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\n<\/p>\n
Thi\u00ean \u0110\u01b0\u1eddng<\/span> V\u00e0 \u0110\u1ecba Ng\u1ee5c<\/span> Trong \u0110\u1ea1o Ph\u1eadt<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 1) \u0110\u1ea0O PH\u1eacT<\/span> KH\u00d4NG C\u00d4NG NH\u1eacN<\/span> M\u1ed8T V\u1eca TH\u01af\u1ee2NG \u0110\u1ebe<\/span>, L\u00c0 M\u1ed8T NG\u01af\u1edcI S\u00c1NG T\u1ea0O<\/span> RA V\u0168 TR\u1ee4<\/span>. NH\u01af V\u1eacY, \u0110\u1ea0O PH\u1eacT<\/span> \u0110\u00c3 GI\u1ea2I TH\u00cdCH<\/span> NH\u01af TH\u1ebe N\u00c0O V\u1ec0 NGU\u1ed2N G\u1ed0C C\u1ee6A TR\u00c1I \u0110\u1ea4T, V\u00c0 V\u0168 TR\u1ee4?<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u0110\u00e2y l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t trong nh\u1eefng c\u00e2u h\u1ecfi m\u00e0 \u0110\u1ee9c Ph\u1eadt<\/span> \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi<\/span>. \u0110\u1ee9c Ph\u1eadt<\/span> nh\u1eadn bi\u1ebft<\/span> r\u1eb1ng, b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 c\u00e2u tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi<\/span> n\u00e0o c\u1ee7a ng\u00e0i, c\u0169ng s\u1ebd t\u1ea1o ra nh\u1eefng s\u1ef1 b\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ed3ng \u00fd<\/span> ki\u1ebfn, v\u00e0 s\u1ebd c\u00f3 s\u1ef1 tranh lu\u1eadn<\/span> k\u00e9o d\u00e0i trong nhi\u1ec1u ng\u00e0y. \u0110\u1ee9c Ph\u1eadt<\/span> n\u00f3i r\u1eb1ng, “Kh\u00f4ng ai c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng bi\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c, s\u1ef1 b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u c\u1ee7a th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi<\/span> lu\u00e2n h\u1ed3i<\/span> (trong c\u00e1c cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng di\u1ec5n ti\u1ebfn<\/span> li\u00ean t\u1ee5c<\/span>, \u1edf trong v\u00f2ng<\/span> sinh t\u1eed<\/span>). Con ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span> v\u00ec thi\u1ebfu hi\u1ec3u bi\u1ebft<\/span>, v\u00e0 b\u1ecb tr\u00f3i bu\u1ed9c<\/span> b\u1edfi l\u00f2ng ham mu\u1ed1n<\/span>, h\u1ecd \u0111\u00e3ng tr\u00ed<\/span>, v\u00e0 hay \u0111i lang thang, n\u00ean h\u1ecd kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o nh\u1eadn bi\u1ebft<\/span> \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ngu\u1ed3n g\u1ed1c c\u1ee7a con ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n V\u0169 tr\u1ee5<\/span>, v\u00e0 c\u00e1c th\u00e0nh ph\u1ea7n<\/span> c\u1ee7a v\u0169 tr\u1ee5<\/span>, ph\u1ea3i tu\u00e2n theo<\/span> lu\u1eadt tu\u1ea7n ho\u00e0n<\/span> c\u1ee7a s\u1ef1 sinh ra, c\u1ee7a s\u1ef1 ch\u1ebft \u0111i, v\u00e0 c\u1ee7a s\u1ef1 t\u00e1i sinh<\/span>, do \u0111\u00f3 th\u1eddi \u0111i\u1ec3m tuy\u1ec7t \u0111\u1ed1i<\/span> kh\u1edfi \u0111\u1ea7u c\u1ee7a v\u0169 tr\u1ee5<\/span> th\u00ec kh\u00f4ng-th\u1ec3-ngh\u0129-b\u00e0n.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 2) D\u00c2N S\u1ed0 C\u1ee6A CON NG\u01af\u1edcI<\/span> TR\u00caN TR\u00c1I \u0110\u1ea4T \u0110\u00c3 \u0110\u01af\u1ee2C T\u0102NG L\u00caN NHI\u1ec0U-TRI\u1ec6U NG\u01af\u1edcI TRONG NHI\u1ec0U-N\u0102M. THEO \u00dd NGH\u0128A<\/span> C\u1ee6A S\u1ef0 T\u00c1I SINH<\/span>, CH\u00daNG TA<\/span> GI\u1ea2I TH\u00cdCH<\/span> \u0110I\u1ec0U N\u1ea6Y NH\u01af TH\u1ebe N\u00c0O?<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Theo c\u00e1c b\u1ea3n v\u0103n c\u1ed5, c\u00f3 v\u00f4 s\u1ed1<\/span> c\u00e1c h\u1ec7 th\u1ed1ng<\/span> th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi<\/span> trong v\u0169 tr\u1ee5<\/span>. Tr\u00e1i \u0111\u1ea5t (l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u00f5i nh\u1ecf kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u00e1ng k\u1ec3<\/span> trong v\u0169 tr\u1ee5<\/span>), kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 n\u01a1i duy nh\u1ea5t<\/span> c\u00f3 s\u1ef1 s\u1ed1ng t\u1ed3n t\u1ea1i<\/span>. Ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta n\u00f3i r\u1eb1ng c\u00f3 ba-m\u01b0\u01a1i-m\u1ed1t c\u00f5i (th\u1ebf-gi\u1edbi), ho\u1eb7c l\u00e0 n\u01a1i ch\u1ed1n c\u00f3 c\u00e1c sinh v\u1eadt trong v\u0169 tr\u1ee5<\/span>, v\u00e0 tr\u00e1i \u0111\u1ea5t n\u01a1i con ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span> c\u01b0 ng\u1ee5<\/span> ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t trong s\u1ed1 c\u00e1c c\u00f5i n\u1ea7y<\/span>. M\u1ed9t ch\u00fang sinh<\/span> \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c sinh ra t\u1eeb m\u1ed9t c\u00f5i n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3, t\u00f9y thu\u1ed9c<\/span> v\u00e0o nghi\u1ec7p c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd. \u0110\u1ee9c Ph\u1eadt<\/span> n\u00f3i r\u1eb1ng s\u1ed1 l\u01b0\u1ee3ng c\u1ee7a ch\u00fang sinh<\/span> trong v\u0169 tr\u1ee5<\/span> l\u1edbn \u0111\u1ebfn n\u1ed7i, ch\u00fang ta<\/span> kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o \u0111\u1ebfm h\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. Do \u0111\u00f3, ch\u00fang sinh<\/span> \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c sinh ra trong c\u00f5i ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span>, c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn t\u1eeb m\u1ed9t trong ba-m\u01b0\u01a1i-m\u1ed1t c\u00f5i n\u00f3i tr\u00ean.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 3) THI\u00caN \u0110\u01af\u1edcNG<\/span> V\u00c0 \u0110\u1ecaA NG\u1ee4C<\/span>, C\u00d3 TH\u1eacT KH\u00d4NG?<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n C\u00e1c kinh s\u00e1ch Ph\u1eadt Gi\u00e1o<\/span> n\u00f3i r\u1eb1ng c\u00f3 ba-m\u01b0\u01a1i-m\u1ed1t c\u00f5i, ho\u1eb7c l\u00e0 n\u01a1i ch\u1ed1n c\u00f3 c\u00e1c sinh v\u1eadt trong v\u0169 tr\u1ee5<\/span>, k\u1ec3 c\u1ea3 c\u00f5i ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span>. Ch\u00fang sinh<\/span> \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c sinh ra trong m\u1ed9t c\u00f5i n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3, t\u00f9y thu\u1ed9c<\/span> v\u00e0o nghi\u1ec7p \u0111\u00e3 t\u00edch l\u0169y<\/span> c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n C\u00f5i th\u1ea5p k\u00e9m<\/span> h\u01a1n c\u00f5i ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span>, g\u1ed3m c\u00f3<\/span> b\u1ed1n c\u00f5i (A Tu La<\/span>, Ng\u1ea1 Qu\u1ef7<\/span> (Qu\u1ef7 \u0110\u00f3i), S\u00fac Sanh<\/span> (S\u00fac V\u1eadt<\/span>), v\u00e0 \u0110\u1ecba Ng\u1ee5c<\/span>) \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u00f4 t\u1ea3<\/span> nh\u01b0 l\u00e0 nh\u1eefng c\u00f5i kh\u00f4ng-c\u00f3-h\u1ea1nh-ph\u00fac. Nh\u1eefng ch\u00fang sinh<\/span> b\u1ecb sinh ra trong nh\u1eefng c\u00f5i n\u1ea7y<\/span>, l\u00e0 do k\u1ebft qu\u1ea3 c\u1ee7a nh\u1eefng nghi\u1ec7p b\u1ea5t thi\u1ec7n<\/span> m\u00e0 h\u1ecd \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m. Nh\u1eefng ch\u00fang sinh<\/span> tham lam<\/span> qu\u00e1 m\u1ee9c<\/span>, v\u00e0 c\u00f3 qu\u00e1 nhi\u1ec1u s\u1ef1 d\u00ednh m\u1eafc v\u00e0o c\u1ee7a c\u1ea3i<\/span> th\u1ebf gian<\/span>, c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 b\u1ecb t\u00e1i sinh<\/span> v\u00e0o c\u00f5i Ng\u1ea1 Qu\u1ef7<\/span>, v\u00e0 h\u1ecd c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 b\u1ecb l\u00f4i k\u00e9o \u0111\u1ebfn n\u01a1i m\u00e0 h\u1ecd b\u1ecb d\u00ednh m\u1eafc.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n C\u00f5i cao \u0111\u1eb9p h\u01a1n c\u00f5i ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span> l\u00e0 c\u00f5i Tr\u1eddi<\/span> Ch\u01b0-Thi\u00ean, v\u00e0 c\u00f5i Tr\u1eddi<\/span> Ph\u1ea1m-Thi\u00ean. Khi ch\u00fang-sinh \u1edf c\u00f5i cao h\u01a1n, th\u00ec sinh ho\u1ea1t<\/span> trong cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd c\u00f3 nhi\u1ec1u s\u1ef1 kh\u00f4n kh\u00e9o, v\u00e0 s\u1ef1 th\u00f4ng minh<\/span> h\u01a1n, v\u00e0 nh\u1eefng ch\u00fang sinh<\/span> n\u1ea7y c\u00f3 nhi\u1ec1u tu\u1ed5i th\u1ecd h\u01a1n.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Nh\u1eefng Ch\u01b0-Thi\u00ean c\u00f3 h\u00ecnh t\u01b0\u1edbng<\/span> v\u1eadt ch\u1ea5t<\/span> \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u1ea5u t\u1ea1o<\/span> t\u1eeb nh\u1eefng ch\u1ea5t li\u1ec7u tinh t\u1ebf<\/span> h\u01a1n so v\u1edbi c\u00f5i ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span>. H\u1ecd c\u00f3 nh\u1eefng gi\u00e1c quan<\/span> gi\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi, v\u00e0 h\u1ecd t\u1eadn h\u01b0\u1edfng cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng v\u1edbi nhi\u1ec1u kho\u00e1i l\u1ea1c. H\u1ecd c\u0169ng c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 c\u00f3 nhi\u1ec1u ph\u00e9p th\u1ea7n th\u00f4ng<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n C\u00f5i Tr\u1eddi<\/span> Ph\u1ea1m-Thi\u00ean \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u00f4 t\u1ea3<\/span> l\u00e0 c\u00f5i v\u1eeba c\u00f3 h\u00ecnh-t\u01b0\u1edbng, v\u00e0 c\u0169ng l\u00e0 c\u00f5i kh\u00f4ng-c\u00f3-h\u00ecnh-t\u01b0\u1edbng. Trong c\u00f5i kh\u00f4ng-c\u00f3-h\u00ecnh-t\u01b0\u1edbng, h\u1ecd ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n<\/span> kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 th\u00e2n th\u1ec3<\/span> v\u1eadt ch\u1ea5t<\/span>. H\u1ecd s\u1ed1ng v\u01b0\u1ee3t ra kh\u1ecfi c\u00e1c c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c<\/span> v\u1ec1 v\u1eadt l\u00fd<\/span>, v\u00e0 h\u1ecd s\u1ed1ng trong tr\u1ea1ng th\u00e1i<\/span> b\u00ecnh an<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Ch\u00fang-sinh \u1edf trong nh\u1eefng c\u00f5i cao h\u01a1n, \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u00f4 t\u1ea3<\/span> nh\u01b0 nh\u1eefng Thi\u00ean Nh\u00e2n<\/span>, v\u00e0 tu\u1ed5i th\u1ecd c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c bi\u1ebft l\u00e0 k\u00e9o d\u00e0i h\u00e0ng t\u1ef7 n\u0103m, so v\u1edbi cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng \u1edf c\u00f5i ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span>. \u0110\u1ea5y c\u0169ng l\u00e0 l\u00fd do<\/span> t\u1ea1i sao ch\u00fang ta<\/span> g\u1ecdi h\u1ecd l\u00e0 nh\u1eefng v\u1ecb “Th\u1ea7n” ho\u1eb7c v\u1ecb “Tr\u1eddi.”<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n M\u1eb7c d\u00f9 tu\u1ed5i th\u1ecd c\u1ee7a ch\u00fang-sinh \u1edf nh\u1eefng c\u00f5i cao h\u01a1n k\u00e9o d\u00e0i nhi\u1ec1u tri\u1ec7u n\u0103m, so v\u1edbi tr\u00e1i \u0111\u1ea5t, nh\u01b0ng cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng<\/span>, r\u1ed3i h\u1ecd c\u0169ng ph\u1ea3i ch\u1ebft, v\u00ec cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng trong t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 c\u00e1c c\u00f5i n\u1ea7y<\/span> \u0111\u1ec1u l\u00e0 c\u00f3 \u0111i\u1ec1u ki\u1ec7n<\/span>. \u0110\u00f3 l\u00e0, s\u1ef1 ho\u1ea1t \u0111\u1ed9ng<\/span> c\u1ee7a lu\u1eadt nh\u00e2n qu\u1ea3<\/span>, v\u00e0 t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 m\u1ecdi s\u1ef1 v\u1eadt c\u00f3 \u0111i\u1ec1u ki\u1ec7n<\/span> l\u00e0 v\u00f4 th\u01b0\u1eddng<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u0110\u1ea5y l\u00e0 \u00fd ngh\u0129a<\/span> c\u1ee7a c\u00e1c thu\u1eadt ng\u1eef<\/span> ‘Thi\u00ean \u0110\u01b0\u1eddng’ v\u00e0 ‘\u0110\u1ecba Ng\u1ee5c’ trong gi\u00e1o l\u00fd<\/span> c\u1ee7a Ph\u1eadt Gi\u00e1o<\/span>. Cho n\u00ean, trong \u0110\u1ea1o Ph\u1eadt<\/span>, kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 c\u00f5i tr\u1eddi<\/span> v\u0129nh vi\u1ec5n<\/span>, ho\u1eb7c l\u00e0 \u0111\u1ecba ng\u1ee5c<\/span> v\u0129nh vi\u1ec5n<\/span>, gi\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 c\u00e1c t\u00f4n gi\u00e1o<\/span> kh\u00e1c \u0111\u00e3 gi\u1ea3ng d\u1ea1y.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 4) NI\u1ebeT B\u00c0N<\/span> KH\u00c1C BI\u1ec6T V\u1edaI THI\u00caN \u0110\u01af\u1edcNG<\/span> V\u0128NH-C\u1eecU, M\u00c0 \u0110\u00c3 \u0110\u01af\u1ee2C N\u00d3I \u0110\u1ebeN TRONG NH\u1eeeNG T\u00d4N GI\u00c1O<\/span> KH\u00c1C, NH\u01af TH\u1ebe N\u00c0O?<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Ni\u1ebft B\u00e0n<\/span> kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u00f5i, n\u01a1i m\u00e0 c\u00f3 cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng. Ni\u1ebft B\u00e0n<\/span> c\u00f3 ngh\u0129a l\u00e0 ‘d\u1eadp t\u1eaft ng\u1ecdn l\u1eeda’ – d\u1eadp t\u1eaft<\/span> \u0111i nh\u1eefng ng\u1ecdn l\u1eeda, nh\u1eefng l\u00fd do<\/span> g\u00e2y ra v\u00f2ng sinh t\u1eed<\/span> lu\u00e2n h\u1ed3i<\/span> – th\u1ebf n\u00ean, Ni\u1ebft B\u00e0n<\/span> c\u0169ng c\u00f3 ngh\u0129a l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng-c\u00f3 s\u1ef1 t\u00e1i sinh<\/span>. Ni\u1ebft B\u00e0n<\/span> kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c di\u1ec5n t\u1ea3<\/span> theo kinh nghi\u1ec7m<\/span> b\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u1eddng<\/span> c\u1ee7a ch\u00fang ta<\/span>, v\u00ec nh\u01b0 th\u1ebf th\u00ec r\u1ea5t h\u1ea1n ch\u1ebf<\/span>. Ni\u1ebft B\u00e0n<\/span> th\u00ec kh\u00f4ng l\u1ec7 thu\u1ed9c<\/span> v\u00e0o lu\u1eadt nh\u00e2n qu\u1ea3<\/span>, cho n\u00ean Ni\u1ebft B\u00e0n<\/span> th\u00ec v\u0129nh vi\u1ec5n<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Ni\u1ebft B\u00e0n<\/span> l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t tr\u1ea1ng th\u00e1i<\/span> ch\u00fang ta<\/span> \u0111\u1ea1t \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c<\/span>, khi ch\u00fang ta<\/span> h\u00e3y c\u00f2n s\u1ed1ng; \u0111\u00e2y kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u0111i\u1ec1u g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 ch\u00fang ta<\/span> \u0111\u1ea1t \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c<\/span> sau khi ch\u1ebft<\/span>. Ni\u1ebft B\u00e0n<\/span> m\u00e0 ch\u00fang ta<\/span> \u0111\u1ea1t \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c<\/span> l\u00e0 k\u1ebft qu\u1ea3 do nh\u1eefng n\u1ed7 l\u1ef1c<\/span> c\u1ee7a ch\u00ednh ch\u00fang ta<\/span>, ch\u1ee9 kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 k\u1ebft qu\u1ea3 do s\u1ef1 ph\u00e1n x\u00e9t c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t v\u1ecb th\u1ea7n, ho\u1eb7c m\u1ed9t v\u1ecb Th\u01b0\u1ee3ng \u0110\u1ebf<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 5) CON NG\u01af\u1edcI<\/span> C\u00d3 TH\u1ec2 T\u00c1I SINH<\/span> L\u00c0M S\u00daC V\u1eacT<\/span>, HO\u1eb6C L\u00c0 C\u00c2Y C\u1ece, HAY KH\u00d4NG?<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Theo gi\u00e1o l\u00fd<\/span>, s\u00fac v\u1eadt<\/span> l\u00e0 ch\u00fang sinh<\/span> c\u0169ng gi\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 con ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span>, bao g\u1ed3m<\/span> s\u1ef1 k\u1ebft h\u1ee3p<\/span> c\u1ee7a t\u00e2m-v\u00e0-th\u00e2n (nama-rupa). S\u00fac v\u1eadt<\/span> c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 n\u00e0o tr\u00e1nh kh\u1ecfi<\/span> nghi\u1ec7p, gi\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 con ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span>. M\u1ed9t ch\u00fang sinh<\/span> b\u1ecb sinh ra trong c\u00f5i s\u00fac sinh<\/span> (l\u00e0 c\u00f5i th\u1ea5p k\u00e9m<\/span> h\u01a1n c\u00f5i ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span>) l\u00e0 k\u1ebft qu\u1ea3 c\u1ee7a nghi\u1ec7p<\/span> b\u1ea5t thi\u1ec7n<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n C\u00e2y c\u1ecf kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i thu\u1ed9c lo\u1ea1i c\u00f3 th\u1ea7n th\u1ee9c<\/span> (vinnana), gi\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 con ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span>, cho n\u00ean, con ng\u01b0\u1eddi<\/span> b\u1ecb t\u00e1i sinh<\/span> th\u00e0nh c\u00e2y c\u1ecf l\u00e0 \u0111i\u1ec1u kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 x\u1ea3y ra \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/td>\n
<\/p>\n
Heaven And Hell In Buddhism<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 1. BUDDHISM DOES NOT RECOGNISE A CREATOR GOD. HOW IS THE ORIGIN OF THE EARTH AND THE UNIVERSE EXPLAINED IN BUDDHISM?<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n This was one of the questions at which the Buddha remained silent. The Buddha realised that any answer would create much controversy and argument. The Buddha said, \u201cWithout cognisable beginning is this samsara (cycle of existence). The earliest point of beings who, obstructed by ignorance and fettered by craving, wander and fare on, is not to be perceived\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The universe and its components are subject to the cyclic law of birth, death and rebirth, therefore an absolute begining is inconceivable.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 2. THE HUMAN POPULATION ON EARTH HAS BEEN INCREASING BY THE MILLIONS OVER THE YEARS. HOW CAN THIS BE EXPLAINED IN TERMS OF REBIRTH?<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n According to the ancient texts, there are countless world systems in the universe. The earth (an insignificant speck in the universe) is not the only place where life exists. It is said that there are thirty-one planes or states of existence in the universe and human plane is just one of them. A being is born to a particular plane depending on his accumulated kamma. The Buddha said that the number of beings in the universe is so vast that it cannot be counted. Therefore beings can be born from any of these planes into the human plane.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 3. IS THERE A HEAVEN AND A HELL?<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The Buddhist texts states that there are thirty one planes or states of existence in the universe, including that of humans. Beings are born into a particular plane depending of their accumulated kamma.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Below the human plane are four planes (Asura,Peta,Thiracchana and Niraya) which are described as unhappy states of existence. Beings are born into these states as a result of their unwholesome kamma. Excessive greed and attachment to worldly belongings may cause re-birth in the Peta plane and be drawn to the place of attachment.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Above the human plane are the Deva and Brahma planes. As the level of plane becomes higher, more subtle is the state of existence and longer is the life span.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The Devas have physical forms which are composed of more subtle material than that in the human plane. They possess physical senses as in humans and enjoy a life of great pleasure. They may also possess supernormal powers.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The Brahma planes are described as form and formless states. In the formless states, the beings are devoid of any material bodies. They transcends all physical sensations and exist in a state of equanimity.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Beings in these higher planes are described as celestial beings and their life span is said to last billions of years relative to earthly life.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n It may well be that so called ‘gods’ are such beings.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Even though the life-spans in these higher planes of existence last millions of years relative to earth, they eventually come to an end, since the existence in all these planes are conditioned: that is, the laws of cause and effect operate, and all conditioned things are impermanent.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n This is what is meant by the terms \u2018heaven’ and ‘hell’ in Buddhist teachings: there are no permanent heavens or hells as taught in other religions.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 4. HOW IS NIBBANA DIFFERENT FROM THE EVER\u00adLASTING HEAVEN, AS TAUGHT IN SOME RELIGIONS?<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Nibbana is not a realm of existence. Nibbana literally means \u2018blowing out\u2019 – blowing out the causes that produce results in the cycle of life – hence there will be no rebirth. Nibbana cannot be described in terms of our normal experience, which is so limited. Nibbana is not subject to the law of cause and effect, therefore it is permanent.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Nibbana is a state to be attained whilst we are still alive; it is not something we reach after death. It is to be attained as a result of our own efforts, not from the judgment of a divine being.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n 5. CAN HUMANS BE REBORN AS ANIMALS OR TREES?<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n According to the teachings, animals are sentient beings just as humans, comprised of mind-matter (nama-rupa) combination. They are subject to the same kammic laws as humans. A being may be born in the animal plane (which is classed below that of human) as a result of unwholesome kamma.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n