In traditional Buddhism six realms are recognised. The realms of Hell, hungry ghosts, animals, asuras, human beings, and heavenly beings.
Once again, in traditional Buddhism we transmigrate through these realms according to our karma/acts/thoughts.
(Nirvana is not "heaven")
Whether or not these realms actually exist after death, they certainly exist within human society and inside each of us.
"Hell is when people live together and make each other suffer. Everything each one does irritates the others. This sort of thing often happens even within ourselves: two conflicting parts of us argue and fight. We have a constant internal struggle. That’s hell"
Hungry ghosts are beings consumed by unsatisfied craving. Usually they are depicted in Buddhist symbolism as fat bellied beings with very slender necks!
Animals are happy when they are fed; they feel content and go to sleep, while others are made to work, work, work.
Asuras are fighting spirits. When we believe we are right, we criticize others based on our own concept of justice. If necessary we fight with others until we win. Exterminating people who oppose us becomes the purpose of our lives. Asura cannot be satisfied without enemies.
Human beings seek fame and profit. Animals are satisfied when their stomachs are full, but we with our human minds are never full, because we think of our future.
Heavenly beings are those whose desires are completely met. They need nothing; they seem happy, and yet they are not.
Many modern Buddhists relate all this to the changing moods and emotions of our daily lives. Each day we can "visit" each realm. A revolving wheel.
How to escape the wheel?
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@Mamapolo2016 Glad you enjoyed it. I was first drawn to the hungry ghosts, close to my own heart (😀) whose bellies are fat but always have rather narrow necks, as always depicted! They can never shovel enough in fast enough!
But I was intrigued by the whole passage in the book I was reading, so extended my post.
As far as "escape", as I replied to @Amor69Fati, the Mahayana teaching is that samsara IS nirvana. Not so much "escape" as transformation. Maybe the ways are as infinite as human beings.
