Difference between revisions of "Bahuśrutīya"
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== Origins == | == Origins == | ||
| − | [[Paramārtha]], a 6th-century [[monk]] from central [[India]], wrote that the founder of the [[Bahuśrutīya]] sect was named [[Yājñavalkya]]. In [[Paramārtha]]'s account, [[Yājñavalkya]] is said to have lived during the time of the [[Buddha]], and to have heard his discourses, but was in a profound state of [[samādhi]] during the time of the [[Buddha's]] [[parinirvāṇa]]. After Yājñavalkya emerged from this [[samādhi]] 200 years later, he discovered that the [[Mahāsāṃghika]]s were [[teaching]] only the [[superficial]] meaning of the sūtras, and he therefore founded the [[Bahuśrutīya]] sect in [[order]] to expound their full meaning. | + | [[Paramārtha]], a 6th-century [[monk]] from central [[India]], wrote that the founder of the [[Bahuśrutīya]] sect was named [[Yājñavalkya]]. In [[Paramārtha]]'s account, [[Yājñavalkya]] is said to have lived during the time of the [[Buddha]], and to have heard his discourses, but was in a profound state of [[samādhi]] during the time of the [[Buddha's]] [[parinirvāṇa]]. After [[Yājñavalkya]] emerged from this [[samādhi]] 200 years later, he discovered that the [[Mahāsāṃghika]]s were [[teaching]] only the [[superficial]] meaning of the sūtras, and he therefore founded the [[Bahuśrutīya]] sect in [[order]] to expound their full meaning. |
[[Paramārtha]] links the origins of the [[Bahuśrutīya]] sect to the [[Mahāyāna]] teachings: | [[Paramārtha]] links the origins of the [[Bahuśrutīya]] sect to the [[Mahāyāna]] teachings: | ||
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== [[Doctrines]] and [[canon]] == | == [[Doctrines]] and [[canon]] == | ||
| − | The [[Bahuśrutīya school]] is said to have included a [[Bodhisattva]] | + | The [[Bahuśrutīya school]] is said to have included a [[Bodhisattva Piṭaka]] in their [[canon]]. The translator [[Paramārtha]], a 6th-century [[monk]] from [[Ujjain]] in central [[India]], wrote that the [[Bahuśrutīyas]] accepted both the [[Hīnayāna]] and [[Mahāyāna]] teachings. According to [[Paramārtha]], the [[Bahuśrutīya school]] was formed in [[order]] to fully embrace both "[[conventional truth]]" and "[[ultimate truth]]." According to [[Sree Padma]] and Anthony Barber, the [[Bahuśrutīya]] understanding of this full exposition included the [[Mahāyāna]] teachings. |
According to [[Vasumitra]], the Bahuśrutīyas considered the [[Buddha's]] teachings of [[impermanence]], [[suffering]], [[emptiness]], [[anātman]], and [[Nirvāṇa]] to be supramundane, while his expositions on other [[subjects]] were to be considered [[mundane]]. | According to [[Vasumitra]], the Bahuśrutīyas considered the [[Buddha's]] teachings of [[impermanence]], [[suffering]], [[emptiness]], [[anātman]], and [[Nirvāṇa]] to be supramundane, while his expositions on other [[subjects]] were to be considered [[mundane]]. | ||
| − | Like the other [[Mahāsāṃghika]] sects, the Bahuśrutīyas believed that [[arhats]] were fallible. | + | Like the other [[Mahāsāṃghika]] sects, the [[Bahuśrutīyas]] believed that [[arhats]] were fallible. |
| − | The [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]], which is attributed to the Bahuśrutīyas, includes the [[teaching]] of dharma-śūnyatā, the [[emptiness]] of [[phenomena]]. | + | The [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]], which is attributed to the [[Bahuśrutīyas]], includes the [[teaching]] of [[dharma-śūnyatā]], the [[emptiness]] of [[phenomena]]. |
== [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]] == | == [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]] == | ||
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The [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]], also called the [[Tattvasiddhi Śāstra]], is an extant [[abhidharma]] text from the [[Bahuśrutīya school]]. This [[abhidharma]] is now contained in the [[Chinese Buddhist canon]], in sixteen fascicles ([[Taishō Tripiṭaka]] 1646). Its authorship is attributed to [[Harivarman]], a third-century [[monk]] from central [[India]]. [[Paramārtha]] cites this [[Bahuśrutīya]] [[abhidharma]] as containing a combination of [[Hīnayāna]] and [[Mahāyāna]] [[doctrines]], and Joseph Walser agrees that this assessment is correct. Ian Charles Harris also characterizes the text as a synthesis of [[Hīnayāna]] and [[Mahāyāna]], and notes that its [[doctrines]] are very close to those in Mādhyamakaand [[Yogācāra]] works. | The [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]], also called the [[Tattvasiddhi Śāstra]], is an extant [[abhidharma]] text from the [[Bahuśrutīya school]]. This [[abhidharma]] is now contained in the [[Chinese Buddhist canon]], in sixteen fascicles ([[Taishō Tripiṭaka]] 1646). Its authorship is attributed to [[Harivarman]], a third-century [[monk]] from central [[India]]. [[Paramārtha]] cites this [[Bahuśrutīya]] [[abhidharma]] as containing a combination of [[Hīnayāna]] and [[Mahāyāna]] [[doctrines]], and Joseph Walser agrees that this assessment is correct. Ian Charles Harris also characterizes the text as a synthesis of [[Hīnayāna]] and [[Mahāyāna]], and notes that its [[doctrines]] are very close to those in Mādhyamakaand [[Yogācāra]] works. | ||
| − | The [[Bahuśrutīya]] [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]] mentions the [[existence]] of a [[Bodhisattva]] | + | The [[Bahuśrutīya]] [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]] mentions the [[existence]] of a [[Bodhisattva Piṭaka]]. |
== Satyasiddhi schools == | == Satyasiddhi schools == | ||
| − | The [[Bahuśrutīya]] [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]] maintained great popularity in {{Wiki|Chinese}} Buddhism,and even lead to the formation of its own school of [[Buddhism]] in [[China]], the [[Satyasiddhi School]], or [[Chéngshí Zōng]] (成實宗), which was founded in 412 CE. As summarized | + | The [[Bahuśrutīya]] [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]] maintained great popularity in {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[Buddhism]],and even lead to the formation of its own school of [[Buddhism]] in [[China]], the [[Satyasiddhi School]], or [[Chéngshí Zōng]] (成實宗), which was founded in 412 CE. As summarized by [[Nan Huai-Chin]]: |
:Various [[Buddhist]] schools sprang to [[life]], such as the school based on the three [[Mādhyamaka]] śāstras, the school based on the [[Abhidharmakośa]], and the school based on the [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]]. These all vied with each other, producing many wondrous offshoots, each giving rise to its own theoretical system. | :Various [[Buddhist]] schools sprang to [[life]], such as the school based on the three [[Mādhyamaka]] śāstras, the school based on the [[Abhidharmakośa]], and the school based on the [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]]. These all vied with each other, producing many wondrous offshoots, each giving rise to its own theoretical system. | ||
| − | The [[Satyasiddhi School]] taught a progression of twenty-seven stations for cultivating [[realization]], based upon the teachings of the [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]]. The [[Satyasiddhi School]] took [[Harivarman]] as its founder in [[India]], and [[Kumārajīva]] as the school's founder in [[China]]. The [[Satyasiddhi School]] is counted among the Ten Schools of {{Wiki|Tang Dynasty}} Buddhism.From [[China]], the [[Satyasiddhi School]] was transmitted to {{Wiki|Japan}} in 625 CE, where it was known as Jōjitsu-shu (成實宗). The {{Wiki|Japanese}} [[Satyasiddhi school]] is known as one of the six great schools of [[Japanese Buddhism]] in the {{Wiki|Nara period}} (710-794 CE). | + | The [[Satyasiddhi School]] taught a progression of twenty-seven stations for cultivating [[realization]], based upon the teachings of the [[Satyasiddhi Śāstra]]. The [[Satyasiddhi School]] took [[Harivarman]] as its founder in [[India]], and [[Kumārajīva]] as the school's founder in [[China]]. The [[Satyasiddhi School]] is counted among the Ten Schools of {{Wiki|Tang Dynasty}} Buddhism.From [[China]], the [[Satyasiddhi School]] was transmitted to {{Wiki|Japan}} in 625 CE, where it was known as [[Jōjitsu-shu]] (成實宗). The {{Wiki|Japanese}} [[Satyasiddhi school]] is known as one of the six great schools of [[Japanese Buddhism]] in the {{Wiki|Nara period}} (710-794 CE). |
Revision as of 22:55, 25 August 2013
Bahuśrutīya (Sanskrit; traditional Chinese: 多聞部; pinyin: Duōwén Bù) was one of the early Buddhist schools, according to early sources such as Vasumitra, the Śāriputraparipṛcchā, and other sources, and was a sub-group which emerged from the Mahāsāṃghika sect.
Etymology
The name Bahuśrutīya means literally "those who have heard much," meaning "well-learned." The Chinese translation for the name of this sect, Duowen Bu (多聞部), literally the "much-heard sect," also corresponds to this etymology. Vasumitra's history, the Samayabhedoparacanacakra, records the following explanation of the name and characteristics of the Bahuśrutīya sect:
- 廣學三藏 Broadly studying the Tripiṭaka
- 深悟佛言 And profoundly comprehending the Buddha's words;
- 從德為名 It is by these virtues that they are referred to
- 名多聞部 By the name, the "Bahuśrutīya" sect.
Origins
Paramārtha, a 6th-century monk from central India, wrote that the founder of the Bahuśrutīya sect was named Yājñavalkya. In Paramārtha's account, Yājñavalkya is said to have lived during the time of the Buddha, and to have heard his discourses, but was in a profound state of samādhi during the time of the Buddha's parinirvāṇa. After Yājñavalkya emerged from this samādhi 200 years later, he discovered that the Mahāsāṃghikas were teaching only the superficial meaning of the sūtras, and he therefore founded the Bahuśrutīya sect in order to expound their full meaning.
Paramārtha links the origins of the Bahuśrutīya sect to the Mahāyāna teachings:
- In the Mahāsāṃghika school this Arhat recited completely the superficial sense and the profound sense. In the latter, there was the sense of the Mahāyāna. Some did not believe it. Those who believed it recited and retained it. There were in the Mahāsāṃghika school those who propagated these teachings, and others who did not propagate them. The former formed a separate school called "Those who have heard much" (Bahuśrutīya). [...] It is from this school that there has come the Satyasiddhiśāstra. That is why there is a mixture of ideas from the Mahāyāna found there.
Doctrines and canon
The Bahuśrutīya school is said to have included a Bodhisattva Piṭaka in their canon. The translator Paramārtha, a 6th-century monk from Ujjain in central India, wrote that the Bahuśrutīyas accepted both the Hīnayāna and Mahāyāna teachings. According to Paramārtha, the Bahuśrutīya school was formed in order to fully embrace both "conventional truth" and "ultimate truth." According to Sree Padma and Anthony Barber, the Bahuśrutīya understanding of this full exposition included the Mahāyāna teachings.
According to Vasumitra, the Bahuśrutīyas considered the Buddha's teachings of impermanence, suffering, emptiness, anātman, and Nirvāṇa to be supramundane, while his expositions on other subjects were to be considered mundane.
Like the other Mahāsāṃghika sects, the Bahuśrutīyas believed that arhats were fallible.
The Satyasiddhi Śāstra, which is attributed to the Bahuśrutīyas, includes the teaching of dharma-śūnyatā, the emptiness of phenomena.
Satyasiddhi Śāstra
The Satyasiddhi Śāstra, also called the Tattvasiddhi Śāstra, is an extant abhidharma text from the Bahuśrutīya school. This abhidharma is now contained in the Chinese Buddhist canon, in sixteen fascicles (Taishō Tripiṭaka 1646). Its authorship is attributed to Harivarman, a third-century monk from central India. Paramārtha cites this Bahuśrutīya abhidharma as containing a combination of Hīnayāna and Mahāyāna doctrines, and Joseph Walser agrees that this assessment is correct. Ian Charles Harris also characterizes the text as a synthesis of Hīnayāna and Mahāyāna, and notes that its doctrines are very close to those in Mādhyamakaand Yogācāra works.
The Bahuśrutīya Satyasiddhi Śāstra mentions the existence of a Bodhisattva Piṭaka.
Satyasiddhi schools
The Bahuśrutīya Satyasiddhi Śāstra maintained great popularity in Chinese Buddhism,and even lead to the formation of its own school of Buddhism in China, the Satyasiddhi School, or Chéngshí Zōng (成實宗), which was founded in 412 CE. As summarized by Nan Huai-Chin:
- Various Buddhist schools sprang to life, such as the school based on the three Mādhyamaka śāstras, the school based on the Abhidharmakośa, and the school based on the Satyasiddhi Śāstra. These all vied with each other, producing many wondrous offshoots, each giving rise to its own theoretical system.
The Satyasiddhi School taught a progression of twenty-seven stations for cultivating realization, based upon the teachings of the Satyasiddhi Śāstra. The Satyasiddhi School took Harivarman as its founder in India, and Kumārajīva as the school's founder in China. The Satyasiddhi School is counted among the Ten Schools of Tang Dynasty Buddhism.From China, the Satyasiddhi School was transmitted to Japan in 625 CE, where it was known as Jōjitsu-shu (成實宗). The Japanese Satyasiddhi school is known as one of the six great schools of Japanese Buddhism in the Nara period (710-794 CE).
