Three Suns (eschatology)
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The doctrine of the Three Suns (Chinese: 三阳; pinyin: sānyáng) or three stages of the end-time (Chinese: 三期末劫; pinyin: sānqímòjié), or Three Ages,[1] is a teleological and eschatological doctrine found in some Chinese salvationist religions and schools of Confucianism.[2]
According to the doctrine, the
Origins
The Three Suns doctrine places itself in a sect tradition ("Sanyangism", 三阳教 Sānyángjiào, "teaching of the Three Suns") flourishing at least since the
In the earliest sects of the Ming period, the Lord of Original Chaos (Hunyuan Zhu) represents the origin of the universe developing through three stages, yang, or cosmic periods.
Confucian doctrine
The doctrine of the Three Ages is discussed in
Kang saw history as progressing from an Age of Disorder to the Age of Approaching Peace, and ending at the Age of Universal Peace.[15] In the third age humankind attains Datong, ren is fully realised as people transcend their selfishness and become one with "all under Heaven".[16]
Yiguandao doctrine
Currently, Yiguandao doctrine about Three Ages is as follows:[17]
Period | Duration (years) | Governing Buddhas | True Sutras | Hand Seals | Numbers of Disasters | Assemblies |
Green Sun | 1886 (3,086-1,200 BC) | Dīpankara | Wú Liàng Shòu Fó (無量壽佛) | Lotus Leaf gesture | 9 | Ying Tao Assembly (櫻桃會) |
Red Sun | 3,114 (1,200 BC - 1912 AD) | Shakyamuni | Nán Wú Ā Mí Tuó Fó (南無阿彌陀佛) | Lotus Flower gesture | 18 | Pan Tao Assembly (蟠桃會) |
White Sun | 10,800 (1912–present) | Maitreya | Wú Tài Fó Mí Lè (無太佛彌勒)[18] | Lotus root gesture | 81 | Long Hua Assembly (龍華會) |
See also
References
- ^ Tay, 2010. p. 102
- ^ Tay, 2010. p. 102
- ^ Seiwert, 2003. p. 327
- ^ Seiwert, 2003. p. 327
- ^ Seiwert, 2003. p. 326
- ^ Seiwert, 2003. p. 326
- ^ Seiwert, 2003. p. 327
- ^ Seiwert, 2003. p. 327
- ^ Seiwert, 2003. p. 328
- ^ Seiwert, 2003. p. 328
- hdl:1811/5983. Retrieved 6 February 2014., p. 11
- ^ Tay, 2010. p. 102
- ^ Tay, 2010. p. 102
- ^ Tay, 2010. p. 102
- ^ Tay, 2010. p. 103
- ^ Tay, 2010. p. 103
- ^ 三期末劫與三曹普渡 Archived 2013-10-18 at the Wayback Machine, 2009, Retrieved 6 February 2014
- ^ Introduction to I Kuan Dao Cult Archived 2013-10-05 at archive.today, TAOLEAKS.ORG, Retrieved 6 February 2014
Sources
- Hubert Michael Seiwert. Popular Religious Movements and Heterodox Sects in Chinese History. Brill, 2003. ISBN 9004131469
- Tay, Wei Leong. Kang Youwei: The Martin Luther of Confucianism and His Vision of Confucian Modernity and Nation. In: Haneda Masashi, Secularization, Religion and the State, University of Tokyo Center for Philosophy, 2010.