禪天), or four levels of meditation.
The first dhyāna heaven comprises three heavens:
Brahma Multitude (Brahma-pāriṣadya),
Brahma Minister (Brahma-purohita),
and Great Brahmā (Mahābrahmā).
The second dhyāna heaven comprises three heavens:
Limited Light (Parīttābha),
Infinite Light (Apramāṇābha), and
Pure Radiance (Ābhāsvara).
The third dhyāna heaven comprises three heavens:
Limited Splendor (Parīttaśubha),
Infinite Splendor (Apramāṇaśubha), and
Pervasive Splendor (Śubhakṛtsna).
The fourth dhyāna heaven comprises nine heavens:
Cloudless (Anabhraka),
Merit Arising (Puṇyaprasava),
Massive Fruition (Bṛhatphala),
No Perception (Asaṁjña),
No Vexation (Avṛha),
No Heat (Atapa),
Good Appearance (Sudṛśa),
Good Vision (Sudarśana), Ultimate (Akaniṣṭha).
The top five are the five pure abode heavens (see Three Realms of Existence).
