Presentations of Absolute Truth in Buddhist Philosophy

Hinayana Schools

Mahayana Schools

Vaibhashika Indestructible atoms Indivisible moments of consciousness	Sautrantika Phenomena not labelled by conceptual mind ie. Direct experience and its objects
All relative phenomena arise from the interaction between atoms and consciousness	Share Vaibhashika view of atoms and consciousness Assert 5 sense consciousnesses and reflexive awareness
Real objects can be directly observed	Real objects can not be observed We only perceive a relative aspect of objects

Chittamatra Neither consciousness nor its objects truly exist Self-aware and luminous aspect of mind is truly existent
Assert 8 consciousnesses All appearances are projections of mind, 3 natures
All experience is unique to the individual No real objects exist, everything is a projection of mind

Madhyamaka Free of all assertions of existence or non-existence Proposes the two truths
Rangtong Relative truth is mere appearance Absolute truth is inaccesible to conceptual recognition			Shentong Assert Sugatagarbha Relative is simply absolute nature stained by defilements
Svatantrika Based on Bhavaviveka's Commentary Two classifications of relative truth		Prasangika Based on Buddhapalita's Commentary No distinction between types of relative truth
Sautrantika Follows Sautrantika analysis of relative truth Accepts particles and consciousness as realtive	Yogachara Based on Shantarakshita's teachings Follows Chittamatra analysis of relative truth

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