12/10/2025
這周學校的功課- Bhavacakra有生之輪，選擇其中六道的一輪深入及探討。我選擇有輪圖》的六道之中，阿修羅界（Asura Realm）在《有輪圖》 This week’s assignment focuses on the Bhavacakra, the Wheel of Becoming. I have chosen to explore the Asura Realm, the world of the jealous gods.
（bhavacakra）的六道之中，阿修羅界（Asura Realm）——「嫉妒的天神之界」——最能反映現代文明的社會心理結構（Giovanni Freddi（2019）指出，這些眾生被一種「享樂式的野心（hedonistic ambition）」所驅動，其內心被嫉妒、爭勝與對權力的攻擊性慾望所支配。
阿修羅界的業因是我慢與嫉妒（pride and envy）——這是一種根植於不安全感的自我比較。從心理層面來看，阿修羅象徵著一種「膨脹的自我（hypertrophic ego）」，這樣的自我外表強勢，實際上是為了掩飾深層的懷疑與自卑。這些次等天神長期處於挫折與失落之中，甚至彼此爭鬥。他們幾乎無法看見站在他們面前的菩薩——那位示現「非享樂之道」的導師。被野心與無邊的自我蒙蔽，他們永遠被困在爭鬥與輪迴的枷鎖之中。
在我們現代的「經濟中心化（econocentric）」與「權力渴求（state-craving）」的社會中，阿修羅界的狀態尤為鮮明。
人的價值往往被定義為財富、擁有物或幸福的幻象。阿修羅界位於天界與人界之間——擁有巨大的力量，卻背負著無盡的不滿。他們的權力成為束縛自身的鎖鏈，讓他們深陷於貪婪的循環。
為了填補內在的不安與攻擊性，他們不斷追逐財富、名聲與支配權——然而每一次獲得，只會讓他們更深地依附於同樣的輪迴。
在資本主義社會中，許多人似乎正過著所謂的「美好生活」。飢餓不再是人類的首要問題，取而代之的是對「地位」的執著。我們隨時接觸科技、資訊與娛樂，生活看似充滿刺激與豐足，
然而一種細微的飢渴仍在內心生長。貪欲並非源自匱乏，而是源於無止盡的比較。
全球經濟運作依賴著與「嫉妒的天神」相同的不安能量——嫉妒、驕傲與自我中心。成功與財富被視為價值與社會地位的象徵。在職場中，人們必須不斷超越他人才能生存，即使身處相同的社群，競爭仍暗潮洶湧。當一個人認為自己優於他人時，
他便失去了自省與靈性成長的能力。這正是阿修羅界的心態：外在強大、生活舒適，卻在靈性上盲目。修行轉化之道（Practice to Transform）
要發現「自我貪執與佔有之欲」從何而生，是轉化的起點。
透過修行——培養隨喜（muditā）與謙卑（humility）——人能將執著的種子轉化為解脫之道。當我們能為他人的幸福而歡喜，並柔化自我邊界時，躁動的阿修羅之心便逐漸回歸平衡與安寧。或許，真正的人類進步，不在於征服他人，而在於超越無止盡的比較。
「《有輪圖》（bhavacakra）並非描述死後所往之地的地圖，而是一面鏡子，映照出我們的心在每一刻所走的方向。
每當我們陷入驕傲、嫉妒或爭勝之中。輪迴之輪便在我們的心中再次轉動。」—（Rupert Gethin），《佛教的基礎》（The Foundations of Buddhism，1998）
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Among the six realms of the bhavacakra, the Asura Realm—the world of the “jealous gods”—most closely mirrors the social psychology of modern civilization. Giovanni Freddi (2019) describes these beings as driven by hedonistic ambition and dominated by states of jealousy, competitiveness, and aggression for power.
The karmic cause of the Asura realm is pride and envy—an egoic comparison rooted in insecurity. Psychologically, the Asuras represent a hypertrophic ego that hides deep self-doubt and low self-esteem. The lesser gods are frustrated and perennial losers, to the point that they even fight among themselves. It is unlikely they will notice the bodhisattva who stands before them, offering a non-hedonistic alternative. Blinded by ambition and their boundless ego, they remain trapped in the wheel of conflict.
This Asura realm manifests vividly in our econocentric, state-craving society, where human worth is often defined by wealth, possessions, or the illusion of happiness. This realm lies between the Deva and Human realms—holding great power yet burdened by endless dissatisfaction. The power they possess becomes the very chain that binds them to the cycle of greed. To fill the inner void of insecurity and aggression, they chase wealth, recognition, and dominance—yet each gain only deepens their dependence on the cycle that binds them.
In capitalist societies, many people appear to be living “the good life.” Hunger is no longer our first concern; instead, our attention revolves around status. With constant access to technology, sound, and stimulation, life seems abundant—yet a subtle hunger still grows within us. Greed arises not from lack, but from endless comparison.
The world economy relies on the same restless emotions of envy, pride, and egotism that define the jealous gods. Success and wealth are treated as indicators of worth and social standing. In professional life, one must constantly outdo others to survive. Competition lurks beneath the surface even among those in the same social circle. When someone believes they are superior to others, they cease to reflect and grow spiritually. This precisely mirrors the state of mind described in the Asura realm: powerful, comfortable, yet spiritually blind.
Practice to Transform
To discover where self-craving and the desire to hold or possess arise is the beginning of transformation. Through practice—cultivating sympathetic joy (muditā) and humility—one turns the seed of attachment into the path of liberation. By rejoicing in others’ happiness and softening the boundaries of self, the restless Asura mind gradually returns to balance and peace. Perhaps the true progress of humanity lies not in conquering others, but in conquering the restless need to compare.
“The Wheel of Becoming (bhavacakra) is not a literal map of where we go after death, but a reflection showing where the mind ventures at each moment. Whenever we succumb to pride, envy, or rivalry, the wheel turns again within us.”
— Rupert Gethin, The Foundations of Buddhism (Oxford University Press, 1998)
Heidi Chen
