Brahma realm !
http://www.hinduwebsite.com/buddhism/essays/buddha_universe.asp
Most Pusa or Bodhisattvas are supposed to be residing in
the Tusita Realms.
should be the same or equivalent to Pure Land or Dewachen
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http://en.dou.us/view_content.php?s_id=100&page=10 Keyword
Search All Books GL 102 The Hereafter Preface - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW OF
THE HEREAFTER - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - CHAPTER 2 THE UNFORTUNATE REALMS - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CHAPTER 3 THE HUMAN
REALM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - CHAPTER 4 THE CELESTIAL REALM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CHAPTER 5 THE FORM BRAHMA REALM - -
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CHAPTER 6 THE NON-FORM BRAHMA REALM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CHAPTER 7 THE LOKUTTARA REALM - -
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CHAPTER 8 NIBBANA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - CHAPTER 4 THE CELESTIAL REALM 4.5 The Tusita Realm
The Tusita Realm is the fourth celestial realm of the Sense Sphere
belonging to the States of Happiness. Every aspect of this
celestial realm such as physical appearance, position, sovereignty,
sound, sight, and scent is more refined and elaborate than those in
the first three celestial realms. This celestial realm is
extraordinary in that it is the dwelling of a vast number of
confirmed and unconfirmed Bodhisattas, who will one day in the far
future become enlightened as a Buddha. It is also the dwelling of
individuals that will in the far future become a Buddha’s Perfected
Disciple. This celestial realm is highly interesting and its
details are given in the Tripitaka. 4.5.1 The Meaning of ‘Tusita’
The word ‘Tusita’ means being devoid of anxiety, being filled with
pleasure and cheerful joy. Therefore, the Tusita Realm means the
dwelling of celestial beings that are devoid of anxiety and filled
with pleasure and cheerful joy. 4.5.2 Location and Characteristics
of the Tusita Realm The Tusita Realm is very vast. It is governed
by King Santusita, who has already attained the first stage of
holiness as a Stream-Winner. This realm is the dwelling of a great
number of Bodhisattas. It is located at a distance of about 670,000
kilometers above the Yama Realm. There is no sunlight or moonlight
in this realm. Therefore, there is no shadow. There are no dark
corners anywhere because of the radiances of all things that exist
there as well as those of its inhabitants. Brightness comes from
the radiances of celestial beings, celestial castles, gardens,
parks, ponds, and the surroundings. It has no need for sunlight.
The Tusita Realm is not a round sphere like the earth but it is
more like a round disk. Looking up from the Yama Realm, one can see
a soothing brightness emanating from the realm. Looking down from
the Tusita Realm, one can see the Yama Realm. Looking up from the
Tusita Realm, one can also see a soothing brightness emanating from
the Nimmanarati Realm. Looking down from the Tusita Realm, the
Tavatimsa Realm appears very small by comparison, since the Tusita
Realm is very vast. Next the student will learn about the structure
of the Tusita Realm. It has as its center the celestial castle of
King Santusita. The realm is then divided into four circular
domains as follows: The first circular domain surrounds the center
of the realm and is the dwelling of holy individuals such as the
Stream-Winners, and the Once-Returners. The second circular domain
surrounds the first circular domain and forms a huge ring around
it. It is the dwelling of the confirmed Bodhisattas. That is, they
have been confirmed by a previous Buddha that they will one day far
into the future definitely become enlightened as a Buddha. The
third circular domain forms a ring around the second domain. It is
the dwelling of the unconfirmed Bodhisattas. That is, their future
enlightenment as a Buddha has not yet been confirmed by a previous
Buddha. They still have to pursue their perfections for countless
more existences. The fourth circular domain forms the outer ring of
the Tusita Realm. It is the dwelling of individuals that have
amassed a vast amount of merit during their human existence. Within
these four vast circular domains there are numerous celestial
communities. Each celestial community is made up of celestial
estates owned by celestial beings of similar amount of merit. a)
Characteristics of Celestial Castles in the Tusita Realm A human
being’s home is used to shelter him from the heat, the rain, the
sun, and the wind. Likewise, a celestial being’s home is the
celestial estate, which contains the celestial castle. Celestial
castles come in different sizes depending on the owner’s level of
merit. There is mentioned in the Tripitaka celestial castles that
are 480 kilometers high, 1,920 kilometers high, etc. There are
three main types of celestial castles in this celestial realm:
crystal (diamond), silver, and gold. They are arranged around King
Santusita’s castle in a beautiful and orderly fashion. They look
like waves spreading from the center. Celestial castles that are
the closest to the king’s castle will have extremely bright
radiances and are the most magnificent. In terms of the
magnificence and grandeur of celestial castles, there are
gradations in descending order based on the distances from the
center such that the least bright and magnificent castles are at
the outer perimeter. All celestial possessions and position depend
on the level of each celestial being’s accumulated merit. Celestial
castles float in the air in loose clusters according to the merit
level of the owners. Some clusters are large, some are small. The
estates may look as though they adjoin one another but they
actually are not. They are however separated by empty spaces. In
the Celestial Realm there are no mountains, seas, and oceans that
belong to the general public. There are only private estates.
Within the estate, there are beautiful trees. Celestial trees are
not as crude as the trees on earth. Mountains are made of gold or
precious gems, and the ground is made of gold that feels soft to
the touch and not slippery. Each celestial estate is complete in
itself like an entire city. Its owner is like its king or queen
with complete sovereignty. That is, the owner is free to govern his
/her own castle as he/she pleases. The master/mistress of the
estate is waited on by his/her retinue of attendants. Each
attendant has a specific duty. If the estate owner possesses a vast
amount of merit, he will have a retinue of attendants numbering in
the hundreds of thousands, one million, or ten millions. Each
estate is like a personal statement that publicizes the owner’s
social standing. It is also used for various social activities.
Celestial beings have different modes of transportation. They may
travel by a celestial vehicle or by a celestial animal. They may
travel on their own or with their attendants. When a higher-ranking
celestial being’s vehicle is passing by, vehicles of lower-ranking
celestial beings must yield to it. Celestial vehicles or celestial
animals only travel through the spaces in between celestial estates
and never directly above them. This is a display of common
courtesy. Besides the usual celestial activities of socializing,
visiting the parks and other forms of entertainment, celestial
beings of this celestial realm are engaged in the distinguished
activities of conversing about and listening to the Dhamma. The
reason is celestial beings of the Tusita Realm do not live their
lives recklessly. They are all sages and look forward to their
future accumulation of merit on earth. They are doing everything
they can for the purpose of being able to eventually rid themselves
of all defilements. b) The Structure of Celestial Castles Each
castle arises and awaits the rebirth of its owner. The structure of
each castle is a result of how merit has been amassed through such
wholesome deeds as alms-giving, Precepts observing, and meditation
practice. These deeds of merit provide the structure of each castle
in three main parts as follows: Part 1: This is the ground part and
is formed by the merit of alms-giving. It does not consist of just
one floor but it has many floors, one on top of another. The
distance between floors is very great, and has a rectangular shape.
If the alms-giving involves contributions made toward the building
of a consecrated assembly hall, a shrine hall, a preaching hall, or
a Cetiya, this part will be huge. Part 2: This is the middle part
and is formed by the merit of Precepts observing. Its size is
smaller than the first part. It is round and consists of many
floors, one on top of another. Part 3: This is the top part of the
castle. It is formed by the merit of meditation practice. It is
round and consists of many floors. There is a wall surrounding the
rectangular path that exists between the floors. If the merit of
alms-giving is great, the first part will be huge. If the merit of
Precepts observing is great, the second part will be huge. If the
merit of meditation practice is great, the third part will be huge.
The structure and appearance of the castle depends on the types of
merit accumulated during its owner’s human existence. 4.5.3 The
Birth and Consumption of Sensual Pleasures of Celestial Beings in
the Tusita Realm Rebirth in the Tusita Realm occurs via the
Oppapatika mode or Spontaneous Rising. The new arrival assumes the
form of a lady or gentleman celestial being instantly. A gentleman
celestial being will be between 18-20 years old and a lady
celestial being will be between 16-18 years old. Celestial wealth
in this realm is more refined and more elaborate that that in the
Yama Realm. The new arrival will be welcomed by the celestial
official in the district of his domicile as well as other celestial
neighbors depending on the level of the new arrival’s accumulated
merit. The celestial official will greet the newcomer at his/her
celestial castle. He will then inform him/her of all the celestial
activities that he/she must attend. There is a meeting to listen to
the Dhamma on Buddhist Holy Days, etc. Celestial beings of this
celestial realm have glorious good looks. They are all noble-minded
Buddhists. They have a very good understanding about merit and sin,
and the Dhamma. They are interested in keeping the company of the
learned and the wise. They are pleased to practice the Dhamma
because they have been staunch merit-makers. There are Bodhisattas
that are well-versed in the Dhamma. They take turn giving a sermon
to the masses. Although celestial beings in this realm enjoy
celestial wealth that is far more refined and elaborate than that
in the first three celestial realms, they do not live their lives
recklessly. Everyday there are discourses on the Dhamma attended by
many celestial beings. The reason is King Santusita is a very
virtuous individual. He is learnt and well-versed in the Dhamma and
enjoys listening to and preaching the Dhamma. King Santusita
regularly invites high-ranking celestial beings that possess great
Dhamma wisdom to give a sermon at the assembly hall. No sexual
intercourse occurs in this celestial realm. Romantic partners are
content to give each other warm embraces like those given between
friends. The reason is celestial possessions in this realm are so
refined and elaborate that they remove all interest in sexual
intercourse from the inhabitants. There is no pregnancy, no birth
from the womb, no birth from the egg, and no birth from moisture in
this celestial realm. There is only one birth mode, which is
‘Oppapatika’, just like it is in the Tavimsa and Yama Realms. 4.5.4
The Lifespan of Celestial Beings in the Tusita Realm The lifespan
of celestial beings in this celestial realm is given in the
‘Vitathata Sutta’. One day and night in this celestial realm is
equal to 400 earth years. There are 30 celestial nights in one
celestial month and there are 12 celestial months in one celestial
year. The average lifespan of celestial beings in the Tusita Realm
is 4,000 celestial years, which is equal to 576 million earth
years. Their lifespan is eight times longer than that of celestial
beings in the Catummaharajika Realm. Their lifespan is eight times
longer than that of celestial beings in the Catummaharajika Realm.
4.5.5 The Reasons the Tusita Realm is the Center of Knowers As
mentioned earlier, the Tusita Realm is extraordinary compared to
other celestial realms. What makes it extraordinary is the fact
that it is the dwelling of the confirmed Bodhisattas that will
become enlightened as a Buddha one day far in the future. It is
also the dwelling of celestial beings that have been accumulating
merit for the purpose of one day becoming the disciples of a
Buddha. One may ask why these Bodhisattas and all the learned sages
desire to be reborn in the Tusita Realm in spite of the fact that
the level of their accumulated merit makes it possible for them to
choose to be reborn in any celestial realm. There are at least
three reasons for their preference. 1. The average lifespan in the
Tusita Realm is neither too long nor too short. It is just right.
If it is too long, it will cause these wise individuals to have to
wait too long to be reborn as a human being for the purpose of
accumulating more merit. 2. In this realm, the Bodhisattas can
cease to be whenever they wish. In general, celestial beings cease
to be for different reasons. It may be that their merit has been
used up. It may be that it is the end of their lifespan. It may be
caused by their anger. But the Bodhisattas can choose to cease to
be from the Tusita Realm to be reborn in the Human Realm for the
express purpose of accumulating more merit or to become enlightened
as a Buddha. All they have to do is to go into a meditative state
and wish for a rebirth. This special privilege is above the law of
nature. 3. It is the place where Dhamma discussions among the
virtuous sages take place. This celestial realm is populated with
sages and the Bodhisattas. They are like-minded in that they have
been working their ways toward enlightenment for countless
lifetimes. When they come together in a celestial assembly, Dhamma
conversations bring them delight and pleasure. The student can by
now appreciate why the Bodhisattas gather in the Tusita Realm, a
realm more extraordinary than any other celestial realms.
That is Thai Buddhism that I heard about it , nothing to do with
hindism.