One of the 40 objects of meditation given by the Buddha = Recollection of the Devas.
Ajahn Punnadhammo noticed a parallelism between the first seven heavenly realms and the seven chakras of the body. He felt this made sense as many spiritual traditions (including Chinese medicine which is based on Daoism) see our bodies as a microcosm of the macrocosm: "as above, so below".
Ajahn Punnadhammo - arrowriver.ca
The heavenly realms are abodes, places of abiding, into which one can be reborn. They also represent levels of consciousness. We simultaneously exist in all these levels of consciousness, but may not have awareness of this. Our meditation practice helps open up our awareness to the higher levels.
The meditation Ajahn Punnadhammo has developed is an accessible way to do the Recollection of the Devas.
His guided meditations and Dhamma talks on this subject are found at:
- go to Dhamma
- 2020: Feb 24
- 2019: Nov 3
For Ajahn's book on "The Buddhist Cosmos" go to arrowriver.ca
- to to Dhamma
- Cosmology Book
The 31 Abodes
World of Sense-Desires
1. Hells
2. The asuras (titans)
3. The world of hungry ghosts
4. The animal world
5. The Human World
(Heavenly Realms)
6. Realm of the Four Great Kings Root Chakra (four petaled lotus)
Catumaharajika realm Earth element
Place of Guardianship
Half way up Mount Sineru
Protectors of the World Survival, safety, security,
Protect us from defilements groundedness
Thunderbirds, dragons, gnomes, ogres (Supanas, Nagas, Kumbhandas, Yakkhas and Gandhabbas): these creatures are the army of the four kings.
7. World of The Thirty-Three Gods Sexual Chakra (6 petaled lotus)
Tavatimsa Heaven the 6 senses
Place of Delight
Top of Mount Sineru
Sakka is the chief
Beauty, place of all sensual delights
8. Yama Heaven Navel Chakra (10 petaled lotus)
not connected to earth seat of emotions: when open,
no strife healthy and energized = oceanic
Place of Contentment and Bliss bliss
9. Tusita Heaven Heart Chakra (12 petaled lotus)
home of the next Buddha: seat of brahmaviharas especially
Maitrea (compassion) compassion
Place of Compassion
10. Devas Delighting in Creation Throat Chakra (16 petaled lotus)
Nimmanarati deva place of speech
whatever they wish, they can manifest seat of creation, expression
Place of Creation
11. Devas Wielding Power over Others' Third Eye Chakra (2 petaled lotus)
Creations seat of the will, power, intellect
Vasavatti deva The 2 petals refer to the two rulers
Ruler: Vasavatti of this heaven.....we can turn our
Rival: Mara, the tempter will to good or to ill.
Place of Will and Power
The Brahma Worlds
12. Brahmakayika Brahmas
Place of Illumination Crown Chakra (1,000 petaled feed on bliss lotus)
no gender, luminous
Lord: Maha Brahma
1st jhana
13. Abhassara Brahmas
2nd jhana
"Oh the bliss"
more luminous but flickers
14. Subhakinha Brahmas
wrapped in profound bliss
3rd jhana
no sound, rejoice in silence
15. Vehapphala Brahmas
dwell in equanimity: profound peace beyond bliss
4th jhana
+ 16 more heavenly realms