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PLANES OF LIFE DURING MUNDANE EXISTENCE
I. Apāya Bhūmi-Plane of Apāyabhūmi i. e. the plane of Misery. The entire cosmic system with its fourfold division of bhumis or layers should be viewed carefully as yonis in the light of karma and its fructification.
Lower down in the system there is the so-called zone of darkness and suffering (Apāyabhumi) consisting of four layers. The hells eight in number are at the bottom (Niraya). Above the hells, a series of layers from the plane of ghosts' world (Preta) through the world of tiryak (f) animal kingdom upto the region of the Asuras (Demons).1
II. Kamasugati-(The world of desires).
The next higher layer begins with its habitation of man (Manuşyaloka) on earth as it is really understood, consisting of seven divisions ( dvipa or varṣas). Mānuṣyalokas are four in number e. g. Jambu (g), Pūrvavideha (qafa) Avaragodamiyā ( अवरगोदमिया ) and Uttarakuru ( उत्तरकुरु ).
Above the human habitation are regions of different species of gods namely caturmahārājika (ag), Trayastrimśaka, Jama and Tuṣita, Nirmāņarati and Paranirmitavaśavarti.
These regions are dominated by karma or earthly desires and yet they are blissful (Kāmasugati). Usually these regions are called heavens.2
III. RŪPADHĀTU (Seventeen Places)
Planes of forms-There are sixteen grades in this plane.
Above the kamasugati, heavens are the heavens of the higher gods known a Rupadhātu ( 9 ). These heavens are arranged one above the other in order of the purity of dhyāna. Each plane is based upon a particular form of Rūpadhyāna (4)
1. These are the four well-known lokapalas namely viruḍaka, Virupakṣa Dhṛtarastra and Vaisravana. These include the devas also. Vide Sphutarthabhidharmakośavyäkhya III.
2. Abhidhammattha Samgha V. 3.
