Trayastrimsa

Trayastrimsa is a concept found in Buddhist cosmology, specifically referring to a heaven or realm inhabited by thirty-three deities. This realm is often described as being located above Mount Sumeru, the central cosmic mountain in Buddhist tradition. The name itself, Trayastrimsa, is derived from Sanskrit and translates to "thirty-three".

The thirty-three deities are not typically considered individual gods in the Western sense but rather as celestial beings who enjoy a prolonged and pleasurable existence. Their ruler is often identified as Sakra, also known as Indra, a prominent deity in Hindu and Buddhist mythology who presides over the heavens. The Trayastrimsa heaven is seen as a place of great joy and prosperity, but it is still part of the cycle of rebirth, samsara.

Beings in Trayastrimsa are said to have accumulated positive karma in their past lives, which has led to their fortunate rebirth in this realm. However, their existence is not eternal, and when their good karma is exhausted, they will eventually pass on to other realms. The Trayastrimsa heaven is a significant location in Buddhist narratives, often serving as a setting for dialogues between the Buddha and the deities, where the Buddha imparts dharma teachings. It represents a higher, more blissful state than the human realm, but not the ultimate state of liberation, Nirvana.