Loka, 7 Definition(s)

A location in space and time existing separately and independently of the physical dimension. Many people, as they go through peak states following their enlightenment, find themselves able to travel in and out of these lokas. A shaman is one who has learned to travel through these lokas at will. See also dimensions.

Also known as lokas, these are a multitude of worlds, each operating on a different vibrational frequency, within the created universes. The physical world is only of these. Bhagavan speaks of 21 lokas, each associated with a specific chakra, (7 within the body, 7 below the body, and 7 above the body), which incarnated humans are allowed to explore.

1. Loka. A general, inhabitant of Makkhakudrusa. He ruled for six years over Rohana, his seat of government being in Kajaragama. A chieftain named Buddharaja quarrelled with him and fled to Cunnasala, where he was joined by Kitti (afterwards Vijayabahu I.). Loka marched against their combined forces, was defeated in Remuna, and died soon after. Cv.lvii.1, 45 64.

2. Loka. Son of Kassapa (afterwards Vikkamabahu I.) and Lokita. His brother was Moggallana. Cv.lvii.29; Cv.Trs.i.195, n.3.

3. Loka Kesadhatu. An officer of Parakkamabahu I. (Cv.lxxii.57). He served under the generals Damiladhikari Rakkha (Cv.lxxv.75) and Lankapura (Cv.lxxvi. 253, 269) and took a prominent part in the campaign against Kulasekhara, particularly in the capture of Rajina. Cv.lxxvi.324, 327.

M (Universe). World, sphere.

Loka means worldly in connection with bhava.

'world', denotes the 3 spheres of existence comprising the whole universe, i.e.

• (1) the sensuous world (kāma-loka), or the world of the 5 senses;
• (2) the fine-material world (rūpa-loka), corresponding to the 4 fine-material absorptions (s. jhāna 1-4);
• (3) the immaterial world (arūpa-loka), corresponding to the 4 immaterial absorptions (s. jhāna, 5-8).

The sensuous world comprises

• the hells (niraya),
• the animal kingdom (tiracchāna-yoni),
• the ghost-realm (peta-loka),
• the demon world (asura-nikāya),
• the human world (manussa-loka) and
• the 6 lower celestial worlds (s. deva I).

In the fine-material world (s. deva II) still exist the faculties of seeing and hearing, which, together with the other sense faculties, are temporarily suspended in the 4 absorptions. In the immaterial world (s. deva III) there is no corporeality whatsoever, only the four mental groups (s. khandha) exist there.

Though the term loka is not applied in the Suttas to those 3 worlds, but only the term bhava, 'existence' (e.g. M. 43), there is no doubt that the teaching about the 3 worlds belongs to the earliest, i.e. sutta-period, of the Buddhist scriptures, as many relevant passages show.

Pali for "Realm";

Also see "Vacara" (translation: 'Sphere')