3.1. Buddhist cosmology: Innumerable world-systems similar to our own float in infinite empty space. Each one founded on a two-layered basis of air and water.

3.2. Our world system: three main layers:

                            3.2.1. Kamadhatu—the Realm of Desire.

                            3.2.2. Rupadhatu—the Realm of Form.

                            3.2.3. Arupadhatu—the Real of No-Form.

　

3.3. Within the above three-tier system, there are six “destinations,” two “good” and four “bad”

3.3.1. Gods (devas)

                    3.3.2. Humans

                    3.3.3. Animals

3.3.4. Titans (asuras)

3.3.5. Hungry ghosts (pretas)

3.3.6. The denizens of the hell realms.

3.4. Mount Meru: to rise for a mind-boggling height above the terrestrial zone and to penetrate to the greater depth beneath it.

3.5. The hell realms: the coldest and hottest one is the Avici Hell;

3.6. The Heaven of the Thirty-Three (Trayastrimsha): the realm of the superior gods.

3.7. The Sphere of Desire:

To Sum up: it is a model of graded states of psycho spiritual experience.

　

3.8. Rebirth, Karma and Nirvana

        3.8.1. Rebirth: After death, we are reborn to another life in this world, where our advantages or      disadvantages correspond to merit that we achieved or failed to achieve in previous lives through our deeds.

        3.8.2. Karma: a “law” of moral nature which holds that actions necessarily produce effects and that this is enacted over a period of innumerable births, deaths, and rebirths. Every action must produce its results.

Literally, nirvana means “extinction” in the sense in which the flame of a candle might be extinguished. It is the goal of Buddhism.

3.8.3.1.Death

The death is, actually, a journey of approaching the absolute reality; reconstruction and rebirth

3.8.3.2.“You Are That.”

3.8.3.2.1. Self: The self, in its depth, is reality. “You are that”--”You are the real.”

3.8.3.2.2.Brahman: The the supreme and surpassing reality, the unitary, undifferentiated principle of all being. The knowledge of which liberates one from finitude.

3.8.3.2.3.Our mistaken views regarding the reality and centrality of our ego-based individual selves.

3.8.3.3. Nirvana-- “annihilation” or “cooling”

It is “annihilating” the idea of an independent self; and “cooling” refreshment to a person who is hot with desire.

　

3.9. Buddhist Ethics and the Concept of Hell:

Buddhist Hell 1; Buddhist Hell 2 (students' research)

3.9.1. Buddhist Hell is quite different from that of in the western culture.

3.9.1.1. Hell is a far broader notion.

3.9.1.2. Hell is right beneath one’s feet. It actually exists right here.

                    3.9.2. The concept Hell is rooted in Buddhism in a fundamental way.

3.9.2.1. It was shown in the Buddha’s teaching, Dhammapade (500 BC).

3.9.2.2 The concept of paradise is found till the first century AD.

3.9. 3. Hell is a necessary concept in Buddhist ethics.

3.9.3.1. Hell is a world where suffering has been purified and objectified.

3.9.3.2. Hell is the world where the final judgement will be performed.

3.9.3.3. Hell is the place every being will pay his due.