31 planes of existence

Let us go over the 31 planes of existence which can be experienced by everyone during a day if someone is keen and sharp to see that indeed the mind keeps on oscillating among these existence.
It’s time to go into every detail of it and understand what needs to be done in order not to be in apayas

Plane	Realm (Pāli)	Category	Lifespan (Approx.)	Requirement / Cause	Inner Experience	Limitation / Risk
1	Niraya	Hell	Thousands → many kappas	Severe hatred, cruelty	Burning rage, torment	Extreme suffering
2	Tiracchāna	Animal	Many lives	Strong delusion	Instinct life, dullness	No wisdom
3	Peta	Hungry Ghost	100–10,000+ yrs	Greed, miserliness	Endless hunger	Never satisfied
4	Asura	Titan	Millions yrs	Jealousy, pride	Conflict, rivalry	Restlessness
5	Manussa	Human	~100 yrs	Mixed kamma + sīla	Reflection, moral choice	Short life
6	Cātummahārājika	Deva	~9 million yrs	Dāna + sīla	Moral joy	Sensual craving
7	Tāvatimsa	Deva	~36 million yrs	Strong merit	Faith, gratitude	Pride
8	Yāma	Deva	~144 million yrs	Joyful virtue	Stable happiness	Subtle craving
9	Tusita	Deva	~576 million yrs	High morality	Dhamma-joy	Attachment
10	Nimmānarati	Deva	~2.3 billion yrs	Refined merit	Creative joy	Ego
11	Paranimmita	Deva	~9.2 billion yrs	Strong merit	Dependent joy	Dependency

No.	Realm (Pāli)	Category	Lifespan	Basis / Requirement	Inner Experience	Limitation
12	Brahma-pārisajja	Rūpa (1st Jhāna)	1/3 kappa	1st Jhāna	Early absorption, joy	Thinking remains
13	Brahma-purohita	Rūpa (1st Jhāna)	1/2 kappa	Strong 1st Jhāna	Stable bliss	Subtle effort
14	Mahābrahmā	Rūpa (1st Jhāna)	1 kappa	Mastered 1st Jhāna	Full absorption	Pride risk
15	Parittābha	Rūpa (2nd Jhāna)	2 kappas	2nd Jhāna	Inner light, joy	Bliss attachment
16	Appamāṇābha	Rūpa (2nd Jhāna)	4 kappas	Strong 2nd Jhāna	Vast radiance	No insight
17	Ābhassara	Rūpa (2nd Jhāna)	8 kappas	Mastered 2nd Jhāna	Luminous mind	Still conditioned
18	Parittasubha	Rūpa (3rd Jhāna)	16 kappas	3rd Jhāna	Gentle peace	Sukha-clinging
19	Appamāṇasubha	Rūpa (3rd Jhāna)	32 kappas	Strong 3rd Jhāna	Boundless calm	Stagnation
20	Subhakiṇha	Rūpa (3rd Jhāna)	64 kappas	Mastered 3rd Jhāna	Pure tranquility	No paññā
21	Vehapphala	Rūpa (4th Jhāna)	500 kappas	4th Jhāna	Perfect equanimity	Subtle attachment
22	Asaññasatta	Rūpa (Special)	500 kappas	Special samādhi	Non-perception	No liberation
23	Aviha	Pure Abode	1000 kappas	Anāgāmi + 4th Jhāna	Stable renunciation	Still rebirth
24	Atappa	Pure Abode	2000 kappas	Same	Untroubled peace	Subtle becoming
25	Sudassa	Pure Abode	4000 kappas	Same	Refined clarity	Not final
26	Sudassi	Pure Abode	8000 kappas	Same	Clear seeing	Last purification
27	Akanittha	Pure Abode	16000 kappas	Same	Supreme purity	Ends in Nibbāna
28	Ākāsānañcāyatana	Arūpa (1st)	20,000 kappas	Arūpa Jhāna 1	Infinite space	No wisdom
29	Viññāṇañcāyatana	Arūpa (2nd)	40,000 kappas	Arūpa Jhāna 2	Infinite awareness	Subtle self-view
30	Ākiñcaññāyatana	Arūpa (3rd)	60,000 kappas	Arūpa Jhāna 3	Nothingness	Nihilism risk
31	Nevasaññānāsaññāyatana	Arūpa (4th)	84,000 kappas	Arūpa Jhāna 4	Ultra-subtle perception	Highest bondage

📊 Six roots analysis during planes of existence from 6–22 in a day of meditator
Legend:
🔴 = Strongly present
🟠 = Moderate
🟡 = Weak
🟢 = Very weak
⚪ = Absent (during that state)

🌟 KĀMA-DEVA REALMS (6–11)
a. Sensual lobha still present in 6–11
b. Dosa gradually weakens
c. Moha still substantial

No	Realm	Lobha	Dosa	Moha	Alobha	Adosa	Amoha	Mental Mode
6	Cātummahārājika	🟠	🟡	🔴	🟠	🟢	🟡	Moral restraint
7	Tāvatimsa	🟡	🟡	🔴	🟢	🟢	🟡	Joy in merit
8	Yāma	🟡	🟢	🟠	🟢	🟢	🟠	Calm happiness
9	Tusita	🟡	🟢	🟠	🟢	🟢	🟢	Dhamma joy
10	Nimmānarati	🟡	🟢	🟠	🟢	🟢	🟢	Creative merit
11	Paranimmita	🟠 (refined)	🟢	🟠	🟡	🟢	🟡	Refined pleasure

🌼 RŪPA- LOKA (12–22) In Jhāna, sensual lobha and dosa are suppressed or temporarily absent

No	Realm	Sensual Lobha	Dosa	Moha	Alobha	Adosa	Amoha	Mental Mode
12	Brahma-pārisajja	⚪ (suppressed)	⚪	🟠	🟢	⚪	🟢	Initial absorption
13	Brahma-purohita	⚪	⚪	🟠	🟢	⚪	🟢	Stable absorption
14	Mahābrahmā	⚪	⚪	🟡	🟢	⚪	🟢	Full 1st Jhāna
15	Parittābha	⚪	⚪	🟡	🟢	⚪	🟢	Luminous joy
16	Appamāṇābha	⚪	⚪	🟡	🟢	⚪	🟢	Vast radiance
17	Ābhassara	⚪	⚪	🟡	🟢	⚪	🟢	Pure light
18	Parittasubha	⚪	⚪	🟡	🟢	⚪	🟢	Gentle peace
19	Appamāṇasubha	⚪	⚪	🟡	🟢	⚪	🟢	Vast serenity
20	Subhakiṇha	⚪	⚪	🟢	🟢	⚪	🟢	Pure tranquility
21	Vehapphala	⚪	⚪	🟢 (very subtle)	🟢	⚪	🟢	Pure equanimity
22	Asaññasatta	⚪	⚪	🔴 (not removed, only suppressed)	🟢	⚪	🟡	Non-perception state

🌿 SUDDHĀVĀSA (PURE ABODES)

No	Realm	Sensual Lobha	Dosa	Moha	Alobha	Adosa	Amoha	Mental Mode
23	Aviha	⚪	⚪	🟡	🟢	⚪	🟢	Stable renunciation
24	Atappa	⚪	⚪	🟡	🟢	⚪	🟢	Unshakable calm
25	Sudassa	⚪	⚪	🟢	🟢	⚪	🟢	Clear serene wisdom
26	Sudassi	⚪	⚪	🟢 (very subtle)	🟢	⚪	🟢	Near-penetrative insight
27	Akanittha	⚪	⚪	🟢 (extremely subtle)	🟢	⚪	🟢	Final becoming

🌌 ARŪPA-LOKA (FORMLESS REALMS)

No	Realm	Sensual Lobha	Dosa	Moha	Alobha	Adosa	Amoha	Mental Mode
28	Ākāsānañcāyatana	⚪	⚪	🟡	🟢	⚪	🟢	Infinite space
29	Viññāṇañcāyatana	⚪	⚪	🟡	🟢	⚪	🟢	Infinite awareness
30	Ākiñcaññāyatana	⚪	⚪	🟢	🟢	⚪	🟢	Nothingness
31	Nevasaññānāsaññāyatana	⚪	⚪	🟢 (ultra-subtle)	🟢	⚪	🟢	Almost unconscious

Buddhist Metaphors for the Length of a Kappa
Mountain and Silk Cloth:
Imagine a mountain 16 miles (or 7 yojanas) high, wide, and deep. A person brushes it once every 100 years with a silk cloth. The time it would take for the mountain to erode completely is shorter than one kappa.

Mustard Seed Metaphor: Suppose a giant cube is filled with mustard seeds, with each side measuring one yojana (approximately 7 miles). Removing one seed every 100 years, the time it takes to empty the cube is still shorter than one kappa.

Types of Kappas and Their Lengths – The teachings divides time into various types of kappas:
Each phase is immeasurably long, and collectively, a Mahākappa is interpreted as billions or trillions of years.

Antarakappa (Intermediate Kappa):
Refers to shorter periods within the larger cycle, such as the rise and fall of human lifespans, estimated at millions of years.

Mahākappa (Great Kappa): Comprises four distinct phases:
Vivatta-kappa (Period of Expansion): Universe forms and expands.
Vivatta-saññi-kappa (Steady-State Period): Universe exists in stability.
Samvatta-kappa (Period of Contraction): Universe begins to dissolve.
Samvattaṭṭhāyi-kappa (State of Emptiness): The universe remains in a dormant state before the next cycle begins.

A kappa is so vast that it defies precise quantification, with traditional descriptions serving to highlight its immeasurable nature. It emphasizes the impermanence of even the longest-lasting phenomena, urging practitioners to focus on liberation rather than on cosmic timescales.

A being experiences each of these planes everyday in situations and this is how one can visualize
Morning calm → Human
Traffic anger → Hell
Phone addiction → Animal
Shopping desire → Peta
Office politics → Asura
Helping → Deva
Meditation → Brahma
Insight moment → Nibbāna-touch
Let us look at each of these below.

🔴 1. NIRAYA — HELL REALM (Hatred-Dominant Mind)
This is when dosa (hatred) fully possesses the mind. The result is burning, explosive, narrow mindset, violent attacks, suffocating and mind feeling like trapped. thus, dhamma shows itself in this way when dosa or hatred increases. Niraya is experienced when an insult or rage or something that hurt is replayed again and again and mind wants to take revenge against the same.
this robs sleep due to anger, always feeling ‘boiled’ and there is consistent fantasizing of harming someone whom the person hates
Example:
Someone cheated you → whole day ruined → heart burning which is hell experience while being human
Root of this plane is: dosa

🟠 2. TIRACCHĀNA — ANIMAL REALM (Instinct Mind)
Moha when become very evident and strong, take mind to animal realm wherein life starts to become mechanical – eating, sleeping, breeding (sex) and fear, creating a repetitive process. The being just stops reflection and starts only automation and addiction for comfort which includes games, eating, gambling, porn and sex and when get tired, sleep and start all over again.
Example: 3 hours Instagram → no memory → tired → repeat.
Root of this plane is: moha

🟡 3. PETA — HUNGRY GHOST REALM (Craving Mind)
When taṇhā (craving) is developed beyond proportions, one always feel “more” the better and becomes unsatisfied with whatever one has. On another side, when he/she gets it, feels empty, restless and relies on status anxiety and comparing it with others who possess or do not possess. As this is developed one has landed in peta existence being in a human body always seeking or rather hungry for everything be it food, information, entertainment, knowledge etc., and never satisfied. Thus, it seems like a big belly with small throat as an illustration.
Example:
New phone → 2 days happy → dissatisfaction.
Root of this is Lobha or greed

🔵 4. ASURA — TITAN REALM (Ego & Competition)
When pride with delusion starts to pump up, anger kicks in when something as expected does not happen. The fuel for asura or a + sura is conceit “I”m” and nothing else. Everything is related to that self which comes in these forms: I’m best, I’m worse, I’m equal, I’ve everything etc., and when one compares with others, he sees other better placed and that pierces his pride and gets jealous.
This mentality of people are generally argumentative, wants to win over others, can manipulate to any extent in order to take charge of things which drive their constant urge to compete for everything around. Be it office politics, country, sports, spiritual etc., they want to be the elite in that and pride their knowledge or expertise and advertise them again and again. Key feature is “argument addition” that makes them ignite their “I-ness” for everything they want to achieve or accomplish.

Root of this plane is Māna + dosa

✅ Six Deva Planes

Plane	Deva Realm (Pāli)	Dominant Root (Mūla) in daily experience	What it feels like (inner sign)	Typical triggers/examples
6	Cātummahārājika	Adosa + Alobha (goodwill + basic virtue)	Decent, disciplined, protected, “I should do what’s right”	Keeping precepts, honesty, respecting parents/teachers, helping without show, guarding senses
7	Tāvatimsa	Alobha + Saddhā (generosity + faith/devotion)	Uplift, gratitude, rejoicing in merit, inspired joy	Dāna, supporting Saṅgha/teachers, rejoicing in others’ goodness (anumodanā), devotional confidence
8	Yāma	Adosa + Passaddhi (non-ill-will + tranquility)	Stable happiness, no agitation, calm contentment	Forgiving quickly, absence of conflict, steady kindness, quiet satisfied mind (less excitement, more peace)
9	Tusita	Amoha + Saddhā + Alobha (Dhamma clarity + faith + renunciation)	Noble joy, inner uplift linked to meaning/purpose, “Dhamma gladness”	Deep Dhamma reflection, sincere teaching/service, strong resolve for practice, delight in renunciation rather than pleasure
10	Nimmānarati	Amoha + Alobha (skillful wisdom + creative non-greed)	Joy in wholesome creation, constructive energy without craving	Creating Dhamma content, organizing retreat/service, solving problems compassionately, building something beneficial without ego hunger
11	Paranimmita-vasavatti	Lobha (refined) mixed with puñña (worldly deva joy still kāma-based)	Pleasure dependent on external supports; “enjoying what others create”	Enjoying luxury, entertainment, praise/likes, status; happiness rises/falls with external validation (still not dosa-based, but craving-tinted)

🟡 FIRST JHĀNA BRAHMA REALMS (12–14) Root Pattern: Viveka + Pīti + Sukha + Vitakka-Vicāra + Ekaggatā
(Sensua seclusion + joy + happiness + gentle thinking + oneness)

No	Realm	Dominant Roots	Inner Signature	Daily-Life / Meditation Example	Main Limitation
12	Brahma-pārisajja	Viveka + Pīti + Initial Samādhi	Joyful focus with effort	First deep absorption on breath; still “adjusting” attention	Thinking remains
13	Brahma-purohita	Stronger Samādhi + Pīti	Stable joyful absorption	Long sitting with continuous bliss	Subtle effort
14	Mahābrahmā	Full Ekaggatā + Pīti-Sukha	Complete unification	Total immersion, body forgotten	Pride / attachment

🟠 SECOND JHĀNA BRAHMA REALMS (15–17) Root Pattern: Samādhi + Pīti + Sukha + Ekaggatā (No thinking)

No	Realm	Dominant Roots	Inner Signature	Example	Limitation
15	Parittābha	Samādhi + Light Pīti	Soft luminosity	Inner light appears in meditation	Bliss clinging
16	Appamāṇābha	Strong Ekaggatā + Light	Vast radiance	Awareness feels “bright everywhere”	No insight
17	Ābhassara	Perfect Samādhi	Mind-as-light	Effortless luminous absorption	Still saṅkhata

🟢 THIRD JHĀNA BRAHMA REALMS (18–20) Root Pattern: Upekkhā + Sukha + Sati + Ekaggatā
(Joy becomes calm peace)

No	Realm	Dominant Roots	Inner Signature	Example	Limitation
18	Parittasubha	Calm Sukha + Upekkhā	Gentle happiness	Very peaceful sitting	Subtle attachment
19	Appamāṇasubha	Vast Upekkhā-Sukha	Boundless serenity	Wide tranquil awareness	Stagnation
20	Subhakiṇha	Perfect Balance	Pure tranquility	No excitement, no dullness	No paññā

🔵 FOURTH JHĀNA BRAHMA REALMS (21–22) Root Pattern: Upekkhā + Sati-pārisuddhi + Ekaggatā
(Pure equanimity, no feeling tone)

No	Realm	Dominant Roots	Inner Signature	Example	Limitation
21	Vehapphala	Perfect Upekkhā + Sati	Absolute stillness	Mind like clear sky	Subtle attachment
22	Asaññasatta	Perception Suppressed	Blank cessation	Non-perceptive trance	No wisdom

🌿 PURE ABODES (SUDDHĀVĀSA) — ANĀGĀMI REALMS (23–27) Root Pattern: Anāgāmi + Upekkhā + Paññā + Virāga (No sensual desire + wisdom + fading away)

No	Realm	Dominant Roots	Inner Signature	Example	Limitation
23	Aviha	Virāga + Samādhi	Stable renunciation	No pull toward pleasure	Still becoming
24	Atappa	Strong Upekkhā	Untroubled mind	Nothing disturbs	Subtle bhava
25	Sudassa	Paññā + Passaddhi	Beautiful clarity	Insight + calm	Not final
26	Sudassi	Deep Paññā	Clear seeing	Near arahant	Last conditioning
27	Akanittha	Perfect Virāga	Final purity	No further craving	Ends in Nibbāna

Aspect	6–11	12–14	15–17	18–20	21	22
Sensual Lobha	Present	Suppressed	Suppressed	Suppressed	Suppressed	Suppressed
Dosa	Weakening	Suppressed	Suppressed	Suppressed	Suppressed	Suppressed
Moha	Strong	Moderate	Moderate	Weak	Very subtle	Dormant but not destroyed

Pure abodes for anāgami
The five Pure Abodes (Suddhāvāsa) are specific realms within the Rūpadhātu (Form Realm) and are only accessible to Anāgāmis (non-returners)—those who have reached the third stage of enlightenment. These beings have completely eradicated sensual desire (kāma-taṇhā) and will attain full enlightenment (Arahantship) within these realms without being reborn elsewhere.

Here is a detailed explanation of each Pure Abode:
Aviha (Non-Declining Realm) Meaning: “Non-declining” refers to the unwavering stability of beings’ spiritual progress in this realm.
Characteristics: Beings here are steadfast in their journey to enlightenment. and the environment is serene and conducive to meditation and the refinement of insight.
Lifespan: Approximately 1,000 aeons (kalpas).
Significance: This is the lowest of the Pure Abodes, but beings here have transcended all sensual desires and are firmly established in their spiritual attainments.

Atappa (Without Affliction Realm) Meaning: “Without affliction” signifies a realm free from mental and physical suffering.
Characteristics: A realm of pure bliss and complete detachment from worldly concerns. Beings exist in a state of profound inner peace and mental clarity.
Lifespan: Approximately 2,000 aeons (kalpas).
Significance: Beings here refine their equanimity and insight, progressing further toward enlightenment.

Sudassa (Beautiful Realm) Meaning: “Beautiful realm” emphasizes its sublime and radiant nature, reflecting the inner purity of its inhabitants.
Characteristics: This realm is described as aesthetically perfect, symbolizing the refined mental states of its inhabitants. The beings here radiate contentment and serenity.
Lifespan: Approximately 4,000 aeons (kalpas).
Significance: Beings here cultivate the beauty of their meditative absorption and profound insight, steadily approaching the end of the cycle of birth and death.

Sudassi (Clear-Sighted Realm) Meaning: “Clear-sighted” indicates the clarity of vision and insight possessed by the beings here.
Characteristics: The clarity of mind and understanding in this realm surpasses the previous levels. Beings here have near-complete understanding of the Dhamma and their own spiritual path.
Lifespan: Approximately 8,000 aeons (kalpas).
Significance: This realm is very close to the final liberation of Nibbāna. Beings here are profoundly wise and equanimous.

Akanittha (Highest Realm) Meaning: “Peerless” or “supreme” realm, indicating its position as the highest of the Pure Abodes.
Characteristics: This is the pinnacle of existence within the Form Realm, where beings are in their final birth before achieving enlightenment. The environment is perfectly suited for meditation, free from any distractions or hindrances.
Lifespan: Approximately 16,000 aeons (kalpas).
Significance: Beings in this realm are on the verge of attaining Arahantship and full liberation.
This realm represents the culmination of spiritual practice in samsara, as no further rebirth occurs after enlightenment is achieved here.

Key Features of the Pure Abodes
Exclusivity: Only Anāgāmis—those who have eradicated sensual desire—can be reborn in these realms.
Spiritual Refinement: These realms provide ideal conditions for perfecting insight and mindfulness, leading directly to enlightenment.
No Decline: Beings in these realms progress steadily toward Nibbāna without the risk of regression.

Purpose of the Pure Abodes
The Pure Abodes highlight the refinement and transcendence of mental states. They illustrate the Buddhist concept that spiritual progress is gradual and supported by ideal conditions, leading ultimately to the cessation of samsara (Nibbāna).
These realms emphasize the gradual perfection of equanimity, mindfulness, and wisdom until the final attainment of enlightenment.