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Difference between revisions of "Prajñaptivāda"

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The '''[[Prajñaptivāda]]''' (Sanskrit; traditional Chinese: 說假部; pinyin: Shuō Jiǎ Bù) was one of the [[early Buddhist schools]] in India, and part of the [[Mahasamghika|Mahāsāṃghika]] branch of [[Buddhism]]. The [[Prajñaptivādins]] were also known as the ''[[Bahusrutiya|Bahuśrutiya]]-Vibhajyavādins''.
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The [[Prajñaptivāda]] ([[Sanskrit]]; [[traditional]] {{Wiki|Chinese}}: [[說假部]]; pinyin: [[Shuō Jiǎ Bù]]) was one of the [[early Buddhist schools]] in [[India]], and part of the [[Mahasamghika|Mahāsāṃghika]] branch of [[Buddhism]]. The [[Prajñaptivādins]] were also known as the ''[[Bahuśrutiya-Vibhajyavādins]]''.
 
[[File:000x297x1.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:000x297x1.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
  
−
According to [[Vasumitra]], the [[Prajñaptivāda]] school is said to have developed as one of several [[Mahāsāṃghika]] sub-schools.<ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of [[Madhyamaka]] and [[Yogacara]] in Indian [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]].'' 1991. p. 98</ref> They are recorded as having taken up residence in the {{Wiki|Himalayas}}.<ref>Sree Padma. Barber, Anthony W. ''[[Buddhism]] in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra.'' 2008. p. 68.</ref> According to [[Taranatha|Tāranātha]], the Prajñaptivādins continued to flourish in {{Wiki|Magadha}} through the [[Wikipedia:Pala empire|Pāla dynasty]], as late as the 10th century CE.<ref>Warder, A.K. ''Indian Buddhism''. 2000. p. 282</ref><ref>Walser, Joseph. ''[[Nāgārjuna]] in Context: [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhism]] and Early Indian Culture.'' 2005. p. 218</ref> [[A.K. Warder]] writes that the [[Prajñaptivādins]] were not known to have left [[Buddhism]]'s original territory in the eastern regions of India.<ref>Warder, A.K. ''Indian Buddhism''. 2000. p. 282</ref>
+
According to [[Vasumitra]], the [[Prajñaptivāda]] school is said to have developed as one of several [[Mahāsāṃghika]] sub-schools.<ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of [[Madhyamaka]] and [[Yogacara]] in [[Indian]] [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]].'' 1991. p. 98</ref> They are recorded as having taken up residence in the {{Wiki|Himalayas}}.<ref>Sree [[Padma]]. Barber, Anthony W. ''[[Buddhism]] in the {{Wiki|Krishna}} [[River]] Valley of Andhra.'' 2008. p. 68.</ref> According to [[Taranatha|Tāranātha]], the [[Prajñaptivādins]] continued to flourish in {{Wiki|Magadha}} through the [[Wikipedia:Pala empire|Pāla dynasty]], as late as the 10th century CE.<ref>Warder, A.K. ''[[Indian Buddhism]]''. 2000. p. 282</ref><ref>Walser, Joseph. ''[[Nāgārjuna]] in Context: [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhism]] and Early [[Indian]] Culture.'' 2005. p. 218</ref> [[A.K. Warder]] writes that the [[Prajñaptivādins]] were not known to have left [[Buddhism]]'s original territory in the eastern regions of [[India]].<ref>Warder, A.K. ''[[Indian Buddhism]]''. 2000. p. 282</ref>
  
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== Doctrines and teachings ==
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== [[Doctrines]] and teachings ==
−
The ''[[Samayabhedhoparacanacakra]]'' records that the [[doctrines]] of the [[Prajñaptivāda]] school were similar to those of the main [[Mahāsāṃghika]] school.<ref>Dutt, Nalinaksha. ''Buddhist Sects in India.'' 1998. p. 118</ref>
+
The ''[[Samayabhedhoparacanacakra]]'' records that the [[doctrines]] of the [[Prajñaptivāda]] school were similar to those of the main [[Mahāsāṃghika]] school.<ref>Dutt, Nalinaksha. ''[[Buddhist]] Sects in [[India]].'' 1998. p. 118</ref>
 
[[File:111.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:111.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
=== Prajñapti ===
 
=== Prajñapti ===
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According to [[André Bareau]], the name ''[[Prajñaptivāda]]'' refers to their [[doctrine]] that [[phenomena]] are the product of conceptualization (Skt. ''prajñapti'').<ref>Sree Padma. Barber, Anthony W. ''Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra.'' 2008. p. 68.</ref> The Prajñaptivādins distinguished between conventional truth (Skt. ''saṃvṛti'') and ultimate truth (Skt. ''paramārtha''), and between reality (Skt. ''tattva'') and mere concepts (Skt. ''prajñapti'').
+
According to [[André Bareau]], the name ''[[Prajñaptivāda]]'' refers to their [[doctrine]] that [[phenomena]] are the product of [[conceptualization]] (Skt. ''[[prajñapti]]'').<ref>Sree [[Padma]]. Barber, Anthony W. ''[[Buddhism]] in the {{Wiki|Krishna}} [[River]] Valley of Andhra.'' 2008. p. 68.</ref> The [[Prajñaptivādins]] distinguished between [[conventional truth]] (Skt. ''[[saṃvṛti]]'') and [[ultimate truth]] (Skt. ''[[paramārtha]]''), and between [[reality]] (Skt. ''[[tattva]]'') and mere concepts (Skt. ''[[prajñapti]]'').
  
−
Vasumitra writes that the Prajñaptivādins viewed all conditioned phenomena as being mere concepts or notions (Skt. ''prajñapti''), and therefore they were considered to be [[dukkha|suffering]].<ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of [[Madhyamaka]] and [[Yogacara]] in Indian [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]].'' 1991. p. 98</ref> Contrary to the [[Sarvastivada|Sarvāstivādins]], the [[Prajñaptivādins]] did not view the [[skandha]]s or the five elements as suffering.<ref>Walser, Joseph. ''Nāgārjuna in Context: Mahāyāna Buddhism and Early Indian Culture.'' 2005. p. 220</ref> Instead these were viewed as existing merely as nominal entities without any ultimate existence.<ref>Walser, Joseph. ''Nāgārjuna in Context: Mahāyāna Buddhism and Early Indian Culture.'' 2005. p. 220</ref>
+
[[Vasumitra]] writes that the [[Prajñaptivādins]] viewed all [[conditioned]] [[phenomena]] as [[being]] mere concepts or notions (Skt. ''[[prajñapti]]''), and therefore they were considered to be [[dukkha|suffering]].<ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of [[Madhyamaka]] and [[Yogacara]] in [[Indian]] [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]].'' 1991. p. 98</ref> Contrary to the [[Sarvastivada|Sarvāstivādins]], the [[Prajñaptivādins]] did not [[view]] the [[skandha]]s or the [[five elements]] as [[suffering]].<ref>Walser, Joseph. ''[[Nāgārjuna]] in Context: [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhism]] and Early [[Indian]] Culture.'' 2005. p. 220</ref> Instead these were viewed as [[existing]] merely as nominal entities without any [[ultimate]] [[existence]].<ref>Walser, Joseph. ''[[Nāgārjuna]] in Context: [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhism]] and Early [[Indian]] Culture.'' 2005. p. 220</ref>
  
−
=== Merit and karma ===
+
=== [[Merit]] and [[karma]] ===
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The [[Prajñaptivādins]] believed that the Noble Path is eternal and immutable, and that it is not possible for it to be lost or destroyed.<ref>Petzold, Bruno. ''The Classification of Buddhism: Comprising the Classification of Buddhist Doctrines in India, China, and Japan.'' 1995. p. 438</ref> They also held that the path was not something that could be cultivated through contemplation.<ref>Walser, Joseph. ''Nāgārjuna in Context: Mahāyāna Buddhism and Early Indian Culture.'' 2005. p. 219</ref> However, they believed that the Path could be attained through all-knowledge (Skt. ''sarvajñāna'') and the accumulation of [[Merit|merit]].<ref>Walser, Joseph. ''Nāgārjuna in Context: Mahāyāna Buddhism and Early Indian Culture.'' 2005. p. 219</ref> Whether one meets an untimely death or attains the Noble Path, the Prajñaptivādins viewed all such outcomes as being the result of merit and [[Karma|karma]].<ref>Walser, Joseph. ''Nāgārjuna in Context: Mahāyāna Buddhism and Early Indian Culture.'' 2005. p. 220</ref>
+
The [[Prajñaptivādins]] believed that the [[Noble Path]] is [[eternal]] and immutable, and that it is not possible for it to be lost or destroyed.<ref>Petzold, Bruno. ''The Classification of [[Buddhism]]: Comprising the Classification of [[Buddhist]] [[Doctrines]] in [[India]], [[China]], and {{Wiki|Japan}}.'' 1995. p. 438</ref> They also held that the [[path]] was not something that could be cultivated through [[contemplation]].<ref>Walser, Joseph. ''[[Nāgārjuna]] in Context: [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhism]] and Early [[Indian]] Culture.'' 2005. p. 219</ref> However, they believed that the [[Path]] could be attained through all-[[knowledge]] (Skt. ''[[sarvajñāna]]'') and the accumulation of [[Merit|merit]].<ref>Walser, Joseph. ''[[Nāgārjuna]] in Context: [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhism]] and Early [[Indian]] Culture.'' 2005. p. 219</ref> Whether one meets an untimely [[death]] or attains the [[Noble Path]], the [[Prajñaptivādins]] viewed all such outcomes as [[being]] the result of [[merit]] and [[Karma|karma]].<ref>Walser, Joseph. ''[[Nāgārjuna]] in Context: [[Mahāyāna]] [[Buddhism]] and Early [[Indian]] Culture.'' 2005. p. 220</ref>
  
 
=== Spoken teachings ===
 
=== Spoken teachings ===
−
The [[Prajñaptivādins]] held that the [[Buddha's teachings]] in the various ''[[piṭakas]]'' were nominal (Skt. ''[[prajñapti]]''), conventional (Skt. ''{{IAST|saṃvṛti}}''), and causal (Skt. ''hetuphala'').<ref>Dutt, Nalinaksha. ''Buddhist Sects in India.'' 1998. p. 118</ref> Therefore all teachings were viewed by the Prajñaptivādins as being of provisional importance, since they cannot contain the ultimate truth.<ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of [[Madhyamaka]] and [[Yogacara]] in Indian [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]].'' 1991. p. 98</ref> It has been observed that this view of the [[Buddha's teachings]] is very close to the fully developed position of the [[Mahayana sutras|Mahāyāna sūtras]].<ref>Dutt, Nalinaksha. ''[[Buddhist]] Sects in India.'' 1998. p. 118</ref><ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of Madhyamaka and Yogacara in Indian Mahayana Buddhism.'' 1991. p. 98</ref>
+
The [[Prajñaptivādins]] held that the [[Buddha's teachings]] in the various ''[[piṭakas]]'' were nominal (Skt. ''[[prajñapti]]''), conventional (Skt. ''{{IAST|saṃvṛti}}''), and causal (Skt. ''[[hetuphala]]'').<ref>Dutt, [[Nalinaksha]]. ''[[Buddhist]] Sects in [[India]].'' 1998. p. 118</ref> Therefore all teachings were viewed by the [[Prajñaptivādins]] as [[being]] of provisional importance, since they cannot contain the [[ultimate truth]].<ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of [[Madhyamaka]] and [[Yogacara]] in [[Indian]] [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]].'' 1991. p. 98</ref> It has been observed that this [[view]] of the [[Buddha's teachings]] is very close to the fully developed position of the [[Mahayana sutras|Mahāyāna sūtras]].<ref>Dutt, Nalinaksha. ''[[Buddhist]] Sects in [[India]].'' 1998. p. 118</ref><ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of [[Madhyamaka]] and [[Yogacara]] in [[Indian]] [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]].'' 1991. p. 98</ref>
  
 
== Relationship to [[Mahāyāna]] ==
 
== Relationship to [[Mahāyāna]] ==
  
 
=== Theories ===
 
=== Theories ===
−
{{Wiki|André Bareau}} considers the origin of the [[Mahāyāna]] [[tradition]] to be in the early [[Mahāsāṃghika]] schools, and cites the [[Bahuśrutīyas]] and [[Prajñaptivādins]] as sub-sects of the [[Mahāsāṃghika]] that may have played an important role in bridging the flow of [[Mahāyāna]] teachings between the northern and southern [[Mahāsāṃghika]] [[traditions]].<ref>Ray, Reginald. ''[[Buddhist]] Saints in India: A Study in [[Buddhist]] Values and Orientations.'' 1999. p. 426</ref>
+
{{Wiki|André Bareau}} considers the origin of the [[Mahāyāna]] [[tradition]] to be in the early [[Mahāsāṃghika]] schools, and cites the [[Bahuśrutīyas]] and [[Prajñaptivādins]] as sub-sects of the [[Mahāsāṃghika]] that may have played an important role in bridging the flow of [[Mahāyāna]] teachings between the northern and southern [[Mahāsāṃghika]] [[traditions]].<ref>Ray, Reginald. ''[[Buddhist]] Saints in [[India]]: A Study in [[Buddhist]] Values and Orientations.'' 1999. p. 426</ref>
  
−
=== Two truths doctrine ===
+
=== [[Two truths]] [[doctrine]] ===
−
The [[Prajñaptivādins]] were early articulators of the [[two truths doctrine]] that is so important to the [[Mahāyāna]], where it is usually found in the relationship between [[skillful means]] (Skt. ''[[upaya|upāya]]'') and [[wisdom]] (Skt. ''[[prajñā]]''). Ian {{Wiki|Charles Harris}} has noted that the [[doctrines]] of the [[Prajñaptivāda]] school are indeed similar to the early [[Mahāyāna]] view of the two [[truths]].<ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of [[Madhyamaka]] and [[Yogacara]] in {{Wiki|Indian}} [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]].'' 1991. p. 98</ref>
+
The [[Prajñaptivādins]] were early articulators of the [[two truths doctrine]] that is so important to the [[Mahāyāna]], where it is usually found in the relationship between [[skillful means]] (Skt. ''[[upaya|upāya]]'') and [[wisdom]] (Skt. ''[[prajñā]]''). Ian {{Wiki|Charles Harris}} has noted that the [[doctrines]] of the [[Prajñaptivāda]] school are indeed similar to the early [[Mahāyāna]] [[view]] of the two [[truths]].<ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of [[Madhyamaka]] and [[Yogacara]] in {{Wiki|Indian}} [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]].'' 1991. p. 98</ref>
  
−
There is also evidence that the [[Prajñaptivādins]] were an influence on [[Nagarjuna|Nāgārjuna]], who is also among the storied promulgators of the two [[truths]] [[doctrine]] (using some of the same technical terms), and who in his ''[[Mūlamadhyamakakārikā]]'' only cites one text by name, that being the ''[[Kaccānagotta Sutta|Kātyāyana Gotra Sūtra]]'', of which the [[Prajñaptivādins]] were known to be fond.<ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of [[Madhyamaka]] and [[Yogacara]] in {{Wiki|Indian}} [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]].'' 1991. p. 98</ref>
+
There is also evidence that the [[Prajñaptivādins]] were an [[influence]] on [[Nagarjuna|Nāgārjuna]], who is also among the storied promulgators of the two [[truths]] [[doctrine]] (using some of the same technical terms), and who in his ''[[Mūlamadhyamakakārikā]]'' only cites one text by name, that [[being]] the ''[[Kaccānagotta Sutta|Kātyāyana Gotra Sūtra]]'', of which the [[Prajñaptivādins]] were known to be fond.<ref>Harris, Ian Charles. ''The Continuity of [[Madhyamaka]] and [[Yogacara]] in {{Wiki|Indian}} [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]].'' 1991. p. 98</ref>
  
 
{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 01:38, 26 August 2013

The Prajñaptivāda (Sanskrit; traditional Chinese: 說假部; pinyin: Shuō Jiǎ Bù) was one of the early Buddhist schools in India, and part of the Mahāsāṃghika branch of Buddhism. The Prajñaptivādins were also known as the Bahuśrutiya-Vibhajyavādins.

000x297x1.jpg

History

According to Vasumitra, the Prajñaptivāda school is said to have developed as one of several Mahāsāṃghika sub-schools.[1] They are recorded as having taken up residence in the Himalayas.[2] According to Tāranātha, the Prajñaptivādins continued to flourish in Magadha through the Pāla dynasty, as late as the 10th century CE.[3][4] A.K. Warder writes that the Prajñaptivādins were not known to have left Buddhism's original territory in the eastern regions of India.[5]

Doctrines and teachings

The Samayabhedhoparacanacakra records that the doctrines of the Prajñaptivāda school were similar to those of the main Mahāsāṃghika school.[6]

111.jpg

Prajñapti

According to André Bareau, the name Prajñaptivāda refers to their doctrine that phenomena are the product of conceptualization (Skt. prajñapti).[7] The Prajñaptivādins distinguished between conventional truth (Skt. saṃvṛti) and ultimate truth (Skt. paramārtha), and between reality (Skt. tattva) and mere concepts (Skt. prajñapti).

Vasumitra writes that the Prajñaptivādins viewed all conditioned phenomena as being mere concepts or notions (Skt. prajñapti), and therefore they were considered to be suffering.[8] Contrary to the Sarvāstivādins, the Prajñaptivādins did not view the skandhas or the five elements as suffering.[9] Instead these were viewed as existing merely as nominal entities without any ultimate existence.[10]

Merit and karma

The Prajñaptivādins believed that the Noble Path is eternal and immutable, and that it is not possible for it to be lost or destroyed.[11] They also held that the path was not something that could be cultivated through contemplation.[12] However, they believed that the Path could be attained through all-knowledge (Skt. sarvajñāna) and the accumulation of merit.[13] Whether one meets an untimely death or attains the Noble Path, the Prajñaptivādins viewed all such outcomes as being the result of merit and karma.[14]

Spoken teachings

The Prajñaptivādins held that the Buddha's teachings in the various piṭakas were nominal (Skt. prajñapti), conventional (Skt. saṃvṛti), and causal (Skt. hetuphala).[15] Therefore all teachings were viewed by the Prajñaptivādins as being of provisional importance, since they cannot contain the ultimate truth.[16] It has been observed that this view of the Buddha's teachings is very close to the fully developed position of the Mahāyāna sūtras.[17][18]

Relationship to Mahāyāna

Theories

André Bareau considers the origin of the Mahāyāna tradition to be in the early Mahāsāṃghika schools, and cites the Bahuśrutīyas and Prajñaptivādins as sub-sects of the Mahāsāṃghika that may have played an important role in bridging the flow of Mahāyāna teachings between the northern and southern Mahāsāṃghika traditions.[19]

Two truths doctrine

The Prajñaptivādins were early articulators of the two truths doctrine that is so important to the Mahāyāna, where it is usually found in the relationship between skillful means (Skt. upāya) and wisdom (Skt. prajñā). Ian Charles Harris has noted that the doctrines of the Prajñaptivāda school are indeed similar to the early Mahāyāna view of the two truths.[20]

There is also evidence that the Prajñaptivādins were an influence on Nāgārjuna, who is also among the storied promulgators of the two truths doctrine (using some of the same technical terms), and who in his Mūlamadhyamakakārikā only cites one text by name, that being the Kātyāyana Gotra Sūtra, of which the Prajñaptivādins were known to be fond.[21]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Harris, Ian Charles. The Continuity of Madhyamaka and Yogacara in Indian Mahayana Buddhism. 1991. p. 98
  2. ↑ Sree Padma. Barber, Anthony W. Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra. 2008. p. 68.
  3. ↑ Warder, A.K. Indian Buddhism. 2000. p. 282
  4. ↑ Walser, Joseph. Nāgārjuna in Context: Mahāyāna Buddhism and Early Indian Culture. 2005. p. 218
  5. ↑ Warder, A.K. Indian Buddhism. 2000. p. 282
  6. ↑ Dutt, Nalinaksha. Buddhist Sects in India. 1998. p. 118
  7. ↑ Sree Padma. Barber, Anthony W. Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra. 2008. p. 68.
  8. ↑ Harris, Ian Charles. The Continuity of Madhyamaka and Yogacara in Indian Mahayana Buddhism. 1991. p. 98
  9. ↑ Walser, Joseph. Nāgārjuna in Context: Mahāyāna Buddhism and Early Indian Culture. 2005. p. 220
  10. ↑ Walser, Joseph. Nāgārjuna in Context: Mahāyāna Buddhism and Early Indian Culture. 2005. p. 220
  11. ↑ Petzold, Bruno. The Classification of Buddhism: Comprising the Classification of Buddhist Doctrines in India, China, and Japan. 1995. p. 438
  12. ↑ Walser, Joseph. Nāgārjuna in Context: Mahāyāna Buddhism and Early Indian Culture. 2005. p. 219
  13. ↑ Walser, Joseph. Nāgārjuna in Context: Mahāyāna Buddhism and Early Indian Culture. 2005. p. 219
  14. ↑ Walser, Joseph. Nāgārjuna in Context: Mahāyāna Buddhism and Early Indian Culture. 2005. p. 220
  15. ↑ Dutt, Nalinaksha. Buddhist Sects in India. 1998. p. 118
  16. ↑ Harris, Ian Charles. The Continuity of Madhyamaka and Yogacara in Indian Mahayana Buddhism. 1991. p. 98
  17. ↑ Dutt, Nalinaksha. Buddhist Sects in India. 1998. p. 118
  18. ↑ Harris, Ian Charles. The Continuity of Madhyamaka and Yogacara in Indian Mahayana Buddhism. 1991. p. 98
  19. ↑ Ray, Reginald. Buddhist Saints in India: A Study in Buddhist Values and Orientations. 1999. p. 426
  20. ↑ Harris, Ian Charles. The Continuity of Madhyamaka and Yogacara in Indian Mahayana Buddhism. 1991. p. 98
  21. ↑ Harris, Ian Charles. The Continuity of Madhyamaka and Yogacara in Indian Mahayana Buddhism. 1991. p. 98

Source

Wikipedia:Prajñaptivāda

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