Heaven

== Indian religions ==
{{main|Devaloka}}

=== Buddhism ===
{{main|Buddhist cosmology}}
[[File:018 Devas in Heaven (9174314518) (2).jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Deva (Buddhism)|Devas]] sporting in Heaven; mural in [[Wat Bowonniwet]]]]
In [[Buddhism]] there are several heavens, all of which are still part of ''[[Saṃsāra (Buddhism)|samsara]]'' (illusionary reality). Those who accumulate good [[karma]] may be reborn<ref>But no soul actually goes through rebirth; see [[anatta]].</ref> in one of them. However, their stay in heaven is not eternal—eventually they will use up their good karma and will undergo [[rebirth (Buddhism)|rebirth]] into another realm, as a human, animal or other being. Because heaven is temporary and part of ''samsara'', Buddhists focus more on escaping the cycle of rebirth and reaching [[Nirvana (Buddhism)|enlightenment]] (''nirvana''). Nirvana is not a heaven but a mental state.

According to [[Buddhist cosmology]] the universe is impermanent and beings transmigrate through several existential "planes" in which this human world is only one "realm" or "path".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Jivamala – Salvation Versus Liberation, The Limitations of the Paradise or Heavenly Worlds |url=http://www.many-lives.com/lives/paradise.html |website=www.many-lives.com}}</ref> These are traditionally envisioned as a vertical continuum with the heavens existing above the human realm, and the realms of the animals, [[hungry ghost]]s and hell beings existing beneath it. According to Jan Chozen Bays in her book, ''Jizo: Guardian of Children, Travelers, and Other Voyagers'', the realm of the ''[[Asura (Buddhism)|asura]]'' is a later refinement of the heavenly realm and was inserted between the human realm and the heavens. One important Buddhist heaven is the ''[[Trāyastriṃśa]]'', which resembles [[Mount Olympus|Olympus]] of Greek mythology.

In the [[Mahayana]] world view, there are also [[pure land]]s which lie outside this continuum and are created by the Buddhas upon attaining enlightenment. Rebirth in the pure land of Amitabha is seen as an assurance of Buddhahood, for once reborn there, beings do not fall back into cyclical existence unless they [[Bodhisattva|choose to do so]] to save other beings, the goal of Buddhism being the obtainment of enlightenment and freeing oneself and others from the birth-death cycle.

The [[Standard Tibetan|Tibetan]] word ''[[Bardo]]'' means literally "intermediate state". In [[Sanskrit]] the concept has the name ''antarabhāva''.

The lists below are ordered from highest to lowest of the heavenly worlds.

====Theravada====
===== According to the Aṅguttara Nikāya=====
'''[[Brahmaloka#Buddhism|Brahmāloka]]'''

Here the denizens are Brahmās, and the ruler is [[Mahabrahma|Mahābrahmā]]. After developing the four Brahmavihāras, King Makhādeva rebirths here after death. The monk Tissa and Brāhmana Jānussoni were also reborn here.

The lifespan of a Brahmās is not stated but is not eternal.

'''Parinirmita-vaśavartin''' ([[Pali]]: '''Paranimmita-vasavatti''')

The heaven of devas have "power over (others') creations". These devas do not create pleasing forms that they desire for themselves, but their desires are fulfilled by the acts of other devas who seek their favor. The ruler of this world is called Vaśavartin (Pāli: Vasavatti), who has longer life, greater beauty, more power and happiness and more delightful sense-objects than the other devas of his world. This world is also the home of the devaputra (being of a divine race) called [[Mara (demon)|Māra]], who endeavors to keep all beings of the Kāmadhātu in the grip of sensual pleasures. Māra is also sometimes called Vaśavartin, but in general these two dwellers in this world are kept distinct. The beings of this world are 3 [[Li (unit)|lǐ]] ({{convert|4500|ft|m|abbr=in|order=flip|disp=semicolon}}) tall and live for 9,216,000,000 years (Sarvāstivāda tradition).

'''Nirmāṇarati''' (Pali: '''Nimmānaratī''')

The world of devas "delighting in their creations". The devas of this world are capable of making any appearance to please themselves. The lord of this world is called Sunirmita (Pāli Sunimmita); his wife is the rebirth of [[Visakha|Visākhā]], formerly the chief [[Upasaka|upāsikā]] (female lay devotee) of the Buddha. The beings of this world are {{frac|2|1|2}} [[Li (unit)|lǐ]] ({{convert|3750|ft|m|abbr=in|order=flip|disp=semicolon}}) tall and live for 2,304,000,000 years (Sarvāstivāda tradition).

'''[[Tushita|{{IAST|Tuṣita}}]]''' (Pali: '''Tusita''')

The world of the "joyful" devas, it is best known for being the world in which a [[Bodhisattva]] lives before being reborn in the world of humans. Until a few thousand years ago, the Bodhisattva of this world was Śvetaketu (Pāli: Setaketu), who was reborn as Siddhārtha, who would become the Buddha [[Gautama Buddha|Śākyamuni]]; since then the Bodhisattva has been Nātha (or Nāthadeva) who will be reborn as Ajita and will become the Buddha [[Maitreya]] (Pāli Metteyya). While this Bodhisattva is the foremost of the dwellers in {{IAST|Tuṣita}}, the ruler of this world is another deva called {{IAST|Santuṣita}} (Pāli: Santusita). The beings of this world are 2 [[Li (unit)|lǐ]] ({{convert|3000|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=in|disp=semicolon}}) tall and live for 576,000,000 years (Sarvāstivāda tradition). Anāthapindika, a Kosālan householder and benefactor to the Buddha's order was reborn here.

'''[[Yāma]]'''

The denizens here have a lifespan of 144,000,000 years.

'''[[Trāyastriṃśa]]''' (Pali: '''Tāvatimsa''')

The ruler of this heaven is [[Indra]] or Shakra, and the realm is also called Trayatrimia. Each denizen addresses other denizens with the title "mārisa".

The governing hall of this heaven is called Sudhamma Hall. This heaven has a garden Nandanavana with damsels, as its most magnificent sight.

Ajita, the Licchavi army general, was reborn here. Gopika, the Sākyan girl, was reborn as a male god in this realm.

Any Buddhist reborn in this realm can outshine any of the previously dwelling denizens because of the extra merit acquired for following the Buddha's teachings. The denizens here have a lifespan of 36,000,000 years.

'''[[Four Heavenly Kings|Cātummahārājika]]'''

The heaven "of the Four Great Kings", its rulers are the four Great Kings of the name, {{IAST|Virūḍhaka विरुद्धक}}, {{IAST|Dhṛtarāṣṭra धृतराष्ट्र}}, {{IAST|Virūpākṣa विरुपाक्ष}}, and their leader [[Vaisravana|{{IAST|Vaiśravaṇa वैश्यवर्ण}}]]. The devas who guide the Sun and Moon are also considered part of this world, as are the retinues of the four kings, composed of [[Kumbhanda|{{IAST|Kumbhāṇḍas कुम्भाण्ड}}]] (dwarfs), [[Gandharva|Gandharva गन्धर्व]]s (fairies), [[Naga (mythology)|Nāgas नाग]] (snakes) and [[Yaksha|{{IAST|Yakṣas यक्ष}}]] (goblins). The beings of this world are {{convert|750|ft|m|abbr=in|order=flip}} tall and live for 9,000,000 years (Sarvāstivāda tradition) or 90,000 years (Vibhajyavāda tradition).

====Mahayana====
=====According to the Śūraṅgama Sūtra=====
====='''The Form Realm:''' The First Dhyana, the Second Dhyana, the Third Dhyana and the Fourth Dhyana.=====
*'''The Third Dhyana'''

:'''The Heaven of Pervasive Purity'''
::Those for whom the world, the body, and the mind are all perfectly pure have accomplished the virtue of purity, and a superior level emerges. They return to the bliss of still extinction, and they are among those in the Heaven of Pervasive Purity

:'''The Heaven of Limitless Purity'''
::Those in whom the emptiness of purity manifests are led to discover its boundlessness. Their bodies and minds experience light ease, and they accomplish the bliss of still extinction. They are among those in the Heaven of Limitless Purity.

:'''The Heaven of Lesser Purity'''
::The heavenly beings for whom the perfection of light has become sound and who further open out the sound to disclose its wonder discover a subtler level of practice. They penetrate to the bliss of still extinction and are among those in the Heaven of Lesser Purity.

*'''The Second Dhyana'''
:Those who flow to these levels will not be oppressed by worries or vexations. Although they have not developed proper samadhi, their minds are pure to the point that they have subdued their coarser outflows

:'''The Light-Sound Heaven'''
::Those who take in and hold the light to perfection accomplish the substance of the teaching. Creating and transforming the purity into endless responses and functions, they are among those in the Light-Sound Heaven.

:'''The Heaven of Limitless Light'''
::Those whose lights illumine each other in an endless dazzling blaze shine throughout the realms of the ten directions so that everything becomes like crystal. They are among those in the Heaven of Limitless Light.

:'''The Heaven of Lesser Light'''
::Those beyond the Brahma heavens gather in and govern the Brahma beings, for their Brahma conduct is perfect and fulfilled. Unmoving and with settled minds, they produce light in profound stillness, and they are among those in the Heaven of Lesser Light.

*'''The First Dhyana'''
:Those who flow to these levels will not be oppressed by any suffering or affliction. Although they have not developed proper samadhi, their minds are pure to the point that they are not moved by outflows.

:'''The Great Brahma Heaven'''
::Those whose bodies and minds are wonderfully perfect, and whose awesome deportment is not in the least deficient, are pure in the prohibitive precepts and have a thorough understanding of them as well. At all times these people can govern the Brahma multitudes as great Brahma lords, and they are among those in the Great Brahma Heaven.

:'''The Heaven of the Ministers of Brahma'''
::Those whose hearts of desire have already been cast aside, the mind apart from desire manifests. They have a fond regard for the rules of discipline and delight in being in accord with them. These people can practice the Brahma virtue at all times, and they are among those in the Heaven of the Ministers of Brahma.

:'''The Heaven of the Multitudes of Brahma'''
::Those in the world who cultivate their minds but do not avail themselves of dhyana and so have no wisdom, can only control their bodies so as to not engage in sexual desire. Whether walking or sitting, or in their thoughts, they are totally devoid of it. Since they do not give rise to defiling love, they do not remain in the realm of desire. These people can, in response to their thoughts, assume the bodies of Brahma beings. They are among those in the Heaven of the Multitudes of Brahma.

<div class="center" style="width: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">'''The Six Desire Heavens'''</div>
<div class="center" style="width: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">The cause for birth in the Six Desire Heavens are the [[ten virtuous actions]].</div>

'''The Heaven of the Comfort from Others’ Transformations'''
:Those who have no kind of worldly thoughts while doing what worldly people do, who are lucid and beyond such activity while involved in it, are capable at the end of their lives of entirely transcending states where transformations may be present and may be lacking. They are among those born in the Heaven of the Comfort from Others’ Transformations.

'''The Heaven of Bliss by Transformation'''
:Those who are devoid of desire, but who will engage in it for the sake of their partner, even though the flavor of doing so is like the flavor of chewing wax, are born at the end of their lives in a place of transcending transformations. They are among those born in the Heaven of Bliss by Transformation.

'''The Tushita Heaven'''
:Those who practice constant silence, but who are not yet able to control their impulses when stimulated by contact, ascend at the end of their lives to a subtle and ethereal place; they will not be drawn into the lower realms. The destruction of the realms of humans and gods and the obliteration of the kalpas by the three disasters will not reach them. They are among those born in the Tushita Heaven.

'''The Suyama Heaven'''
:Those who become temporarily involved when they meet with desire but who forget about it when it is finished. While in the human realm, one is less active and more quiet, abiding in light and emptiness where the illumination of sun and moon does not reach. By the end of their lives, these beings have their own light. They are among those born in the Suyama Heaven.

'''The Trayastrimsha Heaven'''
:Those whose sexual love for their wives is slight, but who have not yet obtained the entire flavor of dwelling in purity, transcend the light of the sun and moon at the end of their lives, and reside at the summit of the human realm. They are among those born in the Trayastrimsha Heaven.

'''The Heaven of the Four Kings '''
:Those with no interest in deviant sexual activity and develop a purity such that one produces light. When their life ends, they draw near to the sun and moon and are among those born in the Heaven of the Four Kings.

Ou Yi Zhixu<ref name="bookgb.bfnn.org">{{Cite web|url=https://bookgb.bfnn.org/books/0888.htm|title = 大佛顶如来密因修证了义诸菩萨万行首楞严经文句（文句卷第八）}}</ref> explains that the Shurangama sutra only emphasizes avoidance of deviant sexual desire, but one would naturally need to abide by the 10 good conducts to be born in these heavens.

==== Tibetan Buddhism ====
Tibetan literature classifies the heavenly worlds into 5 major types:
# '''Akanishtha''' or '''Ghanavyiiha''' <br /> This is the most supreme heaven wherein beings that have achieved Nirvana live for eternity.
# '''Heaven of the Jinas'''
# '''Heavens of Formless Spirits''' <br /> These are 4 in number.
# '''Brahmaloka''' <br /> These are 16 in number, and are free from sensuality.
# '''Devaloka''' <br /> These are 6 in number, and contain sensuality.

=== Hinduism ===
{{Main|Hindu cosmology}}
Attaining heaven is not the final pursuit in Hinduism as heaven itself is ephemeral and related to physical body. Only being tied by the bhoot-tatvas, heaven cannot be perfect either and is just another name for pleasurable and mundane material life. According to [[Hindu cosmology]], above the earthly plane, are other planes: (1) Bhuva [[Loka]], (2) [[Swarga]] Loka, meaning Good Kingdom, is the general name for heaven in Hinduism, a heavenly [[paradise]] of pleasure, where most of the Hindu Devatas ([[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]]) reside along with the king of Devas, Indra, and beatified mortals. Some other planes are Mahar Loka, Jana Loka, Tapa Loka and Satya Loka. Since heavenly abodes are also tied to the cycle of birth and death, any dweller of heaven or hell will again be recycled to a different plane and in a different form per the karma and "maya" i.e. the illusion of Samsara. This cycle is broken only by self-realization by the Jivatma. This self-realization is [[Moksha]] (Turiya, Kaivalya).

The concept of moksha is unique to Hinduism. Moksha stands for liberation from the cycle of birth and death and final communion with Brahman. With moksha, a liberated soul attains the stature and oneness with [[Brahman]] or [[Paramatma]]. Different schools such as Vedanta, Mimansa, Sankhya, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, and Yoga offer subtle differences in the concept of Brahman, obvious Universe, its genesis and regular destruction, Jivatma, Nature (Prakriti) and also the right way in attaining perfect bliss or moksha.

In the [[Vaishnava]] traditions the highest heaven is [[Vaikuntha]], which exists above the six heavenly lokas and outside of the mahat-[[tattva]] or mundane world. It's where eternally liberated souls who have attained moksha reside in eternal sublime beauty with [[Lakshmi]] and [[Narayana]] (a manifestation of [[Vishnu]]).

In the [[Nasadiya Sukta]], the heavens/sky Vyoman is mentioned as a place from which an overseeing entity surveys what has been created. However, the Nasadiya Sukta questions the omniscience of this overseer.

=== Jainism ===
{{Main|Jain cosmology}}
[[File:Jain Universe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Structure of Universe per the Jain Scriptures]]

The shape of the Universe as described in Jainism is shown at right. Unlike the current convention of using North direction as the top of map, this uses South as the top. The shape is similar to a part of human form standing upright.

The ''Deva Loka'' (heavens) are at the symbolic "chest", where all souls enjoying the positive karmic effects reside. The heavenly beings are referred to as ''devas'' (masculine form) and ''devis'' (feminine form). According to Jainism, there is not one heavenly abode, but several layers to reward appropriately the souls of varying degree of karmic merits. Similarly, beneath the "waist" are the ''Narka Loka'' (hell). Human, animal, insect, plant and microscopic life forms reside on the middle.

The pure souls (who reached Siddha status) reside at the very south end (top) of the Universe. They are referred to in Tamil literature as தென்புலத்தார் ([[Kural]] 43).

=== Sikh religion ===
[[Sikh]]s believe that heaven and hell are also both in this world where everyone reaps the fruit of karma.<ref name=kathleen>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TxP5Ww_JO64C&pg=PA188 | title=Death and Religion in a Changing World | publisher=M.E. Sharpe | last=Garces-Foley | first=Kathleen | year=2006 | pages=188 | isbn=9780765612212}}</ref> They refer to good and evil stages of life respectively and can be lived now and here during our life on Earth.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rFm9_Jc1ykcC&pg=PA271 | title=A Complete Guide to Sikhism | publisher=Unistar Books | last=Singh | first=Jagraj | year=2009 | pages=271 | isbn=978-8-1714-2754-3}}</ref> [[Bhagat Kabir]] in the ''[[Guru Granth Sahib]]'' rejects the otherworldly heaven and says that one can experience heaven on this Earth through the company of holy people.

{{Blockquote|He claims to know the Lord, who is beyond measure and beyond thought; By mere words, he plans to enter heaven. I do not know where heaven is. Everyone claims that he plans to go there. By mere talk, the mind is not appeased. The mind is only appeased, when egotism is conquered. As long as the mind is filled with the desire for heaven, He does not dwell at the Lord's Feet. Says Kabeer, unto whom should I tell this? The Company of the Holy is heaven.|Bhagat Kabir|Guru Granth Sahib 325 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Page&Param=325|title=Sri Granth: Sri Guru Granth Sahib|website=www.srigranth.org}}</ref>}}