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Buddhists/Salvation for everyone in Buddhism

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Expert: - 10/7/2008


Question
According to Buddhism, is there any information or opinions on the matter of how many living creatures are in the universe, in total?
And main question is, when it could be likely, in what time, that ALL will reach the nirvana?
Of course meaning that they will practice what is required for it.

Answer
Hi Sergie,

Thank you for asking me.

The universe is such an unimaginable vastness. The universe is so vast that even if there is an end to it (which it isn't) we will not be able to use our figures to denote it!!  The number of beings even in this world is countless.  Just look at the anthills, the beehives and the schools of fishes.  Now you add in the countless world systems where beings also exist.  Apart from this dimension that we are able to see, we have to take into account of the different dimensions where beings also exist.  Can we know the numbers?

The phenomenon of existence has no beginning and no end.  

Hope this helps.

Justin Choo.

[I like to invite you to visit my blog:]
http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/

[And this blog by Rev. Dhammika:]
http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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