Journey to the West Cosmology

==Introduction (Journey to the West)==
This page is going to do its best to go over the Cosmology of The Journey to the West Novel written by Wu Cheng'en. As a 16th Century Novel JTTW is written with a lot of Flowery Language and it is difficult to decern what is true from what is false. This Cosmology page will be my interpretation and based off of my own knowledge and research.
This Cosmology will be stating how everything stacks up to Tiers according to the Tiering System of the Wiki. The highest of which reaches High Complex Multiverse level.
(This is a Work in Progress. The translation used can be found in the link above.)
==A World==
===Terminology===
The World is usually used to describe one of two things, the first being The Universe and the second being Earth the planet. The latter is used less frequently throughout the novel so unless specifically stated to refer to the Earth it should be taken as meaning The Universe. World is also interchangeable with a few other names, such as The Three Regions or The Three Realms.Page 201, Chapter 8 (Volume 1)Page 143, Chapter 3 (Volume 1) 
 
Both The Three Regions and The Three Realms mean essentially the same thing. The Realm of Desire contains The Mortal World (Earth) and The Underworld (Hell), The Realm of Form, contains The Region Above (The Heavens) and lastly The World of Pure Spirit which is never expanded upon. Other than brief mentions of specific Worlds further within these Realms, they are never expanded upon through the novel. This is backed up through the Translators Notes.
===The Realm of Form (The Heavens)===
Each World within JTTW can be slightly larger than our Universe to Infinite in Size. An example of this is Heaven which can be compared to our Physical Universe and is 3-A in Volume. It is constantly described as containing every Planet, Star, Constellation, Galaxy and all the various Heavenly Bodies (Celestial Bodies). So, this does at least put Heaven at Baseline 3-A.Page 100, Chapter 1 (Volume 1)Page 3, Chapter 51 (Volume 3)
===The Realm of Desire (Total Space)===
The statement below states the Realm of Desire which contains The Mortal World, and The Underworld also has a space just as large as our Universe as it is stated to be comparable to The Heavens. In this context the Worlds of Light and Darkness are referring to The Mortal Realm and The Underworld. This makes overall size of a World up to this point at least Two Times Baseline 3-A.Page 253, Chapter 11 (Volume 1)
There are also hints of Pocket Dimensions that are Endless in size that existing within a World. These are the homes of Immortals, beings who have obtained Immortality and are powerful enough to sit among Gods and Buddhas. For example, The Star of Long Life is stated to live in a cave that has an endless sky and ground. It's also stated by the translator that Localized Time Accelerated Spaces may exist within the world as well. This potentially makes the overall size of a World High 3-A.Page 198, Chapter 7 (Volume 1)
===The Three Realms/Regions (Potential Space-Times)===
Through ought the story it hinted that The Heavenly Palace and The Mortal World both have their own Time-Spaces. The Mortal Realm and The Heavenly Palace which is stated to exist on top of Heaven demonstrates this by their entirely different flows of time. Sun Wukong recalls living in The Heavenly Palace for what he only Half a Year. However, every Day within The Heavenly Palace is a Year on Earth.Page 166, Chapter 5 (Volume 1)Page 167, Chapter 5 (Volume 1) 
 
Though this cannot be confirmed as it's a 16th Century Novel, this is put along with the fact The Mortal World and Heaven are considered to exist in different Realms creates the possibility. It has also been hinted that time in the Underworld has a different time flow as well compared to The Mortal World. So, it is a possibility that single World could consist of multiple Low 2-C Structures.
===The Three Realms/Regions (Grains of Sand) ===
Continuing on it is also confirmed that multiple Worlds if not an infinite number of Worlds exists within a single World. This is supported through a few different statements. The foundation of which comes from the scan below which states within a grain of sand there exists a Chiliocosm. A Chiliocosm is a Buddhist word that can change depending on the size referred to. At its smallest it means a 1,000 Worlds and at its largest potentially a 1,000,000,000 Worlds.Page 306, Chapter 14 (Volume 1)
This is the paradox The Author of JTTW pushes and reinforces through the story, stating that small things are capable of containing impossibly larger things. It is demonstrated and then explained by the translator in his notes.Page 201, Chapter 8 (Volume 1)Page 268, Chapter 44 (Volume 2) 
 
This idea of there being multiple worlds is further proven to be true through a few more statements. Such as there being multiple Buddha's in every world and that by delivering the Scripture's Tripitaka effected The Great World, which in other translations means Worlds beyond measure.Page 381, Chapter 100 (Volume 4)Page 385, Chapter 100 (Volume 4)
All of this together paints the picture that a single World contains more worlds to an either 2-B or 2-A extent, the ladder coming from the Worlds beyond measure statement, and the potentially Infinite Pocket Dimensions of Immortals. Considering the Infinite Pocket Dimensions have Earth within them the amount sand located within them would also be Infinite.
In both cases either a World is Infinite and therefore these subworlds are Infinitesimal, or a World's Space-Time is Infinitely Larger than the Space-Time of the worlds within it. Both cases make a singular World Baseline Low 1-C, possibly One Layer Above Baseline Low 1-C (This would be from The Mortal Realm and The Heavenly Palaces potentially having their own Space-Times) 
===The Three Realms/Regions (Buddha-Realms)===
Moving on we have the Realms of Buddhas which exist paradoxically within and outside of The Realm of Desire. It is referred to as a Realm external to the Worldly Realm, with time there working completely differently, most likely as its own Space-Time. Within it there are endless buildings and it is further stated that it is safe from all Kalpa's. Kalpa's are the periods of time between the destruction and recreation of a universe/world. Along side this it also contains as many Worlds as Ganges' Sand which means Infinite in other translations existing within it.Page 203, Chapter 8 (Volume 1)Page 347, Chapter 98 (Volume 4)Page 203, Chapter 8 (Volume 1) 
 
However, at the same time it is stated that a Buddhas Realm exists within a grain of sand. Which would make sense paired with the fact there are Buddha's in every world. With world's existing in grains of sand, Buddha's and subsequently their realms would as well.Page 306, Chapter 14 (Volume 1) 
 
So, to summarize a World in JTTW can potentially be split into two or three separate Space-Times which are the Three Realms. In each of these Realms there exists a ludicrous number of Buddha-Lands which are endless in size and holds has Infinite Worlds within it. With that being the case, a Buddha-Land would be Low 1-C and a World One Layer Above Low 1-C.
Furthermore, in The Realm of Desire Immortal's have caves hold Pocket Dimensions which seem to be endless in size and are stated to have earth within them. This means there are potentially Infinite Buddha-Lands within such a Pocket Dimension, making an Immortal's Cave One Layer Above Low 1-C, The Realm of Desire itself 1-C and the World as it encompasses all of this One Layer Above 1-C.
So, at its lowest, ignoring the Realms being their own Space-Times and the Endless Immortal Cave, a World would be One Layer Above Low 1-C and at its highest One Layer Above 1-C.
==Higher Dimensional Beings==
===Explanation===
Through reading through Journey to the West there are hints to multiple Higher Beings, Planes/Realms and Forces existing. However, a lot of them are either not explained or are never confirmed. Therefore, we will be briefly going over the two confirmed Higher Dimensional Beings and the Realms they exist within.
=== Transcendent Monks ===
Transcendent Monks exist within The Realm of No Birth is only introduced in the last Volume of the Novel. It is described to be a place for Monk's who have transcended their World. There seems to be one Realm of No Birth, so it is likely that no matter what World you exist in, you will automatically transcend all of them, higher or lower once you reach this stage.Page 42, Chapter 78 (Volume 4) 
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It is described that the Monks who exist in the Realm of No Birth see all of Reality as Empty, being unbound from The Three Realms meaning The World, along with having no Cause and Effect, can see every Cause and Effect along with a few other things. This would put The Realm of No Birth and the Transcendent Monks in one of these categories. At the lowest they would be Baseline 1-C or Two Layers Above 1-C. 
=== Bodhisattvas===
Bodhisattvas are described to beings Ten Stages away from becoming Buddhas in their own right known as The Ten Stops. Because of this they would in a state beyond the Buddhist Monks in the Realm of No Birth. They reach a state of Emptiness which is fundamentally Non-Dual with everything else being false in comparison. They are stated have their own Realms (Which they most likely created) which exist within Spiritual Mountains most likely with their own Space-Times.Page 29, Chapter 77 (Volume 4)Page 390, Chapter 19 (Volume 1)
On top of this it is stated that Bodihsattva's can utilize The Dharma and Dharma Power. It's stated a Bodhisattva's abilities similarly to a Buddha's come from The Dharma. And they can draw on boundless power which in this case would equate to having boundless Dharma Power. This would scale Infinitely above The Great Way which is merely a part/subsection of The Dharma and subsequently The Realm of No Birth and the Transcendent Monk's that reside within it.Page 253, Chapter 43 (Volume 2)Page 363, Chapter 17 (Volume 1) 
 
 
With that being the case Bodhisattva's would One Layer Above Baseline 1-C at the lowest or High 1-C at best.
==Higher Dimensional Forces==
===Explanation===
Through reading through Journey to the West there are hints to multiple Higher Planes and Forces existing. However, a lot of them are either not explained or are never confirmed. Therefore, we will be briefly going over the Two Higher Dimensional Forces which also act as Higher Dimensions.
===The Great Way===
The Great Way through the Novel is depicted as a Higher Dimensional Force & Cosmic Force within JTTW. That first bit is important due to the fact Buddha's exist in every world. And as they exist in every world so would The Great Way. Because of this The Great Way in its totality can be considered composite. It's stated to encompass the entire Universe and is responsible for its imbuement.Page 197, Chapter 88 (Volume 4)Page 174, Chapter 86 (Volume 4) 
 
The Great Way being responsible for the Cosmos imbue seems vague unless you know of the context. The first of which is The Great Way is also known as The Great Vehicle and The Mahayana. This sub-section of teachings from The Buddha explains a Cosmology of Worlds existing in the grains of sand and atoms of larger Worlds and Buddha-Realms existing within Buddha-Realms. As you can probably imagine it's easy to make a connection.
This potential creation feat on top of the fact its stated to encompass the Universe makes The Great Way at its lowest Baseline 1-C or Two Layers Above 1-C. 
===The Dharma===
The Dharma is the very teachings of The Buddha and acts as a powerful Cosmic Force, being able to give beings powers through Subjective Reality. All of a Bodhisattva's abilities and a Buddhas come from it. On top of this it is stated to have the highest Authority and Potency out of everything, with nothing being higher. It controls The Universe and fills it as well, with there being no space it doesn't fill. It is unfathomable to beings such as Bodhisattvas who utilize its power. Page 204, Chapter 8 (Volume 1)
It is stated to be boundless, equal to the boundless power it can generate, stated multiple times. It should also be sated The Great Way is merely a subsection of The Dharma and would be a mere part/subsection of its boundlessness. The Three Vehicles include The Great Veicle also known as The Great Way.Page 346, Chapter 98 (Volume 4)Page 251, Chapter 42 (Volume 2)Page 23, Chapter 52 (Volume 3)Page 204, Chapter 8 (Volume 1) 
 
Not only that but a Buddha would have a Dharma Body which would be one with The Dharma, as all Dharma's are one singularity. And with a Buddha scaling to The Dharma and vice versa we know The Dharma transcends Bodhisattvas. The ten stops being the Ten Stages of a Bodhisattva's advancement. Page 201, Chapter 8 (Volume 1)Page 140, Chapter 84 (Volume 4) 
With all of this The Dharma would encompass everything below this point, Omnipresent through it, can affect it and transcends it while still being boundless in size. This puts The Dharma at either Two Layers Above Baseline 1-C at the lowest or One Layer Above High 1-C at best.
==The Dharmakaya==
===Explanation ===
Within Journey to the West Buddhas are represented through Buddhas. However, the Buddha's we see are not truly their true selves and act like avatars utilized by, The Dharmakaya. It is the unity of every Buddha that exists within Nirvana and as such is Buddhism itself which is founded upon Nirvana. It considered the unfathomable source of The Dharma as well as the pearl that contains all Buddha-Natures. This makes it the source and encompassing being of all Thing & Things including Realms, Worlds and even beings such as Bodhisattvas who are not truly of emptiness yet. Only emptiness which lacks Buddha-Nature would be outside of The Dharmakaya.
===The Dharmakaya===
The Dharmakaya is the unity of all Buddha's with Buddha's simply being avatars or manifestations. When one becomes a Buddha and reaches Nirvana they become a part with The Dharmakaya. All Nidan's which is stated to give rise to everything and all phenomena will be nothing. Further more all forms which as described below to include Existence, Nonexistence, Formlessness and Information on both existent and nonexistent things will become empty. Page 89, Chapter 32 (Volume 2)Page 113, Chapter 58 (Volume 3)Page 306, Chapter 14 (Volume 1) 
 
In order to understand the Tiering behind the Dharmakaya, I'll need to explain something else first. That something is called Buddha-Nature within the JTTW Novel. Buddha-Nature is something that exists within all things, no matter what that thing is. This includes things that are conceptual such as The Yin-Yang's Dualities, as Buddha-Nature is also called True Nature.Page 278, Chapter 12 (Volume 1)Page 261, Chapter 11 (Volume 1) 
Because of this when a Buddha says 'Thing' or 'Things' they are referring to Buddha-Nature. This is because the emphases of The Dharmakaya is the unreality of 'Things' which means Buddha-Nature. Page 274, Chapter 12 (Volume 1)
This is stated further when the Novel delves deep in describing The Dharmakaya. Staring that a Buddha becomes one with The Dharmakaya when they view both Mind & Buddha as nothing along with 'Thing' which is Buddha-Nature. The Dharmakaya is described to be truly shapeless and formless. It is a like pearl holding myriad things which would be all Buddha-Natures including Bodhisattvas as only Buddhas truly reach emptiness. It would neither be Void nor Non-Non-Empty being beyond all of those things and viewing them as unreality.Page 306, Chapter 14 (Volume 1)Page 306, Chapter 14 (Volume 1)
 
So, The Dharmakaya exists within a state that in comparison everything is unreality. It is of a higher state of existence then Buddhas with all of the Infinite Buddhas simply being manifestations of it. It holds everything within it, and is truly nondual in nature, beyond the trans duality of the things it encompasses. It would be beyond all phenomena and everything that is of form which means everything except for emptiness. This puts The Dharmakaya at either High 1-C at the lowest or Baseline 1-B at best.
==References==
Category:Journey to the West