A

B

C

D

E

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

Y

?

Avihā

A class of devas. Their world ranks among the five foremost of the rupa-worlds, the Suddhāvāsā (D.ii.52; iii.237; M.iii.103).

Non-returners (anāgāmī) are born in Avihā and there attain Arahantship (ItA.40). Mention is made of seven persons who became Arahants immediately after being born in the Avihā world: Upaka, Palagaṇḍa, Pukkusāti, Bhaddiya, Kundadeva, Bāhudanti, and Piṅgiya (MA.ii.999).

The name Avihā means “not falling from prosperity” (attano sampattiyā na hāyantīti Avihā) (VibhA.521; DA.ii.480). The duration of life in Avihā is one thousand world-cycles (DA.iii.740). Those going upstream (uddhaṃ sota) start their career from Avihā and end in Akaniṭṭhā (PsA.319; DhA.iii.289‑90).

The Buddha once visited Avihā. D.ii.50‑1.