Question: “Can you help explain Devas? The concept sounds way too angelic and folklor-ey for Buddhism to me.”
Oh my Deva! As we know, the Buddha used innumerable expedient means to teach and help people understand different concepts, teachings and ideas. Back in the day, the people of the Buddha’s time relied on the belief of gods and deities, or god-like people. So instead of trying to explain to people that these “god-like” people didn’t exist, he used the Deva concept to explain people’s karma that are much more fortunate.
So we can view Devas in two ways: first, at face value, that they are truly god-like beings living in the heaven realms. Or, two, view them at a much more practical level as more fortunate beings among us, like the rich and famous. Devas are described as beings who live longer, happier lives with ease. Certainly the rich and famous, mostly like long, happier lives because they can afford to do so.
The concept of description of Devas in Buddhist scripture is not set in stone, so we can choose to believe or disbelieve who or what they are. The point of their existence in Buddhism is to remind us that our efforts, merits and karma can take us to the levels of the Deva’s fortunate lives, or the the levels of unfortunate hellish lives.
Smile and be well!