What
Buddhists Believe
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera
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Other
World Systems
In the light of modern, scientific
discoveries, we can appreciate the limitations of the human world and
the hypothesis that other world systems might exist in other parts of
the universe.
On
certain occasions, the Buddha has commented on the nature and composition
of the universe. According to the Buddha, there are some other forms of
life existing in other parts of the universe. The Buddha has mentioned
that there are thirty-one planes of existence within the universes. They
are:
4 States of
unhappiness or sub human realms: (life in hells, animal life,
ghost-worlds and demon-worlds)
1 Human world.
6 Develokas or
heavenly realms.
16 Rupalokas or Realms
of Fine-Material Forms.
4 Arupalokas or
Formless Realms.
The existence of these
other-world systems is yet to be confirmed by modern science. However,
modern scientists are now working with the hypothesis that there is a
possibility of other forms of life existing on other planets. As a result
of today's rapid scientific progress, we may soon find some living beings
on other planets in the remotest parts of the galaxy system. Perhaps, we
will find them subject to the same laws as ourselves. They might be
physically quite different in both appearance, elements and chemical
composition and exist in different dimensions. They might be far superior
to us or they might be far inferior.
Why should the
planet earth be the only planet to contain life forms? Earth is a tiny
speck in a huge universe. Sir James Jeans, the distinguished
astrophysicist, estimates the whole universe to be about one thousand
million times as big as the area of space that is visible through the
telescope. In his book, The Mysterious Universe, he states that the
total number of universes is probably something like the total number of
grains of sand on all the sea shores of the world. In such a universe, the
planet Earth is only from the sun which takes a seventh of a second to
reach the earth, takes probably something like 100,000 million years to
travel across the universe! Such is the vastness of the cosmos. When we
consider the vastness of the many universes making up what is popularly
known as 'outer space', the hypothesis that other-world systems might
exist is scientifically feasible.
In the light of
modern scientific discoveries, we can appreciate the limitations of the
human world. Today, science has demonstrated that our human world exists
within the limitations of the vibrational frequencies that can be received
by our sense organs. And science has also shown us that there are other
vibrational frequencies which are above or below our range of reception.
With the discovery of radio waves, X-rays, TV waves, and micro waves, we
can appreciate the extremely limited vision that is imposed on us by our
sense organs. We peep out at the universe through the 'crack' allowed by
our sense organs, just as a little child peeps out through the crack in
the door. This awareness of our limited perception demonstrates to us the
possibility that other world systems may exist that are separate from ours
or that interpenetrate with ours.
As to the nature of the
universe, the Buddha said that the beginning and ending of the universe is
inconceivable. Buddhists do not believe that the world will suddenly end
in complete and utter destruction. There is no such thing as complete
destruction of the whole universe at once. When a certain section of the
universe disappears, another section remains. When the other section
disappears, another section reappears or evolves out of the dispersed
matters of the previous universe. This is formed by the accumulation of
molecules, basic elements, gas and numerous energies, a combination
supported by cosmic impulsion and gravity. Then some other new world
systems appear and exist for sometime. This is the nature of the cosmic
energies. This is why the Buddha says that the beginning and the end of
the universe is inconceivable.
It was only on certain,
special occasions, that the Buddha commented on the nature and composition
of the universe. When he spoke, He had to address Himself to the
understanding capacity of the inquirer. The Buddha was not interested in
this kind of metaphysical speculation that did not lead to the higher
spiritual development.
Buddhists do not
share the view held by some people that the world will be destroyed by a
god, when there are more non-believers and more corruptions taking place
amongst the human beings. With regard to this belief people can ask,
instead of destroying with his power, why can't this god used the same
power to influence people to become believers and to wipe out al immoral
practices from men's mind? Whether the god destroys or not, it is natural
that one day there will be an end to everything that comes into existence.
However, in the language of the Buddha, the world is nothing more than the
combination, existence, disappearance, and recombination of mind and
matter(nama-rupa).
In the final analysis, the
Teaching of the Buddha goes beyond the discoveries of modern science
however startling or impressive they may be. In science, the knowledge of
the universe is to enable man to master it for his material comfort and
personal safety. But the Buddha teaches that no amount of factual
knowledge will ultimately free man from the pain of existence. He must
strive alone and diligently until he arrives at a true understanding of
his own nature and of the changeable nature of the cosmos. To be truly
free a man must seek to tame his min, to destroy his craving for sensual
pleasure. When a man truly understands that the universe he is trying to
conquer is impermanent, he will see himself as Don Quixote fighting
windmills. With this Right View of himself he will spend his time and
energy conquering his mind and destroying his illusion of self without
wasting his effort on unimportant and unnecessary issues.
-ooOoo-
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Source: Buddhist
Study and Practice Group, http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/
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Layout: Chan Duc - Nguyen Thao
Update : 01-11-2002
