Do the commentaries describe life in other world systems? Do humans from other world system look the same? Are they at the same technological age? What about their lifespan? I read somewhere that world systems get destroyed at the same time so maybe other world systems are also at the same stage as we are with comparable technology and lifespan?
I’m not sure where it says this, but the main thing to know is that The Buddha only arises in this world system. Other world systems have different planes of existences. However it would take some research to find exactly where it says this. It is just known by me as common past down from scholars.
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The Buddhist Cosmos by Ajahn Punnadhammo describes all the realms of existence and their inhabitants, drawing heavily from the commentaries. It’s probably the most comprehensive book on the subject and a very interesting read.
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The other world systems are the same as our world system in layout pretty much. Although they may not be in the same “age” as we are, it basically follows the same pattern as ours. Understand how our world system works and you’ll get the jist of how the other world systems operate.
Ānanda, have you heard of a thousandfold lesser world system, a galaxy?”
3.6“Now is the time, Blessed One! Now is the time, Holy One! 3.7Let the Buddha speak. The mendicants will listen and remember it.”
3.8“Well then, Ānanda, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”
3.9“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied. 3.10The Buddha said this:
4.1“Ānanda, a galaxy extends a thousand times as far as the moon and sun revolve and the shining ones light up the quarters. 4.2In that galaxy there are a thousand moons, a thousand suns, a thousand Sinerus king of mountains, a thousand Black Plum Tree Lands, a thousand lands west of Godāvarī, a thousand lands north of Kuru, a thousand lands east of Videha, four thousand oceans, four thousand great kings, a thousand realms of the gods of the four great kings, a thousand realms of the gods of the thirty-three, of the gods of Yama, of the joyful gods, of the gods who love to imagine, of the gods who control what is imagined by others, and a thousand realms of divinity. 4.3This is called a thousandfold lesser world system, a ‘galaxy’.
5.1A world system that extends for a thousand galaxies 5.2is called a millionfold middling world system, a ‘galactic cluster’.
6.1A world system that extends for a thousand galactic clusters 6.2is called a billionfold great world system, a ‘galactic supercluster’.
I saw this on dhammawheel posted by @Mkoll
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Thanks for sharing that here, Robert. I found it on Reddit awhile ago and find it a useful reference. It’s not completely accurate, but it’s pretty close.
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It is accurate.