Overview

While the 31 planes of existence detail the specific locations in saṃsāra, the Nine Abodes of Beings (Sattāvāsa) categorize living beings based on their cognitive and physical structures—specifically, how their physical bodies (rūpa) and their mental perceptions (saññā) differ or align.

The List

  1. Different bodies, different perceptions: Human beings, some devas, and beings in the lower realms.
  2. Different bodies, same perceptions: The Brahmas of the retinue of the First Jhāna, who all share the perception of being created by Maha Brahma, despite having different bodies.
  3. Same bodies, different perceptions: The Ābhassara (Radiant) Devas. They look identical, but their perceptions vary based on their varying degrees of bliss.
  4. Same bodies, same perceptions: The Subhakiṇṇa (Beautiful) Devas. They look identical and share the exact same unified perception of bliss.
  5. Unconscious beings (Asaññasattā): Devas who possess a physical body but have entirely suppressed perception and consciousness.
  6. Beings in the Base of Infinite Space. (Formless)
  7. Beings in the Base of Infinite Consciousness. (Formless)
  8. Beings in the Base of Nothingness. (Formless)
  9. Beings in the Base of Neither-Perception-Nor-Non-Perception. (Formless)

Textual References

  • Canonical: Sattāvāsa Sutta (AN 9.24) – The Buddha outlines these nine domains, confirming his absolute knowledge of the limits of consciousness in the universe.

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