The Concept of Avicii in Buddhism

Avicii, a term originating from Sanskrit and Pali, signifies “waveless” or “without waves”.¹ This designation is primarily understood within the context of Buddhist (and also Hindu) traditions as the name of the lowest and most severe level of Naraka, which constitutes the hell realm in Buddhist cosmology.¹ The very name “waveless” immediately suggests a state of suffering that is continuous and intense, lacking any periods of respite. This fundamental characteristic sets Avicii apart within the Buddhist understanding of negative rebirths. It is noteworthy that the late musician Tim Bergling adopted “Avicii” as his stage name, drawing inspiration from its meaning as “the lowest level of Buddhist hell”.⁷ While this provides a contemporary reference point, it remains distinct from the rich theological concept within Buddhism itself. The significance of the name lies in its encapsulation of the core attribute of this realm: uninterrupted and profound suffering. The absence of waves implies a constant state, unyielding and without variation, which is central to understanding the nature of this specific hell.

To fully comprehend Avicii, it is essential to locate it within the broader framework of Buddhist cosmology and the cyclical nature of rebirth. Buddhist cosmology posits a universe with multiple realms of existence, with rebirth occurring based on the principle of karma, the law of cause and effect. Naraka is identified as one of the six realms of rebirth within the desire realm, known as Kamadhatu.⁸ These six realms—gods, demigods, humans, animals, hungry ghosts, and hell beings—represent different states of existence shaped by the accumulation of past actions. Naraka, the realm of hell beings, is positioned as the lowest of these six, characterized by various degrees of suffering. Therefore, the concept of Avicii is not an isolated idea but rather an integral part of a comprehensive system that explains the consequences of one’s actions and the potential for experiencing both positive and negative rebirths within this cyclical existence. Understanding this placement is crucial for appreciating the role and significance of Avicii in the overall Buddhist worldview.

Within the realm of Naraka, Buddhist cosmology describes a hierarchical structure of various hells, each distinguished by the intensity and duration of suffering. Avicii is consistently identified as the lowest and thus the place of the most intense suffering among these hell realms.¹ Some texts, such as ⁸, delineate eighteen hells in total, categorized into eight hot hells, eight cold hells, and two other kinds (neighboring and ephemeral hells), with Avicii being classified as one of the eight hot hells. Furthermore¹² explicitly states that Avicii in Buddhism symbolizes the lowest plane of suffering, underscoring its position at the nadir of negative rebirths. In the Mahayana tradition, Avicii is also recognized as one of the eight great hells ¹³, and some texts even refer to it as Maha Niraya, meaning the Great Hell.⁷ This hierarchical arrangement within the hell realms suggests that the principle of karma operates with a nuanced precision, leading to different degrees of negative experiences based on the severity of the accumulated negative actions. The very notion of Avicii as the “lowest level” implies a spectrum of suffering, where individuals experience consequences commensurate with their deeds, with Avicii representing the most extreme end of this spectrum.

Buddhist texts provide detailed, albeit potentially symbolic, descriptions of Avicii’s physical characteristics, emphasizing its immense scale and the inescapable nature of the suffering experienced there. It is often depicted as a vast cube, with each side measuring 20,000 yojanas, which translates to approximately 240,000 to 300,000 kilometers.³ This colossal structure is said to be situated deep beneath the divine (nonvisible) earth.³ Further descriptions detail Avicii as having walls constructed of solid iron, a floor made of incandescent molten steel, and four imposing doors.⁸ Interestingly¹⁵ mentions the presence of seven solid iron walls, suggesting slight variations in different textual accounts. The imagery of iron walls and molten steel powerfully conveys the themes of intense heat and inescapable confinement that characterize this realm. However, it is also noted in ¹³ that there are variations in the perceived location of Avicii, with some traditions placing it outside the Earth’s sphere or even specifically seven hundred miles directly under the Bodhi Tree at Gaya. These detailed physical descriptions, while their literal interpretation may be debated, serve to underscore the immense scale and seemingly inescapable nature of Avicii. The imagery of impenetrable walls and scorching heat amplifies the sense of profound and unrelenting suffering. The variations in location across different traditions might reflect different schools of thought or symbolic interpretations within Buddhism.

The inhabitants of Avicii are identified as beings who have accumulated exceptionally grave negative karma through the commission of severe misdeeds.² Certain specific offenses are consistently highlighted as leading to rebirth in this most painful realm. For instance² lists transgressions such as the murder of one’s parents, the killing of an arhat (an enlightened being who has attained nirvana), the shedding of the blood of a Buddha, or the creation of a division within the Sangha, the community of Buddhist practitioners. These specific actions are not merely considered negative but represent fundamental breaches of ethical and spiritual principles that carry the most severe karmic consequences. The direct link between these exceptionally harmful actions and rebirth in Avicii underscores the profound importance of ethical conduct within Buddhist teachings. The emphasis on these specific deeds serves as a clear indication of the types of actions that are considered most detrimental to one’s spiritual progress and the well-being of others.

Central to understanding the causes for rebirth in Avicii are the five Anantarika-karma, often translated as the “grave offenses” or “heinous crimes.” These five actions are detailed across numerous sources ² and include: intentionally killing one’s father, intentionally killing one’s mother, killing an arhat, maliciously shedding the blood of a Buddha, and creating a schism within the Sangha (the monastic community). Snippets ⁸ and ⁸ refer to these as “five immediate acts” that are believed to cause immediate rebirth in hell upon death, without an intermediate state. The severity of these offenses is emphasized in ¹¹ and ¹⁹, highlighting their profound negative karmic impact. ²² even provides examples of individuals from Buddhist tradition, such as Devadatta, who are said to have committed some of these acts.

Beyond these primary five offenses, other significant negative karmas can also lead to rebirth in Avicii. ³mentions that in Hinduism, bearing false witness and outright lying during business transactions or charitable giving are reasons for such a rebirth, and this may hold relevance in certain Buddhist contexts as well. ¹³specifically notes punishment for false witnesses and those who give gifts inappropriately. Furthermore, slandering the Dharma, the Buddha’s teachings, is also considered a grave offense that can result in rebirth in Avicii ³, with ¹⁹ even equating it to the five great violations in terms of severity. The act of teaching wrong views, which can lead others astray from the path to enlightenment, is another transgression that ²⁴ suggests might result in rebirth in Avicii. While the five Anantarika-karma are considered the most direct and potent causes, these additional examples indicate that the underlying principle is the severity of the negative impact of one’s actions, particularly those that undermine fundamental ethical and spiritual values within the Buddhist framework.

The suffering experienced within Avicii is consistently described as intense, horrific, and unceasing, aligning with the very meaning of “waveless”.² Vivid descriptions paint a picture of unimaginable torment. For instance⁸details tortures such as boiling molten metal being poured into the mouths of beings while their bodies are consumed by flames to the point of being indistinguishable from the fire itself. ² mentions the presence of intense heat and burning oven fires, further emphasizing the fiery nature of this hell. ¹³ describes the bodies of those who fall into Avicii being crumbled to pieces, with the punishment being repeated again and again in new bodies. ¹³ notes severe tortures, including the transfixion of beings by iron stakes as thick as palmyra tree trunks, amidst a fire so powerful it can destroy the eyesight of someone observing it from a great distance. ¹⁵refers to Avicii as the “hell of incessant suffering” where beings are perpetually consumed by flames. These graphic depictions of torture serve to underscore the severity of the karmic consequences associated with the grave offenses that lead to rebirth in this realm, acting as a potent deterrent against harmful actions.

The concept of time within Avicii is described as extraordinarily long, frequently expressed in terms of kalpas, or cosmic aeons.² Some texts, as noted in ³, cite specific durations such as 3.4 quintillion years. ³ indicates that certain sutras state that rebirth in Avicii will last for innumerable kalpas, with the being dying and being reborn in the same place to suffer for another kalpa, continuing until their negative karma is completely exhausted. ¹³ provides examples of varying durations, ranging from a relatively short period of seven days for some individuals to an immense 100,000 kappas for others, depending on the nature and severity of their karmic accumulation. ² generally describes the time of suffering in Avicii as longer than any other level of Naraka, spanning from more than a thousand years to eons. In some cosmological views, as suggested by ²⁹, the duration of Avicii might even extend beyond the lifespan of a universe. These immense timescales associated with Avicii serve to highlight the profound and lasting impact of the grave offenses that lead to this form of rebirth. While not considered eternal within the standard Buddhist framework, the duration is practically inconceivable from a human perspective, emphasizing the weight of such negative actions.

Despite the descriptions of intense suffering and incredibly long durations, a fundamental tenet of Buddhist teaching is that all conditioned states, including rebirth in Naraka and Avicii, are ultimately temporary and impermanent.²³ explicitly states that Buddhism teaches that going to Naraka is a temporary phase, allowing individuals to work off the negative karma they have accumulated. Similarly² clarifies that Avicii is not a permanent abode but rather a place where beings are reborn to expiate their bad karma before undergoing further rebirths in other realms. Even the hell realms, including Avicii, are noted as temporary in.⁸ This principle of impermanence (anicca) is central to Buddhist philosophy, and its application to Avicii distinguishes it from concepts of eternal damnation found in other religious traditions. The understanding is that even the most severe suffering has a beginning and an end within the cyclical existence of samsara, driven by the eventual exhaustion of the karmic forces that led to that particular rebirth.

Different schools within Buddhism offer varying perspectives on Avicii, reflecting the diverse interpretations and elaborations that have developed over centuries. In the Theravada tradition, which emphasizes the earliest teachings preserved in the Pali Canon, Avicii is clearly recognized as the lowest plane of misery, a realm so profound in its suffering that it was visible even to the Buddha through his enlightened perception.¹²¹⁰reinforces this view, identifying Avicii as the lowest level of hell in Theravada cosmology and the very epitome of suffering, serving as a dire consequence for evil actions. According to ¹³, the esteemed Buddhist commentator Buddhaghosa often referred to Avicii as Maha Niraya, the Great Hell, and classified it as one of the eight hot hells. Further¹⁴ cites the Dictionary of Pali Proper Names, which equates Avicii with a specific Maha Niraya, describing it with the evocative phrase “four-doored and terrifying.” Thus, Theravada Buddhism firmly establishes Avicii as the most agonizing of the hell realms within its cosmological framework, underscoring the severe repercussions of negative actions as understood through their scriptures and commentaries.

The Mahayana tradition, which encompasses a broader range of sutras and philosophical interpretations, also recognizes Avicii as a place of extreme suffering, often providing more elaborate descriptions. ¹² notes that in Mahayana, Avicii is considered one of the eight great hells, with texts like the Mahavastu detailing its characteristics as involving intense and perpetual flames, where beings endure extreme agonies until their negative karma is fully expiated. The Mahaprajnaparamitasastra, as mentioned in ¹³, describes Avicii as a vast space, four thousand li in size, surrounded by iron walls and situated even deeper than the other seven hells, where beings are subjected to brutal tortures by rakshasa guardians. Notably³¹ introduces the concept of the Fivefold Avici Hell within Mahayana, which represents a particularly severe form of afterlife punishment characterized by five continuous aspects of suffering, making escape exceptionally difficult, especially following significant transgressions. Interestingly⁸ mentions a Mahayana practice that involves imagining all beings within Avicii and emanating soothing light towards them, with the intention of releasing them from their suffering. This highlights a compassionate approach characteristic of Mahayana, even towards those in the deepest realms of suffering. Therefore, Mahayana Buddhism builds upon the foundational understanding of Avicii, often expanding on its descriptions and incorporating practices that reflect its emphasis on universal compassion and the bodhisattva ideal.

In the Vajrayana tradition, also known as Tantric Buddhism, Avicii is sometimes viewed through a unique lens, potentially linking it to transformative processes. ²⁷ mentions that within Vajrayana, Avicii is occasionally referred to as Vajra Hell, and it is associated with the concept of illumination upon awakening. This suggests a possibility for profound transformation even within this realm of intense suffering. Additionally²⁷ notes that in Vajrayana, the causes for rebirth in Avicii can extend beyond the traditional five heinous crimes to include transgressions specific to this tradition, such as disparaging women and gurus, and violating samayas, which are tantric vows. Furthermore¹³ points out that Avīcī is also the name of a Ḍākinī, a female tantric deity, who forms a pair with a Vīra (hero) within the Cittacakra in the Herukamaṇḍala, indicating a different kind of association with the term within Vajrayana practices. These interpretations suggest that Vajrayana Buddhism, with its emphasis on esoteric practices and the potential for rapid enlightenment, may view Avicii not only as a place of suffering but also as a realm where intense purification and even the seeds of awakening can be found.

The core Buddhist principle of impermanence (anicca) is consistently reaffirmed across various texts and traditions, and it applies unequivocally to all conditioned states, including the duration of one’s stay in Avicii.²Misconceptions about Avicii being an eternal hell are directly addressed in snippets like ²⁷, which explicitly state that the concept of eternalism is contrary to Buddhist teachings. ³⁰ even quotes texts that refer to the eventual cessation of suffering within Avicii. Furthermore²⁸ cites the Lotus Sutra, a significant Mahayana text, which indicates that even beings who are reborn in Avicii for innumerable kalpas will eventually leave that realm. A fundamental teaching quoted in ²⁷ asserts that no conditioned state can be eternal. This consistent emphasis on impermanence is crucial for understanding Avicii within the broader Buddhist framework and for dispelling any notions that align it with the concept of eternal damnation found in some other religions. The understanding is that all phenomena arising from causes and conditions are subject to change and eventual cessation.

It is important to address the fact that Avicii is sometimes described as a “non-returning hell”.⁴ This description, however, should not be interpreted as signifying literal eternity without any possibility of future rebirth in other realms. Instead, the term refers to the extreme difficulty of escaping from Avicii and the exceptionally long duration of suffering experienced there.²⁷ As ²⁷ clarifies, while Avicii might seem to last eternally to those within it, this is not the ultimate case. Even from a Theosophical perspective, which draws from Buddhist concepts⁴ notes that even in Avichi, there is “not without hope of final redemption.” Therefore, the designation “non-returning” should be understood as an emphasis on the immense challenge of working through the negative karma that leads to this rebirth, rather than an absolute statement of permanent confinement. The sheer intensity and duration of suffering make it appear endless, but within the cyclical framework of Buddhist cosmology, it is still a temporary state.

Ultimately, within the Buddhist understanding of samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, even the experience of Avicii is not an absolute end. After the immense negative karma that led to this rebirth is finally exhausted, beings will eventually undergo rebirth in other realms.²⁸ even suggests that the experience within Avicii hells can serve to set “errant minds straight,” implying a potential for eventual positive change and progression on the path. ⁸ mentions the existence of stories within Buddhist tradition that describe ways to escape from hell realms, highlighting the possibility of transcending even the most negative rebirths. Furthermore²⁷ offers an intriguing perspective from Vajrayana, suggesting that Avicii (Vajra Hell) is fundamentally the same as illumination or awakening when one truly understands its nature. Thus, while rebirth in Avicii represents a period of profound suffering resulting from negative actions, it is still a part of the larger karmic cycle, and the possibility of eventual liberation from this cycle remains open through the accumulation of positive karma and the attainment of wisdom.

Beyond its literal cosmological interpretation, Avicii serves as a powerful symbolic representation within Buddhist teachings. It embodies the extreme consequences of negative karma and the immense suffering that can arise from engaging in unwholesome actions.⁶ In this sense, Avicii functions as a potent reminder of the critical importance of ethical conduct and the necessity of avoiding harmful deeds in one’s life. The vivid descriptions of torment and the seemingly endless duration of suffering serve to underscore the potential for profound negative repercussions stemming from actions motivated by greed, hatred, and delusion. By presenting such a stark image of the consequences of negative karma, Buddhist teachings aim to guide individuals towards more compassionate and ethical behavior, fostering a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of actions and their resultant experiences.

Furthermore, the concept of Avicii, and the hell realms in general, can also be understood metaphorically as representing intense negative mental states that individuals may experience in their current lives, such as extreme anger, hatred, despair, or overwhelming suffering.⁴⁴ from a Theosophical viewpoint suggests that Avichi is not necessarily just a post-death locality but can also be a state of profound misery experienced even while living. ⁴ echoes this, describing Avitchi as a spiritual state of the greatest misery, which can manifest not only after death but also during one’s earthly existence. ²⁸ presents an interesting metaphorical interpretation of Avici Hell as “life without a qualified Lama,” suggesting a state of spiritual deprivation and suffering arising from a lack of proper guidance. ³² proposes that the entire Buddhist cosmology, including the hell realms, can be seen as a metaphor for the full spectrum of human experience and various states of consciousness. Similarly³⁵ suggests that hell can be understood as a self-created natural consequence of deeply ingrained negative emotional patterns. This metaphorical understanding highlights the immediate suffering that can arise from negative emotions and unwholesome actions in our present existence, in addition to any potential future rebirths in literal hell realms.

In conclusion, Avicii in Buddhism represents the lowest and most severe level of Naraka, the hell realm within Buddhist cosmology. Its name, meaning “waveless,” signifies a state of intense and uninterrupted suffering experienced by those who have committed exceptionally grave negative actions, particularly the five Anantarika-karma. While descriptions often include immense scales and horrific tortures, it is a fundamental Buddhist teaching that rebirth in Avicii, like all conditioned states, is ultimately temporary, lasting for incredibly long periods measured in kalpas but eventually leading to rebirth in other realms after the exhaustion of negative karma. Different Buddhist traditions, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, offer nuanced interpretations of Avicii, but the core understanding of it as the nadir of suffering remains consistent. Beyond its cosmological significance, Avicii also serves as a potent symbolic representation of the profound consequences of negative actions and can be understood metaphorically as reflecting extreme negative mental states experienced in this very life. Its existence within Buddhist cosmology underscores the importance of ethical conduct, the power of karma, and the ultimate aim of liberation from the cycle of suffering.