法苑珠林 1.40

1.40

Further, the *Dīrgha-āgama* says: The Buddha told the bhikṣus: There are four things that are of immense and limitless duration, which cannot be measured or reckoned by the count of days, months, and years. What are the four? First, the time when calamities gradually arise in the world and destroy this world, the interval of which is long and cannot be measured or reckoned by the count of days, months, and years. Second, after this world is destroyed, the interval is empty, vast, and devoid of a world, long and distant, and cannot be measured or reckoned by the count of days, months, and years. Third, the interval when heaven and earth first arise and are about to be formed is long, and cannot be measured or reckoned by the count of days, months, and years. Fourth, after heaven and earth have formed, they abide for a long time without destruction, and this cannot be measured or reckoned by the count of days, months, and years. These are the four things that are of immense and limitless duration, which cannot be reckoned or measured by the count of days, months, and years.