It is assumed that there are nine grades of gokuraku ojo (dying peacefully to be born in the Pure Land) from very religious people to accomplished villains as listed below: starting with 'jobon josho' (Upper grade: upper birth), 'jobon chusho' (Upper grade: middle birth), 'jobon gesho' (Upper grade: lower birth), 'chubon josho' (Middle grade: upper birth), 'chubon chusho' (Middle grade: middle birth), 'chubon gesho' (Middle grade: lower birth), 'gebon josho' (Lower grade: upper birth), 'gebon chusho' (Lower grade: middle birth) and 'gebon gesho' (Lower grade: lower birth).
極楽往生のしかたには、信仰の篤い者から極悪人まで9通りの段階があるとされ、「上品上生」（じょうぼんじょうしょう）から始まって「上品中生」「上品下生」「中品上生」「中品中生」「中品下生」「下品上生」「下品中生」「下品下生」に至る。