自在天即欲界第六天。 欲界第一天是四天王天, 在须弥山的半山腰; 第二天就是帝释天, 也叫忉利天, 在须弥山的山顶, 这两个天依须弥山而住, 又叫地居天,后面的天都依空而住, 叫空居天。 第三天叫夜摩天, 第四天叫兜率天。 兜率天分内院、 外院。 内院就是弥勒净土, 弥勒菩萨现在兜率天内院为诸天人说法, 以后等我们人间的福德因缘具足了, 就下生人间显现成佛, 弘法利生; 外院是诸天子们居住。 第五天是化乐天。 第六天就是他化自在天, 也就是魔王波旬的天。 他在欲界的最顶天, 欲行极微, 如果再修离欲的禅定, 就能出离欲界上升色界天了。 如果有众生是这种根器的, 观世音菩萨就现自在天身给他讲法。
大自在天居色界的最顶天, 又叫色究竟天, 此天王梵语叫摩醯首罗, 中国翻译过来叫大自在。 摩醯首罗天王有三目八臂, 骑在白牛上, 手持白拂, 有大威力统摄整个世界, 连大梵王都属于他管, 于色界中此天王独尊。 如果有人想在天上飞, 游行十方无有障碍, 观世音菩萨就现自在天身给他说法; 如果有人不单想游行十方无有障碍, 还想有大威力统摄大千世界, 观世音菩萨就现大自在天身为他说法。 众生各各需求不一, 观世音菩萨有求必应, 应机施教为他说法。
If there are sentient beings who need someone in the body of a Svarain in order to be saved, then Guan Yin Bodhisattva will manifest Himself in the body of a Svarato to preach the Dharma for them. If there are sentient beings who need someone in the body of a Mahesvara in order to be saved, Guan Yin Bodhisattva will manifest Himself in the body of a Mahesvara and preach the Dharma for them.
Svara is the sixth stage of the Realm of Desire. The first stage of the Realm of Desire (bottom) is the Caturmaharajika, which is on the slopes of Mount Sumeru. The second stage is Trayastriṃsa which is on the top of Mount Sumeru. Caturmaharajika and Trayastriṃsa are called heaven on earth, as they are on Mount Sumeru. The rest of the stages are called heaven in the sky. The third stage is called Yama, and the fourth is called Tuṣita. There are two sections in Tuṣita – the inner section is the Pure Land of Maitreya, where the Maitreya Bodhisattva preaches to the Deva. When the conditions are right and blessedness in this world are sufficient, Maitreya Bodhisattva will be born here and become a Buddha so as to preach Dharma and bring benefits to all beings. The outer section of Tuṣita is where the Deva live. The fifth is Nirmaṇarati, and the sixth is Svara, where the Mara lives. This is the top of the Realm of Desire where the beings have very little desire. If they practise the desire-free Samadhi, they will be able to leave the Realm of Desire and go to the higher Rupa-loka. If a being is capable of such, Guan Yin Bodhisattva will manifest Himself in the body of a Svarato and preach the Dharma for them.
爱出者爱返，福往者福来。随喜转载，功德无量。