Cosmology in Tibetan Buddhism
In this talk, Khenpo Sodargye Rinpoche shares Tibetan Buddhism’s view of the universe from different aspects, such as its elements, scope, age and developmental process. These viewpoints are very advanced and yet some are similar to what modern science has discovered. According to Buddhism’s view, compared to the outer world, the inner world takes a more important role in making a better life.
Inner World Is More Important Than the Outer World
Excerpt 1: Karma’s Impact on Our Daily Life
What is the world we’re living in like? Just then I’ve mentioned different karmas. Though karma is a Buddhist term, karma plays an important role in our daily life. What is karma? For instance, some people think of something as being beautiful, some think it is just so-so, the others think it is ugly. As for a person, some might think she is beautiful, some might think she is just so-so, the others might think she is ugly. Everyone has their own aesthetic appreciation, their own habitual tendency. If there is an inherent nature within something, then everyone should feel the same about it. However, due to the different factors that form us and our life, opinions of each sentient being are not the same. This is the idea of Karma, similar to what the modern science calls, the Uncertainty Principle, but has existed much earlier before the scientific principle.
Excerpt 2: Inner World Is More Important Than the Outer World
Although the Kalachakra talks about the outer universe, the essence of it is the teaching about the inner universe—our body and mind. Like the outer world, our body goes through the stages of formation, existence, destruction, and emptiness, and is also made of the four elements. And about the nature of our mind—how we can achieve the enlightenment and realize the clarity of the mind—all these are described in details in related chapters that deal with the “inner Kalachakra”. In Buddhist opinion, it is important to know about the outer world. Still, it’s more important to know about the inner world and realize the nature of our mind.
Excerpt 3: Inner Beauty Is What We Should Pursue
Anyway, we should pursue a steady and long-term truth, which is the most reliable thing that can be with us in the longest time. Nowadays, most people look for perfection and beauty. Actually no matter where we come from, we all need to pursue perfection and this is indispensable for us. But I think, of all the perfection and beauty, the inner one is the best, as it is age-resistant, and eternal. Outer perfection or outer beauty, when subjected to aging, is easy to decline and turns into ugliness. Therefore, we should pursue the inner beauty. This is a perfection worth pursuing.
Excerpt 4: Pursue a Meaningful Life
No one knows how much he could explore about the outer world in this short life. So it’s important to grasp the key point, i.e. our inner mind and things connected with us; and try the best to purify our inner world and in the meantime getting to know more about our homeland and the society we live in. It is never too much to show passion for knowledge and wisdom that can bring benefit for both ourselves and others. I think, it is very important to pursue knowledge, and more important to take real responsibility for ourselves and enrich our life. This kind of life is the most meaningful.
Excerpt 5: Inner World vs Outer World
The world, when referring to the whole universe, is indeed very vast. However, in a smaller sense, it could be seen as the small society around you. If we narrow it down further, what remains as the most basic existence is our inner world. If someone realizes his inner world, indirectly, he has actually realized the truth of the whole universe.
Inner Beauty Is What We Should Pursue
Of all the perfection and beauty, the inner one is the best, as it is age-resistant, and eternal. Outer perfection or outer beauty, when subjected to aging, is easy to decline and turns into ugliness. Therefore, we should pursue the inner beauty. This is a perfection worth pursuing.
Inner World vs Outer World
The world, when referring to the whole universe, is indeed very vast. However, in a smaller sense, it could be seen as the small society around you. If we narrow it down further, what remains as the most basic existence is our inner world. If someone realizes his inner world, indirectly, he has actually realized the truth of the whole universe.
“Of all kinds of perfection and beauty, the inner one is the best, as it is age-resistant, and eternal. Outer beauty, when subjected to aging, is easy to decline and turns into ugliness. Therefore, we should pursue the inner beauty. Such a perfection is worth pursuing.”
