The Ten Worlds of Existence
07 Nov 2010 5 Comments
in Buddhism, Information, Study, You
One of my follow Soka Gakkai International (SGI) members created really nifty illustrations of The Ten Worlds. I find it to be a good visual tool for helping me memorize the different Worlds. I’m sharing the illustrations here in the hope that they will be useful to other people, too. It is important to note that a person can be in one World in a moment, or in a lifetime. The World reached based on a person’s perspective, spirit, energy and willingness to change for better or worse. It is an ongoing process and existence.
The Ten Worlds are an important feature of the SGI Buddhist theology. As a practicing SGI member, I try to reach the highest Worlds–which consist of Buddhahood, Bodhisattva, Realization and Learning. These four highest Worlds are called The Four Noble Worlds. It a challenge to attain and maintain these Worlds. The most important way to reach them is to build self-determined happiness that is uncontrolled by external influences.
The Six Lower Worlds are described as states of life easily influenced by external forces. The Six Lower Worlds consist of Heaven, Humanity, Anger, Animality, Hunger and Hell.
The Ten Worlds–Four Noble Worlds and Six Lower Worlds–are illustrated here thanks to SGI member David Barile:
The Ten Worlds
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The highest World is, of course, Buddhahood, and the lowest World is Hell. Watch the slide show above with this sequence in mind. I am confident that this emoticon representation of the Ten Worlds will prove to be helpful in your practice.
Myoho,
Michelle Flowers
Nov 09, 2010 @ 08:17:15
Hi Michelle,
My son is David Barile. He just sent me the link to your Blog this morning so I could see how you used his little emoticons to help demonstrate the 10 Levels of Existence according to SGI Buddhism. It is so inspiring to see the spiritual growth David has experience through his practice of SGI Buddhism. I am in awe of the man he has become and the gifts he is offering to the world. Thanks for using his icons to teach others, in a simple way, the basics of the 10 Worlds. I do love your Blog and will subscribe to it. I love your daily (or frequent) sharing of what you are learning and experiencing in your life. Bless you.
Nov 09, 2010 @ 08:47:52
Dear Ms Barile,
It’s so nice to hear from you! Thank you for your thoughtful message. Yes, David is amazing and such a joy to be with. I’ve learned a lot from him as we have been chanting and practicing our faith together. He’s so sweet, and you should be incredibly proud of the man that he has become.
Myoho,
Michelle Flowers
Nov 26, 2011 @ 05:18:46
Hello….
It was a pleasure and a surprise when i found this site.
My name is Gustavo Lillo, I am responsible for the community of Young Men’s Division of BSGI – Sao Paulo.
I just have to say that i love all that i checked here…. congratulations….
make sure that I will point out this website to all my danshibus so they can study and delve into a foreign language.
I hope we can make a intercomunication, even though my knowledge of English is not the best… ahuahauhaa
note my e-mail: glillog@gmail.com
A big hug and lots of good luck.
Lembraças dos Amigos aqui do Brasil….
Dec 01, 2011 @ 21:49:58
Thank you so very much, Gustavo! I really appreciate your thoughtful and kind words of support. All the best to you!