Buddhist Mythology - World Mythos Explorer

The Path to Enlightenment & the Wheel of Dharma

Explore the profound wisdom of Buddhist cosmology, from the enlightenment of the Buddha to the compassionate Bodhisattvas, from the 31 realms of existence to the eternal cycle of rebirth. Discover the path to liberation from suffering and the realization of ultimate truth.

🙏 The Buddha & Bodhisattvas

Buddhism centers on the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, and the Bodhisattvas—beings who delay their own final liberation to help all sentient beings achieve enlightenment. These figures represent different aspects of wisdom, compassion, and liberation.

🧘 The Buddha & Enlightened Beings

The historical Buddha Shakyamuni, the celestial Buddhas of the ten directions, and the compassionate Bodhisattvas who guide beings toward liberation from suffering.

🧘 Buddha (Enlightened One) 🙏 Avalokiteshvara (Compassion) 📖 Manjushri (Wisdom)

🌌 Cosmology & the Structure of Reality

Explore the intricate structure of Buddhist cosmology, from the 31 realms of existence to the profound teachings on the nature of reality and the cycle of rebirth.

🏔️ Buddhist Cosmology Overview

The 31 realms of existence arranged around Mount Meru, from the lowest hell realms to the highest formless realms. Understanding the vertical and cyclical nature of Buddhist reality.

🌀 Interdependent Origination - The Nature of Reality

Buddhism teaches not creation by a deity, but pratityasamutpada—the interdependent arising of all phenomena. The twelve links of dependent origination explain the cycle of suffering and rebirth.

💀 Death, Bardo & Rebirth - The Cycle Continues

What happens after death: the intermediate state (bardo), judgment by karma, rebirth in one of the six realms, and the ultimate goal of escaping samsara to achieve nirvana.

🦸 Legendary Figures & Saints

The realized masters and saints who have achieved enlightenment and dedicated their lives to preserving and transmitting the Dharma.

🕉️ Buddhist Saints & Masters

The arhats who achieved enlightenment, the great Buddhist kings like Ashoka, legendary monks and nuns, and the lineage holders who preserved and transmitted the Dharma across millennia.

🐉 Creatures & Spirits

The diverse beings that inhabit the Buddhist cosmos, from celestial devas to fearsome protectors, serpent spirits to hungry ghosts.

👹 Mythical Beings

The creatures inhabiting Buddhist cosmology—nagas (serpent spirits), devas (celestial beings), asuras (titans), hungry ghosts, guardian spirits, and the fearsome protector deities.

🌿 Sacred Plants & Medicine

The sacred flora of Buddhist tradition, from the Bodhi tree of enlightenment to the lotus of purity, and the medicinal plants used in traditional Buddhist healing practices.

🌳 Sacred & Medicinal Plants

The plants sacred to Buddhist tradition—the Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment, the lotus symbolizing purity, sandalwood for offerings, and herbs used in Tibetan medicine.

🌳 Bodhi Tree 🌸 Lotus 🪵 Sandalwood Preparation Methods

🔮 Practices, Rituals & The Path

The methods, ceremonies, and progressive stages of Buddhist practice that guide practitioners from initial awakening to full enlightenment.

🕯️ Ritual Practices

The ceremonies and practices that connect practitioners to the Dharma—meditation, prostrations, mantra recitation, mandala offerings, and the great festivals of the Buddhist calendar.

Festival Calendar Offerings & Devotions

✨ Esoteric Traditions

The tantric practices of Vajrayana Buddhism—visualization, deity yoga, mantra, mudra, and the profound methods for transforming consciousness and achieving enlightenment in a single lifetime.

🪜 The Buddhist Path - Six Stages of Practice

The 6-stage journey from lay practitioner to Bodhisattva, following the progressive path of Buddhist training. A 20-30 year journey of deepening wisdom and compassion.

Stage 1: Lay Practitioner

Stage 2: Novice Monk

Stage 3: Monk

Stage 4: Elder

Stage 5: Arahant

Stage 6: Bodhisattva

📚 Other Buddhist Sections

Explore the sacred texts, symbols, and resources that form the foundation of Buddhist tradition and practice.

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Sacred Texts

The Pali Canon (Tipitaka), Mahayana Sutras (Heart Sutra, Lotus Sutra), Tibetan texts (Book of the Dead), and the commentarial literature that preserves the Buddha's teachings.

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