The Ten Worlds

The Ten Worlds

Buddhism is concerned with understanding the way people change and interact with others. The concept of the “Ten Worlds” is a way to understand the potential life-states possible in all people.

In brief, these states are: hell (the worst suffering and delusion); hungry spirits, or hunger (driven by uncontrolled desires); animals, or animality (driven by instinct but lacking in reasoning); asuras, or anger (perverse egotism, which leads to hatred); human beings, or humanity (a calm but unstable state); heavenly beings (a rapturous and euphoric state one feels when released from suffering or from having fulfilled a desire); voice-hearers, or learning (self-development and reasoning); cause-awakened ones, or realization ( insight to the cause of one’s own suffering); bodhisattva (compassion for all life and the desire to see others become happy); and Buddhahood (a state of freedom, wisdom, courage and compassion).

Though once thought of as separate realms, the Lotus Sutra teaches that they are all interconnected. And each state is contained within every other state. There is learning within hunger, anger within Buddhahood and so forth. No state exists separate from the rest.

Each state contains within it latent variations of each of the others. This containment of other worlds is known as the principle of “mutual possession of the Ten Worlds” and is a key factor in the process of bringing forth our inherent Buddhahood. It means that whatever state we are in, at any moment, we have the possibility of experiencing any other state. It also means that the potential for Buddhahood is inherent in all life-states. So we have the capacity for enlightenment even amid the worst suffering, conflict or negativity. Conversely, someone in the state of Buddhahood can still experience the other nine worlds. Buddhahood is not a divine or otherworldly state but an ultimately human one.

Understanding the Ten Worlds can deepen one’s sense of self-awareness, and can bring forth compassion and hope.

Reference

Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.

How does the SGI contribute to communities and society?

  

How does the SGI contribute to communities and society?

The SGI is active as a nongovernmental organization promoting peace, culture and education, in keeping with the Buddhist tenet of respect for the sanctity of life. It is a firm supporter of the United Nations, with liaison offices in both New York and Geneva. SGI members work to promote human rights and sustainable development, raising awareness and forging links at the grass-roots level to foster a culture of peace.

The most dramatic evidence of the SGI's social engagement is, perhaps, to be found in the activities of individual members who contribute in many ways to the betterment of their communities, families and workplaces. The organization comprises a vast diversity of individuals who demonstrate how inner change leads to social contribution - they are models of "human revolution in action."

The SGI produces educational and awareness campaigns that promote peace. In addition to public exhibitions such as "Building a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World," activities include workshops connected with the "Victory Over Violence" initiative, petitions in support of nuclear abolition and books recording individuals' wartime experiences to inform future generations about the misery of war.

The SGI promotes sustainable development through educational campaigns and practical measures such as recycling and tree-planting projects. It supports the Earth Charter, sponsoring the exhibition "Seeds of Change: The Earth Charter and Human Potential" and the film Quiet Revolution. The SGI's Amazon Environmental Conservation Center in Brazil is developing programs for reforestation and creating an Amazionian seed bank.

The SGI has a long tradition of providing relief and assistance following natural disasters and humanitatian emergencies such as earthquakes and floods, and local SGI community centers have provided shelter to displaced persons. After the 2004 Asian tsunami, for instance, SGI organizations mobilized financial and human resources, gathering and delivering relief supplies to those most in need. Fundraising drivers have collected more than $12 million for the United Nations High Commisioner for Refugees and the nongovernmental organizations working with refugees.

Recognizing that humanistic education is crucial to the health of society, the SGI promotes numerous workshops and projects including adult-literacy programs. In Japan, educators offer free counseling services to parents, children and teachers. In Brazil, the Makiguchi Education Project emphasizes the dynamic relationship among schools, parents and teachers, and aims to develop the inner strength of each child.

The SGI was a key contributor to the launching of the UN's 2005 World Programme for Human Rights Education. The exhibition "Toward a Century of Humanity: An Overview of Human Rights in Today's Wold" has been shown in 40 cities in eight countries since 1993.

The SGI believes that cultural exchange is an ideal way to develop ties of friendship between people of different cultures and nationalities. Cultural and music festivals are often central elements of these activities, building mutual appreciation of diverse cultural heritages. The Soka Gakkai's youth groups have been holding exchanges with the All-China Youth Federation, the largest youth organization in China, since 1984.

Reference

Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.