In This World or the Next: Investigation Over the “End of the World” in Contemplative Practice Through the Pāli Canon

Analysis of the term 'loka' (world) in the Pāli canon reveals a conception of the world as a cognitive construct, closely tied to philosophy of mind and language. The 'end of the world' (lokanta) corresponds to the state of full consciousness required to become a Buddha. The figure of the world-ender (lokantagū) serves as a metaphor for the Buddha as an otherworldly being (lokuttara), a concept also found in the Abhidhamma. Rather than an apocalyptic vision, the end of the world appears as the main goal of meditation in Early Buddhism and part of the Buddhist epistemological framework.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This article is the result of a research dedicated to the analysis of the term loka (“world”) in the Pāli canon. This work consists mainly of a translation and analysis of the Pāli suttas concerning loka and related terms. What this study reveals is a peculiar conception of the world as a cognitive construct, with a close relationship to the philosophy of mind and language. The “end of the world” (lokanta) corresponds to the state of full consciousness necessary to become a Buddha. The figure of the world ender (lokantagū) is also fundamental as a metaphor for the Buddha as an otherworldly being (lokuttara), a concept we also find in the Abhidhamma and which will form a significant part of this study. Instead of an apocalyptic vision, the idea of the end of the world seems to be the main goal of meditation in Early Buddhism and part of the Buddhist epistemological panorama.