364th
meeting : “Illustrations
of Theravada Cosmology”. A Talk by James E. Bogle, art historian and
collector.".
Tuesday August 13th 2013
THERAVĀDA
BUDDHIST COSMOLOGY
COMMENTS ON THE
THERAVĀDA COSMOS BY VARIOUS WRITERS
• When we read in the scriptures the complex numerical
descriptions of the Buddhist universe, we feel overwhelmed. Even
specialists find it difficult to understand the structure of Buddhist
cosmology.
(Sadakata *, 2009, p. 11)
The talk was about "Theravāda" cosmology and the language of Theravāda
is Pāli. However, James Bogle has sometimes used a nonTheravāda author,
Vasubandhu (4th c. C.E.), writing in Sanscrit and describing the
cosmology of the immediate disciples of the Buddha (“Śrāvaka”). Here,
the editor has modified the transcriptions from Sanscrit to Pāli
whenever this has been possible.
• Disagreement concerning the nature and extent of the universe
constitutea focus of theological debates which permeatesBuddhism at
every level. (Kloetzli, 1983, Book Cover).
• In the “Traiphum” the system is elaborated in a most tedious
manner and the strictest measurements are given of everything and place
referred to.(Alabaster, 1871, p. 14) .
ARE THERE REASONS FOR
BUDDHIST COSMOLOGY?
The basis of cosmology, in all religions, is an attempt to answer the
age old questions about man’s place in life and the
scheme of things. Buddhism thought
was formed in a period and
place when Brahmanism prevailed; Buddhism
began and existed on a higher
level with an overall philosophy of
life which was
intellectual, and espoused a message that enjoyed great simplicity.
Buddhism had no need for cosmology.
However, the early followers of Buddhism in the 5th, 4th and 3rd
centuries B.C.E. did have a need which led to accommodations.
Want to read more? Click Here. (11 Pages, PDF File)
Special Notes:
Mr Bogle has requested that the following
documents be made available
on the web site. Please click on the title of the document to download
or open as a PDF file.
2.
GabaudeBogle-20140311PDF.
Statement from Mr
Louis Gabaude ( 1 Page. PDF Format)
3.
A Rebuttal from Mr James Bogle.
A
rebuttal from Mr J. Bogle (3 Pages. PDF Format)
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