THE CONCEPT OF TEN WORLDS

THE CONCEPT OF TEN WORLDS

   

Ten Worlds are ten potential life conditions which everyone possesses, and through which we all pass from moment to moment. They all have both positive and negative aspects, with the exception of Buddhahood, which is wholly positive.

  

The first six, collectively known as the ‘six lower worlds’, are characterized by the fact that they arise automatically from within our lives in response to external factors in our surroundings.

1. The World of Hell is a condition of suffering, in which one is devoid of freedom and has very little life force (physical as well as mental). One feels totally trapped by one's circumstances, sometimes dominated by frustrated rage and, in extreme cases, the urge to destroy oneself and others.

The positive side is that without the world of Hell, we would never be able to understand happiness, nor identify with anyone else's suffering. Also the desire not to fall into this condition is a powerful incentive for us to make efforts in daily life.

2. The World of Hunger is a condition characterized by an insatiable desire for food, power, wealth, fame, pleasure and so on. In this state one is tormented by relentless craving and the inability to satisfy it, even when the desire is achieved.

Looked at positively though, hunger is the driving force behind most human activities. Put simply, without the desire to do something, nothing would get done.

3. The World of Animality is a condition in which one is governed by instinct, in which one has no sense of morality and lives only for the present moment. In this state one fears the strong and bullies the weak.

The positive aspects of Animality are our intuitive wisdom and the instinct to protect and nurture life - both our own and the lives of those close to us.

Collectively, Hell, Hunger and Animality are called the Three Evil Paths, because if we are dominated by their negative aspects the inevitable result is suffering for ourselves and others.

4. The World of Anger is a condition in which one is dominated by the selfish ego. Competitiveness, arrogance and the need to be superior in all things. Its positive side is passionate energy, a desire for excellence and, above all, a burning abhorrence of injustice.

Together with Hell, Hunger and Animality, Anger is one of the Four Evil Paths.

5. The World of Humanity (or Tranquility) is the basic 'renting' condition of human beings, in which one's energy is re¬charged before one makes more effort. In this calm state one can pass fair judgment, control instinctive desires with reason, and act in harmony with one's surroundings.

On the other hand, this is also the condition of laziness, the refusal to make effort or challenge obstacles. Moreover, it is a very unstable state and one can quickly find oneself in Hell if it is disturbed.

6. The World of Rapture (or Heaven) is the condition of pleasure, experienced when one's desires are fulfilled. Unlike the true happiness of Buddhahood, however, this state is temporary and, like Humanity, easily disrupted by even a slight change of circumstances. Even if things do not change, Rapture simply disappears with the passage of time.

  

The majority of people spend most of their time moving between these six conditions of life, from Hell to Rapture, totally governed by their reactions to external influences and therefore highly vulnerable to changing circumstances.

  

The four higher worlds - the ‘Four Noble Paths’ - are characterized by the face that one needs to make effort to reveal them from within one's life.

  

7. The World of Learning is a condition in which one seeks some skill, lasting truth or self-improvement through the teachings of others.

  

8. The World of Realization (or Absorption) is a state in which one discovers a partial truth through one's own observations, efforts and concentration.

  

The worlds of Learning and Realization are closely related, but have the defect that people in these states can become arrogant and self-centered, looking down on those less gifted and thinking they have nothing more to learn. Also, those dominated by these states find it difficult to admit mistakes and, tending to be narrow specialists, can often fail to see the wood for the trees.

9. The World of Bodhisattva is a condition in which one not only aspires for personal enlightenment but devotes oneself to relieving the sufferings of others through compassionate and altruistic actions. Even this state can have a negative aspect, however the tendency towards self-sacrifice, the neglect or disrespect of one's own life, which can lead to one acting 'compassionately' but merely from a sense of duty and with resentment.

  

10. And Finally, The World of Buddhahood is the highest of the Ten Worlds, a condition of pure, in¬destructible happiness which is not dependent on one's circumstances. It is a condition of perfect and absolute freedom, characterized by boundless wisdom, courage, compassion and life force.

Since each of the Ten Worlds possesses all Ten Worlds, each has the potential to reveal any of the others at any moment. This means that we have the capacity to reveal our Buddhahood  from the first moment we begin to chant, irrespective of our life condition or past experience.

  

Above all, as we continue to practice and make Buddhahood the dominant state of our lives, so it acts as a kind of filter, revealing the positive aspects of the other nine worlds from Hell to Bodhisativa.

In this way, based on the regular, day-by-day practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, our ordinary lives become charged with positive, value-creating activity; and increasingly we are able to transform our environment - our family, circle of friends and work-place - into a vibrant, happy and harmonious one.