What If the Universe Is Bigger Than We Think?

Have you ever looked up at the stars and wondered, “Are we alone?”
NASA wondered that too. That’s why, in 2009, they launched the Kepler telescope—to scan the skies for Earth-like planets.

But over 2,500 years ago, the Buddha had already given a surprising answer:
We’re not alone. In fact, there are countless universes, and countless forms of life.

This isn’t just about aliens. It’s a completely different way of seeing the cosmos—where humans, animals, heavenly beings, even hellish realms are all part of an interconnected system.

Let’s explore this idea. Whether you believe in it or not, it might shift how you see life, death, and everything in between.

The Buddhist Universe in a Nutshell

Imagine our universe—galaxies, stars, planets. Now multiply that by infinity.

In Buddhist teachings, this is called “Ananta Cakkavāla”—endless universes. In each one, there are many realms of existence. They’re grouped into three major levels:

1. Kāmadhātu – The Realm of Desire

This is where most beings live, including:

• Humans (like us)
  
  

• Animals
  
  

• Ghosts
  
  

• Hell beings
  
  

• Heavenly beings in six levels of heaven
  
  

Here, people still crave—food, love, power, pleasure. It’s the most “earth-like” zone.

2. Rūpadhātu – The Realm of Form

This is like a higher dimension, home to “form” beings who have let go of physical craving but still have subtle bodies. Think of it like refined consciousness—very peaceful, very still.

3. Arūpadhātu – The Formless Realm

This is even more subtle—pure mind. No body, no physical form. Just pure awareness in different meditative states.

And above all this? Nibbāna—a state of complete freedom from suffering.
Below it all? Lokantarika Hell, a terrifying, isolated pit for extreme wrongdoers.

Okay, but What Does This Have to Do with Me?

Here’s where it gets interesting.

Buddhist teachings say that we’re constantly moving through these realms—over lifetimes. Where you go next isn’t random. It depends on your actions, mindset, and intentions. Think of it like gravity—our actions pull us in a certain direction.

It’s not about reward and punishment. It’s about cause and effect.

Be kind, generous, and mindful → you rise to higher realms.
Act with cruelty, hatred, or selfishness → you fall into lower realms.

The point isn’t fear. It’s awareness.

But… Can We Prove Any of This?

Great question.

Buddhism acknowledges that some truths are visible—like how kindness makes people trust you. But other truths—like other realms—can’t be seen with the eyes.

Instead, they’re discovered through deep meditation. In other words:
To see higher worlds, you need higher awareness.

It’s like trying to hear a radio station without the right frequency—you need to tune in. Buddhist meditation is that tuning process.

So Is This All Just Metaphor?

Maybe. Maybe not.

But think about this: even modern science admits it only understands a tiny slice of reality. We can't see dark matter. We can't touch thoughts. We trust what instruments tell us. But the Buddha says our own mind is the greatest instrument—if we learn how to use it.

Whether you take the 31 realms literally or symbolically, the message is powerful:

Life is bigger than what we see. And we have more control over our destiny than we think.

Final Thought: This Isn’t About Belief. It’s About Exploration.

You don’t need to “believe” in all this to find value in it.

You just need curiosity—and maybe a willingness to look inward.

Buddhism isn’t asking you to accept its map blindly. It’s inviting you to travel.

So… ready to explore?

If this sparked your curiosity, stay tuned. We’ll explore how meditation works as a “spacecraft” to help you see beyond the visible universe. 🧘‍♂️🚀✨

Sources in Thai:

https://kalyanamitra.org/th/article_detail.php?i=5999

https://kalyanamitra.org/th/article_detail.php?i=12994