One who practices Buddhism should know which are the Realms of Becoming, and of Mind, in order that he may act in the right way in this Dhamma to attain the state which he desires. There are four Realms-of-Mind (Bhumi), including:

1.The Sensual-Realm-of-Mind (Kamavacara-Bhumi).

2.The Form-Realm-of-Mind(Rupavacara-Bhumi).

3.The Formless-Realm-of-Mind(Arupavacara-Bhumi).

4.The Transcendental-Realm(Lokuttara-Bhumi).

These are the Realms-of-Mind of Beings, whereas the following are the Realms-of-Becoming (Bhava)1 of Beings. There are three Realms-of-Becoming, including:

1.The Sensual-Realm-of-Becoming(Kamabhava).

2.The Form-Realm-of-Becoming(Rupabhava).

3.The Fromless-Realm-of-Becoming(Arupabhava).

The further sub-division of these Realms-of-Becoming is as follows: -

1.The Sensual-Realm-of-Becoming is divided into two aspects; these being: -

a)The Way-of-Misfortune (Duggati), which includes:

1)The Hells.

2)The unhappy ghosts of evil doers (Peta).

3)Demonic apparitions (Asurakaya)

4)The Animal Kingdom.

These four are called the “Realms-of-Misfortune” (Apaya-Bhumi).

b)The Way-of-Good-Fortune (Sugati), which includes:

1)The Human Realm (Manussa).

2)The six Heavens of the Sensual-Realm-of-Becoming.

This makes up the eleven realms which are to be found in the Sensual-Realm-of-Becoming.

2.The Form-Realm-of -Becoming is divided into sixteen different realms. These extend from the realm of the “Great-Brahma” (Brahma-parisajja) which is the lowest, to the highest which is the realm of the “Gods of the Pure Abode” (AkanitÚtÚha-Realm).

3.The Formless-Realm-of-Becoming is divided into four different realms. These extend from the realm of the “Jhana-of-the-Knowledge-and-Perception-of-the-Infinity-of-Space” (Akasa-nancayatana-Jhana) which is the lowest, to the highest which is the realm of the “Jhana-of-Neither-Perception-Nor-Non-Perception” (Nevasannayatana-Jhana).
This covers all the thirty-one Realms-of-Becoming of Beings.1 The relationship between the Realms-of-Becoming and the Realms-of-Mind, is as follows: -

1.The Sensual-Realm-of-Mind is within the Sensual-Realm-of-Becoming.

2.The Form-Realm-of-Mind is within the Form-Realm-of-Becoming.

3.The Formless-Realm-of-Mind is within the Formless-Realm-of-Becoming.

4.The Transcendental-Realm has no corresponding Realm-of-Becoming, because it transcends all the three Realms-of-Becoming and tends towards Nibbana.

When someone who practices this Dhamma knows clearly the realm of Mind, and of Becoming, in which beings exist, he ought to examine himself to find out in which of them he is at present. This time, we are human in the Sensual-Realm-of-Becoming, which we may consider to be our good fortune.

Our desires lead us towards the appropriate Realm-of-Becoming, and of-Mind; therefore, we should decide towards which one we wish to go.

The Buddhist Order (Sasana) dispenses the teachings of the Lord Buddha and is only interested to help others to develop their understanding. It is not concerned to compel them to follow its teachings. If they want to go towards the realms of misfortune, then they may do evil things. If their evil deeds are only of a mild nature, then they will go towards the “Lesser Hells”; but if they are severe, then they go to the “Great Hell”.

If they wish to go to the Heaven states, or become Indra or Brahma, then they must do meritorious acts.
For a small amount of merit, they gain the lower Heaven realms, and for a great amount, the higher realms. Thus, the realm that they gain accords with the actions which they perform.

One may want to attain these states, but mere vain repetition of magic formulae and prayers are not likely to be of much use. This is not only true of this Dhamma, but it also applies to the things of this world; for, one who wants to become a person of high status, such as an executive or a commander must be well versed in all sorts of learned subjects. If he has only a little knowledge, he can gain only a little, whereas if he has a lot of knowledge, he can gain a lot. Thus, one’s level of attainment will depend on one’s knowledge.