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There were sone mentions in the Nikayas about "aeons of cosmic expansion and contraction". Some people parallel that with big bangs and big crunches.
by cko 10y ago
There were sone mentions in the Nikayas about "aeons of cosmic expansion and contraction". Some people parallel that with big bangs and big crunches.
- contingencies 10y agoInteresting so I followed it up... turns out the phrase is used in two places as far as I can tell: 1. A translation of the 8th benefit of mindfulness, as espoused in the Kayagata-sati Sutta: Mindfulness Immersed in the Body. Basically in this text the historical Buddha is saying that mindfulness enables recognition of one's past lives. 2. Iddhipada-vibhanga Sutta: Analysis of the Bases of Power in which loads of supernatural powers are listed as being granted to those who achieve concentration through the "four bases of power", and is essentially similar to the above, though it also lists many other powers like walking on water, diving in to earth and flying and is probably not supposed to be taken as literally as it has been translated. Further, it specifically references pre-Buddhist Brahmanic tradition. http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn51/sn51.020.than.html http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn51/sn51.020.tha...
- cko 10y agoWhat resources have you used to study Buddhist history? I've been an avid reader of accesstoinsight but want to learn more. Email in profile.