The Avataṃsaka-sūtra not only narrates the accomplishment of attaining Buddhahood and the relevant practices of Bodhisattvas, but also contains valuable teachings on the philosophy of time and space. From a philosophical approach, this paper surveys and interprets textual sources of Buddhist perspectives on time and space. The main findings can be summarized in the following five points: Firstly, in reality, time and space are intertwined and form an indivisible time-space continuum, and divisions of time, such as into past, present, and future, like the cardinal directions of space, are nothing but conventional groupings. Secondly, time and space are empty of inherent existence. Thirdly, time and space are illusory appearances. Fourthly, time and space have neither border nor end. Fifthly, time and space are free from any obstacles or impediments. The elucidation of the foregoing five points is conducive both to understanding the perspectives on dharma-dhātu in the Avataṃsaka-sūtra and to comprehending the doctrine of universal approach in the context of time-space.
Keywords:
Avataṃsaka-sūtra; time; space; philosophy of time and space