Kali-Yuga

Kaliyuga (Sanskrit, n, कलियुग, kaliyuga literally " Age of Kali ", " age of quarrel " ), is the name given to the last of the four ages, the Yugas in Hindu cosmology. It is considered the age of decay and ruin. As such, it has often been set to that of Hesiod described in the Theogony Greek "Iron Age" in relationship and called " Iron Age". The other are Satya Yuga (or Krita Yuga ), the Treta Yuga and Dvapara Yuga.

Master of this time is the black apocalyptic demon Kali, Vishnu Purana, according to the negative manifestation of Vishnu, who is responsible for the destruction of the universe in this form. Kaliyuga is (incorrectly) often with the goddess Kali ( Kālī ) associated, which is generic to dark material aspects. Kali also referred to the designated point with a losing side of the game cube.

According to Buddhist cosmology referred to such a dark age, the fourth and last major period of a period of approximately 3,000 years after the birth of a Buddha until the appearance of a new Buddha.

The Hindu and Buddhist names for Kaliyuga relate principally to the same thing - one last age of four. Different, however, is the length specified, which may in Hinduism reach a circumference 1200-360000 " human years ". Unclear and is often used, whether " human years " or the lasting much longer " gods years " are meant. Among other writings, particularly the Vishnu Purana and the Manusmrti deal with this issue.

Age of decline

According to tradition, the age degenerated gradually after the appearance of a teaching of the Buddha. After an era known as the golden, silver and coppery we are today in the so-called " iron age " in the external world, as well as the mental faculties of beings are very much affected by the three root poisons of mind hatred, greed and confusion. The " black era " is therefore a greater degree of war and widespread suffering affected than the previous era were. It is also referred to as the " age of decline ". In such an era only a few beings have the ability to perform meditation for spiritual development and require very powerful methods to lead the mind to full enlightenment.

End of the Kali Yuga

What follows after the end of the Kali Yuga is controversial. In Hindu tradition, several possibilities are open: 1 ) A new Golden Age ( Satya Yuga ) appears immediately and replaced disorder and suffering instantly by " divine " order and knowledge. 2 ) A slow climb through a new Dvapara and Treta Yuga to Satya Yuga a new takes place analogously to the previous descent.

In Buddhism as well as Jainism and the last dark age generally increases to an eschatological coloring and is adapted to the salvation and deliverance teachings. A new Buddha, the enlightened teachings proclaimed again, followed by a new era of truth ( satya yuga ) dawns appears at the end of a black age according to Buddhist tradition. In an age of truth, the essence find easy access to spiritual practice, and the spirit of being is veiled only slightly by poisons. In this aeon (Sanskrit kalpa ) are 1,000 Buddhas appear according to the legend, which again put the " Wheel of Dharma " in motion. According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha Shakyamuni was ( 563 BC ), the fourth Buddha, who has appeared in this aeon. The appearance of the fifth Buddha named Maitreya is predicted for a few centuries. The last of 1000 Buddhas of this aeon is played at the end of an incredibly long period of time the name Möpa (Tibetan " completion "). This completes according to the tradition of the happy time cycle of this age, and the world as we know it will be destroyed.