<ol>
<li>No-form (formless)</li>
<li>Form</li>
<li>Desire</li>
</ol>

<p><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/buddhism/karma-and-worldview/the-three-realms.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.netplaces.com/buddhism/karma-and-worldview/the-three-realms.htm</a></p>

<p>Also called</p>

<ol>
<li>Immaterial (arupa-loka)</li>
<li>Fine Material (rupa-loka)</li>
<li>Sensuous (kama-loka)</li>
</ol>

<p><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html</a></p>

<p>Since that encompasses the whole totality of the cosmos, the buddhas in question are all the supremely enlightened ones -- clear as day to a purified mindstream.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-03-06T04:05:51.907Z
2015-03-06T04:05:51.907Z
sova
<p>This phrase here means everywhere. </p>

<p>Specifically, probably the Trailokya, the realm of desire, form and formlessness.  The realm of desire is hell and earth. The realm of form and formlessness are different types of heavens.</p>

<p>ref: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trailokya" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trailokya</a></p>

<p>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_spiritual_realms" rel="nofollow">10 realms</a>, <a href="http://www.tientai.net/teachings/dharma/buddha/10directions.htm" rel="nofollow">10 directions</a>, a <a href="http://www.fodian.net/world/buddhas/3tb/3tba.html" rel="nofollow">three times</a> are all common stock literary phrases that meant everywhere and everything and all times.</p>

<p>And I've lost track of how many ways I've seen the realms sliced up, into the 4, 6, 10 realms, and now with this question, 3!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-03-06T01:27:39.217Z
2015-03-06T01:27:39.217Z
MatthewMartin
<p>In some of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%8Dkan" rel="nofollow">Ryōkan's</a> poems such as this one he mentions the Buddhas of the three worlds</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>While I gather firewood and wild grasses on this hill,</p>
  
  <p>the Buddhas of the three worlds</p>
  
  <p>Are also celebrating</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Who are the Buddhas and what are the three worlds?</p>

<zen><buddhas><literature><roykan>
Who are the Buddhas of the three worlds in Ryōkan's poems?
# Who are the Buddhas of the three worlds in Ryōkan's poems?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-03-05)

In some of [Ryōkan's](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%8Dkan) poems such as this one he mentions the Buddhas of the three worlds

> While I gather firewood and wild grasses on this hill,
>
> the Buddhas of the three worlds
>
> Are also celebrating

Who are the Buddhas and what are the three worlds?

**Tags:** zen, buddhas, literature, roykan


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-03-06. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

This phrase here means everywhere.

Specifically, probably the Trailokya, the realm of desire, form and formlessness. The realm of desire is hell and earth. The realm of form and formlessness are different types of heavens.

ref: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trailokya>

The [10 realms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_spiritual_realms), [10 directions](http://www.tientai.net/teachings/dharma/buddha/10directions.htm), a [three times](http://www.fodian.net/world/buddhas/3tb/3tba.html) are all common stock literary phrases that meant everywhere and everything and all times.

And I've lost track of how many ways I've seen the realms sliced up, into the 4, 6, 10 realms, and now with this question, 3!


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-03-06. Score: 3

1. No-form (formless)
2. Form
3. Desire

<http://www.netplaces.com/buddhism/karma-and-worldview/the-three-realms.htm>

Also called

1. Immaterial (arupa-loka)
2. Fine Material (rupa-loka)
3. Sensuous (kama-loka)

<http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html>

Since that encompasses the whole totality of the cosmos, the buddhas in question are all the supremely enlightened ones -- clear as day to a purified mindstream.


---

