TARAMURILE FORMEI (RUPA LOKA)
Bṛhatphala worlds
The mental state of the devas of the Bṛhatphala worlds corresponds to the fourth dhyāna, and is characterized by equanimity (upekṣā).
The Bṛhatphala worlds form the upper limit to the destruction of the universe by wind at the end of a mahākalpa (see Temporal cosmology below), that is, they are spared such destruction.
"Unconscious beings" -Asaññasatta (Sanskrit: Asaṃjñasattva) (Vibhajyavāda tradition only) –, devas who have attained a high dhyāna (similar to that of the Formless Realm), and, wishing to avoid the perils of perception, have achieved a state of non-perception in which they endure for a time.
After a while, however, perception arises again and they fall into a lower state.
"Having great fruit" - Bṛhatphala or Vehapphala (Tib: 'bras bu che) – Devas
Their lifespan is 500 mahākalpas (Vibhajyavāda tradition).
Some Anāgāmins are reborn here.
The height of this world is 5,242,880 yojanas above the Earth.
(approximately the distance of Venus from Earth)
The world of the devas who are the "offspring of merit"- Puṇyaprasava (Sarvāstivāda tradition only; Tib: bsod nams skyes) –
The height of this world is 2,621,440 yojanas above the Earth.
The world of the "cloudless" devas - Anabhraka (Sarvāstivāda tradition only; Tib: sprin med).
The height of this world is 1,310,720 yojanas above the Earth.
¦ubhakṛtsna worlds
The mental state of the devas of the ¦ubhakṛtsna worlds corresponds to the third dhyāna, and is characterized by a quiet joy (sukha).
These devas have bodies that radiate a steady light.
The ¦ubhakṛtsna worlds form the upper limit to the destruction of the universe by water at the end of a mahākalpa, that is, the flood of water does not rise high enough to reach them.
The world of devas of "total beauty" - ¦ubhakṛtsna or Subhakiṇṇa / Subhakiṇha (Tib: dge rgyas)
Their lifespan is 64 mahākalpas (some sources: 4 mahākalpas) according to the Vibhajyavāda tradition.
64 mahākalpas is the interval between destructions of the universe by wind, including the ¦ubhakṛtsna worlds.
The height of this world is 655,360 yojanas above the Earth.
The world of devas of "limitless beauty" - Apramāṇa¶ubha or Appamāṇasubha (Tib: tshad med dge)
Their lifespan is 32 mahākalpas (Vibhajyavāda tradition).
They possess "faith, virtue, learning, munificence and wisdom".
The height of this world is 327,680 yojanas above the Earth.
The world of devas of "limited beauty" - Parītta¶ubha or Parittasubha (Tib: dge chung)
Their lifespan is 16 mahākalpas.
The height of this world is 163,840 yojanas above the Earth.
Ābhāsvara worlds
The mental state of the devas of the Ābhāsvara worlds corresponds to the second dhyāna, and is characterized by delight (prīti) as well as joy (sukha);
the Ābhāsvara devas are said to shout aloud in their joy, crying "Oh joy!".
These devas have bodies that emit flashing rays of light like lightning.
They are said to have similar bodies (to each other) but diverse perceptions.
The Ābhāsvara worlds form the upper limit to the destruction of the universe by fire at the end of a mahākalpa, that is, the column of fire does not rise high enough to reach them.
After the destruction of the world, at the beginning of the vivartakalpa, the worlds are first populated by beings reborn from the Ābhāsvara worlds.
The world of devas "possessing splendor" - Ābhāsvara or Ābhassara (Tib: 'od gsal).
The lifespan of the Ābhāsvara devas is 8 mahākalpas (others: 2 mahākalpas).
Eight mahākalpas is the interval between destructions of the universe by water, which includes the Ābhāsvara worlds.
The height of this world is 81,920 yojanas above the Earth.
The world of devas of "limitless light" - Apramāṇābha or Appamāṇābha (Tib: tshad med 'od)
Their lifespan is 4 mahākalpas.
The height of this world is 40,960 yojanas above the Earth.
The world of devas of "limited light"-Parīttābha or Parittābha (Tib: 'od chung).
Their lifespan is 2 mahākalpas.
The height of this world is 20,480 yojanas above the Earth.
Brahmā worlds
The mental state of the devas of the Brahmā worlds corresponds to the first dhyāna, and is characterized by observation (vitarka) and reflection (vicāra) as well as delight (prīti) and joy (sukha).
The Brahmā worlds, together with the other lower worlds of the universe, are destroyed by fire at the end of a mahākalpa (see Temporal cosmology below).
The world of "Great Brahmā", Mahābrahmā (Tib: tshangs pa chen po) believed by many to be the creator of the world, and having as his titles "Brahmā, Great Brahmā, the Conqueror, the Unconquered, the All-Seeing, All-Powerful, the Lord, the Maker and Creator, the Ruler, Appointer and Orderer, Father of All That Have Been and Shall Be.
" According to the Brahmajāla Sutta (DN.1), a Mahābrahmā is a being from the Ābhāsvara worlds who falls into a lower world through exhaustion of his merits and is reborn alone in the Brahma-world;
forgetting his former existence, he imagines himself to have come into existence without cause.
Note that even such a high-ranking deity has no intrinsic knowledge of the worlds above his own.
Mahābrahmā is 1 ½ yojanas tall.
His lifespan variously said to be 1 kalpa (Vibhajyavāda tradition) or 1 ½ kalpas long (Sarvāstivāda tradition), although it would seem that it could be no longer than ¾ of a mahākalpa, i.e., all of the mahākalpa except for the Saṃvartasthāyikalpa, because that is the total length of time between the rebuilding of the lower world and its destruction.
It is unclear what period of time "kalpa" refers to in this case.
The height of this world is 10,240 yojanas above the Earth.
The "Ministers of Brahmā" Brahmapurohita (Tib: tshangs 'khor) are beings, also originally from the Ābhāsvara worlds, that are born as companions to Mahābrahmā after he has spent some time alone.
Since they arise subsequent to his thought of a desire for companions, he believes himself to be their creator, and they likewise believe him to be their creator and lord.
They are 1 yojana in height and their lifespan is variously said to be ½ of a kalpa (Vibhajyavāda tradition) or a whole kalpa (Sarvāstivāda tradition).
If they are later reborn in a lower world, and come to recall some part of their last existence, they teach the doctrine of Brahmā as creator as a revealed truth.
The height of this world is 5,120 yojanas above the Earth.
The "Councilors of Brahmā" - Brahmapāriṣadya or Brahmapārisajja (Tib: tshangs ris) or the devas "belonging to the assembly of Brahmā".
They are also called Brahmakāyika, but this name can be used for any of the inhabitants of the Brahma-worlds.
They are half a yojana in height and their lifespan is variously said to be ⅓ of a kalpa (Vibhajyavāda tradition) or ½ of a kalpa (Sarvāstivāda tradition).
The height of this world is 2,560 yojanas above the Earth.
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