Significance of Animal realm
The Animal realm in Mahayana Buddhism describes a level of existence for beings reborn due to a predominance of emotion over thought. It is characterized by immense suffering resulting from past life actions, leading to a life as non-human creatures like elephants, horses, or birds. In this realm, beings live instinctively, lacking the reasoning and reflective capacities typical in humans. The bodhisattva plays a role here, offering acts of generosity to those residing in this challenging existence.
Synonyms: Animal kingdom, Fauna, Animal world, Natural habitat
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Animal realm'
In Buddhism, the Animal realm signifies a dimension of existence where beings endure suffering due to past actions, are reborn as animals driven by instinct rather than reason, and receive compassion from bodhisattvas through acts of generosity.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) This is the realm where beings are born as animals, experiencing a life of instinctual existence without the higher faculties of reasoning and reflection that humans possess.[1] (2) The realm inhabited by non-human creatures, where the bodhisattva extends his acts of generosity.[2] (3) The realm where beings, influenced by actions in past lives, experience great suffering and torment, often becoming animals like elephants, horses, or birds.[3]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) A level of existence into which beings can be reborn if they possess more emotion than thought.[4]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) The realm where animals reside, marked by their struggles for survival and encounters with various forms of suffering.[5]