"Existence of a World of
Hell is doubtful, but evil spirits exist in one's soul"
(Nissen Shonin's Instructive Poem)
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Explanation:
Men's soul is possessed with a tendency to act in brutal, cruel
and unjust ways. These souls create sufferings like those of
Hell when in motion. Thus, to debate whether Hell exists or
not is meaningless. |
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The Ten Realms of a Soul:
The Ten Realms in a living being from the standpoint of Shakyamuni
Buddha's teachings are as follows:
By the way, do you believe in Hell? Nine out of ten people say it
is a world of imagination. Believing in it is superstition.
However, Hell exists. Then, where is it located? It exists in one's
soul and not underneath the terra firma. The opposite pole from Hell
is the Land of Tranquil Light. Then again, the Buddhas in the Land
of Tranquil Light are living within one's soul. Buddhism elucidated
that within our soul exists the ten realms; the highest from the World
of Buddha, to the lowest, the World of Hell. They are: l) Hell. 2)
Hungry Spirits. 3) Animals). 4) Asuras. 5) Men. 6) Heavenly beings.
7) Disciples. 8) Self enlightened Buddha. 9) Future Buddha. 1O) Buddhas.
Let's begin with an explanation from the Hungry Spirits (Gaki). The
Chinese Kanji character “Gaki" is written as “Eating"
and “Self". The Hungry Spirit is always hunting for food.
This soul is harbored within ourselves. This hungry spirit is not
just walking around to find food, but is also seeking ways to make
money. No matter how much money one has, they want more. In the course
of attempting to accumulate money, they are not mindful of others.
This type can be considered as people that fall into the realm of
hungry spirit.
Below the Realm of Hungry Spirit is the Realm of Hell. While in the
Realm of Hungry Spirit there is come freedom, but, in the Realm of
Hell there is no escaping from suffering.
In pursuit of financial gains, one may fall into the monetary hell
by borrowing money from a loan company to pay off their debts. Men
paying alimony as result of fickleness are in the realm of fickleness
hell. Other examples of hell are traffic accidents, studying studiously
for an entrance examination into a top—notched school, vying
for success in life, and war. The sources of these existences in this
world are initiated from the soul.
Referring to the hell of war, the people of Nagasaki and Hiroshima
Cities experienced hell from the atom bomb. Presently, there are people
in various parts of the world who are experiencing suffering from
the aftermath of war.
Rebirth in the Six Worlds:
Above the World of Hungry Spirits is the World of Animals. The general
public thinks the World of Animals are dogs, cats or other animals.
But, beasts are merely storing life. For example, if man's rationality
becomes devoid or morality benumbed, it will be exposed to an instinct
similar to that of a beast.
The World of Asuras is a soul of quarrel, envy or antagonism. Men
will usually fall into this realm several times a day by displaying
one of those souls.
The fifth world is the World of Men. It is a soul of confrontation
— coping/dealing with the reality of things.
Above it is the World of Heavenly Beings. It is believed that when
one's soul is excited from pleasures, it will climb into the World
of Heavenly Beings. The sense of elation can be experienced during
an event such as marriage and/or a honeymoon. But, when arguments
prevail they will fall into the World of Asuras.
The Worlds of Hell, Hungry Spirits, and Animals are referred to as
the three lowest states of existences. All existences in this world
will be born, then die, and transmigrate between the six realms (Rokudo
Rinne). We, not only, transmigrate from the past life into the future
life, we also transmigrate within the six worlds on a daily basis.
Thus, Buddhism maintains that the sins and iniquities are created
by the six realms.
The reason why Shakyamuni Buddha's said, “First, look into your
soul carefully" is so we can be cognizant of the despicable and
ugly evils hidden within the Six Realms. One should offer repentance
(confession) of past evil acts before the Gohonzon. The only true
way to enter into the religion of the Lotus Sutra is to offer repentance
(confession) before the Gohonzon for your past evils.
The starting point of religion is to reflect upon the souls of the
six realms and to offer repentance to the Gohonzon. |
