Cakkavala, Cakkavāḷa, Cakkavāla: 4 definitions

Introduction:

Cakkavala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

The name given to a whole world system, there being countless such systems.

Each Cakkavala 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 Cakkavala 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, Isadhara, Karavika, Sudassana, Nemindhara, Vinataka and Assakanna. The mountains are inhabited by the Regent Gods (Maharajas) and their followers, the Yakkhas.

Within the Cakkavala is the Himava mountain, one hundred leagues high, with eighty four thousand peaks. Surrounding the whole Cakkavala is the Cakkavalasila. Belonging to each Cakkavala is a moon, forty nine leagues in diameter, a sun of fifty leagues, the Tavatimsabhavana, the Asurabhavana, the Avicimahaniraya and the four mahadipas - Jambudipa, Aparagoyana, Pubbavideha and Uttarakuru, each mahadipa surrounded by five hundred minor dipas.

Between the Cakkavalas exist the Lokantarika niraya (SA.ii.442f.; DhsA.297f).

In each Cakkavala are four Regent Gods (Cattaro Maharaja) (AA.i.439).

A sun can illuminate only one Cakkavala; the rays of light from the Buddhas body can illuminate all the Cakkavalas (AA.i.440).

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Cakkavala in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

cakkavāḷa : (m.; nt.) a world-circle; a solar system.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Cakkavāḷa, (m. & nt.) a circle, a sphere, esp. a mythical range of mountains supposed to encircle the world; pl. worlds or spheres J. I, 53, 203; VI, 330; Vism. 205 (its extent), 207, 367, 421; DhsA. 297; DhA 11. 15; III, 498; in the trope “cakkavāḷaṃ atisambādhaṃ brahmaloko atinīco” (=the whole world cannot hold it) to express immensity DhA. I, 310; VvA. 68.

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Prakrit-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Cakkavala in Prakrit glossary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

Cakkavāla (चक्कवाल) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Cakravāla.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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