Deva settling on earth
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1) is the story on nui lang and zi nu real story or a folklore? that zi nu came down to earth and married nui lang and have kids thereafter? 2) if there are any evil ghost or demon wreaking havoc on earth, will any devas, pusa or monks intervene?
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no sure. but i've heard of 2 fox spirits transforming as human, and who later became the disciples of a Tibetan Master.
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Originally posted by sinweiy:
no sure. but i've heard of 2 fox spirits transforming as human, and who later became the disciples of a Tibetan Master.
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where u heard? is it in Singapore or in china or taiwan? -
can't recall...either Tibet or China.
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Originally posted by sinweiy:
no sure. but i've heard of 2 fox spirits transforming as human, and who later became the disciples of a Tibetan Master.
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fox spirits is it under demons? cant be ghosts rite? or are they from asura realm? -
so we are so called descendants of the deva, aka the light sound heaven realm from the 33 heavenly realm. I suppose that can be evolution, from a devas to a human being.
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Animal spirits are ghosts.
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Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
Animal spirits are ghosts.
animal spirits are ghosts? hmm. you mean animal ghosts? but how can they be transformed into humans? you need to be reborn as a human to be a human. -
there are other supernatural creatures as well. sometimes, u read them at the beginning or end of a sutra. Shurangama even mentioned of so called 'immortal'.
Eight Kinds of Supernatural Beings
In addition to the geography of the Mt. Sumeru world system and the six worlds which compose it, one should know something about the population. In addition to human beings and animals, there are many kinds of gods, demons, and other supernatural creatures. The major ones are included in the group called the eight kinds of supernatural beings who protect and revere the Dharma. These are:
1. Devas or gods: This category includes all those who live in the heavenly realms, from the celestial courtiers, the apsaras, to the Four Heavenly Kings, Indra, Brahma, and all the other devas, or shining ones. The major devas and groups of devas who inhabit the heavenly realms are:
Apsaras: These are the attendants, retainers, entertainers, and celestial nymphs who populate the heavenly palaces.
The Four Heavenly Kings: These are the guardians who defend the world and the four sides of Mt. Sumeru from the fighting demons. They are: Vaishravana - Heavenly King of the North; Dhritarashtra - Heavenly King of the East; Virudhaka - Heavenly King of the South; and Virupaksha - Heavenly King of the West. They dwell in the Heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings, and from there command their armies under the direction of Indra.
The Thirty-three Gods of the Heaven of the Thirty-three: According to the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (cited in The Myths and Gods of India by Alain Danielou) there are thirty-three gods and these consist of their ruler, Indra; the lord of creation, Prajapati; the eight spheres-of-existence, the Vasus; the eleven divinities-of-life, the Rudras; and the twelve sovereign-principles, the Adityas.
The Vasus rule the elements of the earthly realm. Their name means "dwellings" because they rule the dwelling places of all that exists. Danielou lists them as follows:
"The eight Vasus include the earthly-sphere (prthiva) and the fiery energy which dwells in it, Agni; the sphere-of-space (antariksa) and the fiery energy which dwells in it, Vayu, the Wind; the heavenly-sphere (dyaus) and the fiery energy which dwells in it, the Sun (Surya); then comes the sphere-of-constellations (naksatra) and the gentle energy which dwells in it, the Moon or Offering (Soma). " (The Myths and Gods of India, pp. 85-86)
The Rudras rule the life-forces and their dynamism keeps the world in motion and change. Their name means "howlers" and they are called this because of the suffering that is caused when the life forces withdraw upon death. They are fearsome warlike deities and are aspects of the god Shiva. According to the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, there are ten Rudras corresponding to the ten life-forces of human beings and an eleventh corresponding to the self or atman. Danielou states: "Eight of the Rudras are equivalents to eight of the auspicious manifestations of Siva (asta-murti); the others represent the fearful forms of fire. The first can be propitiated through worship; man should keep aloof from the others." (Ibid, p.103). The eleven could also possibly be the five deities who are the components of Siva, the five deities who are the five faces of Siva, and the self.
The Adityas rule the intellect and the celestial sphere. They are the sons of Aditi, the Primordial-Vastness. Danielou lists them as: "The twelve-sovereign principles are generally given as Mitra (solidarity), Varuna (fate), Aryaman (chivalry), Daksa (ritual skill), Bhaga (the inherited share), Amsa (the god's given share), Tvastr (craftsmanship), Savitr (the magic power of words), Pusan (prosperity), Sakra (courage), Vivasvat (social laws), and Visnu (cosmic law)." (Ibid, p. 115)
Yama: The first human being to have passed away was Yama, and he then became the first ancestor and eventually the ruler and judge of the dead. Though he presides over the worlds of the hells and hungry ghosts, his palace is in the Heaven of Time.
Mara: The "murderer" who rules over the realm of desire from the Heaven of Free Enjoyment of Transformation by Others, the sixth and highest heaven of the realm of desire.
Maha Brahma: The Great Brahma who dwells in the Maha Brahma Heaven dwells in the realm of form and transcends the realm of desire and the machinations of Mara, but there is still a subtle (or perhaps not so subtle) egotism which keeps him bound to the six worlds of rebirth. The Great Brahma believes himself to be the omnipotent creator of the world.
Ishvara: The Freedom God who dwells in the Highest Heaven. Sometimes he is called Maheshvara, the Great Freedom God. He is the highest and most sublime of the devas.
2. Ashuras or fighting demons: These are the anti-gods who fight against the devas out of pride and envy.
3. Nagas or dragons: These are the serpents or dragons who live in the ocean and rule over the rain, rivers, and tides. They also guard the hidden treasures of the world. They are classified as supernatural animals.
4. Gandharvas: These are the court musicians of the heavenly realms. They are classified as supernatural animals.
5. Kimnaras: These are court singers and dancers. The men are said to have horse heads and sing, while the women are fully human in form and dance. Kimnaras are also portrayed as birds with human heads and torsos. They are classified as supernatural animals.
6. Garudas: These are either giant birds who hunt and eat the nagas, or they are humanoids with wings and the heads of birds. They often serve as mounts for the devas. They are classified as supernatural animals.
7. Mahoragas: These are also celestial musicians. They are either giant snakes or humanoids with the heads of snakes. They are classified as supernatural animals.
8. Yakshas: The Yakshas are the spirits of the forests, fields, villages, and towns. They are also serve as the armed forces of the Heavenly King Vaishravana. This last type of supernatural being is actually part of a much larger category, the rakshasas, who are themselves a powerful type of hungry ghost. The Matrix and Diamond World Mandalas in Shingon Buddhism states: "The sutras of both exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism describe three types of Raksasas: firstly, the demons who belong to the company of Yaksas; secondly, the unbelievers, who are the enemies of the gods; and thirdly, those who haunt cemetaries at night and hinder the offerings of the sacrifice, the evil demons who raised up corpses and capture and eat men." (p. 492)
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Shurangama even mentioned of so called 'immortal'.
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/Shurangama/ps.ss.02.v7.020526.screen.pdf
“Furthermore, Ananda, there are people who do not rely on proper enlightenment to cultivate samadhi, but cultivate in some special way that is based on their false thinking. Holding to the idea of perpetuating their physical bodies, they roam in the mountains and forests in places people do not go and become ten kinds of immortals.
“Ananda, some living beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong with doses of medicine. When they have perfected this method of ingestion, they are known as earth-traveling immortals.
“Some of these beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through the use of grasses and herbs. When they have perfected this method of taking herbs, they are known as flying immortals.
“Some of these beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through movement and cessation. When they have perfected their breath and essence, they are known as space-traveling immortals.
“Some beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong by using the flow of saliva. When they have perfected the virtues of this moisture, they are known as heaven-traveling immortals.
“Some beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong with the essence of sun and moon. When they have perfected the inhalation of this purity, they are known as immortals of penetrating conduct.
“Some beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through mantras and prohibitions. When they have perfected these spells and dharmas, they are known as immortals with Way-conduct.
“Some beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through the use of thought-processes. When they have perfected thought and memory, they are known as immortals with illumining conduct.
“Some beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through intercourse. When they have perfected the response, they are known as immortals with essential conduct.
“Some beings with unflagging resolution make themselves strong through transformations and changes. When they have perfected their awakening, they are known as immortals of absolute conduct.
“Ananda, these are all people who smelt their minds but do not cultivate proper enlightenment. They obtain some special principle of life and can live for thousands or tens of thousands of years. They retire deep into the mountains or onto islands in the sea and cut themselves off from the human realm. However, they are still part of the turning wheel, because they flow and turn according to their false thinking and do not cultivate samadhi. When their reward is finished, they must still return and enter the various destinies.
so perhaps they or ''妖精'' are part of human realm who practice some unknown ways. and i think immortal does not mean live forever, maybe live very very long time but still can 'die' by accident.
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where is Mount Sumeru? not in this world rite? only those who are enlightened can see Mount Sumeru?
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Originally posted by sinweiy:
there are other supernatural creatures as well. sometimes, u read them at the beginning or end of a sutra. Shurangama even mentioned of so called 'immortal'.
The Rudras rule the life-forces and their dynamism keeps the world in motion and change. Their name means "howlers" and they are called this because of the suffering that is caused when the life forces withdraw upon death. They are fearsome warlike deities and are aspects of the god Shiva. According to the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, there are ten Rudras corresponding to the ten life-forces of human beings and an eleventh corresponding to the self or atman. Danielou states: "Eight of the Rudras are equivalents to eight of the auspicious manifestations of Siva (asta-murti); the others represent the fearful forms of fire. The first can be propitiated through worship; man should keep aloof from the others." (Ibid, p.103). The eleven could also possibly be the five deities who are the components of Siva, the five deities who are the five faces of Siva, and the self.
The Adityas rule the intellect and the celestial sphere. They are the sons of Aditi, the Primordial-Vastness. Danielou lists them as: "The twelve-sovereign principles are generally given as Mitra (solidarity), Varuna (fate), Aryaman (chivalry), Daksa (ritual skill), Bhaga (the inherited share), Amsa (the god's given share), Tvastr (craftsmanship), Savitr (the magic power of words), Pusan (prosperity), Sakra (courage), Vivasvat (social laws), and Visnu (cosmic law)." (Ibid, p. 115)
2. Ashuras or fighting demons: These are the anti-gods who fight against the devas out of pride and envy.
3. Nagas or dragons: These are the serpents or dragons who live in the ocean and rule over the rain, rivers, and tides. They also guard the hidden treasures of the world. They are classified as supernatural animals.
4. Gandharvas: These are the court musicians of the heavenly realms. They are classified as supernatural animals.
5. Kimnaras: These are court singers and dancers. The men are said to have horse heads and sing, while the women are fully human in form and dance. Kimnaras are also portrayed as birds with human heads and torsos. They are classified as supernatural animals.
6. Garudas: These are either giant birds who hunt and eat the nagas, or they are humanoids with wings and the heads of birds. They often serve as mounts for the devas. They are classified as supernatural animals.
7. Mahoragas: These are also celestial musicians. They are either giant snakes or humanoids with the heads of snakes. They are classified as supernatural animals.
8. Yakshas: The Yakshas are the spirits of the forests, fields, villages, and towns. They are also serve as the armed forces of the Heavenly King Vaishravana. This last type of supernatural being is actually part of a much larger category, the rakshasas, who are themselves a powerful type of hungry ghost. The Matrix and Diamond World Mandalas in Shingon Buddhism states: "The sutras of both exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism describe three types of Raksasas: firstly, the demons who belong to the company of Yaksas; secondly, the unbelievers, who are the enemies of the gods; and thirdly, those who haunt cemetaries at night and hinder the offerings of the sacrifice, the evil demons who raised up corpses and capture and eat men." (p. 492)
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if asteroids / comets threaten the survival of our earth, will the 4 heavenly beings or any other heavenly realm beings assist us by averting the asteriods / comets? similarly if any evil spirits were to wreak havoc on our world, will any heavenly beings assist to rid of the spirit and protect us? -
Originally posted by marcteng:
if asteroids / comets threaten the survival of our earth, will the 4 heavenly beings or any other heavenly realm beings assist us by averting the asteriods / comets? similarly if any evil spirits were to wreak havoc on our world, will any heavenly beings assist to rid of the spirit and protect us?
this is natural disaster, those that can help may be limited in power. some may want to and some may not be able to help and some may not know and just enjoy their heaven.just like for example, if the forest/jungle were to catch a big forest fire, will YOU go and put out the fire or help those animals/insects that are trap in the fire?
i mean it's pretty broad.
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Originally posted by marcteng:
where is Mount Sumeru? not in this world rite?
only those who are enlightened can see Mount Sumeru?
In the mythology of Tibetan Buddhism, Mount Meru is a place which simultaneously represents the center of the universe and the single-pointedness of mind sought by adepts. Thousands of miles in height, Meru is located somewhere beyond the physical plane of reality, in a realm of perfection and transcendence. Symbolic representations of Mount Meru are commonly found in Tibetan mandalas, contemplative diagrams designed to aid meditators in focusing.
It is said that Meru has its roots in hell, and its summit in heaven. Meru is surrounded by seven rings of golden mountains, each separated from the other by one of seven circular oceans. It is crowned by a golden palace wherein Indra, king of Hindu gods, resides. This entire superstructure rises from an outer ocean, and is flanked by four main continents, each with two subcontinents.
The southern continent, Jambudvipa, corresponds to the physical earth. Each of the other continents represents a nearby planet upon which transmigrating souls following the yellow light-path may be reborn. However, it is said that all of these worlds are undesirable, for they are non-human worlds inhabited by sheep, cattle, or horses. The teachings of Buddhism clearly state that existence as a human being is the only way to achieve Buddhahood, so rebirth in any other form (including that of a deva or demigod) is a distraction from the path to enlightenment.
what's your understand of Mount Sumeru?
i wonder perhaps, technology now can see the physical part liao./\
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Originally posted by sinweiy:
what's your understand of Mount Sumeru?
i wonder perhaps, technology now can see the physical part liao./\
this is not what I have heard of Mount Sumeru. I listened to audio CD's that you must be enlightened to be able to see Mount Sumeru. It is certainly not on your earth here.
