Empowering Individuals for Lasting Peace

From Inner Change to Global Change

Ten Worlds and Mutual Possession of the Ten Worlds

Our lives are constantly changing. We experience a range of emotions moment to moment.
Nichiren Buddhism explains this through a concept known as the Ten Worlds. These “worlds”
represent ten life states that a human being can be in at any given point of time—Hell, Hunger,
Animality, Anger, Humanity, Heaven, Learning, Realisation, Bodhisattva and Buddhahood.
Ordered from the least to the most desirable, they are:

World of Hell: Characterised by extreme suffering and despair in which one feels completely
helpless; those in this state have an extremely weak life force.

World of Hungry Spirits (or Hunger): Characterised by dominant, and often, endless selfish
desire for wealth, fame and pleasure that can never be satisfied. In this state one is at the
mercy of one’s cravings and cannot control them.

World of Animals (or Animality): A condition driven by instinct and lacking in reason, morality
or wisdom. In this life state where one fears the strong but bullies the weak.

World of Asuras (or Anger): Characterised by one’s strong attachment to the idea of one’s
own superiority (stemming from ego and excessive pride) and the need to surpass everyone at
any cost; this often prevents one from revealing one’s true self or seeing others as they are.

These four states are referred to as the Four Evil Paths because of the destructive negativity that
marks them.

World of Human Beings (or Humanity): Characterised by a tranquil state, marked by the ability
to reason and make calm judgements. In this state one tries to control ones desires and
impulses with reason, and acts in harmony with the surroundings and people, while also
aspiring for a higher state of life. However, it being a passive state of life, one can easily shift
from Humanity into the lower four worlds when confronted with negative conditions.

World of Heavenly Beings (or Rapture): A state of joy and contentment experienced when
one’s desires are fulfilled or when one is relieved of suffering. The joy experienced in this state
is temporary and may easily change with the circumstances.

The six states from Hell to Rapture are called Six Paths or Six Lower Worlds and are basically a
reaction to changes in external circumstances. In these states one experiences a lack of real
freedom and autonomy.

Copyright © 2017, Bharat Soka Gakkai, All Rights Reserved P a g e |1

This document can be photocopied for the exclusive use of activities of Bharat Soka Gakkai. This document may not be
forwarded, circulated through email or internet or uploaded on any social media.
 Empowering Individuals for Lasting Peace
From Inner Change to Global Change

The remaining states are what Buddhism refers to as the Four Noble Paths, and they are
characterised by the effort to live with integrity, inner freedom and compassion.

World of Voice-hearers (or Learning): A state wherein one dedicates oneself to creating a
better life by learning from the knowledge and experience of others.

World of Cause-awakened Ones (or Realisation): A state where one tries to free oneself of the
suffering of the six lower paths by seeing some truth through one’s own observation, effort and
concentration.

Together, these two worlds are sometimes referred to as the Two Vehicles. However, people in
these two states are more inclined towards self-perfection than concerned with the happiness
of others.

World of Bodhisattvas: Bodhi (enlightenment) and sattva (person) means a person who seeks
enlightenment while also leading others to the same. It is a state of compassion in which one
thinks of and works for the happiness of others. Herein, one strives to overcome the restraints
of egotism and works tirelessly for the welfare of others.

World of Buddhas: A state of absolute completeness, purity, freedom, compassion, courage

and boundless wisdom to recognise the ultimate reality of our lives. Attaining Buddhahood
does not mean becoming a special being but to continue to work against and defeat the
negative functions of life and transform all difficulties into cause for growth.

The key to transforming a life state from any of the lower worlds to the world of
Buddhahood lies in chanting daimoku with faith in the Gohonzon.

President Ikeda states: “[T]he doctrine of the Ten Worlds is like a mirror. As we gaze into
it, we can see the true aspect of our own lives. It also enables us to perceive correctly the lives
of others and society, and understand what we can do to contribute to others’ well-being.”

Mutual Possession of the Ten Worlds means that each of the Ten Worlds contains all the other
worlds within itself. From the state of Hell to that of Buddhahood, our life can manifest any of
these Ten Worlds at any given moment in time; it does not remain permanently fixed in any
one of them. While one of the Ten Worlds is manifest in our lives, the other nine remain
dormant. For instance, though we may be in the life state of Rapture, we can slip into the world
of Animality. Nichiren Daishonin explains: “Even a heartless villain loves his wife and children.
He too has a portion of the bodhisattva world within him. Buddhahood is the most difficult to
demonstrate. But since you possess the other nine worlds, you should believe that you have
Buddhahood as well” (‘The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind’, WND-1, 358).

Copyright © 2017, Bharat Soka Gakkai, All Rights Reserved P a g e |2

This document can be photocopied for the exclusive use of activities of Bharat Soka Gakkai. This document may not be
forwarded, circulated through email or internet or uploaded on any social media.
 Empowering Individuals for Lasting Peace
From Inner Change to Global Change

President Ikeda elaborates: “Mutual possession explains how a state of life moves from
dormancy to active manifestation or from active manifestation back to dormancy. At one
moment, for example, we may be experiencing the joy of Heaven, but our surroundings may
suddenly change so that in the next moment we plunge into the depths of Hell. This does not
mean that the Heaven within us has ceased to exist—it has simply shifted from a manifest state
to a latent one and, with the appropriate external stimulus, will emerge again from dormancy.
The ten states from Hell to Buddhahood, then, are activated by our relationship with the
external world.”

No matter what life state we may be in, we have the potential to manifest Buddhahood.
A Buddha is not separate from ordinary people but possesses the nine worlds too.

The purpose of our Buddhist practice is to establish Buddhahood as our basic life state.
We don’t rid ourselves of the nine worlds but continue to experience their joys and sorrows.
However, when we chant daimoku, do regular gongyo, participate in Gakkai activities, i.e., take
action for others’ happiness, and do our human revolution, our basic life state becomes
increasingly positive as we manifest the life condition of Buddhahood from within our own
lives. The foundation of our life becomes one of hope, and we acquire a rhythm of peace of
mind and joy.

Copyright © 2017, Bharat Soka Gakkai, All Rights Reserved P a g e |3

This document can be photocopied for the exclusive use of activities of Bharat Soka Gakkai. This document may not be
forwarded, circulated through email or internet or uploaded on any social media.