[Buddha-l] Earthquake

[[DPD CDT] Shen Shi'an]

How about this take:

Top: Earth (crust/plates)
Liquid (water/molten Earth core)
Atmosphere (simply air)
Bottom: Space (which allows movement; elemental interaction)

When there is disturbance of air element,
there is disturbance of water element upwards,
which leads to disturbance of earth element at the top.

On Sumeru, a theory I'm trying out
is that it is the centre of each galaxy,
which resembles a cosmic mountain.
In the sutras, many Sumerus are mentioned
(as there are many galaxies)?

If the Buddha is right,
he probably didn't speak of actual galactic systems in detail
because folks in his time wouldn't understand?
Hmmm...

-----Original Message-----
From: JKirkpatrick [mailto:jkirk at spro.net] 
Sent: Thursday, 30 September, 2010 10:54 PM
To: 'Buddhist discussion forum'
Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] Earthquake


Hi,
 
 "This great earth, Ananda, is established upon liquid, the
liquid upon the atmosphere, and the atmosphere upon space. And
when, Ananda, mighty atmospheric disturbances take place, the
liquid is agitated. And with the agitation of the liquid, tremors
of the earth arise. This is the first reason, the first cause for
the arising of mighty earthquakes." (Digha Nikaya 16)

How do you understand this passage in light of science?
 
Thanks a lot,
Rahula
________________________

Was the Buddha also a flat-earther who believed Mt. Meru was the
center of the earth-disc?

Joanna