Question asked by Eli Levine
Good (morning) Pastors,
Thank you for your quick and effective response to my last question, It was very helpful.
I was wondering what the Buddhist stance is on the Hindu yugas, specifically, the present Kali Yuga that we seem to be in? How does Buddhism fit into the grand scheme of the universal motions, according to Buddhism? Could Buddhism be a path to achieving Enlightenment (moksha) within the present Kali Yuga? Buddha seems to have been born at about the beginning of the Kali Yuga, could that have something to do with brining about the eventual end of the Kali Yuga?
I'm seeking clarification because, judging from world events, it does appear to be the degenerative age that is predicted in the Mahabharata, considering the actions of governments and people in aggregate. I wish I could bring an end to the Kali Yuga, if not for my sake, for all others' sake, yet I'm not sure whether I will be contributing significantly to its ending or whether any one person has the capacity to end the Kali Yuga. I'll standby your response. Thank you!
Dear Eli Levine,
The Hindu system of the yugas, mirrors the Buddhist system of the yugas in some respects. Both systems are based on cyclic existence therefore the yuga system exists in both. You are right that we are in the Kali yuga, usually withing Buddhist translations this is called the ‘degenerate age’, you may come across this term in Buddhist texts. The historical Buddha Shakyamuni did indeed live towards the beginning of this degenerative age, as you have rightly said.
As for the place of Buddhism within the universal motions as you have put it, is as follows. In certain ages Buddhas will appear and teach the Dharma, they are titled “Samyaksam Buddhas” following this the Dharma will benefit sentient beings in that age, until as with all phenomena within cyclic existence it disappears. Following this there are periods of existence when there is no Dharma. Followed by a period when a Buddha will appear and teach again.
Of course, all Dharma teachings can lead people to Enlightenment. This is even the case within the Kaliyuga we live in. And the teachings are even more important in this age, as the panacea to the sufferings we all face.
As for the end of the Kaliyuga, no one person or group has the capacity to do this. It simply cannot be done, as if it were possible the Buddhas would have ended cyclic existence a long time ago. As long as sentient beings have karma there will always be cyclic existence. The aim of the Dharma is not to speed up or end the various yugas but to transcend them altogether by becoming a fully Enlightened being, and then helping others in cyclic existence to do the same. Thus there is no way that a single person or group of people can end the Kaliyuga. I hope this helps.