The Buddha taught that the Earth is not the center of the universe and is not the only planet with intelligent life. He taught that there are an infinite number of world systems, that some of those worlds are inhabited by intelligent life, and that on some of those worlds other Buddhas also teach the Buddhadharma.

“One sun, one moon, one Mount Sumeru, and one set of four great continents is what is called ‘a set of four continents under heaven,’ that is, a world system. In our world system, a smaller version of the larger whole, Asia could be called Southern Jambudvīpa. Probably America is equivalent to Eastern Pūrvavideha, Europe to Western Aparagodānīya, and the Soviet Union to Northern Uttarakuru. However the Buddhist sutras say that the inhabitants of Northern Uttarakuru do not see the Buddha, do not hear the Dharma, and do not see members of the Sangha. They say that when it is daytime in Southern Jambudvīpa, it is nighttime in Northern Uttarakuru. Every world system has these four great continents, and perhaps sometimes the directions of the four can be different. Don’t get attached to it.” (EDR VIII 215-216)

A thousand world systems of four great continents, etc. comprise a ‘small world system.’ A thousand small world systems comprise a medium-sized world system, and a thousand medium-sized world systems comprise a great world system of a billion worlds, or literally a thousand times a thousand times a thousand worlds (Skt. tri-sahasra-mahā-sahasra-loka-dhātu).

In the Flower Adornment Sutra the Buddha taught that the universe of world systems is shaped like a great lotus flower and that world systems are arrayed within it in petal-like tiers. Our world system, called the Saha World, is located on the thirteenth tier.

According to Buddhist teachings this planet we live on is not unique in supporting intelligent life, is not the center of the universe, and is not the only world on which Buddhism is taught and practiced.

世界