Expert: Buddhis8 - BuddhismIS.com - 7/16/2009

Question
First off thank you for taking you're time to answer my questions. Now, I've been looking at Buddhism  for a while and have thought of converting but I have a question pertaining to the five realms. In the human realm Jambudvīpa is where ordinary human beings live. And also you have to be born here to attain Buddhahood correct? Also isn't it said people here can vary between 10 to 80,000 years of age? Finally as an observation Jambudvīpa closely relates to India because of its edge and mainland. Going in order i have a question for each one
No. 1 If Jambudvīpa IS related to or is India then why(I was born in the United States) aren't i like the Aparagodānīya who are 24 feet tall I mean I seem pretty ordinary I'm around 5 ft 9 inches.
No. 2 In the history of Buddhism I've never come across a human capable of 80,000 years of age or anything close to that capacity and if there is please tell me.
No. 3 Is basically the same as number one.

Thank you for taking your time to read and consider this. If I am wrong on anything please correct me.

Answer
Dear Kristopher,

'Jambudvīpa' is one of the worlds within the 'Earthly Realm' category in Buddhist Cosmology located in the 'South'. It is not India itself but thought to be a similar shape to the Southern Indian Coastline. From my research I can surmise that Jambudvipa is not planet Earth. Humas born in Jambudvipa will live between 10 to 80,000 years and according to Buddhist Cosmology "All Buddhas appear in Jambudvīpa"

'Manusyaloka' is the world that we currently inhabit as regular human beings (planet Earth) - "This is the world of humans and human-like beings who live on the surface of the earth"

'Aparagodānīya' is another planet in the 'West' - The beings here are about 24 feet (7.3 m) tall and they live for 500 years.

It is said in many of the great texts that it's much easier to attain Buddhahood (Enlightenment) in the Human Realm as we experience a suffering that is not overwhelming that grants us the foundation of which to practise the dharma and gain insight into the true nature of things.

According to the texts it is also possible to attain Buddhahood in the God (Deva) realm. However the supernatural beings of the Devata are generally too preoccupied drinking nectar and indulging in the many pleasures of the Deva realm.

I hope this answers your question Kristopher - I have published your question on the 'Know Buddhism' Website.

Yours in Dharma
JC Ball

Further Reading:
http://www.godandscience.net/chap19.html
http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/07/buddhist-cosmology-earthly-realms.html