Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c16.36

v1.c16.36

Cakkavāḷa.—The name given to a whole world-system, there being countless such systems. Each Cakkavāḷa is twelve hundred and three thousand, four hundred and fifty yojanas in extent and consists of the earth, two hundred and four thousand nahutas of yojanas in volume, surrounded by a region of water four hundred and eight thousand nahutas of yojanas in volume. This rests on air, the thickness of which is nine hundred and sixty thousand nahutas of yojanas. In the centre of the Cakkavāḷa is Mount Sineru, one hundred and sixty-eight yojanas in height, half of which is immersed in the ocean. Around Sineru are seven mountain ranges, Yugandhara, Īsadhara, Karavīka, Sudassana, Nemindhara, Vinataka and Assakaṇṇa. The mountains are inhabited by the Regent Gods (Mahārājas) and their followers, the Yakkhas. Within the Cakkavāḷa is the Himavā mountain, one hundred leagues high, with eighty-four thousand peaks. Surrounding the whole Cakkavāḷa is the Cakkavāḷasilā. Belonging to each Cakkavāḷa is a moon, forty-nine leagues in diameter, a sun of fifty leagues, the Tāvatiṃsabhavana, the Asurabhavana, the Avīcimahāniraya and the four mahādīpas—Jambudīpa, Aparagoyāna, Pabbavideha and Uttarakuru, each mahādīpa surrounded by five hundred minor dīpas. Between the Cakkavāḷas exist the Lokantarikaniraya.¹ In each Cakkavāḷa are four Regent Gods (Cattāro Mahārājā).² A sun can illuminate only one Cakkavāḷa; the rays of light from the Buddha’s body can illuminate all the Cakkavāḷas.³ 1. Cakkhu Sutta.—Preached to Rāhula at Jetavana. The Buddha shows him how the eye and all the other senses are fleeting and lead to unhappiness. The well-taught disciple should, therefore, be repelled by the senses.¹