Bibliographical Study of Buddhist Cosmology

Abstract

Buddhist cosmology describes the universe through wisdom. This data can be found in Theravada, Sarvastivada, and Mahayana sources. It clearly explains the origin, existence, movements, and destruction of the universe. The aim of this study is to collect, compile, and analyze data from selected Buddhist cosmological texts and compare them with modern cosmological science. This study incorporated a standard bibliographic system. Anityavada (impermanence) and Anatmavada (no self) are two important intellectual concepts for the understanding the structure of the universe. Abhidharma discusses the structure, elements, movement, and time of the universe. According to Buddhist cosmology all objects in the universe are a combination of qualities. These are constantly perishing and changing. The Pratitya Samutpada explains the destruction of a pre-existing material and the emergence of another from it. The Buddha-kshetra contains references to mathematical cosmology. The world cosmology explains the structure of the universe, and the temporal cosmology explains the origin and destruction of the universe. The Chakravala 31 divisions describe different world systems, and the Sahasra describes the larger universe of lokadhātu (different worlds). They are the Arūpadhātu (the formless world), the Rūpadhātu (the world of form), and the Kamadhatu (the world of pleasure and pain). A scale called yojana measures the location of the world. Buddhism speaks of five pure worlds: Aganistha, Sudarsana, Sudirusa, Adapam and Aviruha, similarly, the four worlds of Brihadapalaare Asanjasatva, Vehapala, Punyapravasa and Anapravaka. In the Sahasra cosmology, it is said that there is a Divisahasramatyamalokadhātu (the world destroyed by wind) and a Sahasra Sudikalokadhātu (the world destroyed by water). The cycle of time is infinite, and its basic unit is the Mahakalpa. It consists of the Vivartakalpa (the period of time when the universe was created), the Vivartastayakalpa (the period of time when the universe remained stable), the Samvartakalpa (the period of time when the universe was destroyed), and the Samvartastayakalpa (the period when the universe was destroyed and became void). The results of the analysis showed that many of the data were consistent with modern astronomical theories.