The Conception of Buddhist Nirvana c8.37

c8.37

Here we forsake the ground of reality and enter into the worlds of the mystic From this point of view, existence is divided into three different spheres. The division is in reality bipartite, into the mystic worlds (samā-patti) and into the non-mystic zones, i e. our gross worlds of carnal desire, (kāma-dhātu). The latter includes the hells, earth and the lower heavens, where the gods are living and enjoying themselves in a very human way. The position which is assigned to the gods in this sphere is very characteristic for the Buddhist as well as for the Jaina religions. These gods are not superior beings in a moral sense, For the sake of moral progress and salvation, the condition of man is preferable. Speaking technically, the gods of the kāma-dhātu represent assemblages of elements of all the 18 categories (dhātu). Not a single of them is brought to a standstill by yoga They are full of passions and are superior to man by