Have you ever heard about karma and merit? Or maybe, in the middle of the night, you secretly Googled whether souls are real after catching a glimpse of a white shadow in your dream? If so, you’ve probably wondered: does death lead to absolute nothingness, or is it the beginning of a high-stakes journey?
Which Light Will the Soul Choose Among the 6 Doors of the Bardo?
In the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol, Oxford, 1927), the Bardo state is not just a 49-day waiting period before rebirth. It is a unique state of consciousness where illusions, memories, and emotions—both good and bad—resurface with overwhelming intensity. In this liminal state, one must confront their own inner demons—deep-seated fears, attachments, and unresolved desires that can shape the path of rebirth.
The Six Realms of Rebirth: Not Just “Destinations” but Reflections of Consciousness
1. Soft White Light: Serene and Pure—The Heavenly Realm (Deva Loka)
The Heavenly Realm is a blissful paradise where beings enjoy the rewards of their accumulated merit. Here, there is no suffering of the body or mind, only refined happiness.
🔥 But is this true liberation? Not quite! The Heavenly Realm is still part of the cycle of samsara. When merit runs out, beings can fall into lower realms.
🌿 Who is guided to this realm?
Those who practice virtue, meditation, wisdom, and compassion. They may be sages, monks, or selfless individuals. However, true liberation requires transcending both karma and merit, aiming for enlightenment instead.
2. Gentle Golden Light: Warm and Familiar—The Human Realm (Manushya Loka)
The human world is a balance between joy and suffering, the only place where free will allows beings to learn and change their fate. This is a rare opportunity to cultivate the mind and escape samsara.
🌍 Why would a soul be drawn to this light?
Those who have a mix of virtues and flaws, who learn from their mistakes, and who continuously strive for self-improvement—though not yet enlightened, they are not completely lost in ignorance either. The human realm offers the unique chance to alter one’s karma, deciding whether to ascend or fall.
3. Mysterious Pale Blue Light: Powerful and Turbulent—The Asura Realm (The Realm of Demi-Gods)
The Asura realm belongs to warrior spirits—proud, ambitious, and obsessed with power. While they may have accumulated merit, their jealousy and relentless desire for dominance keep them trapped in perpetual conflict.
=> This door is for those who are highly competitive and driven but cannot let go of their ego. They may be warriors, rulers, or successful entrepreneurs, yet they are plagued by anxiety, torn between pride and peace, unable to break free.
4. Murky Grey Light: Cold and Faint—The Hungry Ghost Realm (Preta Loka)
The realm of Hungry Ghosts is where souls are imprisoned by insatiable greed. They wander endlessly, always craving yet never satisfied.
=> This realm is for those consumed by extreme desire—hoarders, addicts, or those obsessed with the past and unable to let go. They suffer like drinking salt water—the more they consume, the thirstier they become. The more they have, the more they feel lacking.
5. Dim Pale Blue Light: Foggy and Cold—The Animal Realm (Tiryagyoni Loka)
The animal realm is governed by instinct, ignorance, and fear. Souls here lack deep awareness, living only by habit and primal urges. Those who live thoughtlessly, driven by base desires—food, pleasure, and survival—without regard for wisdom or morality, are easily drawn to this light.
According to folklore, those who indulge excessively in lust, live recklessly, and abandon ethics in pursuit of sensual pleasures may reincarnate as peacocks, roosters, or other creatures ruled by uncontrollable desires.
6. Deep Red Light: Burning and Oppressive—The Hell Realm (Naraka Loka)
Hell is not a divine punishment but self-inflicted torment of the mind. It is a state of drowning in suffering, hatred, and despair, where negative emotions consume the soul like fire. Those who nurture anger, refuse to forgive, and dwell in negativity are drawn toward this light.
Can You Choose Any Door or Rely on Luck?
The thoughts, words, and actions of our lifetime carve deep patterns into the subconscious, automatically leading us to the corresponding door like an instinctual reflex. Science calls this neuroplasticity; Buddhism calls it karma—what we repeatedly do shapes our destiny. In the Bardo state, there is no luck, only consequences.
Different Buddhist traditions interpret reincarnation in varying ways. However, the core message remains the same: what we sow in life determines what we reap in the next.
🌿 How to Become a Buddha? Returning to the “Buddha Realm”
The Buddha once said: “I am a Buddha who has attained enlightenment; all beings are Buddhas yet to awaken.”
Buddhahood is not a place to reach, nor is it bestowed by any divine power. It is the awakening that arises from within—when one is no longer bound by karma, no longer swayed by external forces, no longer driven by greed, anger, or delusion, and no longer clinging to anything at all.
Do you believe in Buddhism? Whether you do or not, Buddhist philosophy remains a treasure trove of knowledge and culture worth exploring.
