Buddhist cosmology refers to the traditional understanding of the structure, nature, and functioning of the universe within the context of संसार Saṃsāra, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It encompasses the various realms of existence, time cycles, and spatial dimensions in which sentient beings are born based on their . These realms are categorized into different planes of existence, illustrating the varying levels of spiritual attainment or suffering experienced by beings.
Key Components of Buddhist Cosmology:
Samsara is the cyclic existence through which beings continually pass due to the effects of their karma. It includes the six realms of rebirth and is characterized by impermanence, suffering (dukkha), and ignorance (avidya). All beings are trapped in this cycle until they achieve enlightenment (nirvana), which ends rebirth.
The Three Worlds (त्रिलोक Triloka): The structure of the universe is divided into three primary realms, each representing a different level of existence based on the degree of attachment and ignorance: • Kāma-loka (World of Desire): Includes realms driven by sensory desires, such as the human world, animal world, and several heaven and hell realms. • Rūpa-loka (World of Form): Includes higher realms inhabited by beings who have transcended sensual desires but still possess form, characterized by meditative states. • Arūpa-loka (World of Formlessness): The highest realms of existence, inhabited by beings who have transcended all form and experience purely mental states.
The Six Realms of Rebirth (Sanskrit: ṣaḍgati; Pali: chaṭṭha-gati): These six realms represent different forms of existence into which beings are reborn according to their karma: • Deva-loka (Realm of the Gods): Celestial beings experiencing great pleasure and long lives, but still subject to rebirth. • Asura-loka (Realm of the Titans or Demigods): Beings who experience power but are characterized by envy and strife. • Manuṣya-loka (Realm of Humans): The human realm, considered the most favorable for attaining enlightenment due to the balance of pleasure and suffering. • Tiryagyoni-loka (Realm of Animals): Beings in a state of ignorance and instinctual living. • Preta-loka (Realm of Hungry Ghosts): Beings driven by insatiable cravings and suffering from constant deprivation. • Naraka-loka (Realm of Hell Beings): Beings who experience intense suffering and torment due to negative karma.
Mount Meru (Sanskrit: Sumeru): At the center of the universe stands Mount Meru, a massive, sacred mountain that acts as the axis mundi or cosmic center of the Buddhist universe. It is surrounded by concentric oceans and continents, and its peak is home to the gods. The human world exists on the southern continent, known as Jambudvīpa. Surrounding Meru are several heavens and hells, each occupying different layers of existence.
The Four Continents: Around Mount Meru are four great continents, where different types of beings reside: • Jambudvīpa: The southern continent, inhabited by humans. • Purvavideha: The eastern continent. • Aparagodaniya: The western continent. • Uttarakuru: The northern continent.
Kalpa (Aeon): Time in Buddhist cosmology is divided into vast cycles called kalpas. A kalpa is an inconceivably long period during which the universe undergoes cycles of formation, existence, destruction, and nothingness. Each kalpa is divided into four stages: • Creation: The universe and realms of beings are formed. • Duration: The universe remains in a stable state. • Destruction: The universe gradually dissolves. • Void: A period of emptiness before the next cycle begins.
The Thirty-One Planes of Existence: Buddhist cosmology details thirty-one planes of existence, each categorized by increasing levels of spiritual purity and consciousness. These planes are spread across the Three Worlds (Triloka): • 11 Desire Realms (Kāma-loka): Including the six realms of sensual existence, from hell beings to gods of sensual pleasure. • 16 Form Realms (Rūpa-loka): Realms corresponding to different levels of meditative absorption, where beings have transcended desire. • 4 Formless Realms (Arūpa-loka): Realms inhabited by beings with no physical form, only pure mental states corresponding to the highest meditative absorptions.
Heavens and Hells: Buddhist cosmology includes multiple heavenly realms (deva-lokas) and hell realms (narakas). The heavens are divided into sensual heavens in Kāma-loka, and higher heavens in Rūpa-loka and Arūpa-loka, where beings experience refined pleasures or mental absorption. The hell realms, or narakas, are realms of intense suffering due to negative karma. These include both hot and cold hells, each with varying degrees of torment.
Significance in Buddhist Practice:
Buddhist cosmology serves as both a symbolic and practical framework for understanding the nature of existence and the law of karma. It illustrates the variety of experiences one can encounter in samsara based on one’s actions and intentions. Importantly, the cosmology underscores the ultimate impermanence and unsatisfactory nature of all realms of existence, reinforcing the goal of attaining liberation (nirvana), which lies beyond the cosmological structure.
Meditative practices in Buddhism are often aimed at transcending these realms, and teachings on cosmology encourage practitioners to cultivate wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline to escape the cycle of rebirth.