Concept
Buddhist cosmology
Overview
Buddhist cosmology is the description of the shape and evolution of the Universe according to Buddhist scriptures and commentaries.
It consists of a temporal and a spatial cosmology. The temporal cosmology describes the timespan of the creation and dissolvement of alternate universes in different aeons. The spatial cosmology consists of a vertical cosmology, the various planes of beings, into which beings are reborn due to their merits and development; and a horizontal cosmology, the distribution of these world-systems into an infinite sheet of existential dimensions included in the cycle of samsara. The entire universe is said to be made up of five basic elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. Buddhist cosmology is also intwined with the belief of Karma. As a result, some ages are filled with prosperity and peace due to common goodness, whereas other eras are filled with suffering, dishonesty and short lifespans.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
When a little bit of it gets into this network of time, space and causation, it apparently takes forms; remove the network and it is all One. This whole universe is all one, and is called in the Advaitist philosophy _Brahman_. _Brahman_ appearing behind the universe is called God; appearing behind the little universe--the microcosm, is the soul. This very “Self” or Âtman therefore is God in man. There is only one…
Swami Vivekananda, Jnâna Yoga, Part II
States what Buddhist cosmology is.
In regard to the fact that these ideas are all transcendent, and, although they do not transcend phenomena as regards their mode, but are concerned solely with the world of sense (and not with noumena), nevertheless carry their synthesis to a degree far above all possible experience—it still seems to me that we can, with perfect propriety, designate them cosmical conceptions. As regards the distinction between the…
Immanuel Kant, The Critique of Pure Reason
States what Buddhist cosmology is.
It is the alpha and omega of the oldest book in the world, the sacred *Vedas, whose dogmatic part, or rather esoteric teaching, is found in the *Upanishads.[2] There, in almost every page this profound doctrine lies enshrined; with tireless repetition, in countless adaptations, by many varied parables and similes it is expounded and inculcated. That such was, moreover, the fount whence Pythagoras drew his wisdom…
Arthur Schopenhauer, The Basis of Morality
Close in meaning to Buddhist cosmology; the term itself is not named.
Philosophers who discussed Buddhist cosmology
Related ideas
- Pure Land
- Sarvastivada
- Saṃsāra
- Buddhahood
- Cosmology
- Majjhima Nikāya
- Polytheism
- Aether (classical element)
- Monotheism
- Brahma
- Aṅguttara Nikāya
- Tibetic languages
- Abhidharma
- Sanskrit
- Mahayana
- Sutra
- Śramaṇa
- Tiantai
- Dhyana in Buddhism
- Lotus Sutra
- Theravada
- Universe
- The Buddha
- Bodhisattva
Place in the tradition
Part of Determinism.