Glossary of Buddhist words/Glossary of devotional words

Jikkai means the ten realms of worlds and minds. It is also called ‘Jippokai’. The ten realms are: the realm of hell, the realm of hungry spirits (greed), the realm of animals (wildness), the realm of Ashura (anger), the realm of humans (reason), the realm of heaven (pleasure), the realm of Shomon (learning), the realm of Engaku (self-improvement), the realm of Bodhisattva (mercy / compassion), the realm of Buddha (mental state of enlightenment). The three lowest realms (hell, hungry spirits and animals) are referred to as the Three Worst Existences (Sanzu). Sanzu and the realm of Ashura are called the Four Bad Places (Shiaku Do). The six realms of existence from hell to heaven are called the Six Realms (Roku Do) which souls transmigrate from one to another. The four realms from Shomon to Buddha are called the Four Holy Realms (Shisho). All existences in this world are born, then die and transmigrate from the past life into the future life. We also transmigrate within the six realms on a daily basis. Thus, Buddhism maintains that sins and iniquities are created by various works and by the six realms. The reason why Shakamuni Buddha said, ‘First, look into (observe) your mind carefully to realize the despicable and ugly works in our six realms.’ We should offer repentance (Sange) to the Gohonzon as the important prayer for the sins created by bad thoughts and acts. It is the starting point to enter the gate of the religion of the Lotus Sutra.