This eon is one cycle of the increase and decrease of the life span of beings. It is also called “a small eon.” It consists of four ages, or yugas, and the last is the kaliyuga.

A cosmic period of time. Following the Abhidharma system, eighty intermediate eons together compose one great eon (mahākalpa).

A cosmic period of time. Following the Abhidharma system, eighty intermediate eons together compose one great eon (mahākalpa).

When used to describe a measure of time, the term refers to period defined in relation to the “great eon”: eighty intermediate eons make one great eon.

This kalpa is one cycle of the increase and decrease of the lifespan of beings. It is also called a “small kalpa.” It consists of four ages, or yugas.

Often translated as “intermediate age” or kalpa, the term can refer to the smallest division of a great age, of which there are said to eighty in the Abhidharmakośa, but the term is also used to refer to very lengthy periods of war, famine, or disease that result in mass losses of life.