<p>I always use "angel" to refer to devas, and "god" to refer to brahmas; though the terms have a different connotation in Judeo-Christian tradition, the relationship the terms have with each other is similar, since devas are really just angelic, whereas brahmas are in a sense godlike.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-10T16:47:13.070Z
I noticed that in some of the videos, Bhante. But I was wondering what to call Apsaras, in that case. The ones who are there to entertain the Devas. They seem to be lesser than Devas.
Sankha Kulathantille
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-10T19:05:41.773Z
@SankhaKulathantille nymphs, I think is the generally accepted translation, though again it's probably not exact.
yuttadhammo
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2014-08-10T20:26:21.327Z
Thank you, Bhante! Heard that word for the 1st time. Meaning seems to fit.
Sankha Kulathantille
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2014-08-10T11:54:14.077Z
2014-08-10T11:54:14.077Z
yuttadhammo
<p>It's safest to leave them in the Pali or Sanskrit.</p>

<p>Angels sounds very Christian. It creates a "don't think about polar bears" situation to hear these Christian words. If you try not to think about polar bears, <em>all</em> you can think about is polar bears. If you hear the word Angel and try not think about guys with wings that do Gods bidding and sometimes rebel and turn into princes of darkness, then all you'll be able to think about is that.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-09T23:16:46.137Z
2014-08-09T23:16:46.137Z
MatthewMartin
<p>According to the Dhamma(afaik), there are three types of <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html" rel="nofollow">heavenly beings</a>. </p>

<ol>
<li>Devas - Gods(male)</li>
<li>Apsara/Divyangana - Angels(female) who accompany the gods.</li>
<li>Brahmas(Rupa/Arupa) - ?</li>
</ol>

<p>We can use the word 'god' or 'higher-god' to refer to brahmas, but that doesn't clearly separate them from Devas who belong to the sensual world. Is there a better English word?</p>

<p>P.S. I'm inclined to think that there's no proper English term because the Western world did not have the practice of attaining <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca4/samma-samadhi/jhana.html" rel="nofollow">Jhanas</a>. Thus no concept of <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html" rel="nofollow">Brahma realms</a> or non-sensual realms. </p>

<terminology><god><brahma><deva>
Is there a proper English word to call Brahmas?
# Is there a proper English word to call Brahmas?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-08-09)

According to the Dhamma(afaik), there are three types of [heavenly beings](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html).

1. Devas - Gods(male)
2. Apsara/Divyangana - Angels(female) who accompany the gods.
3. Brahmas(Rupa/Arupa) - ?

We can use the word 'god' or 'higher-god' to refer to brahmas, but that doesn't clearly separate them from Devas who belong to the sensual world. Is there a better English word?

P.S. I'm inclined to think that there's no proper English term because the Western world did not have the practice of attaining [Jhanas](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca4/samma-samadhi/jhana.html). Thus no concept of [Brahma realms](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html) or non-sensual realms.

**Tags:** terminology, god, brahma, deva


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-08-10. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

I always use "angel" to refer to devas, and "god" to refer to brahmas; though the terms have a different connotation in Judeo-Christian tradition, the relationship the terms have with each other is similar, since devas are really just angelic, whereas brahmas are in a sense godlike.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I noticed that in some of the videos, Bhante. But I was wondering what to call Apsaras, in that case. The ones who are there to entertain the Devas. They seem to be lesser than Devas.  
> **username_1**: @SankhaKulathantille nymphs, I think is the generally accepted translation, though again it's probably not exact.  
> **username_0**: Thank you, Bhante! Heard that word for the 1st time. Meaning seems to fit.  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2014-08-09. Score: 4

It's safest to leave them in the Pali or Sanskrit.

Angels sounds very Christian. It creates a "don't think about polar bears" situation to hear these Christian words. If you try not to think about polar bears, *all* you can think about is polar bears. If you hear the word Angel and try not think about guys with wings that do Gods bidding and sometimes rebel and turn into princes of darkness, then all you'll be able to think about is that.


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