Non Violence - an Exposition of Buddhist Cosmology

.LOKAPRAJÑAPTI

An exposition of Buddhist Cosmology

Cosmology is generally understood as the study of the origin and structure of the Universe, the laws on which it operates and the interrelation between the different elements that constitute it. According to the Buddhists, the universe consists of an infinite number of worlds, structurally similar to our own operating through a common law which regulates them. Buddhist cosmology is the description of the world, of the sun and the moon, the heavens above and hells or 'narakas' beneath. They mention eight cold and eight hot 'narakas'. Besides, it refers to a vertical or 'Cakravala' and a horizontal or 'sahasara' cosmology. The former has a spatial and a temporal segment wherein is laid out the arrangement of the various worlds within the universe, and the coming into existence and passing away of the worlds in time. This explains the importance of the doctrine of 'Dependent Origination' or 'Pratītyasamutpāda' An important aspect of Buddhist cosmology is the division of the universe into the three regions of Kama or Desire; Rupa or Form; and Arupa or Formlessness. Each region has its own significance in the broader perspective of Buddhist philosophy.

The aim of the present article is to study the different aspects of Buddhist cosmology, highlight its distinctive features in the background of the Vedic and Puranic cosmology and assess its relevance in modern society. The difficulty of such a study is that there is no single sutra that describes the entire structure of the universe and also because it cannot be taken as a literal description of the shape of the universe. What makes the study interesting is its relevance in the context of modern time.

Buddhist cosmology as already mentioned is follows from the theory of temporal succession. the basic measure of time in the universe is mahakalpa which is known to be in billions of years or longer. The earth is supposed to be created, held together, and generally sustained and supported by the aggregate result of the actions of all sentient beings indicating the importance of cosmic harmony. The difference between the cosmology found in ancient Indian texts and Buddhist cosmology is that the former aims to describe the pattern of the universe but the latter is in essence an ethical theory striving towards release from sorrow.

Rita Roy Chowdhury.