Kalpa (time)

In Hinduism and Buddhism, a Kalpa (कल्प) represents an extremely long period of time, often described as a cosmic age or an aeon. It is a significant unit of time used in cosmological cycles and is far beyond the scope of human-scale durations.

Hinduism:

Within Hinduism, a Kalpa is equivalent to one day of Brahma, the creator god. Each Kalpa is followed by a night of Brahma, of equal length, during which the universe is dissolved. A Kalpa is subdivided into 14 Manvantaras, each ruled by a Manu, the progenitor of humanity. Each Manvantara consists of 71 Mahayugas. A Mahayuga is composed of the four Yugas: Satya Yuga (Krita Yuga), Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga. The durations of these Yugas decrease sequentially, reflecting a gradual decline in dharma (righteousness). At the end of a Kalpa, there is a partial dissolution (pralaya) and then a new Kalpa begins. One complete lifetime of Brahma consists of 100 Brahma years, each comprising 360 Brahma days and nights. At the end of Brahma's life, there is a complete dissolution (Mahapralaya).

Buddhism:

In Buddhism, the concept of Kalpa is also prevalent, representing an immense duration of time. There are various classifications and definitions of a Kalpa within different Buddhist traditions. A common analogy used to illustrate the vastness of a Kalpa involves filling a cubic mile with mustard seeds once every hundred years until the cube is filled, or alternatively, wiping a massive rock with silk once every hundred years until the rock is worn away. Different types of Kalpas are described, such as an Antarakalpa (an intermediate Kalpa), an Asankhyeyakalpa (an incalculable Kalpa), and a Mahakalpa (a great Kalpa), the last being the longest. The Buddhist cosmology also outlines cycles of formation, duration, destruction, and emptiness, where the duration phase is marked by these Kalpas. The appearance of Buddhas occurs within specific periods of the Kalpa.

Significance:

The concept of the Kalpa highlights the cyclical nature of time and existence in both Hindu and Buddhist philosophies. It emphasizes the vastness of cosmic time scales and the impermanence of all phenomena. It serves as a framework for understanding the universe's creation, duration, and dissolution, as well as the cyclical nature of birth, death, and rebirth. The immense length of a Kalpa also serves to put into perspective the brevity of human existence.