gnas gtsang ma'i ris

gnas gtsang ma'i ris

These realms and abodes denote the hierarchy of the gods who, in the manner of human beings and antigods, partake of the higher realms (svarga, {mtho ris}) of rebirth, but nonetheless remain trapped within cyclic existence. The gods altogether comprise (i) six god realms within the world system of desire, commencing with Caturmahārājakāyika and Trayastriṃśa, and concluding with Yāma, Tuṣita, Nirmāṇarata, and Paranirmitavaśavartin; (ii) the twelve Brahmā realms, extending from Brahmakāyika through Brahmapurohita, Mahābrahmā, Parīttābha, Apramāṇābha, Ābhāsvara, Parīttaśubha, Apramāṇaśubha, Śubhakṛtsna, Anabhraka, and Puṇyaprasava to Bṛhatphala, which are attained corresponding to lesser, middling, and higher degrees of the four meditative concentrations; and (iii) the five Pure Abodes at the pinnacle of the world system of form, extending from Avṛha, through Atapa, Sudṛśa, and Sudarśana to Akaniṣṭha. See also http://read.84000.co/translation/UT22084-031-002.html#UT22084-031-002-1427 and http://read.84000.co/translation/UT22084-031-002.html#UT22084-031-002-1582. This hierarchy is conveniently illustrated in the form of a chart. See, for example, Dudjom Rinpoche (1991): 14–15.

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