五重世界

The five graduated series of universes:

(1) 三千大千世界 (sa) tri-sahasra-mahā-sahasra-loka-dhātu; a universe, or chiliocosm;

(2) such chiliocosms, numerous as the sands of Ganges, form one Buddha-universe;

(3) an aggregation of these forms a Buddha-universe ocean;

(4) an aggregation of these latter forms a Buddha-realm seed;

(5) an infinite aggregation of these seeds forms a great Buddha-universe, 智度論 50. Another division is

(1) a world, or universe;

(2) a Buddha-nature universe, with a different interpretation; and the remaining three areas above, the sea, the seed, and the whole Buddha-universe.