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Hollow Earth Theory and The Prophecy of Shambhala (Shangri-La) Part 2

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 by MvpYimao

The Kalachakra and Shambhala

The word Kalachakra means cycles of time, According to original Kalachakra system there are three cycles – external, internal and alternative. The external and internal cycles deal with time as we normally know it, while the alternative cycles are practices for gaining liberation from these two. Time, in Buddhism, defined as a measurement of change. All changes are cyclical in that the pattern repeats, although the events of each cycle are not completely identical. Externally, the Universe passes through cosmic, astronomical, astrological and historical cycles. On an internal level, the body goes through physiological cycles, which bring associated mental and emotional cycles. Kalachakra has also received prominent attention in the medical and astrological institutes of all four Tibetan Buddhist traditions within Tibet itself, Mongolia and other parts of Central Asia. This is because the calculations for compiling the Tibetan calendar and determining planetary positions, a large part of Tibetan astrology and a certain part of Tibetan medical knowledge derive from the external and internal Kalachakra teachings. The Mongolian calendar, as well as astrological and medical systems, subsequently derived from the Tibetan ones. Kalachakra is thus the Buddhist equivalent of the “patron-saint” of these sciences.Just as universes form, expand, contract, disappear and then form once again, individual beings pass through continuing rebirths with repeated conception, growth, old age and death.

Since King Suchandra brought the Kalachakra teachings back to Shambhala, the original text speaks about this special land and its place in the countless universes that exist. Each universe goes through cycles as well. There are empty periods, followed periods of success of expanding , abiding, and perishing. The cycles repeat without beginning or the end. World system in which we live contains unlimited Universes. Each Universe has innumerable World systems, each World-containing several continents and lands. According to Kalachakra, one of the lands on the southern continent of our World system is Shambhala. The geography according to Kalachakra differs from the description Buddha gave in his abhidharma teachings. It means there is no absolute way in which it really appears. We can describe the universe and our world in several manners, each for a different purpose. The description of the world that we are familiar with- is for navigating purpose. The Kalachakra description presents the structure and proportions of the Universe as symmetrical with the structure and proportions of the human body. This description of the Universe is for the purpose of understanding the external and internal structuring, so that we can understand presence of other dimensions and other Universes.

Since Shambhala plays a prominent role in the Kalachakra system, most people are curious to know what Shambhala actually is and where it is located. Although there may be a place in this world representative of Shambhala, that is not the actual fabled land. Shambhala cannot be found on the map of our planet or even in some distant world. It is, however, a human realm according to Kalachakra. Meditation masters have written guidebooks, in both Sanskrit and Tibetan, for reaching Shambhala. They describe the journey as a physical one only up to a certain point. The journey to Shambhala, then, is primarily a spiritual one. Both Indian and Tibetan masters have written guidebooks for reaching Shambhala, but they all agree that a physical journey is not enough. Nevertheless, certain locations on our planet do represent Shambhala. The Kabul region of Afghanistan may have represented it as the historical reference. In other contexts, the reference seems to be the Mount Kailash region in southwestern Tibet. Original Kalachakra text gives the calculation for determining the length of the shortest day of the year as we travel progressively north. When calculations performed, the latitude corresponding to Shambhala is that of Mount Kailash, which is also called “the source of bliss” and the home of Shiva in Hindu mythology.

According to Kalachakra the world system consists of Mt. Meru, sitting on top of four discs of elements, with the realms of all the Gods above. At the very bottom is the black disc of wind, 400,000 yojanas (1 yojana equal approximately 9 miles) in diameter; above it is the red disk of fire, 300,000 yojanas in diameter; next is the white disk of water, 200,000 yojanas in diameter; finally the yellow disk of earth, 100,000 yojanas across. Each of these is 50,000 yojanas in height, and so their total height is 200,000.

In the centre of the disk of earth sits Mt. Meru, 100,000 yojanas in height. Above this, stretching up a further 100,000 yojanas are the realms of the gods, widening to a diameter of 400,000 yojanas. An important feature in this structure is that the total height and the total width are both the same: 400,000 yojanas.

The world system represents the a bodies of all the different classes of beings. Buddhism lists six classes of beings or six different states of being: the gods, asuras or non-gods, humans, animals, ghosts and those in the hell realms. The gods are further subdivided into three groups: the six classes of gods of the desire-realm, the 16 classes of the form-realm and the four classes of gods of the formless-realm. All of these joint together is the 31 states of existence.

Formless realm, element of space:

The sphere of neither perception nor non-perception
The sphere of nothing at all
The sphere of limitless consciousness
The sphere of limitless space

Form realm, element of wind:kala

Not lower

Good-seeing

Unafflicted

Not big

Form realm, element of fire:

Great result
Begetting merit
Cloudless
Vast virtues

Measureless virtues
Limitless virtue
Shining
Measureless light

Form realm, element of earth:

Limited light

Great Brahmā

The high priest of Brahmā

The party of Brahmā

Gods of the desire realm:

Controlling others
Delighting in emanations
Satisfied
Free from fighting
The thirty-three
The four guardians of the directions

The desire realm consists of a total of eleven groupings. In addition to the six classes of gods, it has the asuras, humans and so forth.

The surface of the disk of earth forms the realm known as Great land of men and animals. This consists of the familiar to us twelve continents. Our own continent is the red triangular one, to the south of Mt. Meru. It is the middle of the three triangular continents.

Below the surface of the disk of earth, according to Kalachakra, and below the upper half of that disk, are the eight hell-realms. The first is in the lower half of the disk of earth. The next two are in the disk of water. They form the section immediately below the disk of earth, that section therefore being 100,000 yojanas in diameter, and divided into upper and lower halves. Similarly, the next two are in the 100,000 yojana middle section of the disk of water. The last three are in the upper half of the equivalent section in the disk of wind, and in the inner part and perimeter of the lower half. In the lower half of the disk of earth: Gravel water. In the upper and lower halves of the disk of water: Sandy water and Muddy water. In the upper and lower halves of the disk of fire: Intense smoke and Fire. In the upper and lower halves of the disk of wind: Darkness, Great wailing – (lower, middle) and Vajra flame – (lower, outside).

One of the intriguing aspects of this image of the world system is the unusual shape of Mt. Meru. In the Kalachakra literature Meru described as having five summits or peaks. There are many ways in which this simple comment is interpreted. The most straightforward is that given in the Buddhist tradition, of five equally spaced peaks rising from the upper flat surface of Meru.

Original Kalachakra text states: “After this year, six hundred years, there will arise in Sambhala the appearance of the lord of men, Yaśas, this year is referring to the year when the Tathagata taught the Dharma. Six hundred years after that year, in Sambhala, north of the River Śītā, there will arise, Yaśas, as it says in the text, Mañjuśrī, the great Yaśas, his appearance, meaning that he will take a nirmanakāya body. Then after nāga hundred years, means that nāga, eight, hundred years after the nirvana of Yaśas, for certain, meaning without doubt in the land of Mecca, the barbarian teachings will be established. South of the River Śītā, in the land of Mecca with ten million villages, the demonic teachings of the barbarian Tajiks will be established.”

Some of these locations described in original Kalachakra paintings. The writing near the top on the right side states: “The 960 million villages north of the Śīta”. In the centre, just above the river, is the circular form of Sambhala. The text seems to suggest here that Sambhala is on top of Mt. Kailash. The area below, to the south of, the river has many labels. Some of these labels are: Muslims, Turkestan,Mongolia,China, Khotan, Turkestan,Kashmir,Western Tibet, Nepal (Kathmandu valley),Mon – mountain region, near eastern Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan area, Gar-log, a border tribe, Western India, Eastern India, South-western India, Southern India, South-eastern India, Sri Lanka, North-western Tibet, Turkestan, Western Tibet, Central Tibet, Eastern Tibet, Western Tibet, Central Tibet, Eastern Tibet.

Map of Sambhala

Sambhala is said to be circular, surrounded by mountains, and shaped like an eight-petalled lotus, possibly symbolizing heart chakra centre. The capital, Kalāpa, is said to be in the centre, although some consider Kalāpa simply to be another name for Sambhala. According to Tibetan descriptions around the outside perimeter of the lotus is a circular range of lofty, snow-covered mountains. Between the eight petals of the lotus are eight lower mountain ranges along which flow the rivers of Shambhala. The center of Shambhala, the seed vessel of the lotus, surrounded by a pericarp constituting of a lower range of snow mountains Within this inner ring of mountains, slightly raised above the petals of the lotus, sits Kalapa, measuring twelve leagues in breadth. Kalapa filled with magnificent palaces constructed with precious metals and gems: gold, silver, emeralds, pearls, turquoise, coral, and so forth. Mirrors on the outsides of the palaces blaze with light, and crystal skylights in the their ceilings allow the inhabitants to view the entire zodiac and the gods of the sun, moon, other celestial spheres. One part of text states that:” in the midst of snowy mountains, in the centre of an eight-petalled lotus is circular Kailash, on top of which is Kalāpa, with the king’s palace in the midst of a sandalwood forest.”

On the peaks just north of these palaces depicted ten thousand of ten bodhisattvas. South of the main palace is a grove of Sandalwood trees and in the middle of the grove is a huge three-dimensional Kalachakra mandala constructed by the first King of Shambhala of gold, silver, turquoise, coral, and pearl. Nearby are also other mandalas built by later kings of Shambhala. To the east of the Sandalwood Grove is a body of water known as Near Lake and to the west is White Lotus Lake. In both of these lakes gods, nagas, and humans comport themselves on boats made of jewels.

Each of the eight petals in the outer part of Shambhala contain 120 million villages. These 960 million villages divided into kingdoms numbering ten million villages each, with each kingdom ruled by a satrap, or local governor, making a total of ninety-six satraps. The people who live in all these countless cities and counties have great wealth, happiness, and no sickness. As all the kings are religious one, there is not even a sign of non-virtue or evil in these lands. Even the words “war” and “enmity” are unknown. The happiness and joy can compete with that of the gods.

The villages of Shambhala mostly consist of two stories houses. Men wear white or red cotton robes; woman white or blue dresses decorated with various designs. All the people of Shambhala lead wholesome lives, and there is no crime, famine, or disease. These satraps all teach the Kalachakra to their subjects. Most residents of Shambhala achieve buddhahood in their own lives by means of the Kalachakra.

Traditional Tibetan sources give a sumptuous description of the biggest palace, the King of Shambhala’s residence:

    “The palace is square and has four doors. Along a coral ledge around the outer walls are dancing goddesses. It is nine stories and is crowned with a banner and a wheel of Dharma, with a male and female deer on either side. There are three rings encircling the palace, making it especially beautiful. It also has a molding of liquid Jambu gold, as well as full and half-hanging ornaments of pearls and diamonds. At the top of the outer walls are hanging pendants of silver and protruding lintels of turquoise. Its windows are of lapis lazuli. The doors and lintels above are of emeralds and sapphires. It has golden awnings and banners, and a roof of jewels and heat-producing crystal, while its floor is of cold-producing crystal. Its pillars and beams are of zebra-stones, corals, pearls, and so-forth. It also has many other priceless treasures such as the inexhaustible treasure vase, the wish-fulfilling cow, the unmown harvest, and the wish-granting tree.” The ruling king of Shambhala sits on a throne made of gold from the Jamba River. Surrounding the King are his ministers, generals, bodyguards, elephants and their trainers, and warriors. His main queen is the daughter of one of the ninety-six satraps of Shambhala. He has many other queens besides and many sons and daughters. When the next king is expecting the unborn, the baby emits jewel-like light for a week before its birth, and right after its birth white lotus flowers fall from the sky.”

The Kings of Sambhala

After describing the geography of our world and location of Shambhala, Kalachakra text presents the history of Shambhala. It describes how this land is subject to periodic invasions by barbaric forces. According to text Ruler of Sambhala said, “The principle of life is affirmation of the expanse of cosmic energy and the way of creative Fire! May I quickly take birth in Sambhala, the treasury of jewels, And complete the stages of the path in Highest Yoga Tantra.”(From ‘The Guru Yoga of Kalachakra” by Ling Rinpoche) It was a kingdom in which people were living happily without any worries and social contradictions. Sambhala society had resolved all social contradictions hence there were no cast, no social hierarchy as such. Inspiration of the society was not of material gain rather manifestation of highest wisdom. In the kingdom of Sambhala the divine wheel of dharma taught by Tathagata inhabited every one; every one with full awareness followed the eternal law of Buddha. Man and women of the Sambhala society were intelligent and believed and practiced the teachings of Bhagavat. This was the kingdom where teaching of Kalachakra Tantra was taught by Buddha to the Emperor Suchandra, who propagated it to the rest of the world. The new discourse thus set forth by Tathagata was most sublime truth ever propagated by any one to humanity. The society in the making was attacked by hordes and barbarians, ceased to exist on ordinary country level. But it is destined to return in its divine glory when at the particular juncture of history the great warrior Raudra Chakri, the bearer of the wheel will ascend the golden throne of Sambhala. According to Tibetans Sambhala is an ordinary country, but on another level it is a pure land, existing entirely on a different energy frequency. Since a long time barbarians have ceased it and inhabiting it according to their earthly thoughts. Barbaric attack on the country destroyed the inspiration of the whole community. People flew from their homeland in search of a safe land where they could invoke the dharma doctrine.The kingdom of Sambhala has all the good qualities of an ideal state. Here everything is envisaged in its completeness; nothing is slashed out. It is materially as well as spiritually perfect state. People and King of the Sambhala kingdom have renunciation as their primary quality, they have renounced materiality as a way of life because they have come to know that it splits individuality,King ofShambhala it splits the triad of body-speech-mind. Through experience, they have enjoyed all material pleasure since the doctrine moves in pleasure principle having highest bliss its goal. Pleasure of the body is not discarded rather transcended with the pleasure of mind but this too is not the aim of the Sambhala society; goal is to transcend temporality; the very cause of all kinds of pleasure and pain phenomena. People and King have joined heaven and earth together because they have joined body and mind. It is against postmodern thought of splitting body and mind in order to establish the kingdom of sheer earthiness. In Sambhala concept, real body is not earthly body rather spiritual in which unity of triad is realized. In this kingdom the king or queen have realized the truth body of the Buddha, being an ideal of society they teaches them the various methods of Shangrila-1cultivating the body of enlightenment. At the time of great attacks being a great warrior he saves people from those selfish beasts who want to destroy society in progress. The text then predicts a future attempted invasion of Shambhala as part of a larger war.

Calculated based on Tibetan calendar system and converted to Gregorian, this date is 2424 AD. The King in his speech advised how to prevent disaster at the time of the future invasion: “We can prevent defeat by making knowledge completely public”. According to Kalachakra, King also used the mathematical formulas for calculating the calendar and the positions of the heavenly bodies. Much of the mathematics for the Tibetan calendar and for Tibetan astronomy, in fact, based on this formulas. The reason for knowing the calendar and position of the planets is for making astrological calculations to choose the best time to engage in battle against the barbaric hordes. On a spiritual level, this means that if we are going to fight against our disturbing emotions and attitudes, we need to know and understand the astrological cycles that affect our minds and energies…

Source

mvpyimao.wordpress.com