Communication with Devas?

[Theweirdtophat]

From what hear in Buddhism, Deva's usually don't intervene physically and will sometimes quietly offer advice and communicate with others. Have any Buddhists here have had connections with a Deva? If so, what was it like?

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

I've never had such an experience, and it's not something Buddhists actively seek for, so it's probably pretty rare.

 

[Theweirdtophat]

I hear some different denominations will seek counsel with them. Just wondering because I don't hear too many people having that kind of experience.

 

[Osal]

I hear some different denominations will seek counsel with them. Just wondering because I don't hear too many people having that kind of experience.

What denominations are you talking about?

 

[Vishvavajra]

Some devas are fellow Buddhists, in which case they can be respected as Dharma-protectors or even bodhisattvas. Apart from that, devas don't really feature in the religion aside from being characters in myths and moral examples, to show that even heavenly beings have the same basic problems we do.

As for communicating with them, I'd say they inhabit a more rarified conceptual realm, so whenever people feel a strong connection to a god or their iconography or feel as if they "speak to them" on a subtle level, that's basically what that is. It's not like you see a pillar of light and a multi-armed being descends and has a chat with you over coffee.

 

[Theweirdtophat]

Some devas are fellow Buddhists, in which case they can be respected as Dharma-protectors or even bodhisattvas. Apart from that, devas don't really feature in the religion aside from being characters in myths and moral examples, to show that even heavenly beings have the same basic problems we do.

As for communicating with them, I'd say they inhabit a more rarified conceptual realm, so whenever people feel a strong connection to a god or their iconography or feel as if they "speak to them" on a subtle level, that's basically what that is. It's not like you see a pillar of light and a multi-armed being descends and has a chat with you over coffee.

lol no I don't think they literally appear to you and have coffee. Much like with tree spirits, that they don't speak English and have mouths that move, when they actually understand body language and emit energy that you can share with and communicate with. It's more subtle from what I hear with devas as in myth they tend to not interfere often and usually offer advice quietly.

 

[rocala]

From what hear in Buddhism, Deva's usually don't intervene physically and will sometimes quietly offer advice and communicate with others. Have any Buddhists here have had connections with a Deva? If so, what was it like?

I do not know if you are familiar with the Findhorn Foundation, if not you may find the writings of its founders to be off interest. Divas were an important part of its early years. The Foundation is not a Buddhist organization but many of its members have been Buddhists. If I remember rightly the writer Daniel H Henning refers to this in his book 'Buddhism and Deep Ecology'.