The Lifespan of the Buddha

In certain kalpas, both the lifespan of the Buddha and the lifespans of sentient beings are exceedingly long, measured in kalpas. A minor kalpa is 16.8 million years. The Buddha's lifespan may manifest for a period of twelve minor kalpas, or even longer, depending on the virtuous karma accumulated during his time as a bodhisattva, as well as the karma of sentient beings. However, this is merely a manifestation; the Buddha's actual lifespan is immeasurable, capable of being infinitely long, without the constraints of time. In this present manifestation in the Saha World, Shakyamuni Buddha's lifespan was eighty years, similar to the hundred-year lifespan of sentient beings at that time. This was determined by the karma of sentient beings. Although Shakyamuni Buddha could have remained in the Saha World for more than a kalpa, sentient beings lacked the merit to elicit such a supremely auspicious fruition. Moreover, the Buddha's prolonged abiding would have brought no benefit to the Dharma or to sentient beings. Therefore, the Buddha manifested an eighty-year lifespan in accordance with conditions.