Originally a one-world system (Nikayas & Agamas)
1 sun, 1 moon, 4 continents
1 Buddha
Next Buddha needs to wait or move to another world system
Probably Mahasamghikas developed
Many Buddhas because many bodhisattvas on path to Buddhahood
1 Sun, 1 Moon, 4 Continents
Vertically, 3 Realms
World of Desire
World of Form
Formless World
Many Heavens
Multi-world system
1000 world-systems = small Chiliocosm
1000 small Chiliocosm = medium Chiliocosm
1000 medium Chiliocosm = great Chiliocosm
All together = 1 billion worlds, but only 1 Buddha teaching
Agganna Sutta describes evolving of a society
First Period: under water, no sun/mood. Beings stayed in space and self-radiated
Second Period: water receded, beings came down tasted earth, craving appears. Beings lost flight and self-radiation, solar system function started. Light/dark complexions existed, pride came into being.
Third Period: plants emerged. Beings ate plants, developed gender, began having sex which was immoral. Shelters appeared to hide sex.
Fourth Period: shelters allowed for storage of rice, stealing began. Instituted a leader to protect society.
3 Parts to Society = family, village, town
Complete evolution of society = mahakalpa (great aeon)
167,798,000 years = 1 kalpa
1000 kalpas = 1 small kalpa
20 small kalpas = 1 medium kalpa
4 stages, each 1 medium kalpa long
formation
continuance
decline
disintegration
Immeasurable in time
Rubbing rock simile (1 mile cube, no flaws, every 100 years rubbed with silken cloth)
Cakkavattisīhanada Sūtra describes closing of a society
Max lifespan = 80,000 years, killing starts process
Lifespan down to 40,000 years, telling lies starts
Lifespan down to 20,000 years, slandering starts
Lifespan down to 10,000 years, adultery starts between fair and dark
Lifespan down to 5,000 years, harsh words start being used
Lifespan down to 2500 years, covetousness and hatred starts
Lifespan down to 1000 years, holding of false views
Lifespan down to 500 years, incest, bribes, greed starts
Lifespan down to 250 years, five things prominent in society: No respect for mother,
father, clergy, religious leader or founder and clan leaders.
Lifespan down to 100 years
Then down to 10 years
All tastes gone
All food gone except one staple
No words for morality
No feelings of kinship, degrades to animal society
Last period = 7 days, everyone has weapon, society closes.
(?)Buddha Lands
2 Meanings
Land where the Buddha performs the Buddha activities
Modeled after land of Sakyamuni
Pure Land in which only Buddha live
World of Lotuses with 1000 petals each with Buddha
vivattakappa = evolving time
kalpa = aeon of time, cycle of society
buddhaksetra = Buddha land