Evolution of Society (lectured by ven. Ilukkevela Dhammaratana) 2011

 
              Buddhism is a philosophy formed based on 'dependent origination' (paṭiccasamuppāda). Therefore, evolution of the society is also discussed according to the Paṭiccasamuppāda. Further more, with the conventional form of language in Buddhism, we may speak about evolution of the society. Aggañña Sutta and Brahmajāla Sutta in Dīghanikāya explain the  origin of the society.

                Aggañña, Brahmajāla and Suriyuggamana suttas state the origin and evolution of the society. Aggañña Sutta of Dīghanikāya states the origin of the society as follows:

                The beings who die at the end of destruction of the world are reborn in the radiant  Brahmā world (Ābhassara Brahmaloka ) . They are born in Brahma world by the power of their kamma (deeds committed in their previous lives). They have three abilities:

                (1) Antalikkhacarā  (floating in the air)
                (2) Pītibhakkhā   (fed by happiness)
                (3) Sayaṃpabhā  (self-illumination)

                By the time they move through the air,  they  come to the world  (human world). When they come to the world, it is very dark. There is no sun, moon and stars. One greedy being touches the earth by one of his fingers and tastes it. At that time the earth has three qualities: (1) It is colorful (2) It is fragrant (3) It is tasty. Having seen the being who tastes the earth, other beings also follow him. During this time  sun, moon and starts have appeared there. As a result of that, day and night, days, weeks, months and years also appeared. Later, the tasty earth disappears. A new kind of mushrooms called bhūmipappataka grows there. In this manner, the foods appeared and disappeared one by one as follows: 1. mushrooms, 2. foot-creeper (padālatā), 3. rice (sāli), 4. rice with cover (taṇḍulapphalo), 5. rice with a husk (paddy),  6. disappearing self-grown paddy, 7. cultivation of the paddy.

                By the time, as a result of taking rough foods, their bodies become very rough. Their bodies also begin to change as follows:

 1. Disappearance of the power to float in the air
 2. Disappearance of possibility to feed on happiness
 3. Disappearance of self-illumination
 4. Two meals for a day are needed
 5. Body becomes rough
 6. Appearance the genders (male and female)
 7. Appearance  of difference in color

                Beings become greedy and  lazy. Therefore, they begin to collect paddy. As  a result of this, most of other beings cannot find paddy, therefore they start to steal. Because of stealing there appear many crimes in the society: (1) Stealing (2) Punishment (3) Weapons (4) Killing (5) Telling lies (6) Sexual misconduct (7) Idle talks.