Buddhism A to Z "W"

Way

See Middle Way.

Wayplace

A place where one cultivates the Way, or one's spiritual Path. The original Wayplace was the spot under the Bodhi tree where the Buddha became fully enlightened. The term 'Wayplace' includes monasteries and other auspicious sites where people, either singly or together, put the Buddhadharma into practice.

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1) Ch. dau chang ; 2) Skt. bodhimanda; 3) Pali bodhimanda; 4) Alternate Translations: platform, terrace, seat of enlightenment, spot under Bodhi-tree, any place for cultivation of the Path.

See also:

BTTS References: SS VI 70-77.

world systems

The Buddha taught that the earth is not the center of the universe and is not the only planet with intelligent life. He taught that there are an infinite number of world-systems, that some of those worlds are inhabited by intelligent life, and that on some of those worlds other Buddhas also teach the Buddhadharma.

I. DESCRIPTION OF A WORLD-SYSTEM

"One sun, one moon, one Mount Sumeru, and one set of four great continents is what is called 'a set of four continents under heaven,' that is, a world-system. In our world-system, a smaller version of the larger whole, Asia could be called Southern Jambudvipa. Probably America is equivalent to Eastern Purvavideha, Europe to Western Aparagodaniya, and the Soviet Union to Northern Uttarakuru. However the Buddhist Sutras say that the inhabitants of Northern Uttarakuru do not see the Buddha, do not hear the Dharma, and do not see members of the Sangha. They say that when it is daytime in Southern Jambudvipa, it is nighttime in Northern Uttarakuru. Every world-system has these four great continents, and perhaps sometimes the directions of the four can be different. Don't get attached to it." (EDR VIII 215-216)

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----------------------------------------------------------------Ä Chinese woodblock depiction of a small world system

II. A GREAT WORLD SYSTEM OF A BILLION WORLDS

A thousand world-systems of four great continents, etc. comprise a 'small world-system.' A thousand small world-systems comprise a middle-sized world system, and a thousand middle-sized world-systems comprise a great world-system of a billion worlds, or literally a thousand times an thousand times a thousand worlds (Skt. trisahasramahasahasralokadhatu).

III. FLOWER TREASURY WORLD

In the Flower Adornment Sutra the Buddha taught that the universe of world-systems is shaped like a great lotus flower and that world systems are arrayed within it in petal-like tiers. Our world -system, called the Saha World, is located on the thirteenth tier.

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----------------------------------------------------------------Ä Chinese woodblock chart of the Flower Treasury World

IV. BUDDHAS IN OTHER WORLD SYSTEMS

According to Buddhist teachings this planet we live on is not unique in supporting intelligent life, is not the center of the universe, and is not the only world on which Buddhism is taught and practiced.

V. THE EMPTINESS OF WORLD-SYSTEMS

The world-systems are spoken of by the Tathagata as no world-systems; therefore, they are called 'worldÄ systems.' (VS 80)

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1) Ch. shr jye , 2) Skt. lokadhatu, cakravala, 3) Pali lokadhatu, cakkavala.