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Significance of Six Paths

The Six Paths in Tibetan Buddhism refer to the various realms of existence where sentient beings can be reborn. This concept emphasizes the importance of gratitude towards all forms of life. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Six Paths encompass the realms of gods, humans, animals, hungry ghosts, asuras, and hell-beings, determined by one's karma and actions. This framework illustrates the cyclical nature of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) experienced by individuals, shaped by their moral conduct and understanding of existence.

Synonyms: Six ways, Six directions

In Dutch: Zes paden; In Finnish: Kuusi polkua; In Spanish: Seis caminos

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Six Paths'

Buddhism Books

The Six Paths in Buddhism represent six realms of existence—gods, humans, asuras, animals, hungry ghosts, and hell beings—where sentient beings are reborn based on their karma and actions, reflecting the cycle of samsara.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) Refers to the different realms of existence that beings can be reborn into, including gods, people, animals, hungry ghosts, and hell-dwellers.[1] (2) The six realms of existence that living beings can be reborn into, where actions such as killing, stealing, and lust are to be avoided.[2] (3) The realms of rebirth in which beings may be born, influenced by their karma and actions.[3] (4) The six realms of existence in Buddhist cosmology where beings may be reborn based on their karma.[4] (5) The realms of existence in which all living beings reside, including gods, humans, asuras, animals, hungry ghosts, and beings in hell.[5]

From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Purvapranidhana Sutra

(1) The realms of existence that include gods, humans, hell-beings, hungry ghosts, animals, and asuras, where beings can be reborn based on their karma.[6] (2) The six realms of existence in Buddhist cosmology: heaven, human, Asura, hell, hungry ghost, and animal.[7] (3) The cyclical realms of existence in Buddhist cosmology into which beings can be reborn, including heavens, human, asura, hell, hungry ghost, and animal realms.[8] (4) The realms of existence in Buddhism, including gods, humans, asuras, hell-beings, hungry ghosts, and animals.[9]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: The Six Yogas of Naropa

(1) Refers to the realms of existence where sentient beings are reborn, emphasizing the importance of gratitude towards them.[10]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.