Heaven and Hell in Buddhism

Upvote:1

Some Buddhist scriptures state by doing good you can go to heaven & by doing evil you can go to hell.

Also, if you love the Buddha, you can go to heaven.

'These beings — who were endowed with bad conduct of body, speech & mind, who reviled noble ones, held wrong views and undertook actions under the influence of wrong views — with the break-up of the body, after death, have re-appeared in the plane of deprivation, the bad destination, the lower realms, in hell. But these beings — who were endowed with good conduct of body, speech & mind, who did not revile noble ones, who held right views and undertook actions under the influence of right views — with the break-up of the body, after death, have re-appeared in the good destinations, in the heavenly world.'

Bhaya-bherava Sutta

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  1. The liar goes to hell; also he who, having done (wrong), says, "I did not do it." Men of base actions both, on departing they share the same destiny in the other world.

  2. There are many evil characters and uncontrolled men wearing the saffron robe. These wicked men will be born in hell because of their evil deeds.

  3. It would be better to swallow a red-hot iron ball, blazing like fire, than as an immoral and uncontrolled monk to eat the alms of the people.

  4. Four misfortunes befall the reckless man who consorts with another's wife: acquisition of demerit, disturbed sleep, ill-repute and rebirth in hell.

Nirayavagga: Hell

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  1. Monks, in this Teaching that is so well proclaimed by me & is plain, open, explicit & free of patchwork, those who have simply faith in me, simply love for me, are all destined for heaven.

Alagaddupama Sutta

Upvote:1

There are different realms described but I don't think it needs to be so complicated. The point is that you create your own hell or your own heaven, for example; if you hit your head against a wall on purpose, would you not be in pain? Would this be hell? Another example; if you lie and cheat, people you have hurt may come after you and hurt you, wouldn't this be hell?

Alternative, if you are careful you can avoid hitting your head, wouldn't that be great? And if you don't lie and cheat, then you don't need to worry about people taking revenge, wouldn't not having to worry about anything be heaven?

You create your own reality, even right now in this lifetime.

Upvote:5

Yes, there are 31 realms of existences.

From top to bottom:

  • 4 immaterial realms
  • 16 fine material realms
  • 6 heavens
  • human realm
  • Asura hell
  • ghost hell
  • animal hell
  • Niraya(hells of unimaginable suffering)

Life spans of each realm varies, but there are no ever lasting places of existence. Yes, you will keep being born in these places again and again according to your Karma, every time you die, until you attain Nibbana and end the process.

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