Difference between revisions of "Asankheyya-kappa"
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According to [[Anguttara]] ii, 142, there are four periods called [[incalculable epochs]] ([[asankheyya-kappa]]) within a [[great aeon]] or [[ world cycle]] ([[maha-kappa]]). | According to [[Anguttara]] ii, 142, there are four periods called [[incalculable epochs]] ([[asankheyya-kappa]]) within a [[great aeon]] or [[ world cycle]] ([[maha-kappa]]). | ||
| − | The duration of each of these epochs cannot be enumerated even by taking hundreds of thousands ([[lakhs]]) of years as a unit, hence the name “[[incalculable aeon]]”. | + | The duration of each of these epochs cannot be enumerated even by taking hundreds of thousands ([[lakhs]]) of years as a unit, hence the [[name]] “[[incalculable aeon]]”. |
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| − | (i) [[Enveloping Epoch]] – period of destruction or dissolution of the world system. | + | (i) [[Enveloping Epoch]] – period of destruction or dissolution of the [[world]] system. |
| − | In the [[Sun Discourse]] ([[Anguttara]] iv, 99), the [[Buddha]] described the destruction of the world by fire that even reaches the realm of Great [[Brahma]]. | + | In the [[Sun Discourse]] ([[Anguttara]] iv, 99), the [[Buddha]] described the destruction of the [[world]] by [[fire]] that even reaches the [[realm]] of Great [[Brahma]]. |
| − | It commences with the falling of the great rain and terminates with the extinction of flames if the world system is to be dissolved by fire; | + | It commences with the falling of the great [[rain]] and terminates with the [[extinction]] of flames if the [[world]] system is to be dissolved by [[fire]]; |
| − | or the receding of floods if dissolved by water; | + | or the receding of floods if dissolved by [[water]]; |
| − | or the cessation of storms if dissolved by air. | + | or the [[cessation]] of storms if dissolved by [[air]]. |
| − | An elaborate description of the dissolution of the world by fire, water or the air element is given in the chapter on the recollection of past life in the [[Visuddhi Magga]] or [[Path of Liberation]]. | + | An elaborate description of the dissolution of the [[world]] by [[fire]], [[water]] or the [[air element]] is given in the [[chapter]] on the [[recollection]] of [[past life]] in the [[Visuddhi Magga]] or [[Path of Liberation]]. |
| − | (ii) [[Enveloped Epoch]] – period when the world system is completely destroyed or in a state of void. | + | (ii) [[Enveloped Epoch]] – period when the [[world]] system is completely destroyed or in a [[state]] of [[void]]. |
| − | This is the period beginning from the moment of dissolution of the world by fire, water or the air element till the falling of the great rain that heralds the evolution of a new world. | + | This is the period beginning from the [[moment]] of dissolution of the [[world]] by [[fire]], [[water]] or the [[air element]] till the falling of the great [[rain]] that heralds the [[evolution]] of a new [[world]]. |
| − | (iii) [[Developing Epoch]] – [[period of evolution]]. This is the period beginning from the falling of the great rain that heralds the evolution of a new world to the appearance of the sun, moon, stars and planets. | + | (iii) [[Developing Epoch]] – [[period of evolution]]. This is the period beginning from the falling of the great [[rain]] that heralds the [[evolution]] of a new [[world]] to the [[appearance]] of the {{Wiki|sun}}, [[moon]], {{Wiki|stars}} and {{Wiki|planets}}. |
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| − | This is the period beginning from the appearance of the sun, moon, stars and planets to the falling of the great rain that heralds the dissolution of the world. | + | This is the period beginning from the [[appearance]] of the {{Wiki|sun}}, [[moon]], {{Wiki|stars}} and {{Wiki|planets}} to the falling of the great [[rain]] that heralds the dissolution of the [[world]]. |
Latest revision as of 04:40, 9 February 2020
According to Anguttara ii, 142, there are four periods called incalculable epochs (asankheyya-kappa) within a great aeon or world cycle (maha-kappa).
The duration of each of these epochs cannot be enumerated even by taking hundreds of thousands (lakhs) of years as a unit, hence the name “incalculable aeon”.
These four incalculable epochs are:
(i) Enveloping Epoch – period of destruction or dissolution of the world system.
In the Sun Discourse (Anguttara iv, 99), the Buddha described the destruction of the world by fire that even reaches the realm of Great Brahma.
It commences with the falling of the great rain and terminates with the extinction of flames if the world system is to be dissolved by fire;
or the receding of floods if dissolved by water;
or the cessation of storms if dissolved by air.
An elaborate description of the dissolution of the world by fire, water or the air element is given in the chapter on the recollection of past life in the Visuddhi Magga or Path of Liberation.
(ii) Enveloped Epoch – period when the world system is completely destroyed or in a state of void.
This is the period beginning from the moment of dissolution of the world by fire, water or the air element till the falling of the great rain that heralds the evolution of a new world.
(iii) Developing Epoch – period of evolution. This is the period beginning from the falling of the great rain that heralds the evolution of a new world to the appearance of the sun, moon, stars and planets.
(iv) Developed Epoch – period of continuance after having been reinstated.
This is the period beginning from the appearance of the sun, moon, stars and planets to the falling of the great rain that heralds the dissolution of the world.
