The Ten Realms (Jikkai) describe the realm of livings beings and the different ways in which sentient beings experience their lives and their environments. When one multiplies ten realms by ten realms, the result is 100 realms. From top to the bottom, the realms are as follows:

• Realm of Buddha: the state of Buddhahood in which one has attained enlightenment and also is leading others to the same realm.
• Realm of Bodhisattva: the state of practitioner in which one is saving others as well as being practicing oneself.
• Realm of Pratyekabuddha: the state of self-practitioner in which one seeks enlightenment by oneself.
• Realm of Srävaka: the state of self-practitioner in which one seeks own enlightenment by hearing the Buddha’s voice.
• Realm of heavenly being: the state of heavenly being and deity.
• Realm of human being: the state of human being.
• Realm of asura: the state of anger.
• Realm of animal: the state of animalistic behavior.
• Realm of hungry spirit: the state of suffering caused by thirst and hunger arising out of greed.
• Realm of hell: the state of overwhelming suffering.