The Six Realms of Samsara

Samsara is a Sanskrit word for the vicious cycle of existences in which we are caught up. The six realms are the descriptions of Samsara. As sentient beings, we have been wandering throughout the universes, mistaking our true identity and grasping at temporary happiness, and only to find that we are holding onto suffering instead.

 In Tibetan Buddhism, there are many deities which reflect different aspects of our wisdom-qualities: we are not praying for something we don’t already have. The following is part of a prayer to Avalokeshvara/Chenrizig, the Lord of Compassion, asking for blessings that sentient beings may find the pure realm. The mantra Om Mani Peme Hung translates as “emptiness in compassion” – pure, unconditional compassion on an absolute level.

 This activates our own compassion, a quality we naturally have. At death, seeing everyone as the Lord of Compassion will purify our journey! If we prefer to see this as a loving God, so be it.

…From time without beginning, wandering in samsara, beings experience unendurable suffering.
By your blessing may they achieve omniscient Buddhahood.

 Hell realms
From the power of the bad karma accumulated from beginningless time, beings experience, as a result of the force of hatred, the suffering of heat and cold by being born in the hells.
Supreme deity may they be born in your presence.

OM MANl PEME HUNG

Hungry Ghosts
From the power of the bad karma accumulated from beginningless time, beings experience, as a result of the force of miserliness, the suffering of hunger and thirst by being born as a hungry ghost.
May they be born In Potala, the supreme realm.

OM MANl PEME HUNG

Animal realm
From the power of the bad karma accumulated from beginningless time, beings experience, as a result of the force of ignorance, the suffering of stupidity by being born as an animal.
Protector, may they be born in your presence.

OM MANl PEME HUNG

Human realm
From the power of the bad karma accumulated from beginningless time, beings experience, as a result of the force of desire, the suffering of excessive activity and constant frustration by being born as a human.
May they be born In Dewachen, the supreme realm.

OM MANl PEME HUNG

Jealous gods
From the power of the bad karma accumulated from beginningless time, beings experience, as a result of the force of jealousy, the suffering of dispute and quarrel by being born a jealous god.
May they be born in the realm of Potala.

OM MANl PEME HUNG

Gods’ realm
From the power of the bad karma accumulated from beginningless time, beings experience, as a result of the force of pride, the suffering of decline and fall by being born a god.
May they be born in the realm of Potala.

OM MANl PEME HUNG