Cakkavala
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Cakkavāḷa，（m．& nt．） a circle，a sphere，esp．a mythical range of mountains supposed to encircle the world; pl．worlds or spheres J．I，53，203; VI，330; Vism．205 （its extent），207，367，421; DhsA．297; DhA 11．15; III，498; in the trope “cakkavāḷaṃ atisambādhaṃ brahmaloko atinīco＂ （=the whole world cannot hold it） to express immensity DhA．I，310; VvA．68．
The name given to a whole world system, there being countless such systems.
Each Cakkavala is twelve hundred and three thousand, four hundred and fifty yojanas in extent and consists of the earth, two hundred and four thousand nahutas of yojanas in volume, surrounded by a region of water four hundred and eight thousand nahutas of yojanas in volume.
This rests on air, the thickness of which is nine hundred and sixty thousand nahutas of yojanas. In the centre of the Cakkavala is Mount Sineru, one hundred and sixty eight yojanas in height, half of which is immersed in the ocean.
Around Sineru are seven mountain ranges, Yugandhara, Isadhara, Karavika, Sudassana, Nemindhara, Vinataka and Assakanna.
The mountains are inhabited by the Regent Gods (Maharajas) and their followers, the Yakkhas.
Within the Cakkavala is the Himava mountain, one hundred leagues high, with eighty four thousand peaks.
Surrounding the whole Cakkavala is the Cakkavalasila. Belonging to each Cakkavala is a moon, forty nine leagues in diameter,
a sun of fifty leagues, the Tavatimsabhavana, the Asurabhavana, the Avicimahaniraya and the four mahadipas - Jambudipa,
Aparagoyana, Pubbavideha and Uttarakuru, each mahadipa surrounded by five hundred minor dipas.
Between the Cakkavalas exist the Lokantarika niraya (SA.ii.442f.; DhsA.297f).
In each Cakkavala are four Regent Gods (Cattaro Maharaja) (AA.i.439).
A sun can illuminate only one Cakkavala; the rays of light from the Buddhas body can illuminate all the Cakkavalas (AA.i.440).
see also: Cakravada