The need for a creator being is rooted in our sense of self. Because we perceive a being within ourselves, we wonder where we came from. Inferring from our worldly experience—where we come from a father and mother—we conclude that there must be a divine father or mother who created humanity.

While some cultures believe the creator is male, others think it is female, or even beyond gender. Modern science suggests that life began with cells and microbes, but even this explanation raises the question: “Then who created cells, microbes, or the chemicals that sparked life?”

This question always assumes a “Who”—seeking a greater “being”. This reflects our attachment to a sense of “being”, which in Buddhism creates samsara. Since this sense of self is a misconception, samsara arises from misconception.

In Buddhism, samsara is categorized into three distinct realms, or types of existence.

We are in Kamaloka, the realm of sensory engagement, where our reality is built upon sensory perceptions. Kamaloka is further categorized into six states: Hell, Hungry Ghost, Animal, Human, Asura, and Deva. These classifications represent general mental states.

Within Kamaloka, the highest heaven is named Parinirmita-vaśavartin, where a being named Mara resides, according to Buddhism. Mara believes he is the guardian of Kamaloka and sees it as his duty to keep beings attached to sensory engagement to maintain the population of this realm.

This perspective is relatable to our worldly views. Governments, for instance, worry about underpopulation and encourage procreation. Mara can be seen as an overly controlling “president” who disallows “immigration” to keep his realm populated.

From a human perspective, Mara could be considered a controlling deity or god. Because human perception is limited, we tend to worship higher beings according to our understanding. If we believe existence is limited to sensory experiences, our god might align with a being like Mara. Mara is indifferent to most human activities because people are already attached to sensory perceptions. So, prayers to such a god rarely attract his attention.

Mara is only bothered by people who attempt to disengage from sensory engagement, such as meditators. In meditation, one learns to transcend sensory distraction and experiences higher states beyond sensory dependence. Realizing that existence isn’t confined to course sensory experiences, meditators irritate Mara, especially if they teach others to do the same.

Most people, however, are less concerned with questions of origin or breaking free from Kamaloka. They seek immediate supernatural experiences or the quick fulfillment of desires. The “gods” who promptly answer these prayers are usually terrestrial supernatural beings, such as fallen gods or earth-bound spirits. These beings seek followers to increase their own power or influence, a dynamic that Mara tolerates because they remain bound within Kamaloka. Consequently, people often pray to such beings, mistakenly believing that heavenly beings have answered their prayers. These spirits, often corrupt with greed, hatred, and ignorance, can negatively influence devotees, leading them to amplify their own negative traits.

The true heavenly beings within Kamaloka gain their glory through wholesome deeds, love, and compassion—higher mental states. In contrast, bigotry, intolerance, and violence are associated with fallen gods.

Beyond Kamaloka lie two other unique types of existences. These existences are considered deva or heavenly realms in Buddhism. Immediately beyond Kamaloka is Rupadhatu. Within Rupadhatu are various heavens. Beings within Rupadhatu have transcended coarse sensory engagement and exist in mental states corresponding to meditative absorptions known as Jhana—specifically the first to fourth Jhana. They have appearences and associate with one another. To learn more about Jhana, you may read the Kevatta Sutta.

Since beings in Rupadhatu exist without the coarse sensory engagement of Kamaloka, they are genderless, with subtle bodies of vast size. To some of them, our Earth would appear as a tiny speck, and they are not interested in us.

To be continued…

May all be well and happy.