fyi from mahayana canon,
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/BuddhistDict/BDW.html#World
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.
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.
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.
The Buddha
proclaimed that on the highest level of understanding the entire
cosmos is pure Mind. On the ordinary level of understanding he
painted a picture of a cosmos filled with countless world-systems
(see entry) with countless planets filled with living beings of
every sort. Our particular world-system is neither unique nor
central in any way. Other world systems also have their Buddhas,
who also teach the path to enlightenment.
The Flower Adornment Sutra describes the universe as
consisting of an infinitely large lotus-flower in which our world
occupies the thirteenth tier. The lotus is suspended on various
oceans of primal mind-energy forces called Great Elements.
Our World System: the Saha World
Our particular world-system, as is the case with all world
systems, can be described in both 'horizontal' and 'vertical'
directions. The 'horizontal' refers to its layout in space, while
the 'vertical' dimension refers to the levels of consciousness of
the various types of beings who inhabit it.
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