Heaven, Hell and Earth

QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
on
Heaven, Hell and Earth

1	Buddhism does not recognise a creator God. How is the origin of the earth and the universe explained in Buddhism?
2	The human population on earth has been increasing by the millions over the years. How can this be explained in terms of rebirth?
3	Is there a heaven and a hell?
4	How is Nibbana different from the everlasting heaven, as taught in some religions?
5	Can humans be reborn as animals or trees?

Buddhism does not recognise a creator God. How is the origin of the earth and the universe explained in Buddhism?

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, “Without 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”.

The human population on earth has been increasing by the millions over the years. How can this be explained in terms of rebirth?

The earth (an insignificant speck in the universe) is not the only place where life exists. According to the Buddha, 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

Is there a heaven and a hell?

As mentioned previously, there are a number of planes or states of existence in the universe, including that of humans. The plane immediately below the human is that of animals and below it are other planes (Niraya, Asura and Peta) which are described as unhappy states of existence. Beings are born Petas as a result of greed and attachment to their worldly belongings and are drawn to the place of attachment.

Above the human plane are the Deva and Brahma planes, where the existence is said to be blissful and life-spans long. The Devas have physical forms which are composed of more subtle material than that in the human plane. They enjoy a life of great sense pleasure and may possess psychic powers.
In the Brahma planes, the life spans are exceedingly long and the beings are said to exist in a very subtle form without a material body. Even though the life-spans in these upper realms may be measured in millions of years relative to earth, they eventually come to an end, since all these planes are conditioned: that is, the laws of cause and effect operate, and all conditioned things are impermanent.

Except for the animal plane, beings in all other planes are normally invisible to the human eye.

It may well be that so called 'gods' are beings in these higher planes. This is what is meant by the terms ‘heaven' and 'hell' in Buddhist teachings.

How is Nibbana different from the everlasting heaven, as taught in some religions?

Nibbana is not a realm of existence. Nibbana literally means ‘blowing out’- 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. 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.

Can humans be reborn as animals or trees?

According to Buddhism, animals are sentient beings which are subject to the same kammic laws as humans. Hence a being may be born into the animal plane, which is considered to be below the human as a result of unwholesome kamma. Plants do not have the type of consciousness (vinnana) inherent in a sentient being, therefore rebirth as a plant or tree is not possible.