Three Ages of Buddhism

The Three Ages of Buddhism, also known as the Three Ages of the Dharma (simplified Chinese: 三时; traditional Chinese: 三時; pinyin: Sān Shí), are three divisions of time following Shakyamuni Buddha's death and passing into Nirvana in East Asian Buddhism.

For other meanings of "Latter Days", see Latter Days (disambiguation). For other uses of Three Ages, see Three Ages (disambiguation).
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Three Ages
Further information: Dharma § Buddhism

The Three Ages of Buddhism are three divisions of time following Buddha's passing:[1][2]

  1. Former Day of the Dharma — also known as the “Age of the Right Dharma” (Chinese: 正法; pinyin: Zhèng Fǎ; Japanese: shōbō), the first thousand years (or 500 years) during which the Buddha's disciples are able to uphold the Buddha's teachings;[3]
  2. Middle Day of the Dharma — also known as the “Age of Semblance Dharma” (Chinese: 像法; pinyin: Xiàng Fǎ; Japanese: zōhō), the second thousand years (or 500 years), which only resembles the right Dharma;[4]
  3. Latter Day of the Dharma — also known as “the Degenerate Age of Dharma” (Chinese: 末法; pinyin: Mò Fǎ; Japanese: mappō), which is to last for 10,000 years during which the Dharma declines.[5]

In the Sutra of the Great Assembly (Sanskrit: Maha-Samnipata Sutra; Japanese: Daijuku-kyō), the three periods are further divided into five five-hundred year periods (五五百歳, Chinese: wǔ wǔ bǎi sùi; Japanese: go no gohyaku sai), the fifth and last of which was prophesied to be when the Buddhism of Shakyamuni Buddha would lose all power of salvation and a new Buddha would appear to save the people. This time period would be characterized by unrest, strife, famine, and natural disasters.[6]

The three periods are significant to Mahayana adherents, particularly those who hold the Lotus Sutra in high regard, namely the Tiantai and Tendai and Nichiren Buddhism, who believe that different Buddhist teachings are valid (i.e., able to lead practitioners to enlightenment) in each period due to the different capacity to accept a teaching (機根, Chinese: jīgēn; Japanese: kikon) of the people born in each respective period.

Latter Day of the Dharma

Traditionally, this age is supposed to begin 2000 years after Shakyamuni Buddha's passing and last for 10,000 years or more. Shakyamuni, in the Sutra of the Great Assembly (Jpn. Daijuku-kyō), describes the Latter Day of the Dharma (Jpn. Mappo) as "the age of conflict", when “Quarrels and disputes will arise among the adherents to my teachings, and the Pure Dharma will become obscured and lost.” In this evil latter age, when society is disordered, Shakyamuni's Buddhism will lose its power to benefit the people, as people born into the Latter Day of the Dharma, do not have the seed of Buddhahood sown into them.[7][8]

According to the interpretation of Nichiren Buddhism, in the Lotus Sutra (Jpn. Myōhō-Renge-Kyō) Shakyamuni Buddha entrusted the propagation of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Dharma to the Bodhisattva named Superior Practices (Jpn. Jogyo Bosatsu), the leader of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Shakyamuni predicted in the 21st Chapter of the Lotus Sutra (jinriki), that Bodhisattva Jogyo, the ephemeral figure of the Original Buddha, would appear in the Latter Day of the Dharma, dispel the fundamental darkness of all mankind, and lead the people to attain enlightenment.[9]

The Nichiren Shoshu school of Buddhism, believes that Nichiren Daishonin is Votary of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Dharma. Shakyamuni declared that the Votary of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Dharma would be "spoken ill of and cursed", "would be wounded by swords and staves and pelted with stones and tiles" and "again and again banished." Nichiren Shoshu states that Nichiren Daishonin's actions matched the prediction that Shakyamuni Buddha taught. They cite the Izu and Sado Exile ("again and again banished") and the Tatsunokuchi Persecution where the government attempted to execute the Daishonin ("wounded by swords and staves") for propagating Myōhō-Renge-Kyō throughout Japan. Thus, the Shoshu states that Nichiren Daishonin proved he was the votary of the Lotus Sutra by "reading the Lotus Sutra with his very life."[10][11]

Furthermore, when viewed from the standpoint of his ephemeral or transient (shaku) identity and his external function, Nichiren Daishonin is defined as the rebirth of Bodhisattva Superior Practices (Jogyo Bosatsu). However, when viewed from the standpoint of his true (hon) identity and his inner realization, Nichiren Daishonin is defined as the Buddha of Intrinsically Perfect Wisdom from the infinite past of kuon-ganjo (kuon-ganjo jijuyu hoshin nyorai). [12]

Maitreya
Main article: Maitreya

Buddhist temporal cosmology assumes a cyclical pattern of ages, and even when the current Buddha's teachings fall into disregard, a new Buddha will at some point (usually considered to be millions of years in the future) be born to ensure the continuity of Buddhism. In the Lotus Sutra, Viśiṣṭacāritra is entrusted to spread Buddhist dharma in this age and save mankind and the earth. He and countless other bodhisattvas, specifically called Bodhisattvas of the Earth (of which he is the leader), vow to be reborn in a latter day to re-create Buddhist dharma, thus turning the degenerate age into a flourishing paradise. Gautama Buddha entrusts them instead of his more commonly known major disciples with this task since the Bodhisattvas of the Earth have had a karmic connection with Gautama Buddha since the beginning of time, meaning that they are aware of the Superior Practice which is the essence of Buddhism or the Dharma in its original, pure form. Kṣitigarbha is also known for his vow to take responsibility for the instruction of all beings in the six worlds, in the era between the death of Gautama and the rise of Maitreya.[13] Teacher Shavaripa would also live in the world to teach someone.[14]

Teachings of different groups

The teaching appeared early.[15][16] References to the decline of the Dharma over time can be found in such Mahayana sutras as the Diamond Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, but also to a lesser degree in some texts in the Pāli Canon such as the Cullavagga of the Vinaya Pitaka. Nanyue Huisi was an early monk who taught about it; he is considered the third Patriarch of the Tiantai.[17]

The Sanjiejiao was an early sect that taught about Mò Fǎ. It taught to respect every sutra and all sentient life.[18][19]

Late Buddhism in Central Asia taught the building of auspicious signs or miraculous Buddhist images.[20][21][22][23]

Pure Land Buddhism in China and Japan believe we are now in this latter age of "degenerate Dharma". Pure Land followers therefore attempt to attain rebirth into the pure land of Amitābha, where they can practice the Dharma more readily.[24][25][26][27][28][29]

Nichiren Buddhism has taught that its teaching is the most suitable for the recent Mò Fǎ period.[30][31]

The Kalacakra tantra contains a prophecy of a holy war in which a Buddhist king will win.

Theravada Buddhists taught that Buddhism would decline in five thousand years.[32][33]

Some monks such as Dōgen and Xuyun had alternative views regarding dharma decline. Dōgen believed that there is no Mò Fǎ while Xuyun thought Mò Fǎ is not inevitable.[34][35]

Some Chinese folk religions taught that the three ages were the teaching period of Dīpankara Buddha, Gautama Buddha, and the current era of Maitreya.[36][37][38]

References
  1. Tzu, Chuang (2012). Fa Xiang: A Buddhist Practitioner's Encyclopedia. Buddha's Light Publishing. pp. 4, 5. ISBN 978-1-932293-55-5.
  2. Marra, Michele (1988). The development of mappō thought in Japan (I), Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 15 (1), 25. PDF
  3. Hattori 2000, pp. 15, 16
  4. Hattori 2000, pp. 15, 16
  5. Hattori 2000, pp. 15, 16
  6. Marra, Michele (1988). The development of mappō thought in Japan (I), Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 15 (1), 26-27. PDF
  7. Abe, Nikken Shonin, 67th High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu (1994). Hesei shinpen Nichiren Daishonin Gosho. Fujinomiya City, Shizouka Prefecture, Japan: Head Temple Taiseki-ji.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. Takakusa, Watanabe (1926). Taisho shinshi daizokyo ("Taisho Tripitaka"). Tokyo, Japan: Taisho shinshi daizokyo Kanko-Kai.
  9. Abe, Nikken Shonin, 67th High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu (1998). Myōhōrengekyō Narabini Kaiketsu. Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan: Head Temple Taiseki-ji. p. 516.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. Abe, Nikken Shonin, 67th High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu (1998). Myōhōrengekyō Narabini Kaiketsu. Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan: Head Temple Taiseki-ji. p. 516.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. Obayashi, Kotoku (2010). The Doctrines and Practices of Nichiren Shoshu. 2057 Kamijo, Shizuoka 418-0116 Japan: Nichiren Shoshu Overseas Bureau.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  12. Shonin, Nichikan. "Meaning Hidden in the Depths" ("Montei hichin-sho"). Fuji Taisekiji.
  13. The Earth Store (Treasury) Sutra
  14. Masters of Mahamudra: Songs and Histories of the Eighty-Four Buddhist Siddhas (Suny Series in Buddhist Studies)
  15. "初期大乘佛教之起源與開展20". Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  16. 中國末法思想探微
  17. 釋性玄 (June 2009). 佛教末法思想在中國之受容與開展 (PDF) (master thesis) (in Chinese (Taiwan)).
  18. "佛教末法觀之我思". Archived from the original on 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
  19. 再論三階教的歷史定位
  20. 敦煌所见于阗牛头山圣迹及瑞像
  21. 釋迦牟尼如來像法滅盡之記
  22. "圣容瑞像之谜". Archived from the original on 2012-05-10. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  23. 刘萨诃与凉州瑞像信仰的末法观
  24. “末法时期，净土成就”佛经出处考
  25. "道綽的末法觀念與淨土門的創立" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  26. 溫金柯 (2006-04-18). "「末法」與「淨土念佛得度」考－－由道綽《安樂集》衍生的重要觀念之檢討" (in Chinese (Taiwan)).
  27. 仏教の「末法」キリスト教の「終末」
  28. Kyoshin Asano, The Idea of the Last Dharma-age in Shinran's Thought (Part 1), Pacific World, Third Series Number 3, 53-70, 2001 PDF
  29. Kyoshin Asano, The Idea of the Last Dharma-age in Shinran's Thought (Part 2), Pacific World, Third Series Number 4, 197-216, 2002 PDF
  30. 日莲心目中的《法华经》
  31. Asai Endo (1999). Nichiren Shonin's View of Humanity: The Final Dharma Age and the Three Thousand Realms in One Thought-Moment, Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 26 (3-4), 239-240
  32. Dicks, Andrew (May 2015). Enlightening the Bats: Sound and Place Making in Burmese Buddhist Practice. pp. 25-26 and 32-33. pp 25-26:Many of the Burmese Buddhists I spoke with referenced a five thousand year period of decline noting that the current sāsana of the Buddha Sakyamuni who lived in India during the 5th century BCE, is already half way towards its complete disintegration. As time passes after the death of a Buddha, the sāsana becomes increasingly opaque until it finally disappears. There may be a period with no Buddha, and then a future Buddha descends from the celestial abodes, is born, and restores the sāsana on earth once again. Burmese Buddhist historian, Alicia Turner, has identified multiple chronologies for the decline of the sāsana that range from one hundred to five thousand years (2014). In the time of decay, also known as the Kaliyuga, all traces of the Tipitaka and their supporting practices eventually vanish destabilizing the sāsana and triggering its dissolution. pp 32-33:The Angata vamsa (dating to roughly 13th century) specifically depicts five stages in the decline of the sāsana. The first stage articulates the loss of the ability for monks to reach the four stages of enlightenment: sotapanna (stream-enterer), sakadagami (once-returner), anagami (non-returner), and arahant (fully awakened). The second stage relates the loss of patipatti (practice). In this stage, monks lose the ability to meditate and maintain their precepts. The loss of pariyatti (textual study) is the third stage and depicts the disappearance of the Tipitaka. The fourth stage illustrates the loss of maintaining even appearances of piousness i.e. respectful speech, attire, work, and morals. In this stage, monks no longer behave as monks. They are illustrated as married and working people. The final stage illustrates the disappearance of the Buddha's relics as they are returned to the location of the Buddha's enlightenment and engulfed in flames (ibid.)
  33. By contrast, refer to Bhikku Bodhi : The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha - A Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya. Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2012. p. 1805. cf Note 1747- And this expression 'a thousand years' is said with reference to arahants who have attained the analytic knowledges. Following this, for another thousand years, there appear dry-insight arahants; for another thousand years, non-returners; for another thousand years, once-returners; for another thousand years, stream-enterers. Thus the good Dhamma of penetration will last five thousand years. The Dhamma of learning will also last this long. For without learning, there is no penetration, and as long as there is learning, there is penetration.
  34. 佛教末法观的现代意义
  35. "City of 10,000 Buddhas - A Sure Sign of the Proper Dharma".
  36. "清代教门惑众手法". Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
  37. "清代"邪教"与清朝政府- 正气网 清代"邪教"与清朝政府". Archived from the original on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
  38. 了道金船 三佛通书

Bibliography
  • Buswell, Robert E., ed. (2004). Encyclopedia of Buddhism ("Decline of the Dharma"). Macmillan Reference USA. ISBN 0-02-865718-7. pp. 210-213
  • Chappell, David Wellington (1980). Early Forebodings of the Death of Buddhism, Numen, 27 (1), 122-154
  • Hattori, Shōon (2000). A Raft from the Other Shore: Honen and the Way of Pure Land Buddhism. Jodo Shu Press. ISBN 978-4-88363-329-6.
  • Lamotte, Etienne; Webb-Boin Sara, trans. (1988). History of Indian Buddhism: From the origins to the Śaka era. Louvain Paris: Peters Press, pp. 191-202
  • Marra, Michele (1988). "The development of mappō thought in Japan (I)", Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 15 (1), 25-54. PDF
  • Marra, Michele (1988). "The development of mappō thought in Japan (II)", Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 15 (4), 287-305. PDF
  • Nadeau, Randall L. (1987). "The 'Decline of the Dharma' in Early Chinese Buddhism", Asian Review volume 1 (transl. of the "Scripture Preached by the Buddha on the Total Extinction of the Dharma")
  • Nattier, Jan (1991). Once Upon a Future Time: Studies in a Buddhist Prophecy of Decline, Berkeley, Calif.: Asian Humanities Press
  • Stone, Jackie (1985). Seeking Enlightenment in the Last Age: "Mappō" Thought in Kamakura Buddhism: PART I, The Eastern Buddhist New Series, 18, (1), 28-56
  • Stone, Jackie (1985). Seeking Enlightenment in the Last Age: "Mappō" Thought in Kamakura Buddhism: PART II, The Eastern Buddhist New Series, 18, (2), 35-64
  • Zürcher, Eric (1981). Eschatology and Messianism in Early Chinese Buddhism, Leiden: Leyden Studies in Sinology
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