Buddhism Eschatology (Pierre) by Elizabeth Tang

Cyclic nature of time

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Saṁsāra: In Sanskrit can be interpreted as cyclic change.

Depicts an endless cycle of birth and death of people, the world, and the universe, with no defined beginning or end (King, 1986).

Karma

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Karma, also understood as "action", is a fundamental concept that can be used to gain insight into the rise and fall of kingdoms, the occurrence of natural disasters, and deadly plagues.

War, famine and sickness

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It is believed that the universe exists in the context of endless cycles of destruction (non-manifestation) and renewal (manifestation).

Progress (Walls, 2007):

Long lifespans (up to 80,000 years).
Periods of prosperity, peace, abundance.

Decline (Walls, 2007):

Shortened lifespans (up to 10 years).
Social conflict, plagues, natural disasters, inequality.
Amendments made due to sinfulness.

Question: Are we currently in a period of progress or decline?

Accumulation of Karma

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Actions - Thoughts, speech, physical action

Good karma - accumulated through virtuous actions

Bad karma - accumulated through vicious or ill-intended actions

The state of the universe, including the earth and the heavens is determined by the conduct of living beings (King, 1986).

Buddhist Eschatology

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Is there an end of the world?

Eschatology - the part of theology concerned with death, judgement, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind (Oxford Languages).

References

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Jerry L. Walls. (2007). The Oxford Handbook of Eschatology.

https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195170498.001.0001

Winston L. King. (1986). Eschatology: Christian and Buddhist

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-721X(86)80005-7

Application: The Rise and Fall of Civilizations

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Application: The Rise and Fall of Civilizations

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