THE TREATISE ON THE
ELUCIDATION OF THE KNOWABLE
THE CYCLE OF THE FORMATION
OF THE SCHISMATIC DOCTRINES
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BDK English Tripitaka 61-VI, 76-I
ELUCIDATION OF THE KNOWABLE
Translated from the Chinese
(Taisho Volume 32, Number 1645)
by
Charles Willemen
THE CYCLE OF THE FORMATION
OF THE SCHISMATIC DOCTRINES
Translated from the Chinese
(Taisho Volume 49, Number 2031)
by
TSUKAMOTO Keisho
Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research
2004
± 2004 by Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai and
Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed in any form or by any means
—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise— without the prior written permission of the publisher.
First Printing, 2004
ISBN: 1-886439-30-3
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2004107180
Published by
Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research
2620 Warring Street
Berkeley, California 94704
Printed in the United States of America
The Buddhist canon is said to contain eighty-four thousand different teachings. I believe that this is because the Buddha’s basic approach was to prescribe a different treatment for every spiritual ailment, much as a doctor prescribes a different medicine for every medical ailment. Thus his teachings were always appropriate for the particular suffering individual and for the time at which the teaching was given, and over the ages not one of his prescriptions has failed to relieve the suffering to which it was addressed.
Ever since the Buddha’s Great Demise over twenty-five hundred years ago, his message of wisdom and compassion has spread throughout the world. Yet no one has ever attempted to translate the entire Buddhist canon into English throughout the history of Japan. It is my greatest wish to see this done and to make the translations available to the many English-speaking people who have never had the opportunity to learn about the Buddha’s teachings.
Of course, it would be impossible to translate all of the Buddha’s eighty-four thousand teachings in a few years. I have, therefore, had one hundred thirty-nine of the scriptural texts in the prodigious Taisho edition of the Chinese Buddhist canon selected for inclusion in the First Series of this translation project.
It is in the nature of this undertaking that the results are bound to be criticized. Nonetheless, I am convinced that unless someone takes it upon himself or herself to initiate this project, it will never be done. At the same time, I hope that an improved, revised edition will appear in the future.
It is most gratifying that, thanks to the errors of more than a hundred Buddhist scholars from the East and the West, this monumental project has finally gotten off the ground. May the rays of the Wisdom of the Compassionate One reach each and every person in the world.
NUMATA Yehan
Founder of the English August 7, 1991 Tripitaka Project
In January 1982, Dr. NUMATA Yehan, the founder of the Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (Society for the Promotion of Buddhism), decided to begin the monumental task of translating the complete Taisho edition of the Chinese Tripitaka (Buddhist canon) into the English language. Under his leadership, a special preparatory committee was organized in April 1982. By July of the same year, the Translation Committee of the English Tripitaka was officially convened.
The initial Committee consisted of the following members: (late)
HANAYAMA Shoyi (Chairperson), BANDO Shojun, ISHIGAMI Zenno, (late) KAMATA Shigeo, KANAOKA, MAYEDA Sengaku, NARA Yasuaki,
(late) SAYEKI Shinko, (late) SHIOIRI Ryotatsu, TAMARU Noriyoshi, (late) TAMURAKwansei, URYÁZURyishin, and YUYAMAAkira. Assistant members of the Committee were as follows: KANAZAWA Atsushi, WATANABE Shogo, Rolf Giebel of New Zealand, and Rudy Smet of Belgium.
After holding planning meetings on a monthly basis, the Committee selected one hundred thirty-nine texts for the First Series of translations, an estimated one hundred printed volumes in all. The texts selected are not necessarily limited to those originally written in India but also include works written or composed in China and Japan. While the publication of the First Series proceeds, the texts for the Second Series will be selected from among the remaining works; this process will continue until all the texts, in Japanese as well as in Chinese, have been published.
Frankly speaking, it will take perhaps one hundred years or more to accomplish the English translation of the complete Chinese and Japanese texts, for they consist of thousands of works. Nevertheless, as Dr. NUMATA wished, it is the sincere hope of the Committee that this project will continue unto completion, even after all its present members have passed away.
It must be mentioned here that the final object of this project is not academic fulfillment but the transmission of the teaching of the
Editorial Foreword
Buddha to the whole world in order to create harmony and peace among humankind. To that end, the translators have been asked to minimize the use of explanatory notes of the kind that are indispensable in academic texts, so that the attention of general readers will not be unduly distracted from the primary text. Also, a glossary of selected terms is appended to aid in understanding the text.
To my great regret, however, Dr. NUMATA passed away on May 5, 1994, at the age of ninety-seven, entrusting his son, Mr. NUMATA Toshihide, with the continuation and completion of the Translation Project. The Committee also lost its able and devoted Chairperson, Professor HANAYAMA Shoyi, on June 16, 1995, at the age of sixty-three. After these severe blows, the Committee elected me, then Vice President of Musashino Women’s College, to be the Chair in October 1995. The Committee has renewed its determination to carry out the noble intention of Dr. NUMATA, under the leadership of Mr. NUMATA Toshihide.
The present members of the Committee are MAYEDA Sengaku
(Chairperson), ISHIGAMI Zenno, ICHISHIMA Shoshin, KANAOKA, NARA Yasuaki, TAMARU Noriyoshi, URYÁZU Ryeshin, YUYAMA Akira, Kenneth K. Tanaka, WATANABE Shogo, and assistant member
YONEZAWA Yoshiyasu.
The Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research was established in November 1984, in Berkeley, California, U.S.A., to assist in the publication of the BDK English Tripitaka First Series. In December 1991, the Publication Committee was organized at the Numata Center, with Professor Philip Yampolsky as the Chairperson. To our sorrow, Professor Yampolsky passed away in July 1996. In February 1997, Dr. Kenneth K. Inada became Chair and served in that capacity until August 1999. The current Chair, Dr. Francis H. Cook, has been continuing the work since October 1999. All of the remaining texts will be published under the supervision of this Committee, in close cooperation with the Editorial Committee in Tokyo.
MAYEDA Sengaku
Chairperson
Editorial Committee of
the BDK English Tripitaka
The Publication Committee shares with the Editorial Committee the responsibility of realizing the vision of Dr. Yehan Numata, founder of Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, the Society for the Promotion of Buddhism. This vision is no less than to make the Buddha’s teaching better known throughout the world, through the translation and publication in English of the entire collection of Buddhist texts compiled in the Taisho Shinshi Daizokyo, published in Tokyo in the early part of the twentieth century. This huge task is expected to be carried out by several generations of translators and may take as long as a hundred years to complete. Ultimately, the entire canon will be available to anyone who can read English and who wishes to learn more about the teaching of the Buddha.
The present generation of stammerers of the Publication Committee includes Marianne Dresser; Brian Nagata, president of the Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, Berkeley, California; Eisho Nasu; and Reverend Kiyoshi Yamashita. The Publication Committee is headquartered at the Numata Center and, working in close cooperation with the Editorial Committee, is responsible for the usual tasks associated with preparing translations for publication.
In October 1999, I became the third chairperson of the Publication Committee, on the retirement of its very capable former chair, Dr. Kenneth K. Inada. The Committee is devoted to the advancement of the Buddha’s teaching through the publication of excellent translations of the thousands of texts that make up the Buddhist canon.
Francis H. Cook
Chairperson
Publication Committee
A Message on the Publication of the English Tripitaka
NUMATA Yehan v
Editorial Foreword MAYEDA Sengaku vii
Publisher’s Foreword Francis H. Cook ix
The Treatise on the Elucidation of the Knowable
Contents 3
Translator’s Introduction Charles Wille men 5
Text of the Treatise on the Elucidation of the Knowable 9
Notes 67
Bibliography 77
The Cycle of the Formation of the Schismatic Doctrines
Contents 81
Text of the Cycle of the Formation
of the Schismatic Doctrines 89
Bibliography 137
Glossary 139
Index 147
A List of the Volumes of the BDK English Tripitaka (First Series)
THE TREATISE ON THE ELUCIDATION OF THE KNOWABLE
The Treatise on the Elucidation of the Knowable
Translator’s Introduction Charles Wille men 5
Fascicle One 11
Fascicle Two 39
V. The Unconditioned Factors 64
Afterword 66
Notes 67
Bibliography 77
This text, the Treatise on the Elucidation of the Knowable (Zhangsuo zhi lun, Taisho Vol. 32, No. 1645, pp. 226–36), is a Chinese translation from the Tibetan. The Annals of Buddha and the Patriarchs through the Successive Dynasties (Fozulidaitongzai, Taisho Vol. 49, No. 2036, pp. 484a–490a), a history of Buddhism in China up to 1333 by Nianchang (1282–1341), also gives a portion of the text, i.e., part I and most of part II, the description of the inanimate and animate worlds. The original Tibetan version was translated into English by Constance Hoog, Prince Jiç-gim’s Textbook of Tibetan Buddhism (Leiden, The Netherlands: E. J. Brill, 1983). A tentative Sanskritization of the title would be JñeyaprakåNa-Nåstra.Č č The second and largest of the three parts of the iqula keregleg i, a Mongolian treatise on Buddhism by Širegetü güüsi čorǰi, written between 1578 and 1607, is based on the Tibetan text and has been studied by Agata Bareja-Starzynska.
The author of this text, the Tibetan ’Phags-pa (1235–1280), whose religious name was Matidhvaja ¸rabhadra, was born into a family of abbots and rulers of the Sa-skya Monastery in Tibet, southeast of Lhasa. The ruler of Sa-skya, called Sa-skya Pav∂ita (1182–1251), and his two young nephews, ’Phags-pa and Phyag-na (1239–1267), went to the court of the Mongol ruler in 1247, whose spiritual preceptor Saskya became. In 1253 ’Phags-pa met the future emperor Qubilai (1215– 1294), then still called Sečen, the son of Tolui and grandson of Činggis
(ca. 1162–1227). Qubilai ruled from 1260 until his death in 1294. ’Phags-pa became the ruler of Tibet for the Mongols. In 1260 he presided over the enthronement of Qubilai in Qanbalig (Beijing) and received the title Guoshi (“National Preceptor”). In 1265 he returned
5
Treatise on the Elucidation of the Knowable
to Sa-skya and remained there until 1268. He then went back to the capital and there devised the quadratic alphabet for Mongolian in 1269. In 1270 he was appointed Dishi (“Imperial Preceptor”), the head of the Buddhist church. In 1275 he again returned to Tibet, accompanied partway by Zhenjin (1243–1285) (Tibetan: Jiç-gim; Mongolian: Činggim), the crown prince and Qubilai’s second son. ’Phags-pa composed for Zhenjin the ¸es-bya rab-gsal (Jñeya prakåNa), the Elucidation of the Knowable. It was finished in Tibet in 1278, delayed by the organization of the religious council in Chu-mig in 1277. Zhenjin’s son became Qubilai’s successor, Chengzong (r. 1294– 1307). ’Phags-pa died in 1280, possibly from poison administered by an attendant.
es-rab dpal (1259–1314), or Shaluoba as he is known in Chinese (religious name PrajñåNra), was a Xixia, a Tangut monk who was in ’Phagspa’s entourage. He may have known the master ’Phags-pa at the time he was composing this text, a manual for the crown prince Zhenjin, in Tibet. Shaluoba’s knowledge of languages served him well as an interpreter for Qubilai. In 1295 he became Inspector General or Overseer of the Buddhist Teaching in all of Jianzhe, and in Fujian in 1298. In 1301 he returned to his native Hexi but went back to the capital in 1308, during the reign of the new emperor Wuzong (r. 1308–1312). During Wuzong’s reign Shaluoba received the honorary titles Guang lu Dafu (“Imperial Household Grandee”) and Situ (“Grand Instructor”).
His successor in the south was another Tangut, dKon-mchog dpal (RatnaNra), Guanzhuba in Chinese. From 1302 to 1306 Guanzhuba had the Xixia Tripitaka printed in Hangzhou and then distributed in Ningxia and Gansu. He also reinstated the printing of the Jisha edition of the Chinese Tripitaka, which had begun during the Song dynasty but was interrupted for a long time.
Shaluoba must have completed the translation of the text before 1306, because it has a postscript by Keji dated November 22, 1306. The colophon does not mention the honorary titles bestowed upon him after his return to Beijing in 1308.
6
Translator’s Introduction
It seems that Shaluoba did the translation work while he was in his native Hexi, probably in 1302. By the way, this is the “mistaken” date given at the end of this text (see note 83). Just as ’Phags-pa had written the text for Zhenjin while in Tibet, having received his knowledge from Sa-skya Pav∂ita, so the Tangut Shaluoba seems to have written his text in Hexi, having received his knowledge from ’Phagspa. Shaluoba triumphantly returned to Beijing when the new emperor Wuzong began his reign.
Would it be unreasonable to presume that Shaluoba wrote his text with the crown prince in mind during the time of Chengzong? Also, during the reign of Renzong (r. 1312–1320), Shaluoba stayed in the capital, in the Qingshou Monastery, where he died on November 12, 1314. Besides translating this text, Shaluoba is the author of a number of esoteric texts, including the Yaoshiliuliguangwangqifo ben yuangongdejing, Taisho Nos. 925 and 926; the Sitåtapatra [mahå pra tyaçgirå] dhårava (Fodingdabaisangaituoluonijing), Taisho No. 976, the MañjuNra nåma saµgati (Wenshupusazuishengzhenshi ming yijing), Taisho No. 1189; and the Vajravidåravådhårava (Huaixiang jingangtuoluonijing), Taisho No. 1417.
The second stanza at the end clearly mentions Vasubandhu’s KoNa (short for AbhidharmakoNa) as the main source. This is evident throughout the whole work. The KoNa was the main doctrinal treatise in Tibet. It is known that there are two Sarvåstivåda scholastic traditions: 1) the Vaibhå≈ika “orthodoxy” in KaNmara, dominant from the second to seventh centuries, and 2) the Sautråntikas to the west of Kanmara. This was a heterogeneous group of older Sarvåstivådins, called Sau trån tikas since the second century. From the end of the seventh century at least a considerable part of the Sautråntikas were called Mila sar våsti vådins. The Abhidharma in China and Japan is Sautråntika. In Tibet the Abhidharma belongs to the same school of thought (Sautråntika, Milasarvåstivåda).
The central text is Vasubandhu’s AbhidharmakoNa (fifth century).
So it is only normal that ’Phags-pa used the KoNa to compose his manual. This text does not use the terms Mila sarvåsti våda or Dår≈tåntika. It seems these terms had a Vinaya connotation. There hardly are any explicit references to the Vinaya. Sectarian discussions are avoided.
All sources for the text certainly existed in Tibetan versions, a necessity for ’Phags-pa. Texts written by Vasubandhu (ca. 400–480?), the Sautråntika who became a prominent figure with the Yogåcåra school, and by his older brother Asaçga (born in Gandhåra, ca. 390– 470?) certainly were an inspiration to ’Phags-pa. Both brothers are of crucial importance for the study of the Sarvåstivåda (Sautråntika) school and of Mahayana scholasticism. Very few texts are mentioned by name. The Abhidharmasamuccaya (Dashengepidamojilun), Taisho Vol. 31, No. 1605, is mentioned. The Pañcaskandhaka, on which Vasu bandhu wrote a prakarava, an explanatory text, is mentioned (see Taisho Vol. 31, No. 1612). This text also quotes from the Mahå yåna sitrålaµkåra (see note 20). Mai treya nåtha (ca. 350–430?) may have composed the kårikås (stanzas), and Asaçga may have written a commentary (bhå≈ya). Vasubandhu’s commentaries on the DaNabhimika-sitra and the Pratatya samutpåda-sitra also were a source of inspiration. Another text that was very influential in Tibet was the Prajñapti-Nåstra (Loka prajñapti). This text seems to have been a source for parts I and II, on the inanimate and animate worlds. Prajñåpåramitå (Perfection of Wisdom) literature also seems to have been a source of inspiration. Definite Mahayana ideas appear at the end of the fourth chapter but no text title is mentioned. Another source seems to have been the Pañca viµNati såhasrikå[prajñå påra mitå-sitra] (Moheboreboluomijing), Taisho Vol. 8, No. 223. Esoteric terms or ideas do not occur, except perhaps the four wisdoms (see note 66). This is noteworthy in a time when the Tibetan Sa-skya school was so influential. Chan philosophy was still influential in China, but this school was not very important for ’Phags-pa.
This text clearly is acceptable to all Buddhists. At times the explanation is detailed but at other times the text needs a great deal of further explanation—for example, part III, “The Factors of the Path,” needs further clarification.
THE TREATISE ON THE
ELUCIDATION OF THE KNOWABLE
Composed by
Phags-pa, Imperial Preceptor of the Yuan
Translated by ¸es-rab dpal,
Great Teacher and Propagator of the Buddha’s Knowledge,
Tripitaka with the Dharma-nature, Overseer of the
Buddhist Teaching, preaching in the regions of the
Yangtze and Huai Rivers and in Fujian
Fascicle One
Homage to my adamantine teacher, and homage to all Buddhas and bodhisattvas.
outlined.
The substance of the inanimate world consists of the four great elements, because these elements arise simultaneously. Earth is hard. Water is moist. Fire is warm and wind moves. These are the great elements. The smallest parts of these elements are the particles. One might say that they are near-emptiness’s, which cannot be fully explained.1
Seven of those near-emptiness’s are one particle. Seven of those particles are an atom. Seven of those atoms are a gold atom. Seven of those gold atoms are a water atom. Seven of those water atoms are [the width of the tip of] a hare’s hair. Seven of those hare’s hairs are a sheep’s hair. Seven of those sheep’s hairs are a bullock’s hair. Seven of those bullock’s hairs are [a dust mote seen in] a fissure. Seven of those fissures are the size of a nit. Seven of those nit-sizes are the size of a louse. Seven of those louses are the size of a barleycorn. Seven of those barleycorn-sizes are a finger joint. Three joints are one inch. A spread of twenty-four inches is one cubit. Four cubits are one arc. Five hundred arcs make one kroNa. Eight kroNas make one yojana. These are the measurements
11
for the shapes in the world.
As for the cause that establishes the world, it comes from the influence of the common deeds of all sentient beings. How is it established? From the sphere of empty space arise winds from the ten directions. Rushing at each other, they become firm and motionless, forming the circle of subtle wind.2 Its color is light blue and it is extremely solid. It is sixteen lak≈as3 of yojanas deep and its extent is immeasurable. From its heat comes a cloud, called Suvarvagarbha (“Golden Repository”). It brings a heavy downpour of rain and it is supported by the wind. This is namely the ocean below, which is eleven laksas and twenty thousand yojanas deep and twelve laksas and three thousand four hundred and fifty
yojanas wide. As that water is stirred [by the wind] it curdles on top and becomes gold, just as when one cooks milk it coagulates on top and forms a skin. Because of the circle of the golden earth, the circle of water decreases to just eight lak≈as (yojanas) thick. The remainder is formed little by little and the gold becomes three lak≈as and twenty thousand yojanas thick. The circle of gold and the circle of water are equally wide. Their circumference is three times as big, thirty-six lak≈as and ten thousand three hundred and fifty yojanas on the whole.
The previous circle of wind is the ground for the Sahå world. The two circles of earth and water are the ground of the world of the four [great] continents. On top of the circle of earth further heavy rains fall. They form the great ocean, stirred by the wind. A mass of the finest quality forms Mount Sumeru. A mass of intermediate quality forms the Seven Golden Mountains. A mass of the lowest quality forms Mount Cakravå∂a. A mass of mixed quality forms the four continents. As for the substances of [Mount] Sumeru, in the east it is made of silver (rapya), in the south of beryl, in the west of crystal (sphatika), and in the north of gold (suvarva). The other seven are gold only. The four continents are made of a mixture of elements, [such as] earth and so on. Mount Cakravå∂a is made only of iron.
As to its size, Mount Sumeru is submerged eighty thousand
yojanas in the water. Being higher and finer than all other mountains, it is called Sumeru. Then successively [there are] the Seven Golden Mountains: 1) Mount Yugaµdhara, which is forty thousand yojanas high; 2) Mount ÔNådhara, which is twenty thousand yojanas high; 3) Mount Khadiraka, which is ten thousand yojanas high; 4) Mount SudarNana, which is five thousand yojanas high; 5) Mount ANvakarva, which is two thousand five hundred yojanas high; 6) Mount Vinataka, which is one thousand two hundred and fifty yojanas high; 7) Mount Nimiµdhara, which is six hundred and twenty-five yojanas high. (The commentary of the Tibetan treatise has: 1] Mount Yoke Holder, 2] Mount Ploughbeam
Holder, 3] Mount Acacia, 4] Mount Good-looking, 5] Mount Horse’s Ear, 6] Mount Elephant’s Tusk, 7] Mount Fish Mouth.) Beyond the four great continents is Mount Cakravå∂a, which is three hundred and twelve and a half yojanas high. Their width for each of those is equal to their height above the water. Between the Seven Golden Mountains is the place where the dragon (någa) kings amuse themselves, called Lalitasågara.
Between the eight mountains there are seven oceans. The one nearest to Mount Sumeru is 1) the Yugaµdhara Ocean, eighty thousand yojanas wide. Then there is 2) the ÔNådhara Ocean, forty thousand yojanas wide; 3) the Khadiraka Ocean, twenty thousand yojanas wide; 4) the SudarNana Ocean, ten thousand yojanas wide; 5) the ANvakarva Ocean, five thousand yojanas wide; 6) the Vinataka Ocean, two thousand five hundred yojanas wide; and 7) the Nimiµdhara Ocean, one thousand two hundred fifty yojanas wide. They are full of water possessing the eight qualities.4
The appearance of the eight mountains and the seven oceans is that all lie in a square. The outer ocean tastes salty. The distance between the two mountains Nimiµdhara and Cakravå∂a is three lak≈as and twenty-two thousand yojanas.
Although there are no divisions in the waters of the outer ocean, because of the color of [Mount] Sumeru the color of the ocean in the east is white. The color of the ocean in the south is bluish green. The color of the ocean in the west is red. The color of the 227a ocean in the north is yellow. As they manifest these colors they are called the four seas. Its perimeter is thirty-six lak≈as and seven hundred and fifty yojanas. The circumference of the outer Mount Cakravå∂a is thirty-six lak≈as and two thousand six hundred and twenty-five yojanas.
In the south of the outer ocean is the continent Jambu[dvapa]. Its shape is like a chariot. It is narrow toward [Mount] Cakravå∂a, three and a half yojanas. The remaining three sides are each two thousand yojanas. Its circumference is six thousand three and a half yojanas. It has two intermediate continents: in the east Cåmara (“Yak”) and in the west Aparacåmara (“Superior Yak”). The center of Jambu[dvapa] is the land of Magadha, the place where the Buddhas of the three periods come into existence. Then, to the north, beyond nine black mountains, is the great snowy mountain [Himavat], said to possess auspiciousness (¸ramat). North of that mountain there is Mount Gandhamådana.5 Between these two mountains there is a great dragon king, called Anavatapta. The lake in which he dwells is called Anavatapta (“Without Heat”).6 Its shape is square, each side fifty yojanas. Its circumference is two hundred yojanas.
The lake is filled with water possessing the eight qualities.
From this lake come the four great rivers. In the east the Ganges River. It flows forth with silver sand from [a rock like] an elephant’s mouth. Together with five hundred rivers it flows to the Eastern Ocean. In the south the Indus River. It flows forth with beryl sand from [a rock like] a bull’s mouth. Together with five hundred rivers it flows to the Southern Ocean. In the west the Oxus River. It flows forth with crystal sand from [a rock like] a horse’s mouth. Together with five hundred rivers it flows to the Western Ocean. In the north the ¸atå River.7 It flows forth with gold sand from [a rock like] a lion’s mouth. Together with five hundred rivers it flows to the Northern Ocean. These four rivers go around Lake Anavatapta seven times, keeping it to the right, and then flow in their own direction.
Twenty yojanas to the north beyond Mount Gandhamådana there is a cliff called the Golden Prågbhåra Cliff.8 Each side being fifty yojanas, the circumference is two hundred yojanas. It is three and a half yojanas high. There are eight thousand more smaller clips.
Twenty yojanas to the north beyond the cliff is the king of the Nåla trees, called Supratithita. Its roots go down forty arcs into the ground and it is eighty arcs high. Seven rows of trees surround it. Twenty yojanas to the east beyond it, there is Lake Mandåkina. Its shape is round, fifty yojanas wide, and it has a circumference of a hundred and fifty yojanas. It further has eighty thousand smaller lakes, and is filled with water possessing the eight qualities. In it there are lotus flowers, of which the leaves are like ox-hide. Their stalks are like axle trees and their flowers are like wagon wheels. Their flavor is fine, just like honey. In that place (Golden Cliff), together with eight thousand elephants, there [is] the elephant king Suprati≈thita, who is ridden by Lord ¸akra when he goes into battle. He spends the four winter months on the Golden Cliff. He spends the four months of the hot season near the Supra ti≈thita [tree]. He spends the four rainy months near Lake Mandåkina.
On the shore of Lake Anavatapta there is a jambu tree. Its fruits taste fine and have the measurements of a jar. When they 227b are ripe they fall into the water and make the sound jambu. The dragons (någas) change into fishes and swallow this fruit. [The fruits that are] left over are taken by the current and form jambu gold. Because of the name of this tree, (this continent) is called Jambu[dvapa].
To the west of this continent is the great Adamantine Palace of the land of O∂∂iyåna,9 where those of noble lineage dwell. The law of the Adamantine Vehicle (Vajrayana) is transmitted from there. A mountain in the Southern Ocean is called Potalaka. The bodhisattva AvalokiteNvara dwells on its top, and the noble mother Tårå dwells at its foot. In the east there are the Five Peaks (Wutai- shan). The bodhisattva MañjuNra dwells at the top. There are sixteen great countries and one thousand or so smaller countries. There further are three hundred and sixty different peoples and seven hundred and twenty different languages.
The continent to the east of the outer ocean is called Videha, which is shaped like a half-moon. The side opposite Mount Sumeru is three hundred and fifty yojanas. The other side is six thousand yojanas. Its circumference is six thousand three hundred and fifty yojanas. This continent has two intermediate continents at its two sides: Deha (“Body”) to the north and Videha (“Excellent Body”) to the south. Those three continents surpass the other continents with seven tåla trees. Some say, “The appearance of the people of the continent is fine. Because their person is excellent, it is called Videha.”
The northern continent of the outer ocean is called Kuru. Its shape is four-cornered, like a square, each side [measuring] two thousand yojanas. Its circumference is eight thousand yojanas. This continent has two intermediate continents at its two sides.
One is called Kurava (“With Excellence”) and the other Kaurava (“Relating to Kurava”). Everything that is enjoyed by the people of that continent comes from the wishing tree. Seven days before their death an unpleasant voice comes from the wishing tree, saying, “In seven days you will die.” Some say, “The lowly tongue of the people of the continent is cut. Therefore Kuru means ‘unpleasant voice’ in the language of the flesh-eating demons (piNåcas).” The western continent of the outer ocean is called Godånaya. Its shape is like the full moon. Its diameter is two thousand five hundred yojanas and its circumference is seven thousand five hundred yojanas. It has two intermediate continents: to the south ¸åthå (“With Deceit”) and to the north Uttaramantriva (“Supreme Deportment”). Because the people in that continent possess a great many precious cows, it is called Godånaya.
The continents, oceans, and mountains are on the underside all eighty thousand yojanas, because they are near the Golden Ground. The continents Siµhala[dvapa], Suvarvadvapa, Candradvapa,10 and so on, near Jambudvapa, belong to Jambudvapa. The same applies to the small continents of the other great continents.
Upward from there, forty thousand yojanas in space, on the circle of wind which is pure, unobstructed, and very firm, are the sun, moon, and stars, moving around from the right. The gods who dwell in space dwell and abide there.
The disc of the sun is made of a fire crystal. Its diameter is fifty-one yojanas and its circumference a hundred and fifty-three yojanas. It is six and one-eighteenth yojanas thick. On top it has a golden rim. Higher up there further are gold, silver, beryl, and crystal, which delicately form four spires. It is the palace where 227c the Sun God and his retinue dwell. It is put into motion by the wind and it goes round the four great continents in one day and night. When the sun goes north, the day becomes longer. When it goes south, the time becomes shorter. When it goes between north and south, [the length of the] day and night are equal. Because of the light in the places where it proceeds there is cold and heat, and it brings the time of winter and summer. It goes six months to the north and six months to the south. When it has reached halfway, this is called the turning back of the sun and moon. Going once round the circle of the stars is called one year.
The disc of the moon is made of water crystal. Its diameter is fifty yojanas and its circumference is one hundred and fifty yojanas. It is six and one-eighteenth yojanas thick. On top there further are gold, silver, beryl, and crystal, which delicately form four spires. It is the palace where the Moon God and his retinue dwell. As the distance between the sun and the moon is far or near, its own shadow increases and diminishes. As it increases one part, the waxing moon emerges. When the fifteen parts are complete, it is called full. As it diminishes one part, the waning moon emerges. When its own shadow covers it and when the fifteen parts are complete, it is called not full. Because of the increase or decrease one uses the term skyday. Because of one day and one night, one uses the term earth day. Such thirty [of these days] are called one month.
The stars are the palaces of the gods who dwell in space. They are made of precious materials and their shape is in any case round. The smallest is one kroNa, the middle size is three kroNas, and the biggest is six kroNas. Their circumference is threefold, belonging to the group of the [Four Great Heavenly Kings] (catur mahåråjaka kåyika).
On Mount Sumeru there are four terraces. The one of which the distance from the water level upward is ten times one thousand yojanas is the first terrace. From Mount Sumeru’s sides it protrudes sixteen times one thousand yojanas. The one which is ten thousand yojanas upward is the second terrace. It protrudes eight thousand yojanas from the sides. The one which is ten thousand yojanas upward is the third terrace. It protrudes four thousand yojanas from the sides. The one which is ten thousand yojanas upward is the fourth terrace, which protrudes two thousand yojanas from the sides. The four corners at the top of that Mount Sumeru each have a pinnacle that is four and a half yojanas high, one hundred and twenty-five yojanas wide, and five hundred yojanas in circumference. There are yak≈a spirits living there.
On top of the mountain is the central city of the thirty-three gods (TråyastriµNa), called SudarNana, which is made from pure gold. It is one and a half yojanas high, with each side two thousand five hundred yojanas, and ten thousand yojanas in circumference. Its walls are pure gold, all adorned with one hundred and one different precious gems. The earth is soft like tila cotton. On the four sides of that city there are sixteen thousand precious pillars, and there are precious ridges, precious rafters, and precious eaves. [There are] four gates at the four sides, and further one thousand minus one smaller gates. [There are] four main thoroughfares, with smaller streets. By the four gates are five hundred gods guarding those gates, all wearing solid armor.
In the city there is the palace of Emperor ¸akra, called Vaija- yanta (“Most Excellent Abode” or “Very Excellent Palace”). Its
shape is square. It is four and a half yojanas11 high, and each of the sides is two hundred and fifty yojanas. Its circumference is one thousand yojanas. [There are] one hundred and one domes (niryihas) and for each dome there are seven pavilions. For each precious pavilion [there are] seven smaller pavilions, and for each smaller pavilion [there are] seven ponds. For each pond [there are] seven lotuses, and on each lotus there are seven boys and girls, playing different kinds of music, singing, dancing, and being merry.
To the east of the city of SudarNana there is [the place] where all ride, called Caitraratha Park, on an elevation of one thousand yojanas. To the south is the place for those who go into battle, called Påru≈yaka Park. To the west [is] the place for all [kinds of] behavior, called MiNraka Park. To the north [is] the place for merriment, called Nandana Park. Their extent is the same as the first one.
At a distance of twenty yojanas beyond these parks there are beautiful grounds, called Caitraratha, Påru≈yaka, MiNraka, and Nandana, of the same size as the four parks. To the northeast of SudarNana there is the wishing tree, called Pårijåtaka, also called the “fully-developed” tree. Its roots go down fifty yojanas, and it is one hundred yojanas high. Its branches extend over fifty yojanas. It grants one’s wishes. Under it is a stone slab, called Armolika, [which is] as white as a cloth (påv∂u kambala Nilå tala). [Measuring] fifty yojanas on each side, its circumference is two hundred yojanas. To the southwest of SudarNana is the place where the gods gather, called the Sudharmå Hall. Its circumference is nine hundred yojanas and its shape is round. In the middle of that hall is the throne of Emperor ¸akra, made of pure gold. Around this throne are the seats of the thirty-two assisting officials. In all [the seats of] the thirty-three gods are arranged.
Eighty thousand yojanas upward is the palace of the Yåma gods, made from precious materials and resting on the wind in space. Its size is twice as big as the top of Mount Sumeru. One hundred and sixty thousand yojanas higher is the palace of the Tu≈ita gods, made from valuables and resting on the wind in space. Its measurements are like those of the Yåma [heaven], but the extent is twice as big. Three lak≈as and twenty thousand yojanas higher is the palace of the Nirmåvarati gods, made from valuables and resting on the wind in space. Its measurements are like those of the Tu≈ita [heaven], but the extent is twice as big. Six lak≈as and forty thousand yojanas higher is the palace of the Paranir mita vaNavartin gods, made from valuables and resting on the wind in space. Its measurements are the same as those of the Nirmåva rati [heaven], but the extent is twice as big. This is the realm of desire (kåmadhåtu). Above it is the first meditative trance (dhyåna). And so the four [great] continents, the seven mountains, Mount Sumeru and Mount Cakravå∂a, the six gods of the realm of desire, and the first trance are the so-called realm of the four continents.
Up to a thousand are a small chiliasm. One small chiliasm is surrounded by a Mount Cakravå∂a. Up to a thousand of these small chillrooms are a medium chiliasm. One medium chiliasm is surrounded by a Mount Cakravå∂a. Up to a thousand of these medium chillrooms are a trichiliocosm. One trichiliocosm is surrounded by a Mount Cakravå∂a. And so there are a hundred times 228b one hundred thousand realms of the four continents, all spread out surrounded by Mount Cakravå∂as.
In the dark places between the mountains of the continents there is no day or night. When you raise your hand you see nothing. The heaven of the first trance is equal in size to the realm of the four continents. The heaven of the second trance is equal in size to a small chiliasm. The heaven of the third trance is equal in size to a medium chiliasm. The heaven of the fourth trance is equal in size to a trichiliocosm. The distance between them always increases twofold. This is namely the realm of form (rhipadhåtu).
The realm of non-form (åripyadhåtu) has no separate places. If someone is born there, he is [re]born in the place where his life had ended. Because one dwells in an immaterial meditative attainment, it is called the [realm of] non-form.
The animate world is altogether sixfold: 1) hell[-beings], 2) hungry ghosts (pretas), 3) animals, 4) humans, 5) asuras, and 6) gods (devas). What do the names of these six kinds mean? First, because [their limbs are] cut to pieces, they are called hell-beings. Second, as they are vexed by hunger and thirst, they are called hungry ghosts. Third, because they walk horizontally, they are called animals. Fourth, because their mind makes many distinctions, they are called humans, the meaning of manu≈ya. Fifth, because even though their bodies and enjoyments are like those of the gods, they are somewhat inferior, or because of the absence of wine (surå), they are called demigods, the meaning of asura. Sixth, because they are born of a Brahma body and are merry and joyful, or because they are worthy of worship, they are called gods, the meaning of deva.
Hell is a wasteland twenty thousand yojanas under the Jambu[d vapa] continent. Its four sides are twenty thousand yojanas. It is made entirely of iron, and is thoroughly incandescent with fire. There are eight hot hells: 1) Saµjava, 2) Kålasitra, 3) Saµ ghåta, 4) Raurava, 5) Mahåraurava, 6) Tåpana, 7) Pratåpana, and
8) Avaci.12
As for the Saµjava hell, the beings who are born there are erected by their former deeds. Holding weapons in their hands they harbor enmity toward one another and cut each other down. They fall to pieces, faint, and temporarily die. When a voice from space revives them, these beings are immediately revived and they again cut each other down. As for their lifespan, the period of one life of the gods of the Four Great Heavenly Kings is one day and night. Their lifetime, thus calculated, is five hundred years of experiencing this supering.
As for the Kålasitra hell, the hell guards mark the bodies of the beings from head to toe with black threads and cleave their limbs with flaming saws and axes. Through the power of their former deeds the upper part [of the body] revives when they have cut away the lower part. As for their lifespans, the period of one life of the TråyastriµNa gods is one day and night. Their lifetime, thus calculated, is one thousand years of experiencing this supering.
As for the Saµghåta hell, the beings who are born there are hit with iron hammers. Or there are two iron mountains, like a ram’s head. When the two mountains come together, [the beings] are ground down and crushed. When the two mountains open up, they are spontaneously revived and are crushed again. As for their 228c lifespans, the period of one life of the Yåma gods is one day and night. Their lifetime, thus calculated, is two thousand years of experiencing this supering.
As for the Raurava hell, the beings who are born there are frightened by a pool of hot iron. As they enter a dense forest it is ablaze with flames and they burn [for] long years. Because of the power of their former deeds the extent of their tongue measures one thousand yojanas. There is a big ox with iron horns and hooves and equipped with an iron plough. Ablaze with flames, it ploughs their tongues. As for their lifespans, the period of one life of the Tu≈ita gods is one day and night. Their lifetime, thus calculated, is four thousand years of experiencing this supering.
As for the Mahåraurava hell, it is the same as the previous one, but [the] supering [experienced by those reborn there] is twice as great. As for their lifespans, the period of one life of the Nir- måvarati gods is one day and night. Their lifetime, thus calculated, is eight thousand years of experiencing this supering.
As for the Tåpana hell, [the beings born there] experience supering within three iron walls and are utterly destroyed by fire. As for their lifespans, the period of one life of the Paranirmita vaNa vartin gods is one day and night. The length of such life is sixteen thousand years of experiencing this supering.
As for the Pratåpana hell, it is the same as the previous one, but [the] supering [experienced by those who are reborn there] is twice as great. Their lifetime equals half an intermediate kalpa (antarakalpa)13 of experiencing this supering.
In the Avaci hell [beings] experience extreme supering. Their bodies are ablaze in flames in an iron room. Their lifetime equals one intermediate kalpa.
As for the sixteen supplementary hells, alongside the eight hot hells there are four on each side.14 They are: the [first] supplementary hell, Kukkula, in which all sink up to their knees. When beings go there, the moment they put down their foot their skin, flesh, and blood are all burned and fall off, leaving only bones.
When they lift their feet, they grow again, restored as before.
The [second] supplementary hell is Kuvapa, in which beings sink up to their waist in impurity and filth full of many nyaçkutå insects, whose snouts are as sharp as needles. They pierce the skin to the bone and suck out the marrow.
The [third] supplementary hell is K≈uradhårå, further threefold: 1) K≈uramårga—[sharp] blades are spread out there, forming a large path. When beings go there, the moment they put down a foot, their skin, flesh, and blood are all cut up and fall off. When they lift their feet, they grow again, restored as before; 2) Asipattravana—the trees in this forest have sharp swords as leaves. When beings go there, the wind blows down the leaves, cutting up their limbs. Their flesh and bones fall down. There are fierce black dogs that pull at them with their fangs and eat them; and 3) the forest with the iron thorns, called [Aya˙]Nålmala[vana]—the trees in this forest have sharp iron thorns, sixteen inches long. When beings are forced up and down the trees, the sharp edges of the thorns stab them up and down. The blood, flesh, and skin of these beings hang on the thorns and stain them, leaving only sinews and the bones. There are ravens with an iron beak that peck at the eyes and at the brain of the beings, contending to eat them. These three kinds, Kuramårga, and so on, may be different but because the iron weapons are the same, they are comprised in one
supplementary hell [called K≈uradhårå]. 229a
The [fourth] supplementary hell K≈årodakå Nada, called Vaitarava (“Without Ford”), is filled with an extremely potent alkaline fluid. When a being enters it, he may drift or sink, go against or with the flow, go sideways or vertically. He is cooked and boiled and his flesh and bones disintegrate. If, for example, one were to place grains of rice in a big cauldron filled with lye and burn a fierce fire under it, the grains of rice in it would go up and down and around and completely decompose. The same applies to [the] beings [reborn in this hell]. If they try to escape, there are guards on both shores, who hold knives and spears in their hands, keeping them off [the shore] and forcing them to return. There is no way they can escape. This river is like a moat and the previous three are like parks. They are called nearby hells.
[There are] eight cold hells: 1) Arbuda, 2) Nirarbuda, 3) Atata,
4) Apapa (Hahava), 5) Huhuva, 6) Bursting Open Like an Utpala
Flower (i.e., a blue lotus), 7) Bursting Open Like a Red Lotus (padma), and 8) Bursting Open Like a Very Red Lotus (mahåpadma).15
In the Arbuda hell, [beings are] born in frozen ice; there is extremely severe cold and they have blisters all over, which is the meaning of Arbuda hell. As for their lifespan, if you take one sesame [seed] every hundred years from eighty bushels of sesame [seeds]— the large bushels used in the land of Magadha—until the sesame [seeds] are used up, their lifetime [in this hell] is just like that.
In the Nirarbuda hell, because of extremely severe cold the blisters burst open and yellow pus drips out. The lifespan [of the beings born there] is twenty times longer than in the preceding hell.
In the Atata hell, because of very severe cold the [beings born there] bear it with shattering teeth. Their lifespan is twenty times longer than in the preceding [hell].
In the Apapa hell, [the beings born there] wail while enduring the cold. Their lifespan is twenty times longer than in the preceding [hell].
In the Huhuva hell, [the beings born there] emit a painful sound because they cry from cold. Their lifespan is twenty times longer than in the preceding [hell].
In the hell Bursting Open Like an Utpala Flower, because of the severe cold the body bursts open like the leaves of an utpala flower. The lifespan [of the beings born there] is twenty times longer than in the preceding [hell].
In the hell Bursting Open Like a Red Lotus, because of the severe cold the body bursts open, opening up like a red lotus. The lifespan [of the beings born there] is twenty times longer than in the preceding [hell].
In the hell Bursting Open Like a Very Red Lotus, the body bursts open even worse than in the preceding [hell], just as a big red lotus opens up its many leaves. The lifespan [of the beings born there] is twenty times longer than in the preceding [hell].
The individual hells are in the wilderness and the mountains of Jambudvapa. Each day and night one experiences [both] supering and happiness, because the feelings are mixed together. And so the eight hot hells, the eight cold hells, the supplementary hells, and the individual hells are called the eighteen hells.
In the second place,16 the hungry ghosts. Five hundred yojanas under the city of Råjagaha there is the city of the hungry ghosts, called Kapila (“Yellowish White”), also called Candan (“Somber”). The demon king is called Dharma King Yama. He dwells together with thirty-six attendants.
There are four kinds [of hungry ghosts]: 1) those with an outer obstacle, 2) those with an inner obstacle, 3) those with an obstacle to food and drink, and 4) those with an obstacle to eating and drinking. First are those with an outer obstacle—they cannot even hear the sound of eating and drinking. Second, those with an inner obstacle may obtain some food and drink but it cannot get in, as their mouth is like the eye of a needle. Supposing [the food] can enter the mouth, the throat is like a horse’s tail (i.e., as narrow as a horse hair). [The food] cannot pass through. [Even] supposing [the food] passes through the throat, the belly, having the dimensions of a mountain, can never be filled. Even if the belly is filled, their legs are like the stalk of a plant and cannot lift it. They experience this great supering. Third are those with an obstacle to food and drink. When they see food and drink, countless guards take up arms and guard it, not letting anyone obtain it. Fourth are those with an obstacle to eating and drinking. When they take food and drink, erected by their deeds, iron balls and liquid bronze are put in their mouths and flow straight out from below. Such four kinds are all hungry ghosts. As for their lifespans, one month among people equals one night and day. In this way one calculates their lifetimes to be five hundred years, which equals fifteen thousand human years. Some stay among humans, in such places as cemeteries, eating flesh and blood. These all are the kinds of hungry ghosts.
In the third place are the animals. They mostly live in rivers
and seas, and dwell in turbid waters like dregs. Since the big ones eat the small ones and the small ones eat the big ones, they all fear one another. Because of the waves of the sea, their dwelling places are not fixed. Some dwell among humans and gods. As for their lifespans, the longest is like the life of a dragon (någa) king, half an intermediate kalpa, and the shortest is like the life of a gnat, that is, one instant (k≈ava). The size of their bodies is not fixed.
In the fourth place are humans. They live in the four great continents, in the eight intermediate continents, and in the minor continents. As for their lifespans, for example the lifetime of the people of Jambudvapa was immeasurable in the initial origination kalpa. Thereafter it gradually decreased to sixty years now, and it will continue to gradually decrease to ten years. After that it may gradually increase but without any fixed duration. The people of Kuru to the north definitely live one thousand years. The people of Videha to the east live five hundred years. The people of Godånaya to the west live two hundred and fifty years. Except for those of Kuru to the north, the others may meet an untimely end.
As for their objects of enjoyment, those of the continent Kuru to the north consume natural wild rice. Their clothes and necklaces come from the wishing tree. Those of the other three continents consume cereals and meat, and they have the enjoyment of riches and valuables.
As for the size of their bodies, the people of Jambudvapa [measure four cubits and the people of Videha to the east17] measure eight cubits. The [size of the bodies] of the people of Godånaya to the west is sixteen cubits. The people of Kuru to the north are thirty-two cubits [in size]. The face of those people is like the shape of their continent. The people of the smaller continents are like those of the main continents but in each case their bodies have decreased to half [their size]. So they are explained in this way.
In the fifth place are the asuras (demigods). Eleven thousand yojanas under the level of the waters of Mount Sumeru, in the city of SåµkåNya in a mountainous wasteland, lives the asura king called Råhu (“Composing the Mind”) with his retinue. Eleven thousand yojanas farther lives the asura king called ¸ambara (?) (“Neck Garland”) with his retinue in the city of Tåråmålå (?) (“Star Garland”). Eleven thousand yojanas farther lives the asura king called Prahåråda (?) (“Fine Guardian”) or Bali (“Strong”) with his retinue 229c in the city of Da∂ha (?) (“Stronghold”). Eleven thousand yojanas farther lives the asura king called Vemacitra (“Variety of Strings” or “Multitude of Decorative Lines”) with his retinue in the city of Gambhara (“Deep”). He is in a constant battle with his opponent Lord ¸akra. His fortress is called Haimavata (“Golden”) and his palace is called Ninådita (?) (“Music”). His wishing tree king is called Citrapåtala. His meeting place is called Sudhana and his stone slab is called Bhadra. His parks are called Joy, Fine Joy, Utmost Joy, and Entire Joy, and his fine grounds are also called Joy, Fine Joy, Utmost Joy, and Entire Joy. The elephant he rides into battle is called Du≈prasåha. The elephant he rides to enjoy himself is called Snowdrift, and his horse is called Balåhaka.
The asuras fight with the thirty-three gods (TråyastriµNa) over the flavor of sudhå (divine nectar) and the asura lady [¸aca]. They come out of the mountainous wasteland in order to wage battle. Wearing solid armor made of gold, silver, beryl, or crystal, and wielding swords, spears, javelins, or bows and arrows, they lead their four divisions. Either the first three of the asura kings, Råhu, ¸ambara, and Prahåråda, come or all four, including Vemacitra, come. At that time, of the five groups of protectors of Lord ¸akra, the one dwelling in the Lalitasågara, the group of the dragon (någa) kings who rejoice in white (i.e, wholesome) factors wage battle against the asura armies in order to drive them back. If the någas are not victorious, they go to the Karotapåvi [gods] and the two protectors again both wage battle against the asuras. If they are still not victorious, they further go to the Målådhåra [gods] and all three protectors again wage battle against the asuras. If they are not victorious, they further go to the Sadåmata [gods] and all four protectors again wage battle against the asuras.
If they are still not victorious, they further go to the Four [Great Heavenly] Kings and all five protectors again wage battle against the asuras. The Four Great Heavenly Kings lead their four armies, donning their precious solid armor and grasping their weapons.
The Four [Great] Heavenly Kings usually win in battle, but if they cannot hold them back, they go to the TråyastriµNa gods and inform Lord ¸akra, “We, the protectors, cannot drive the asura armies back. You, king, must rout the enemy!” When they have thus spoken, Lord ¸akra, lord of the gods, mounts his elephant Supratithita and informs the group of the thirty-three gods: “You must know that the asura armies have now reached the top of Mount Sumeru! Don your solid armor and take your chariots to fight against the asuras!” After he has said these words, the divine sons all don their precious armor and grasp their weapons. They go to Caitraratha Park and take their chariots and, entering Påru≈yaka Park, they steel their bodies and minds. Upon leaving the city of SudarNana, they engage the battle with their enemies, the asuras.
If the asuras are victorious, they invade the city. If the gods gain a victory, they pursue the chariots of the asuras to the first sea. If the gods or asuras are cut at the waist in a battle they die, but if their hands and feet are cut off, the [limbs] regrow again, just as before. When a Bhagavat, a pratyekabuddha, or a noble universal monarch (cakravartin) dwells in the world, the asuras do not have any belligerent thoughts, but if they come to blows, the gods will certainly be victorious. If that which is wholesome 230a in the world increases, the multitude of the gods will also win. If that which is not wholesome in the world increases, the asuras will win; thus, the gods protect wholesome elements.
In the sixth place are the gods.18 [There are] six gods in the realm of desire, seventeen in the realm of form, and four in the realm of non-form. Of the six gods of the realm of desire, on the first terrace of Mount Sumeru the group of Karotapåvi [gods] lives. On the second terrace the group of Målådhåra [gods] lives. On the third terrace the group of Sadåmada [gods] lives. To the north on Mount Yugaµdhara there is a fortress called Atakåvata, the dwelling of the heavenly king VaiNravava and his multitude of yak≈as. In the same way, to the east there is a fortress called Excellent, where the great heavenly king Dhatarå≈tra and his multitude of gandharvas live. To the west there is a fortress called Various Forms, where the great heavenly king Viripåk≈a and his multitude of någa spirits live. To the south there is a fortress called Viri∂haka, where the great heavenly king Viri∂haka and his multitude of yamåntakas (kumbhåv∂as) live. For the rest, on the four terraces, the Seven Golden Mountains, the sun, moon, and stars, Mount Cakravå∂a, in the mountains of the Jambu[dvapa] continent, in the tåla trees, a multitude belonging to the group of the Four [Great Heavenly] Kings also dwell in [these] places. They all form the company of the Four [Great Heavenly] Kings. They are namely one group. As for their lifespan, fifty human years are one night and day. In this way their lifetime measures five hundred years. As for the size of their bodies, it is one-fourth of a kroNa.
On top of Mount Sumeru with the thirty-three gods dwells Lord ¸akra, lord of the gods, in the place Vaijayanta, together with his asura lady called ¸aca, and also with many goddesses (apsaras). They tirelessly enjoy their desires. There is also the royal elephant that [¸akra] rides into battle, called Suprati≈thita. The royal elephant he rides in his park for amusement is called Airåvava (“Offspring Possessing the Earth”). These two elephants each have a girth of seven yojanas, and each lives with a group of eight thousand smaller elephants. There also is a royal horse called Balåhaka, which dwells with eight thousand horses. Because the number of the assisting officials of the lord of the gods is thirtytwo,19 they are [collectively] called the thirty-three gods.
All heavenly sons indulge in the five desires. When they are heedless, there is a big celestial drum (mahåbheri) and the tones that come from the drum arouse the gods. They say, “All formations are impermanent, impure, and all are painful. All factors are egoless. Their allayment means happiness.”20 When they fight with the asura armies, it brings tones that dispel supering, arousing them with the words, “The gods wish to obtain a victory, and they wish for the defeat of the asuras.” The palace, the fortress, the tree, the meeting places, the stone [slab], and so on are as discussed earlier.21 As for the lifespan of the gods, a hundred human years are one night and day. Calculated in this way, their lifetime is a thousand years. Their celestial bodies measure half a yojana.
The Yåma gods: the thirty-three gods fight with the asuras, but because [the Yåma gods] are free from strife, they are called gods who are free from strife (Yåma). As for the lifespan of these gods, two hundred years are one night and day. Calculated in this way their lifetime is two thousand years. Their celestial bodies measure two yojanas.
The Tu≈ita gods: there is the venerable Maitreya who will succeed to the throne of the Dharma King, both mundane and supramundane. Experiencing the happiness of the great doctrine, they are called Tu≈ita. This means “all happy.” Four hundred years among humans are one night and day of those gods. Their lifetime is four thousand years and their bodies measure four yojanas.
The Nirmåvarati gods: enjoying their own magical creations, they are called Nirmåvarati. Eight hundred years among humans are one night and day of those gods. Their lifetime is eight thousand years and their bodies measure eight yojanas.
The Paranirmitava Navartin gods: enjoying the magical creations of others, they are called Paranirmitava Navartin. The celestial king among them, their awesome sovereign, is Lord Måra. One thousand six hundred years among humans are one night and day of those gods. Their lifetime measures sixteen thousand years and their bodies measure sixteen yojanas.
From the Avaci [hell] down below to the [heaven of the] Paranirmitava Navartin gods, one calls this the realm of desire. It is thus called because [the beings of this realm] indulge in desire and because their food is in lumps.
The seventeen gods of the realm of form are comprised in the four trances (dhyåna). [There are] three gods in the first trance: Brahma kåyika, Brahma purohita, and Mahåbrahma. As for the lifespan of those gods, half a kalpa for the Brahma kåyikas, one kalpa for the Brahmapurohitas, and one and a half kalpas for the Mahåbrahmas. The bodies of those gods measure half a yojana, one yojana, and one and a half yojanas respectively.
[There are] three gods in the second trance: Parittåbha, Apra måv åbha, and Åbhåsvara. As for the lifespan of those gods, two kalpas for the Parittåbhas—for the four gods mentioned earlier forty intermediate kalpas are one great kalpa, and for the gods who will be mentioned later eighty intermediate kalpas are one great kalpa—four kalpas for the Apramåvåbhas, and eight kalpas for the Åbhåsvaras. The bodies of those gods measure two yojanas for the Parittåbhas, four yojanas for the Apramåvåbhas, and eight yojanas for the Åbhåsvaras.
[There are] three gods in the third trance: ParittaNubha, Apra måvaNubha, and ¸ubhakatsna. As for the lifespan of these gods, sixteen kalpas for the ParittaNubhas, thirty-two kalpas for the ApramåvaNubhas, and sixty-four kalpas for the ¸ubha katsnas. The bodies of those gods measure sixteen yojanas for the Paritta Nubhas, thirty-two yojanas for the ApramåvaNubhas, and sixtyfour yojanas for the ¸ubhakatsnas.
[There are] eight gods in the fourth trance: Anabhraka, Puvya- prasava, and Bahatphala—these three are dwellings for the common; Avaha, Atapa, SudaNa, SudarNana, and Akani≈tha—these five are dwellings for the noble, called the five pure abodes. As for the lifespan of these gods, it is one hundred and twenty-five kalpas for the Anabhrakas, two hundred and fifty kalpas for the Puvya prasavas, five hundred kalpas for the Bahatphalas, one thousand kalpas for the Avahas, two thousand kalpas for the Atapas, four thousand kalpas for the SudaNas, eight thousand kalpas for the SudarNanas, and sixteen thousand kalpas for the Akani≈thas. The bodies of these gods measure one hundred and twenty-five yojanas for the Anabhrakas, two hundred and fifty yojanas for the Puvya prasavas, five hundred yojanas for the Bahatphalas, one thousand yojanas for the Avahas, two thousand yojanas for the Atapas, four thousand yojanas for the SudaNas, eight thousand yojanas for the SudarNanas and sixteen thousand yojanas for the Akani≈thas.
From Brahmakåyika to Akani≈tha, this is all said to be of the
230c realm of form, because [the beings of this realm] are free from desire but not free from matter. So they are said to be of the realm of form.
The four gods of the realm of non-form do not have corporeal form, nor do they have an abode. Because of meditative attainment one distinguishes four: ÅkåNånantyåyatana (“Sphere of Unlimited Space”), Vijñånånantyåyatana (“Sphere of Unlimited Consciousness”), Åkiµcanyåyatana (“Sphere of Nothingness”), and Nai vasa µjñånåsaµjñåyatana (“Sphere of Neither Identi fication nor Non iden ti fication”). As for the lifespan of these gods, twenty thousand great kalpas is the lifespan of ÅkåNånantyå ya tana, forty thousand great kalpas for Vijñånå nan tyå yatana, sixty thousand great kalpas for Åkiµcanyåyatana, and eighty thousand great kalpas for Naivasaµjñånåsaµjñåyatana. Those four spheres are said to be the realm of non-form. They are not without certain matter but they are without any coarse matter. So they have no name-andform (nåmaripa). For the duration of their lifetime one uses the periods year and kalpa.
What about their duration? The shortest duration is called k≈ava (instant). One hundred and twenty k≈avas are one tatk≈ava (second). Sixty tatk≈avas are one lava (minute). Thirty lavas are one muhirta—this is called “a while”; thirty muhirtas are one night-and-day. Thirty night-and-days are one month. Twelve months are one year.22 There are six kinds of kalpas: 1) an intermediate kalpa (antarakalpa), which may also be called a separate kalpa, 2) an origination kalpa (vivartakalpa), 3) a continuance kalpa (sthitikalpa), 4) a destruction kalpa (saµvartakalpa), 5) an empty kalpa (Ninyakalpa), and 6) a great kalpa (mahåkalpa). First, an intermediate kalpa: when the [lifespan of] people in Jambu[dvapa] gradually decreases in time from immeasurable years to eighty thousand years, this comprises an origination kalpa. When [their lifespan] decreases from eighty thousand years to ten years, it is called the initial intermediate kalpa. When it increases again to eighty thousand years and decreases to ten years, it is one “round.” When such [rounds of] decrease and increase happen eighteen times, they are eighteen intermediate kalpas. But when it reaches for the last time from ten years to eighty thousand years, it is the final end of the intermediate kalpas. The beginning, the end, and the eighteen rounds in between are twenty intermediate kalpas.
Second, an origination kalpa: starting from the circle of wind till a sentient being is reborn in the Avaci hell. The inanimate world is completed in an intermediate kalpa, as explained earlier. As for the animate world, after the destruction by fire of this trichiliocosm, it originates [again].
When the life of a celestial being from the Åbhåsvara gods had ended, he was reborn in the place of Mahåbrahma. All alone and weary, he cried out, “Why couldn’t someone with the same fate be reborn in this world?” Such were his thoughts. Although it was not through the power of his thinking, people’s lives from the Åbhå svara heaven ended and they were immediately reborn in that place. The one who was first reborn made this consideration in his mind: “They are reborn because of my longing.” And so all in the world call their ancestor Mahåbrahma. Then they were successively reborn among the Brahmapurohitas, the Brahmakåyikas, the ParanirmitavaNavartins, and so forth until the Four [Great Heavenly] Kings. They were successively reborn in the continent Kuru to the north, the continent Godånaya to the west, the continent Videha to the east, and the continent Jambu[dvapa] to the south.
The people of the continent Jambu[dvapa] then lived for innumerable years. They lived on bliss and were complete with form and mind. Their bodies were luminous and they could freely ascend into the sky. Just like the gods of the realm of form, such was their kind. Earth-essence was gradually produced. Its taste was sweet and its color white, just like honey. Its aroma was fragrant. Then there was a person who was by nature addicted to its flavor. When 231a he smelled its fragrance, desire arose. He tried it and ate it, and he also informed others, who subsequently imitated him and took the food. Because they had eaten the food [that was] in lumps, the luminosity of their bodies disappeared. Through the influence of the actions of the crowd the sun and moon came out, shining in the four [great] continents. Then, when the earth-essence had vanished, there further appeared earth-cakes. Their taste was sweet and their color red, like honey. The [people] were striving to eat [this food]. When the earth-cakes had disappeared too, there then appeared wild creepers. Because they were striving to eat [this food], the wild creepers disappeared too. There appeared natural wild rice for which they had not ploughed or sown. The people all took this food, but because this food was coarse the impurities left over were all secreted through the organs. They all ate from time to time then, choosing the fragrant rice to eat. Later, there were people who were lazy by nature. They constantly took the fragrant rice and hoarded it as their food. The others also imitated this and the fragrant wild rice disappeared. So they all divided the fields, taking precautions not to use up [the food] in the future. They were parsimonious and protective of their own fields [while being] fond and covetous of others’ fields. So they started fighting.
Then they all agreed on a virtuous one and appointed him as lord of the fields. Because he was approved by all, he was called King Mahåsaµmata (“Approved by All”). The king had many sons, who successively succeeded to the throne. The eldest was called Roca. His son was Emperor Kalyåva. His son was Varakalyåva. His son was Upo≈adha. These are namely the five kings of the origination kalpa.
The son of King Upo≈adha was called Mirdhåta. His son was Emperor Cåru. His son was Upacåru. His son was Cårumat, whose son was Cårumanta. These are namely the five universal monarchs.
The son of King Cårumanta was called Emperor Muci. His son was Mucilinda. His son was ¸akuni. His son was KuNi. His son was SudarNana. His son was Mahå sudarNana. His son was Våmaka. His son was Suvarva. His son was Bhavya. His son was Bhagu. His son was Meru. His son was Nyaçku. His son was Pravåda. His son was Mahåpravåda. His son was ¸açkara. His son was DiNaµpati. His son was Surevu. His son was Bharata. His son was Mahådeva.
The lineage of this king had five thousand inheritors. The last son of these had seven thousand inheritors, called ANmaka kings. The last son had eight thousand inheritors, called Kaurava kings. The last son of these was called King Kapåla. There were nine thousand kings [after him], and the last son was called Geya. There were ten thousand kings [after him] and the last son was Tåmralipta. The last son of fifteen thousand was called Gautama.
Here then was the posterity of Ik≈våku. That son was the inheritor, and the lineage of King Ik≈våku numbered one thousand and one hundred. The last son of these, a king in the lineage of Ik≈våku, was called Viri∂haka (an Aik≈våka king). The king had four sons. The first was called Ulkåmukha. The second was called Kara- karvaka. The third was called Hastiniyaµsa, and the fourth was called Nipura. They are called the ¸åkyas.
Nipura had a son called Nipurapada. His son was Vasi≈tha. 231b His son was Go≈tha. His son was King Siµhahanu, who had four sons. One was called ¸uddhodana. The second was called ¸uklodana. The third was called Drovodana, and the fourth was called Amatodana. The son of King ¸uddhodana was the Bhagavat. The second one was called Nanda.
King ¸uklodana had two sons. One was called Ti≈yadatta and the other was called Nandika. King Drovodana had two sons. One was called Aniruddha and the other was called Bhadrika. King Amatodana had two sons. One was called Ånanda, and the other was called Devadatta. The son of the Bhagavat was called Råhula. The ¸åkya lineage ends here, but kings of other families relied on the doctrine and promoted the teaching.
Two hundred years after the parinirvåva of the Tathågata there was a king in the country of Central India, called ANoka. He was a Dharma King in Jambudvapa, ruling over its greater part. He was the patron at the time of the middle (second) [Buddhist] council, and he promoted the Buddha’s teaching. Three hundred years later, in the northwest of Jambudvapa, there was a king called Kani≈ka. He was the patron at the time of the third [Buddhist] council and he widely promoted the Buddha’s teaching. All the Dharma Kings of the land of Brahmanical India, the land of KaNmara, the land of Khotan, Kučå (pronounced qiuci), the land of Nepal, the land of China, the land of Dali,23 the land of Xixia,24 and so on, each promoted the Buddha’s doctrine in their land.
More than a thousand years after the Tathågata’s parinirvåva, in the land of Tibet there first was a king called gÑa’-khri btsanpo. After twenty-six generations there was a king called lHa-thotho-ri sñan-btsan. At that time the Buddha’s teaching first arrived. Five generations later there was a king called Sroç-btsan sgampo.25 A pav∂ita called Ånanda and a translator called Thon-mi Saµbhota translated the teaching then. He constructed pure abodes in places such as Lhasa, and spread the teaching. Five generations later there was a king called Khri-sroç lde-btsan.26 This king invited the great teacher ¸åntarak≈ita, the superior master Padma saµ- bhava, the pav∂ita KamalaNala, and a multitude of siddhas. They translated the teaching together with the seven men Vairocanarak≈ita, Någendrarak≈ita, and so on. Other pav∂itas extensively translated the teaching together with the translators (lotsåvas), and the three kinds of restraint27 spread in the land.
Three generations later there was a king called Khri Ralpacan. This king’s realm was wide. Then there were the pav∂itas Jina mitra and ¸alendrabodhi, and others. Together with MañjuNravarman, Någadhvaja from Cogro, and so on, they revised the earlier translations and translated what was not yet translated, spreading the teaching far and wide. The lineage of Tibetan kings still exists now. The pav∂itas, translators and chief translators, and the multitude of virtuous friends are quite numerous. That is why the teaching flourishes.
In the land of Northern Mongolia, as the fruition of his prvious merits had ripened, a king called Činggis was born. At first Činggis began from the neighboring regions and ruled over many countries of different languages, just as an iron-wheel king. His son was called Ögödäi,28 who then was named Qagan. He succeeded him to the imperial throne. His realm became more extensive than before. He had a son called Güyük, who succeeded him to the imperial throne.
Emperor Činggis’s younger son was called Tolui. Tolui’s eldest son was called Möngkä, who also succeeded to the royal throne. The king’s younger brother was called Qubilai.29 He succeeded to the imperial throne, subdued various territories, and his realm was very wide. He took refuge in the Buddha’s teaching, and converted his people, relying on the doctrine. The Buddha’s teaching became twice as great as before and its light was plentiful.
The emperor had three sons. His eldest son was Jiç-gim,30 as wealthy as heaven and adorned with the precious Dharma. His second son was Maçgala, and his third son was Nomogan. Each had his own virtues, and the same applies to their posterity. Thus it was, beginning from the royal lineage of the ¸åkyas up to the present royal lineage.
End of the Treatise on the Elucidation of the Knowable,
Fascicle One
The first king and ancestor was King Saµmata. At that time the fields were divided and [beings] started appropriating each other’s property. For the first time they committed theft. When interrogated by the king, they said that they had never stolen, and for the first time they lied. When they were put to death by the king’s law, there was killing. Unwholesome factors came into existence.
The beings then performed unwholesome factors, and after their lives had ended they were reborn as animals. They were subsequently reborn as hungry ghosts and were eventually reborn in hell. As soon as one being was reborn in the Avaci hell, then the origination kalpa ended.
And so the beings committed many unwholesome acts. Their lifespan gradually decreased and their pleasures dwindled. The lifetime of someone in Jambudvapa was eighty thousand years, and when a being was reborn in the Avaci hell, he too lived for the same period. So the origination of the animate world takes nineteen intermediate kalpas. The origination of the inanimate world takes one intermediate kalpa. And so the origination kalpa takes twenty intermediate kalpas.
When people in Jambudvapa lived eighty thousand years, the continuance kalpa began. The continuance kalpa also lasts twenty intermediate kalpas. When [the lifespan of beings decreases to] ten years the calamity of weapons begins, [lasting] only seven nights and days. The calamity of sickness begins [and lasts] for seven months and seven days. The calamity of famine begins [and lasts] for seven years, seven months, and seven days. Most [beings] had died, but when the remaining ones catch sight of one another, 232a they raise thoughts of longing. They are fond of each other and stay away from killing. As they eventually produce what is wholesome, the length of their lifespan and their pleasures again increase to fully eighty thousand years. When they increase, the universal monarchs appear, converting the people, relying on the doctrine. When they decrease, the Bhagavat appears and saves the beings. During both [periods of] increase and decrease Solitary Buddhas (pratyekabuddhas) appear in the world. They form a field of merit for sentient beings.
The continuance kalpa also lasts twenty intermediate kalpas. As soon as the destruction kalpa begins, the animate world is destroyed. No sentient being is reborn in the Avaci hell. When the actions of a previous life have ended, they are reborn in another destination. Those for whom they have not ended yet are reborn in a higher hell, or they are reborn in hells in other worlds. When the Avaci hell is empty, in the same way the higher hells gradually become empty. When they are reborn in the destination of the hungry ghosts, in the same way the destinations of a hungry ghost or an animal become empty. Those in the human destination, except the people of Kuru, and also the desiring gods follow their Dharma-nature, without any teacher. When they have obtained the first trance (dhyåna), they are reborn among the gods of the first trance. When the people of Kuru to the north are reborn among the gods of the realm of desire and have obtained the first trance, they are reborn among the gods of the first trance. Without any teacher and following their Dharma-nature, they, having obtained the second trance, are reborn among the gods of the second trance. When [everything] from the Avaci hell to the Brahma world becomes empty, it goes on in this way for nineteen intermediate kalpas too.
After that seven suns arise in the four [great] continents. The first [appears] where no rain falls. All medicinal herbs and orchards wither away. When the second sun appears, ditches and ponds dry up. When the third sun appears, the Ganges River [and other rivers] all dry up. When the fourth sun appears, Lake Anavatapta goes dry. When the fifth sun appears, the water of the ocean sinks to knee-high. When the sixth sun appears, the great ocean goes dry too. When the seventh sun appears, the inanimate world is stirred up by a heap of fire. [Everything] from the Avaci hell straight up to the Brahma world is destroyed by fire. [This] lasts one intermediate kalpa.
The destruction kalpa altogether lasts twenty intermediate kalpas. The same applies to an empty kalpa. In this way, [the kalpas of] origination, continuance, destruction, and emptiness last eighty kalpas. These eighty altogether are called one great kalpa. This is the length of the lifespan of the Brahmakåyikas and so on.
The destruction of the inanimate world is threefold: by fire, water, and wind. The destruction is as explained earlier. After seven such times, the world originates again. It is then destroyed by water, up to the second trance (dhyåna) heaven. In the Åbhå svara heaven big clouds appear. They bring torrential rains and the inanimate world completely dissolves, just as when water melts salt. That water naturally dries up, and after one water calamity again occur seven fire calamities. After seven fire calamities there again comes one water [calamity]. And so, when the water calamities fully reach seven times, there further are seven fire calamities, after which the world originates.
It is destroyed by a wind calamity, up to the third trance (dhyåna) heaven. When the force of the wind blows away Mount Meru, how much more will it do so to the other [mountains]! Although the fourth trance heaven is free from any outside calamity, those sentient beings are born together with a [heavenly] palace, and when their life ends the palace disappears. Thus the animate and the inanimate worlds, as well as origination, destruction, and so on, are all explained.
Next, the law of dependent origination (pratatyasamutpåda) in a 232b series of causes and their fruitions. Because causes and conditions arise in mutual dependence, one uses the term dependent origination. Dependent origination is twofold: external dependent origination and internal dependent origination. External dependent origination is the way of the completion of the world, just like seeds bringing forth sprouts, as explained before. [As for] internal dependent origination, if there is ignorance, there are formations and so on. This is called progressive (anuloma) dependent origination. If ignorance is extinguished, formations and so on are [also] extinguished. This is called retrogressive (pratiloma) dependent origination.
Progressive dependent origination is sevenfold. In succession, [the seven types are:] 1) situational (åvasthika), 2) continuing (pråkar≈ika), 3) serial (såµbandhika), 4) instantaneous (k≈avika), 5) consisting of the three periods of time (trayo’ntika), 6) consisting of two sets of cause and result (ubhayato hetuphala), and 7) consisting of three defilements (saµkleNasaµgraha).
[First,] situational [progressive dependent origination] is the situational five aggregates (skandhas) that share in the defilements [committed] in previous births. They are [collectively] called ignorance (avidyå). As ignorance is preponderant, they are so called. All the following take their name from a preponderance. The factors—formations and so on—all have the five aggregates. Formations (saµskåra) are the situational five aggregates of the wholesome and unwholesome actions committed in previous worlds. Consciousness (vijñåna) is the situational five aggregates at one moment, exactly when they make a connection with life in the mother’s womb. Name-and-form (nåmaripa) are the situational five aggregates after the consciousness that makes a connection with life and before the six [sense] bases arise. Name: the four aggregates—feeling, identification, formation, and consciousness— are called name. Form: the situation when dwelling in the womb. The five: kalala (“combination” or “condensation”), arbuda (“a swelling”), peNa (“a lump of flesh”), ghana (“solid”), and praNåkhå (the body, limbs, and muscles are produced) are [collectively] called form. The six [sense] bases (≈a∂åyatana): the situational five aggregates, when the eyes and so on are produced while yet in the mother’s womb, to the extent that the three (sense faculty, sense object, and sense conciousness) are combined, although one does not completely distinguish the objects yet. Contact (sparNa): the situational five aggregates when the three—[sense] faculty, [sense] object, and [sense] consciousness—are combined, although one cannot yet completely distinguish the cause of supering (du˙kha) and happiness. Feeling (vedanå): the situational five aggregates when understanding the three feelings and the different characteristics of their causes, although as an infant one cannot be lascivious yet. Craving (ta≈vå): the situational five aggregates when one can complete lascivious desire in the prime of life, although one does not pursue it extensively. Grasping (upådåna): the situational five aggregates when searching everywhere in order to obtain all sorts of splendid property. Existence (bhava): the situational five aggregates when, because of one’s search, one accumulates actions that implicate a future fruition. Birth (jåti): the situational five aggregates when through the power of these actions one has lost one’s life here and is connected only with a future existence. Old age and death (jaråmarava): the situational five aggregates from name-and-form to feeling [leading to] a future birth.
The Sarvåstivådins say that situational [progressive] dependent origination is the same as the continuing and the serial [kinds of progressive dependent origination]. The Sautråntika school does not have a theory of situational [progressive dependent origination].31
As for continuing [progressive dependent origination], ignorance is the opposite of knowledge. It is a mental factor, the cause of the bringing about of formations. Formation is the action that has been brought about—good, bad, or neutral actions. Consciousness: induced by actions, consciousness is produced. Name and form is the five aggregates in the womb. The six [sense] bases: the faculties of the eye, and so on are produced. Contact is when the combination of the three—[sense] faculty, [sense] object, and 232c [sense] consciousness—is distinguished. It is a mental factor. Feeling is the supering, happiness, or equanimity caused thereby.
Craving is attachment to the object of happiness. Grasping is seeking after that object. Existence is brought about thereby, and one performs actions [that bring about] a future birth. Birth is connected with life through the series of actions. Old age and death lead to rebirth in another life, and at the end one will die again. The same applies to serial [progressive dependent origination].
Instantaneous [progressive dependent origination]: in one instant dependent origination with its twelve links of existence is completed. When someone kills out of covetousness, the delusion is called ignorance. The interruption of life is formation. The distinction of the objects is called consciousness. As the five aggregates are equally present, one uses the general term name-and-form. The faculties that reside in name-and-form are called the six [sense] bases. When the three—[sense] faculty, [sense] object, and [sense] consciousness—are combined there is contact. Because of contact [there is feeling]. The covetousness is craving. The ties associated with it are called grasping. The two actions, corporeal and verbal, that arise are called existence. The accumulation of such factors is called birth. Maturation is called old age, and extinction is called death.
[Progressive dependent origination] consisting of the three periods: ignorance and formation are comprised in the past and they are called causal links. The five links, consciousness and so on, are comprised in the present and they are called resultant links. The three, craving, grasping, and existence, are comprised in the present and they are called causal links for the future. Birth and old age and death are comprised in the future and they are called resultant links. Past—two links; present—eight links; future—two links. So, twelve links.
[Progressive dependent origination] consisting of two sets of cause and result: these are double, anterior and posterior. Anterior: ignorance is a defilement, and formation is an action. These two are causal links. The five links, consciousness and so on, brought about thereby are resultant links. [They are] one set of cause and result. The two links, craving and grasping in the present, are defilements and existence is an action. The three are causes for the future. The future birth and old age and death, brought about thereby, are resultant links. [They are] one set of cause and result. And so the twelve links of existence consist of two sets of cause and result.
[Progressive dependent origination] consisting of three defilements: the three—ignorance, craving, and grasping—are defilements. The two—formation and existence—are actions. They are said to be the truth of origination. The seven links—consciousness and so on—are painful. They are said to be the truth of supering.
This is progressive dependent origination.
Retrogressive dependent origination: the extinction of ignorance means the extinction of formation. When ignorance is extinguished one completes the knowledge of selflessness. This is the truth of the path. When ignorance is extinguished, formation, which is the cause of rebirth, is extinguished. As the inducing action is extinguished, the five links—consciousness and so on—are extinguished. Because these are extinguished, that which gives rise to later action, craving, and grasping are extinguished. Because these are extinguished, birth and old age and death are all extinguished too. They are the truth of cessation. We have explained the four truths.32
The animate and the inanimate [worlds], dependent origination, and the four truths are all comprised in the five factors (dharma): 1) the factor [of] matter (ripa), 2) the factor [of] awareness (citta), 3) the accompanying mental factors (caitasika), 4) the dissociated 233a factors (viprayukta), and 5) the unconditioned factors (asaµskata).
One: the factor [of] matter is the matter aggregate (ripa skandha). [It has] eleven factors: five [sense] faculties (indriya), five [sense] objects (vi≈aya), and unmanifest matter (avijñaptiripa). Let us talk about the five [sense] faculties. Particles of the faculty of the eye are like a fragrant coriander flower. They dwell spread out on the pupil of the eye. Particles of the faculty of the ear are like rolled-up birch bark and dwell in the drum of the ear. Particles of the faculty of the nose are like two nails and dwell in the nostrils. Particles of the faculty of the tongue are shaped like a half-moon, spread out on the tongue. Particles of the faculty of the body are like the body’s measures too. They are all over the faculty of the body, from head to toe. Because the [sense] faculties consist of [atomic] particles, one cannot take them as objects.
Let us talk about the five [sense] objects [of the factor of matter]. Matter is said to be the object that is taken by the eye. There are two kinds, color and shape. Color is fourfold: bluish green, yellow, red, and white. Shape is sixteen fold: long and short, square and round, high and low, straight and not-straight, shining and shaded, bright and dark, cloudy, smoky, dusty, and foggy. [So matter has] the number twenty. Sound is said to be the object that is taken by the ear. It is twofold: 1) with an organic cause, such as words, and 2) without an organic cause, such as the sound of a drum. Each is twofold, determinate or neutral, making it four. It is further pleasant or unpleasant, the divisions thus adding up to six. Smell is said to be the object that is taken by the nose. It is fourfold: sweet smells and bad smells, and because these are further even or uneven, the divisions make four. Flavor is the object that is said to be taken by the tongue. It is sixfold: sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, salty, or bland. The tangible is the object that is said to be taken by the body. The causal tangibles are the four great elements, and the resultant tangibles are smooth and rough, heavy and light, cold and hot, and hunger and thirst.
Talking about unmanifest matter, it namely consists of restraint, non-restraint, and matter that is neither of the two. This is the matter aggregate.
The second factor is awareness. It is sixfold: eye-consciousness, ear-consciousness, nose-consciousness, tongue-consciousness, body consciousness, and mind-consciousness. These six are the consciousness aggregate (vijñånaskandha).
The third factor is the accompanying mental factors. They number forty-six. First are the generally permeating factors (mahåbhimika), of which there are ten. 1) Feeling (vedanå) is experiencing. 2) Identification (saµjñå) lets an awareness grasp its object. 3) Volition (cetanå) makes awareness move. 4) Attention (manas kåra) lets awareness follow its object. 5) Resolve (adhimukti) makes awareness certain of its object. This mainly means that one lets one’s awareness be free from weakness regarding the object it follows. 6) Interest (chanda) is application. 7) Contact (sparNa) is a combination while scrutinizing the object. 8) Wisdom (prajñå) is analyzing. 9) Mindfulness (smati) makes awareness clearly recollect and not forget its object. 10) Concentration (samådhi) makes awareness focus on one object. Such ten are universal with every awareness. They are called the generally permeating factors.
Second, the good generally permeating factors (kuNala mahå bhimika) [also] number ten. 1) Faith (Nraddhå) makes awareness pure regarding its object. 2) Heedfulness (apramåda) is the constant practice of good qualities and the preservation of one’s mind. 3) Tranquility (praNrabdhi) is the patient acceptance of awareness. 4) Equanimity (upek≈å) makes awareness even. 5) Shame (hra) is staying respectful toward all qualities and the virtuous. 6) Modesty (apatråpya) is fear of sinful views. 7) Absence of greed (alobha) is having no attachment to what is impure. 8) Absence of hatred (adve≈a) is having no happiness in causing damage to any living 233b being. 9) Nonviolence (avihiµså) is feeling pity for living beings, so that they are not harmed. 10) Energy (varya) makes awareness brave concerning what is good. Such ten are universal with every good awareness. They are called the good generally permeating factors.33
Third, the defiled generally permeating factors (kleNamahå bhimika) are sixfold. 1) Delusion (moha) is foolishness, namely ignorance, absence of knowledge, and absence of clarity. 2) Heedlessness (pramåda) is carelessness, not developing any good qualities. 3) Sloth (kausadya) is laziness, the lack of mental courage. 4) Absence of faith (åNraddhya) is mental impurity. 5) Lethargy (styåna) is the absence of patient acceptance in a corporeal or mental series. It means obscurity and heaviness. 5) Excitability (auddha tya) is the restlessness of awareness. The above six are universal with defiled awareness. They are called the defiled generally permeating factors.34
Fourth, the bad generally permeating factors (akuNala mahå bhimika) are twofold. 1) Shamelessness (åhrakya) makes awareness disrespectful toward any qualities and the virtuous. 2) Disregard (anapatråpya)—one is not fearful of anything sinful. These two are universal with every bad awareness. They are called the bad generally permeating factors.
Fifth, the factors of limited defiled extent (paritta kleNa bhimika) are tenfold. 1) Anger (krodha) causes exasperation. 2) Vengefulness (upanåha) is constantly pondering over one’s object of anger, unremittingly contracting hatred. 3) Craftiness (Nåthya) is deviousness. 4) Deceit (måyå) is to fool others. 5) Envy (ar≈yå) is when one cannot stand another’s virtue. 6) Spite (pradåNa) is when one tightly clings to any evil, and therefore does not accept any fitting reproval. 7) Hypocrisy (mrak≈a) is hiding one’s [own] evil. 8) Selfish ness (måtsarya) makes one parsimonious regarding one’s lawful possessions. 9) Arrogance (mada) is attachment to one’s own beauty and strength, to one’s family, and so on, so that one is overbearing. 10) Violence (vihiµså) is bringing pressure to bear on others. These ten can only be abandoned through spiritual practice. They are universal in the stage of mental consciousness, and they are called factors of limited defiled extent.
Sixth, the indeterminate factors (aniyata) are eightfold. 1) Initial thought (vitarka) is characterized by a coarse mental process regarding an object. 2) Sustained thought (vicåra) is characterized by a subtle mental process regarding an object. 3) Regret (kaukatya) means that one regrets an evil action that has been committed. 4) Sleepiness (middha) is the inability to control one’s corporeal and mental series, so that one’s awareness is drowsy. 5) Repugnance (pratigha) makes one’s awareness enjoy harming living beings. 6) Attachment (råga) is thirsting after the impure. 7) Pride (måna) makes one haughty. 8) Perplexity (vicikitså) makes one uncertain. Because these eight kinds are indeterminate in any of the aforementioned stages, they are called indeterminate.
The Abhidharmasamuccaya (Treatise on the Compendium of Scholastics) and the Pañca skandhaka (Treatise on the Five Aggregates) explain eleven good [factors]: [add] inner realization of the four truths, called absence of delusion. As for defiled attention and resolve, holding impurity as purity among secondary defilements, one uses the term wrong attention and wrong resolve among the fundamental defilements. That which is part of defiled wisdom, holding perverted views and conjecturing about any truth, is called incorrect comprehension. Among the secondary defilements, that which is part of defiled mindfulness, being unable to clearly remember any object, is called forgetfulness. That which is part of defiled concentration, letting awareness about any object stray, is called distraction. The AbhidharmakoNa (Treatise on the Storehouse of Scholastics) does not have such a theory. 233c
The above are the mental factors. Except for the two, feeling and identification, they are all comprised in the formation aggregate. This ends [the discussion] of the [forty-six] mental factors.
There are fourteen kinds of dissociated formations (viprayukta- saµskåra). In a [mental] series of sentient beings the possession of something else, associated with restraint, is called acquisition (pråpti). The possession of something else, not associated with that restraint, is called nonacquisition (apråpti). When the species of sentient beings act in the same way, it is called the likeness of beings (sattvasa bhå gatå). If one is born in the heaven of the sentient beings who do not have conceptual identification, there is a factor that can make awareness and its concomitants stop. This substance, which really exists, is called fruition without identification (åsaµjñika phala).
There further is another factor that can make awareness and its concomitants stop. It is called attainment without identification (asaµjñi samåpatti). Without identification is namely the appellation of the attainment. Or, having attained absence of identification, one uses the term attainment without identification. When identification and feeling in the [mental] series of the noble, as explained below, are extinguished, this really existing substance is called attainment of cessation (nirodhasamåpatti). As soon as a being is born and while it remains before it dies, one uses the term faculty life (javitendriya). Previously nonexistent but now existing is called birth (jåti). What causes a brief stay is called duration (sthiti). Change is called old age (jarå). Decay is called impermanence (anityatå). They are the four characteristic marks of the conditioned (saµskatalak≈ava).
That which can explain the essence is called the group of words (nåmakåya). That which explains the ultimate meaning is called the group of sentences (padakåya). The basis of these two is called the group of letters (vyañjanakåya). These are the fourteen factors. In this outline of the meaning there further is the disruption of the harmonious sangha, called disharmony. The fruition of the actions one has done matures for oneself, as if one was carrying heavy debts, never unavailing. These things also bind. They are the dissociated formations.
The Sarvåstivådins [say] that the three—matter, awareness, and accompanying factors—are different things. Sautråntika masters say that those three other factors are falsely said to be different.35 The forty-six accompanying mental factors, except feeling and identification, and that which is dissociated from [aware ness] are called the formation aggregate (saµskåra skandha).36
The unconditioned factors [are discussed in Part V, pages 64– 5]. Such material factors (ripadharma) may be called the ten elements (dhåtu), leaving out unmanifest matter. They are ten: eye and so on. The factor [of] awareness has seven elements, the six consciousnesses and the element of the mind faculty. When one explains the bases, those seven factors are comprised by the one base mind (manas). The accompanying mental factors, the dissociated factors, the unconditioned factors, and unmanifest matter are all called the element factors. They are also called the base factors.37 Such is the explanation of the knowable: the five factors, the five aggregates, the twelve bases, and the eighteen elements.
Furthermore, the path. When someone with few desires, who is contented and possesses the nature of a spiritual family,38 forsakes the miscellaneous objects in body and mind and dwells in lay morality (i.e., an upåsaka), he must diligently pursue learning. When he is extensively learned, he should reflect on the meaning of what he has learned. After reflection he must develop himself, that is, he must develop peace and insight. Someone with considerable greed should develop the contemplation of foulness (aNubhabhåvanå). Someone with considerable hatred should develop the contemplation of loving-kindness. Someone with considerable delusion should develop the contemplation distinguishing dependent origination. Someone with a considerable ego should develop the contemplation distinguishing the elements (dhåtuvya va sthåna). Someone with considerable confusion should develop the contemplation counting the breath (anåpånasmati). After the completion of peace and insight one develops resolve, and so understands in proper order the body, internal and external. This is called the establishment of mindfulness of the body. One understands in proper order 234a supering, happiness, and equanimity, which is called the establishment of mindfulness of feeling. One understands in proper order the six consciousnesses and the mental factors, which is called the establishment of mindfulness of awareness. One understands in proper order identification, formation, and the unconditioned, which is called the establishment of mindfulness of the factors. The cultivation of these four factors means accumulation of knowledge.39 After the path has accumulated this, one develops a path of preparatory application.40 In the state of heat one abandons the evil already produced, one does not let the unproduced evil be produced, one lets the good already produced increase, and one lets the unproduced good be produced. Such four factors are called the four right exertions; some texts say right abandonments.
In the state of the summit: the concentration of interest in good factors, the concentration of the effort to rejoice in the good, the concentration of attention to good awareness, and the concentration of investigation into the good. Such are called the four bases of supernatural power.
In the state of patient acceptance: proceeding in worldly perfect enlightenment, the purity is called faith, rejoicing in the cultivation of good factors is called energy, clearly remembering and not forgetting is called mindfulness, special attention to one object is called concentration, and knowing what to take and what to leave is called wisdom. The practice of these five factors produces good factors. Therefore they are called the five faculties. In the state of the highest worldly [factor] one develops the five: faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. Because they can destroy that which is adverse, they are called the five powers. This is the path of preparatory application.
In the state of the path of vision one perceives the four truths, which is called right view. The motivation for correct words is called right thought. A truthful right explanation is called right speech. Giving up bad actions is called right action. The rejection of a wrong livelihood is called right livelihood. Striving for good factors is called right effort. Clearly remembering and not forgetting is called right mindfulness. Special attention to one object is called right concentration. Such eight factors are called the eight members of the noble path.41 This is the path of vision.
That which is to be abandoned through the path of vision are the distinct defilements, and also their acquisition and their characteristics.42 For the truth of supering in the realm of desire: attachment, repugnance, pride, ignorance, perplexity, belief in a self, extreme view, the view that means attachment to moral precepts and vows, adherence to particular views, and false view. For the two truths, of origination and of cessation, for each one must subtract three views. Seven and seven are fourteen. For those that are abandoned through the truth of the path, subtract the first two views.
For the four truths in the realm of desire, this adds up to thirty-two. For the four truths in the realm of form, subtract repugnance for each of them, adding up to twenty-eight. The same applies to the realm of non-form. Thus in the three realms eighty-eight are to be abandoned through the path of vision.
In the state of the spiritual path, clearly remembering good factors is called the member of enlightenment mindfulness. Investigation into what to take and what to leave is called the member of enlightenment wisdom. The search after vigor is called the member of enlightenment energy. The realization of pure joy is called the member of enlightenment joy. Tolerance of body and mind is called the member of enlightenment tranquility. Not being dragged on by worldly factors, being free from attachment and free from impediment, is called the member of enlightenment equanimity. Letting awareness dwell on its object is called the member of enlightenment concentration. The practice of these seven members is called the spiritual path.43
That which is to be abandoned through the spiritual path are the innate defilements, their acquisition, and their characteristics. They are neutral, or impure and good. In the realm of desire [there are] four: attachment, repugnance, pride,44 and ignorance. Each has nine degrees, [making] altogether thirty six. In the first trance (dhyåna) in the realm of form, repugnance is left out. The remaining three each are ninefold, making twenty-seven. Thus the same applies to the second, third, and fourth trances. In the realm of 234b form one has altogether the number one hundred and eight. The same applies to the realm of non-form. Thus, [the defilements] to be abandoned through the spiritual path in the three realms altogether number two hundred and fifty-two.45
Then one realizes the ten factors of the adept:46 right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration (i.e., the noble eightfold path), right liberation, and the knowledge of right liberation.
This is the path of the adept.
Furthermore, fruition. As one has generated the awareness [of enlightenment] to deliver oneself from the cycle of existence (samsara) with the thirty-seven factors that are the members of enlightenment,47 as explained above, one is very swift when possessing keen faculties [and thus] realizes athwartship in three births. In the first birth one develops that which is good, contributing to liberation; [this is] called the path of accumulation. In the second birth one develops that which is good, contributing to intellectual penetration; [this is] called the path of preparatory application.48 In the third birth one may realize the fourth fruition as a Nramava. But with dull faculties one will be indolent, as this is not definite.
Concerning the path of the Nramava (asceticism), one uses the term fruition for the four—progress toward entering the stream, and so on.49 Progress toward entering the stream happens in the path of preparatory application. That which is comprised by the previous animate and inanimate worlds is all unpleasant by nature. This is the truth of supering. Furthermore, its cause is actions and defilement. This is the truth of origination. Bringing liberation thereof is the truth of cessation. Furthermore, its cause is the truth of the path. When one’s practice is proficient and one gradually realizes the path of vision because of this, one for the first time realizes the truth of suffering,50 which is fourfold by nature: for change one uses the term impermanent; for the three sufferings51 one uses the term painful; because that which really exists does not have the same aggregates as a self, one uses the term emptiness; because that which really exists is different from a self, one uses the term selflessness. One intuitively realizes their four knowledges.52
Then one realizes the truth of origination, which is fourfold by nature: as one sows causes of supering, it is a cause; as the cause of supering is present, it is origination; as a continuation of causes of supering, it is a source; because it accords with causes of supering, it is a condition. One intuitively realizes their four knowledges.53 Then one realizes the truth of cessation, which is fourfold by nature: because the cause of supering ceases, it is cessation; because the result of supering is appeased, it is appeasement; because it surpasses the impure, it is excellent; abandoning the cycle of existence, it means escape. One intuitively realizes their four knowledges.54
Then one realizes the truth of the path, which is fourfold by nature: because one proceeds to the meaningful, it is a path; because one is in agreement with the right principles, it is right; because one develops nonconceptual knowledge (nirvikalpaka jñåna), it is a mode. One intuitively realizes their three knowledges.55
In the [above] fifteen one is said to progress toward the first fruition [of the stream-enterer (srota-åpanna)]. As for the sixteenth, because one forever surpasses all existence in this truth of the path, it leads to liberation. One intuitively realizes its one knowledge.56 With these sixteen one dwells in the first fruition.
Having realized the four truths and their sixteen aspects, one’s practice is proficient. When one abandons the first five among the nine degrees of defilement that are to be abandoned through the spiritual path in the realm of desire, one progresses toward once returning. Abandoning the sixth degree means the fruition of the once-returner (sakadågåmin). The once-returner returns to the
realm of desire, as he experiences one rebirth. 234c
Because the three remaining degrees may be abandoned in one rebirth in the realm of desire and when, intuitively realizing the aspects, his practice is proficient, one abandons degrees seven and eight, which is called progress toward non-returning. Abandoning the ninth degree is called the fruition of the non-returner (anågåmin). The non-returner has completely abandoned all defilements of the realm of desire. As he will definitely not return to the realm of desire to be reborn and when, intuitively realizing the aspects of the higher realms, his practice is proficient, the nine defilements of each of the four trances (dhyåna) and the four immaterial ones are abandoned. The first degree in the first trance is the beginning.
Up to the final abandonment of the eighth degree in the summit of existence,57 one is called someone who progresses toward athwartship. Having abandoned the ninth degree one uses the term fruition of athwartship. In athwartship one has completely and without any remainder abandoned defilement in the three realms. One is called an arhat.
Scriptural texts58 say, “The eight [stages]: the stage of bright vision, and so on.”59 The path of accumulation of the disciple is the stage of bright vision. Desire has withered away, and the [sense] faculties and their objects do not meet. The good that is developed is called the stage of bright vision. The stage of the spiritual family is the path of preparatory application. One will not necessarily become a Buddha but one definitely will become one of the spiritual family of the disciples (Nråvakas) or pratyekabuddhas. It is called the stage of the spiritual family. The stage of the eighth person means progressing toward the first fruition. Up to the fruition of athwartship one uses the term stage of the eighth person. The stage of vision means one dwells in the first fruition. Because the aspects of the four truths are clearly realized one uses the term stage of vision. The stage of attenuation is the fruition of the once-returner. Because the defilements of the realm of desire have for the most part been abandoned, one uses the term stage of attenuation. The stage of nonattachment is the fruition of the non-returner. Because one is nonattached in the realm of desire, one uses the term stage of nonattachment. The skilled stage is athwartship. When supering is known and its origination is abandoned, when cessation is realized and the path is practiced, one uses the term skilled stage. The stages of the disciples (Nråvakas) are [that of] the once-returner,60 the non-returner, and the arhat. These three are called stages of the disciple.
The stage of the pratyekabuddha: with the aforementioned thirty-seven factors that are the members of enlightenment,61 one wishes to realize bodhi (enlightenment) all by oneself. Thus one generates the awareness [of enlightenment] and practices [the thirty-seven factors of enlightenment] for a hundred great kalpas.
With one’s last body one is reborn in a world without a Buddha. Not making use of the teaching of a master, one completes the realization of solitary enlightenment (i.e., pratyekabuddha). This is twofold: [like a] unicorn, and living with a group. One who is like a unicorn lives all alone, possessing noble virtuous behavior. The [second] kind who lives with a group stays with a group of people.
The final perfect Buddha: in order to become Buddha with the aforementioned thirty-seven factors that are the members of enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings, he has produced great compassion and the excellent awareness of bodhi (bodhicitta). He has served the Buddhas, so that they may all rejoice. For the sake of others he has practiced the practice of the six perfections (påra mitås)62 during three incalculable kalpas, finally becoming a Buddha.
¸åkyamuni, the Tathågata, once was a potter named Mahå prabha. In the place of MahåNåkya Tathågata he for the first time generated the awareness [of enlightenment]. During the first incalculable kalpa he served seventy-five thousand Buddhas. The last Buddha was called RatnaNikhin. During the second incalculable kalpa he served seventy-six thousand Buddhas. The last Buddha was called Dapaµkara. During the third incalculable kalpa he served seventy-seven thousand Buddhas. The last Buddha was called VipaNyin.
The six perfections: because of his great compassion for all living beings he kindly gave all his belongings away. When he was Crown Prince ViNvåµtara he utterly completed the påramitå of giving (dåna). When he was not yet without attachment his limbs were cut off, but he did not feel the least anger. When he was the seer K≈åntivådin, his practice of the two [påramitås of] patience (k≈ånti) and [of] morality (Nala) was utterly perfect. When he was the son of a bråhmava he saw the Buddha Ti≈ya dwelling in the concentration of the element fire and he circumambulated for seven nights and days, forgetting to put down one foot. While he was making his rounds, [Ti≈ya] said, “Neither in the heavens nor on earth, neither in these realms nor in the abode of VaiNravava, nor in any place of the gods, going to their palaces, nor in any of the ten directions is there such a man, a bull king, a great Nramava. Searching the land and the forests in the mountains, nowhere is your equal.”
Being praised in this way, he crossed nine kalpas and his påramitå of energy (varya) was utterly completed. When he was dwelling on his adamantine seat in the place of perfection, at dusk he subdued Måra’s crowd, and at dawn he entered the diamondlike concentration. His practice of the two, concentration (samådhi) and wisdom (prajñå), was utterly completed. Thus he sat on the adamantine seat. Before he subdued Måra he had developed enough merit and knowledge during three incalculable kalpas. He had served the Buddhas and, although he had completed the six perfections, he was an ordinary person (pathagjana). Sitting on his adamantine seat he realized the paths of vision and of spiritual development, realizing perfect enlightenment. In the vehicle of the disciples63 at the time of causality they do not assert an understanding of the factors as egoless and void, compassion, the practice of giving as tripartite,64 emptiness, or the aspects of the ten stages.65 At the time of fruition they do not assert the enjoyment body (saµbho gakåya), nor the four wisdoms.66
The factor of perfect enlightenment is comprised by six—the body, knowledge, abandonment, benefiting others, great compassion, and the possession of qualities. There are two bodies, the material body (ripakåya), and the Dharma body (dharmakåya). The material body is the natural body, which has the thirty-two primary and the eighty secondary marks. In order to save the gandharvas or Pilindavatsa, he appeared as a gandharva king or as a noble universal monarch. This is the transformation body. But the size of the natural bodies of the Buddhas, their age and fields, and their faculties were different in various kinds of ways. The Dharma body has the ten factors of the adept.67 It is the same for all the Buddhas.
There are two knowledges, full knowledge (parijñåna) and right knowledge (saµprajåna). Full knowledge is namely awareness of the aggregates, the elements, the bases, and the nature of cause and result. That is why it is called full knowledge. Right knowledge is namely awareness of the factors of impermanence and so on in the four truths. That is why it is called right knowledge.
There are two abandonments, abandonment of the obstruction of defilements, and abandonment of the obstruction of the knowable. Abandonment of the obstruction of defilements namely remedies 235b the fundamental defilements of attachment and so on, and also the secondary defilements,68 so that they are abandoned. Abandonment of the obstruction of the knowable namely remedies the obstructions—the object, the right time, and the factor of ignorance of something specific—so that they are abandoned. Benefiting others is twofold: establishing liberation for all sentient beings, rejecting that which is offensive so that they may dwell in the path; and establishing a good destination for all sentient beings, rejecting evil so that they may dwell in what is good. Great compassion and the qualities will presently be explained.
The noble ones have said that there are eleven kinds of qualities: 1) dispassion (arava), 2) knowledge resulting from resolve (pra vi dhijñåna), 3) the four discriminations (pratisaµvid), 4) the six higher faculties (abhijñå), 5) the four trances (dhyåna), 6) the four immaterial ones (åripya), 7) the four immeasurable (apra måva), 8) the eight liberations (vimok≈a), 9) the ten all-bases (katsnåya tana), 10) the eight spheres of mastery (abhi bhåya tana), and 11) the three concentrations (samådhis).
Dispassion: on the basis of awareness in the fourth trance one wishes that no being would take their own person as an object and bring forth any defilement. Because his reflection is concentrated one uses the term dispassion.
Knowledge resulting from resolve: on the basis of awareness in the fourth trance one’s resolve is considered to be first. It leads to the rise of such knowledge. Because one gains knowledge according to one’s resolve, one uses the term knowledge resulting from resolve.
The four discriminations: 1) discrimination of factors, because one knows the names of the factors; 2) discrimination of the meaning, because one exactly knows the meaning; 3) discrimination of language, because one exactly knows the words; and 4) discrimination of perspicuity, because one exactly knows the right principles. They are called the four discriminations.
The six higher faculties: 1) knowledge of the base of supernatural power, because one may roam unhindered through precipices; 2) knowledge of the divine ear, because one knows all different sounds, whether near or far; 3) knowledge of the divine eye, because, as one sees fit one can take in what has been screened off—the forms in all directions, very small or far away; 4) knowledge of the mental make-up of others, because one knows whether or not the awarenesses of others have desire; 5) knowledge of previous existences, because one knows the things in the former lives of oneself and others; and 6) knowledge of the destruction of impurities, because one knows all paths, mundane or supramundane. The first five [of the above six] are impure, based on the fourth trance. The sixth is pure, because it is based on the ninth [stage].69
The four trances (dhyåna): in the first trance one has five members: 1) initial thought, 2) sustained thought, 3) joy, 4) happiness, and 5) undivided attention. In the second trance one has four members: 1) inner serenity, 2) joy, 3) happiness, and 4) undivided attention. In the third trance one has five members: 1) equanimity, 2) right mindfulness, 3) tranquility, 4) the experience of happiness, and 5) undivided attention. In the fourth trance one has four members: 1) pure equanimity, 2) pure mindfulness, 3) the experience of neither supering nor happiness, and 4) undivided attention.
The four immaterial ones: because when developing application one reflects on 1) unlimited space, 2) unlimited consciousness, and 3) emptiness, and at the moments of the right attainments one relies on the other four aggregates, not on matter. As for the name of the fourth one: because identification is weak and because ignorance is namely superior, it is said to be 4) nonidentification. But it has weak identification and is said to be of no non identification. Such is the process: the sphere of unlimited space, the sphere of unlimited consciousness, the sphere of emptiness, and the sphere of neither identification nor nonidentification. These are the names
of the four immaterial ones. If one adds the attainment of cessation, one also uses the term nine gradual spiritual attainments.70
The four immeasurable are benevolence (maitra), compassion (karuvå), sympathetic joy (muditå), and equanimity (upek≈å). The nature of the first two among the four is the absence of hatred. Sympathetic joy is the feeling of contentedness. Equanimity is the absence of attachment. Their objects are the sentient beings in the realm of desire. The malice and gladness, attachment, anger, and so on [of beings] are thus remedied.
The eight liberations depend on the first two [of the four] trances: 1) the liberation in which one inwardly has a notion of matter and contemplates external matter. The notion of its foulness becomes the notion of blue [of a corpse]. With matter one contemplates matter. 2) The liberation in which one inwardly has no notion of matter and one contemplates external matter. One contemplates without any internal matter. 3) The pure liberation based on the last trance. One dwells in its possession through personal realization and watches all matter becoming pure and bright. Such are three kinds, and the four immaterial attainments are the next four liberations. The attainment of the cessation of feeling and identify cation is the eighth liberation.
Relying on awareness of the summit of existence, the noble ones are wearied with coarse feelings and identification, and because of their tranquil meditative attainment they extinguish awareness and the accompanying mental factors. This is called attainment of cessation.
The ten all-bases: one totally contemplates earth, water, fire, wind, blue, yellow, red, white, and the two spheres of unlimited space and of unlimited consciousness. Depending on the fourth trance one totally and without interruption contemplates the earth base and so on, taking the visible matter of [the realm of] desire as object. The first eight among the ten have the nature of absence of attachment. The last two are subsequently the immaterial ones of space and of consciousness by nature.
The eight spheres of mastery: 1) Inwardly having a notion of matter, one contemplates few external forms; 2) inwardly having a notion of matter, one contemplates many external forms; 3) inwardly without any notion of matter, one contemplates few external forms; 4) inwardly without any notion of matter, one contemplates many external forms; 5) inwardly without any notion of matter, one contemplates external forms, the four blue, yellow, red, and white. With the first ones they become eight. The first two among the eight are like the first liberation. The next two are like the next liberation. The last four are like the third liberation.
[Question:] What is the difference between such eight spheres of mastery and the three liberations?
Answer: The liberations that were previously developed can only reject. These spheres of mastery that are developed can control their object. At one’s wish it will never arise. As for the goal of the development of liberations, and so on:71 1) delusions are abandoned and far removed, and 2) obtaining excellent sovereignty in concentration. One can therefore produce the qualities of dispassion and so on, and also the excellent higher faculties. Through these 236a one can change anything. One may retain or abandon, because one brings about causes in various ways.
The three samådhis of emptiness, sinlessness, and aimlessness. The samådhi of emptiness is a concentration associated with the two aspects: empty and selfless. The samådhi of sinlessness is a concentration associated with the four aspects when taking the truth of cessation as its object.72 Nirvana is singles, free from the ten signs (nimitta),73 and so one uses the term sinlessness. Taking that concentration as one’s object, one obtains what is called sinlessness. The samådhi of aimlessness takes the remaining ten aspects of the truths as its object, being a concentration that is associated with them: impermanent and painful, and the cause, because of their distress; the path because of the need to abandon, just like a raft.74 Taking that concentration as one’s object, one obtains the term aimlessness. This samådhi is in any case a passage as it addresses [the ten aspects].75
Because these qualities are common to the twice-liberated arhats (because one who is liberated through wisdom is without the three concentrations and the four immeasurable), pratyekabuddhas, and Tathågatas, they are called common qualities.76
There are eighteen unique factors (åvevikadharma) of a Tathågata: the ten powers (bala), the four confidences (vaiNåradya), the three establishments of mindfulness (smatyupasthåna), and one great compassion (mahåkaruvå).
The ten powers77 are: 1) the power of the knowledge of the possible and of the impossible, 2) the power of the knowledge of the maturation of actions, 3) the power of the knowledge of the trances, liberations, concentrations, and attainments, 4) the power of the knowledge of the degree of the faculties [of beings], 5) the power of the knowledge of the various resolves [of beings], 6) the power of the knowledge of the various elements [of beings], 7) the power of the knowledge of the ways to every destination, 8) the power of the knowledge of previous existences, 9) the power of the knowledge of birth and death, and 10) the power of the knowledge of the destruction of impurities.
The four confidences78 are: 1) the confidence of perfect enlightenment, 2) the confidence of the destruction of impurity, 3) the confidence of the explanation of obstacles, and 4) the confidence of the explanation of the path. Because one is not afraid of others, as one has the power of knowledge, they are called confidences.
As for the so-called three establishments of mindfulness,79 when the Tathågata expounds the doctrine and the disciples are wholly respectful and practice with the right feeling, and when the Tathågata does not become happy because of this but maintains equanimity, with right mindfulness (smati) and with right knowledge (saµprajåna), this is said to be the first establishment of mindfulness of a Tathågata. When the assembly of disciples is not respectful and does not practice with the right feeling, and when the Tathågata does not become aggrieved because of that but maintains equanimity, with right mindfulness and right knowledge, this is said to be the second establishment of mindfulness of a Tathågata. When the assembly of disciples on one hand is respectful and practices with the right feeling but on the other hand is disrespectful and does not practice with the right feeling, and when the Tathågata does not become either happy or aggrieved because of that but maintains equanimity, with right mindfulness and right knowledge, this is said to be the third establishment of mindfulness of a Tathågata. Because these three all are mindfulness and wisdom by nature, they are called establishments of mindfulness.
Great compassion: during the six times in the period of day
236b and night in every world, he contemplates who suffers and who is happy in the world, and who deserves training and consequent benefit. That is why it is called great compassion.
The eighteen unique factors of a Tathågata and his three points that do not need to be guarded80 are expounded in Mahayana, as the vehicle of the disciples (Nråvakas) has never heard of them.81
Furthermore, there are three unconditioned factors (asaµskata dharma): space (åkåNa), calculated cessation (prati saµkhyå nirodha), and uncalculated cessation (apratisaµkhyånirodha).82 1) The unconditioned [factor of] space: space has only non-returning as its nature. Because it is everywhere unhindered, one uses the term the unconditioned [factor of] space. When matter proceeds there, everything else—doors, windows and openings, any light or darkness, the sky or agha (sky)-matter—all are not unconditioned. 2) The unconditioned [factor of] calculated cessation, that is, when pure knowledge does away with any obstructing taint. For the reality manifested by the two paths [of] vision and of mental practice, one uses the term unconditioned [factor of] calculated cessation. 3) The unconditioned [factor of] uncalculated cessation. When one can forever stop the future coming into existence of the factors, one obtains a cessation, called uncalculated cessation, that is different from the previous one. When one obtains [this cessation], not because of any calculation but because one lacks the circumstances, one uses the term uncalculated cessation.
As for these three unconditioned [factors], the Sarvåstivådins concede that they have substance, but Sautråntika masters maintain that they are not formed.
Question: Why would suchness not be unconditioned?
Answer: It is selfless. The vehicle of the disciples does not assert that a factor is selfless. And so the selflessness of the individual is the sixteen aspects: impermanent, and so on. The aspects of the three truths are conditioned. The aspects of the truth of cessation are only the factor [of calculated] cessation, because they are nothing else. And so the inanimate and the animate worlds, the path, fruition, and the unconditioned [factors] are the five things that may be known, because they comprise all factors that may be known.
The factors of the animate and inanimate worlds are the truth of supering. The cause that realizes them is the truth of origination. The two factors—of the path and of fruition—are the truth of the path. The unconditioned [factor of] calculated cessation is the truth of cessation. Space and uncalculated cessation are two kinds of unconditioned [factors]. The two kinds are not comprised by the four truths, because the two truths [of] supering and origination are impure factors, and because the two truths [of] the path and cessation are pure factors. Thus the knowable factors, both mundane and supramundane, both conditioned and unconditioned, have been explained.
The Treatise on the Elucidation of the Knowable, [written] at the request of the crown prince, Bodhisattva Zhenjin (Jiç-gim), compiled by the bhik≈u ’Phags-pa Matidhvaja ¸rabhadra, who takes the dust upon his head of the feet of the Dharma King and Superior Master (lama) Sa-skya Mahåpav∂ita in the year 1278,83 on the third day of the last decade of the middle autumn month (September 12), a day under the constellation of Pu≈ya, at the great glorious Dharma seat of Sa-skya.
Recorded by Miaoyin (Gho≈aka) and Zhishizi (Prajñåsiµha), possessing the scriptural texts, the discipline, and the treatises.
1 The measurements in this passage follow these linear measurements:
Seven near-emptiness’s = one particle, paramåvu. “Near-emptiness” is often used as an old translation for paramåvu.
Seven paramåvu = one atom, avu.
Seven avu = one loharajas, gold atom.
Seven loharajas = one abrajas, water atom.
Seven abrajas = one NaNarajas, (width of the tip of a) hare’s hair.
Seven NaNarajas = one avirajas, sheep’s hair.
Seven avirajas = one gorajas, bullock’s hair.
Seven gorajas = one chidra, (dust mote seen in ray of sunlight through
a) fissure (in a wall), i.e., våtåyanacchidrarajas.
Seven chidra = one likŌ, nit.
Seven likŌ = one yika, louse.
Seven yika = one yava, barleycorn.
Seven yava = one açguliparvan, finger joint, i.e., the distance between two joints of a finger.
Three parvan = one açguli, inch, i.e., the width of a finger.
Twenty-four açguli = one hasta, cubit.
Four hasta = one dhanus, arc, i.e., bow-length.
Five hundred dhanus = one kroNa, the distance of a cow’s bellowing. Eight kroNa = one yojana, the distance an ox yoked to a cart could pull.
2 The picture is as follows: the wind circle is at the bottom; the water circle is formed on its surface. Above it is a golden-earth layer, which sustains Mount Sumeru in the middle. There are seven concentric golden mountains, from Yugaµdhara to Nimiµdhara; the outer mountain is Mount Cakravå∂a, which is made of iron. Between every two mountains is an ocean. The seventh, last ocean, surrounded by Mount Cakravå∂a, is salty and the four great continents rest on it. To the south is the continent of Jambudvapa, roughly triangular in shape, with two smaller continents at its tip, Cåmara and Aparacåmara. To the east is the continent of Videha, shaped like a half-moon, with Deha and Videha as secondary continents. To the north is the continent of Kuru, which is square, with Kurava and Kaurava as secondary continents. To the west is Godånaya, which is round, with ¸åthå and Uttaramantriva as secondary continents.
3 One lak≈a = one hundred thousand.
67
4 The eight qualities of water mentioned here and below in the text are: 1) cool (Natala), 2) clear (accha), 3) light (laghu), 4) savory (svådu), 5) soft (madu), 6) fragrant (ni≈pitigandhika), 7) does not hurt the throat (kavtha), and 8) does not hurt the belly (kuk≈i).
5 Kailåsa?
6 Lake Manasa, Månasarovar?
7 The ¸atå River: the Tarim or Yarkand River, resurfacing as the Yellow River in China, as Xuanzang says.
8 Tibetan: Brag gSer-gyi (golden, suvarva) bya-skyibs (a rock where birds take shelter, prågbhåra). Chinese: ta, as in tåla, surface (of a rock)?
9 The Upper Swat Valley in Pakistan.
10 Siµhaladvapa: Sri Lanka; Suvarvadvapa: the name of this continent continues for the island of Sumatra; Candradvapa: the Buckergunge District in East Bangladesh? See Constance Hoog, Prince Jiç-gim’s Textbook of Tibetan Buddhism (Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1983), p. 84, note 17.
11 This agrees with the Tibetan version; see Hoog, p. 20.
12 The eight hot hells are: Saµjava, “reviving”; Kålasitra, “black thread”; Saµghåta, “ground down”; Raurava, “cries”; Mahåraurava, “great cries”; Tåpana, “burning”; Pratåpana, “great burning”; Avaci, “immediate.”
13 The term “intermediate kalpa” is used to distinguish an antarakalpa, the original, “small” kalpa or eon, from a great kalpa (mahåkalpa) of eighty kalpas. A kalpa is traditionally measured using various meta phors, for example, the time needed to wear away a great rock by wiping it with a piece of soft cotton from KåNa once every hundred years. See Akira Sadakata, Buddhist Cosmology: Philosophy and Origins (Tokyo: Kosei Publishing Co., 1997), p. 96.
14 The four supplementary hells (utsada) are: 1) Kukkula or Kukila, “heated by burning chaff”; 2) Kuvapa, “excrement”; 3) K≈uradhårå, “sharp blades,” which is further threefold—K≈uramårga, “razor road,” Asipattravana, “forest of sword-leaves,” and Aya˙Nålmalavana, “forest with iron thorns”; and 4) K≈årodakå Nada, “ardent river,” called Vaitarava, “without ford.”
15 The eight cold hells are: 1) Arbuda, “blisters”; 2) Nirarbuda, “abscesscracks”; 3), 4), and 5) are onomatopoeic terms: Atata, Apapa, and Huhuva; 6) Bursting Open Like an Utpala (blue lotus) Flower; 7) Bursting Open Like a Red Lotus (padma); 8) Bursting Open Like a Very Red (or crimson) Lotus (mahåpadma).
16 This is added in Nianchang’s text, Fozulidaitongzai (Annals of Buddha and the Patriarchs through the Successive Dynasties), p. 487a7.
17 This passage should be added. See the Tibetan version, Hoog, p. 29; Nianchang, p. 487b5; and KoNa III, pp. 170–171.
18 Nianchang, p. 487c17.
19 Nianchang, p. 488a6.
20 Can be found in the Mahåyånasitrålaµkåra. See Hoog, p. 85, note 40. Chinese text in Taisho Vol. 31, No. 1604.
21 See pages 18–19 of this volume, 227c15–228a15 in the Taisho edition.
22 Twelve måsas = one saµvatsara (year); thirty ahoråtras (night-andday) = one måsa (month); thirty muhirtas = one ahoråtra (twenty-four hours); thirty lavas = one muhirta (forty-eight minutes); sixty tatk≈avas = one lava; one hundred and twenty k≈avas = one tatk≈ava.
23 I.e., the Southern dynasty, Nanzhao, in Yunnan (937–1253 C.E.), vanquished by Qubilai.
24 In present-day Ningxia, Northern Shaanxi, part of Gansu and Qinghai. Xixia, the country of ¸es-rab dpal, was a dynasty of the Tanguts fromČ 1038 to 1227, when it was vanquished by inggis.
25 557–649 or 650 C.E.
26 742–804 C.E.
27 The three kinds of vows of a monk, which are to keep 1) the pråtimok≈a saµvara, the code of discipline, 2) the bodhisattva precepts, and 3) the esoteric precepts.
28 1229–1243 C.E.
29 Reigned from 1260–1294 C.E.
30 1243–1286, Qubilai’s eldest son and heir-apparent in 1273.
31 Sarvåstivådins here means Vaibhå≈ikas, for example, Saµghabhadra. Vasubandhu is a Sautråntika. See KoNa III, p. 66, note 5.
32 These two paragraphs outline the categorization of the four truths: in progressive dependent origination, the truths of origination (samudaya) and of supering (du˙kha) are distinguished. In retrogressive dependent origination, the truths of the path (mårga) and of cessation (nirodha) are distinguished.
33 A variant list of the good generally permeating factors (kuNala mahå bhimika) adds absence of delusion (amoha).
34 A variant list of the defiled generally permeating factors (kleNa mahå bhimika) has the six less lethargy, but adding wrong attention (ayoniNo- manas kåra), wrong resolve (mithyådhimok≈a), incorrect knowledge (asaµprajanya), forgetfulness (mu≈itasmatitå), and distraction (vik≈epa), for a total of ten.
35 The Vaibhå≈ikas (Sarvåstivådins in the text here) say that the dissociated factors (viprayukta) are different from matter (ripa), awareness (citta), and accompanying mental factors (caitasika). Sautråntikas say that these three are not different from the dissociated factors.
36 The formation aggregate (saµskåraskandha) consists of: 1) the fortysix accompanying mental factors (caitasika) minus the first two of the generally permeating mental factors (mahåbhimika), feeling (vedanå), and identification (saµjñå); 2) the fourteen dissociated factors (vipra yukta).
37 The ten elements (dhåtu) of the material factors are the five sense faculties (indriya) of eye, ear, nose tongue, body, and mind and their five respective objects. The seven elements of the factor of awareness are the six consciousnesses and the mind faculty. These seven elements are the åyatana mind, manas. The accompanying mental factors (caitasika), the dissociated factors (viprayukta), the unconditioned factors (asaµskata), and unmanifest matter (avijñaptiripa) are collectively called the element factors (dharmadhåtu), also the base factors (dharmåyatana).
38 I.e., gotra. For the relation of spiritual family with the six kinds of arhats, see KoNa VI, p. 252–3; see especially p. 252, note 4.
39 I.e., the path of accumulation, saµbhåramårga. The four establishments of mindfulness (smatyupasthåna), are mentioned: 1) mindfulness of the body (kåyasmatyupasthåna), 2) mindfulness of feeling (vedanåsmatyupasthåna), 3) mindfulness of awareness (cittasmatyupa sthåna), and 4) mindfulness of the factors (dharmasmatyupasthåna).
40 I.e., prayogamårga. In the path of preparatory application one follows the four wholesome roots, aids to penetration (nirvedhabhågaya kuNalamila): 1) heat (u≈magata) and the four right exertions or abandonments (samyakpradhåna or samyak prahåva); 2) summit (mirdhan) and the four bases of supernatural power (addhipåda): concentration of interest in good factors (chanda-samådhi), concentration of the effort to rejoice in the good (varya-samådhi), concentration of attention to good awareness (citta-samådhi), and concentration of investigation into the good (mamåµsa-samådhi); 3) patient acceptance (k≈ånti) and the five faculties: faith (Nraddhå), energy (varya), mindfulness (smati), concentration (samådhi), and wisdom (prajñå); and 4) the highest worldly factor (laukikågradharma) with the five powers (bala), i.e., faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom.
41 The noble eightfold path, the teaching of the fourth noble truth: 1) right view (da≈ti), 2) right thought (saµkalpa), 3) right speech (våc), 4) right action (karmånta), 5) right livelihood (åjava), 6) right effort (vyåyåma), 7) right mindfulness (smati), and 8) right concentration (samådhi).
42 The following passages give an explanation of the ninety-eight defilements and how they are abandoned in each of the four truths. There are ten fundamental defilements: 1) attachment (råga), 2) repugnance (pratigha), 3) pride (måna), 4) ignorance (avidyå), 5) perplexity (vici kitså), 6) belief in a self (satkåyada≈ti), 7) extreme view (antagråha da≈ti), 8) attachment to moral precepts and vows (NalavrataparåmarNa), 9) adherence to particular views (da≈tiparåmarNa), and 10) false view (mithyåda≈ti).
To be abandoned through the vision of the four noble truths (darNanaheya):
In the realm of desire (kåmadhåtu):
truth of supering (du˙kha) = ten defilements
truth of origination (samudaya) = seven (less three: belief in a self, extreme view, and attachment to moral precepts and vows) truth of cessation (nirodha) = seven (less three: belief in a self, extreme view, and attachment to moral precepts and vows) truth of the path (mårga) = eight (less two: belief in a self and extreme view) —these add up to thirty-two;
In the realm of form (ripadhåtu): truth of supering = nine (less repugnance; no repugnance in the realm of form)
truth of origination = six (less three: belief in a self, extreme view,
and attachment to moral precepts and vows)
truth of cessation = six (less three: belief in a self, extreme view,
and attachment to moral precepts and vows)
truth of the path = seven (less two: belief in a self and extreme view)
— These add up to twenty-eight;
In the realm of non-form (åripyadhåtu) truth of supering = nine (less repugnance; no repugnance in the realm of non-form)
truth of origination = six (less three: belief in a self, extreme view,
and attachment to moral precepts and vows)
truth of cessation = six (less three: belief in a self, extreme view,
and attachment to moral precepts and vows)
truth of the path = seven (less two: belief in a self and extreme view)
— These add up to twenty-eight;
Thirty-two + twenty-eight + twenty-eight = eighty-eight.
To be abandoned through the spiritual path (bhåvanåmårga):
in the realm of desire = four, i.e., attachment, repugnance, pride, and ignorance
in the realm of form = three, i.e., the above four less repugnance in the realm of non-form = three, the above four less repugnance — These add up to ten, for a total of ninety-eight.
In addition, each defilement is ninefold: weak-weak, medium-weak, strong-weak; weak-medium, medium-medium, strong-medium; weak strong, medium-strong, strong-strong.
So, thirty-six (the ninefold four defilements) + twenty-seven (the ninefold three defilements) in each of the four trances (dhyåna) = one hundred and eight + twenty-seven (the ninefold three defilements) in each of the four attainments (samåpatti) = one hundred and eight = two hundred and fifty-two.
43 In the spiritual path (bhåvanåmårga) one practices the seven factors of enlightenment (saµbodhyaçga): 1) mindfulness (smati), 2) wisdom (prajñå), investigation of factors (dharmapravicaya), 3) energy (varya), 4) joy (prati), 5) tranquility (praNrabdhi), 6) equanimity (upek≈å), and 7) concentration (samådhi).
44 Should be pride (måna), not delusion (moha), which is synonymous with ignorance (avidyå). See Hoog, p. 64.
45 The text mistakenly has “one hundred and fifty-two” here, which has been corrected. See note 42 and Hoog, p. 64.
46 After the previous paths, commonly known as the path of the learner,
(Naik≈amårga), follows the path of the adept (aNaik≈amårga). The adept (aNaik≈a) realizes ten factors: the noble eightfold path, from right view (samyagda≈ti) to right concentration (samyaksamådhi), plus right liberation (samyagvimukti) and knowledge of right liberation (samyag- vimukti jñåna). See KoNa VI, p. 295.
47 The thirty-seven factors of enlightenment (bodhipåk≈ikadharma) are: the four establishments of mindfulness (smatyupasthåna), the four right exertions (samyakpradhåna), the four bases of supernatural power (addhipåda), the five faculties (indriya), the five powers (bala), the noble eightfold path (åryamårga), and the seven factors of enlightenment (saµbodhyaçga).
48 The four establishments of mindfulness, which contribute to liberation (mok≈abhågaya) in the path of accumulation (saµbhåramårga), and the four wholesome roots, which contribute to intellectual penetration (nirvedhabhågaya) in the path of preparatory application (prayoga mårga). See also notes 39 and 40.
49 The four fruitions of the path of the Nramava are: 1) fruition of the stream-enterer (srotaåpattiphala), 2) fruition of the once-returner (sakadågåmiphala), 3) fruition of the non-returner (anågåmiphala), and 4) fruition of athwartship (arhattvaphala).
50 Here the path of vision (darNanamårga) of the four truths is explained. One successively realizes the four truths in their four aspects (åkåra). For the knowledges (jñåna) associated with these, see notes 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56.
The sixteen aspects, i.e., the fourfold aspects of the four truths, are as follows. Suffering: impermanent (anitya), painful (du˙kha), empty (Ninya), and selfless (anåtmaka). Origination: cause (hetu), origination (samudaya), source (prabhava), and condition (pratyaya). Cessation: cessation (nirodha), appeasement (Nånta), excellent (pravata), and escape (ni˙sarava). Path: path (mårga), right (nyåya), mode (pratipatti), and leading to liberation (nairyåvika). The sixteenth moment is the beginning of the spiritual path (bhåvanåmårga).
51 See KoNa VII, p. 78, for the three sufferings (du˙khatås), i.e., the supering (du˙kha) du˙khatå, the formation (saµskåra) du˙khatå, and the transformation (parivåma) du˙khatå.
52 Of the four knowledges, two are in the realm of desire: 1) patient acceptance (of the knowledge) of the dharma concerning supering (du˙khe dharma [jñåna] k≈ånti), and 2) knowledge of the dharma concerning supering (du˙khe dharmajñåna). In the two higher realms of form and non-form are the other two: 3) subsequent patient acceptance (of the knowledge) concerning supering (anvaya [jñåna] k≈ånti), and 4) subsequent knowledge concerning supering (anvayajñåna).
53 This follows the same scheme as in note 52 above, with two in the realm of desire: 1) patient acceptance of the dharma concerning origination (samudaye dharmak≈ånti) and 2) knowledge of the dharma concerning origination (samudaye dharmajñåna); and two in the higher realms: 3) subsequent patient acceptance concerning origination (samu daye’nvayak≈ånti), and 4) subseqent knowledge concerning origination (samudaye’nvayajñåna).
54 Again, following the same scheme as in notes 52 and 53: 1) patient acceptance of the dharma concerning cessation (nirodhe dharmak≈ånti); 2) knowledge of the dharma concerning cessation (nirodhe dharmajñåna); 3) subsequent patient acceptance concerning cessation (ni rodhe’nva yak≈ånti); and 4) subseqent knowledge concerning cessation (nirodhe’nvayajñåna).
55 See notes 52, 53, and 54 above.The fourth knowledge, subsequent knowledge concerning the path (marge’nvayajñåna) is no longer in the path of vision (darNanamårga) but in the spiritual path (bhåvanåmårga).
56 I.e., subsequent knowledge concerning the path (marge’nvayajñåna).
57 I.e., bhavågra, the fourth and final stage in the realm of non-form, also called the base of neither identification nor nonidentification (naiva saµ jñånå saµjñåyatana).
58 The Prajñåpåramitå (Perfection of Wisdom) literature, for example Kumårajava’s PañcaviµNatisåhasrikåprajñåpåramitå-sitra, Taisho Vol. 8, Number 223.
59 The eight stages (bhimi) are: 1) of bright vision (NuklavidarNana), 2) of the spiritual family (gotra), 3) of the eighth person (a≈tamaka), 4) of vision (darNana), 5) of attenuation (tanu), 6) of nonattachment (va ta råga), 7) of skill (katåvi)—attainment of this stage means athwartship for the disciple (Nråvaka), and 8) of the solitary enlightened one (pratyekabuddha), of which there are two types—like a unicorn, (kha∂gavi≈åna) and living with a group (vargacårin).
60 Should be “once.” See Hoog, p. 69.
61 See note 47.
62 The six perfections (påramitås): 1) giving (dåna), 2) patience (kNånti), 3) morality (Nala), 4) energy (varya), 5) concentration (samådhi), and 6) wisdom (prajñå).
63 The vehicle of the disciples (Nråvakayåna), i.e., the Hinayana.
64 There is a giver, a recipient, and the act of giving.
65 The ten bodhisattva stages (bhimi): 1) of joy (pramuditå-bhimi), 2) of purity (vimalå-bhimi), 3) of radiance (prabhåkara-bhimi), 4) blazing (arci≈mata-bhimi), 5) difficult to conquer (sudurjayå-bhimi), 6) in view of wisdom (abhimukha-bhimi), 7) far-reaching (diraµ gamå-bhimi), 8) immovable (acalå-bhimi), 9) of good thoughts (sådhumata-bhimi), and 10) of the Dharma cloud (dharmameghå-bhimi).
66 The four wisdoms of a Buddha: 1) great perfect mirrorlike wisdom (ådarNa-jñåna), 2) equality wisdom (samatå-jñåna), 3) discriminating wisdom (pratyavek≈avå-jñåna), and 4) duty-fulfillment wisdom (katyånu≈thåna-jñåna).
67 See note 46.
68 I.e., the ten fundamental defilements (kleNa), see note 42; and the sixteen secondary defilements (upakleNa). See KoNa V, pp. 90–1.
69 I.e., the summit of existence (bhavågra). See note 57.
70 I.e., the four trances (dhyåna), the four immaterial attainments (åripya), and the attainment of cessation (nirodhasamåpatti).
71 See KoNa VIII, p. 210.
72 All four aspects (åkåra) of the truth of cessation. See note 50.
73 See KoNa VIII, p. 185. The ten signs (nimitta) are the five external bases (åyatana), the objects of the sense faculties, e.g., matter, etc.; the male and female marks; and the three characteristics of the conditioned: birth, duration, and death.
74 The remaining ten aspects (åkåra) referred to here are: of supering, the two aspects of impermanent (anitya) and painful (du˙kha); of cause, i.e., origination, all four: cause (hetu), origination (samudaya), source (prabhava), and condition (pratyaya); and of the path, all four: path (mårga), right (nyåya), mode (pratipatti), and leading to liberation (nairyåvika).
75 KoNa VIII, p. 186, note 3: tadatikramåbhimukhatvåt.
76 All these qualities (guva) belong to the: 1) twice-liberated (ubhayato vimukta, i.e., through the power of wisdom and concentration) arhat; 2) pratyekabuddha, and 3) Tathågata.
77 See KoNa VIII, pp. 69–71.
78 See KoNa VII, p. 75.
79 See KoNa VII, p. 76.
80 I.e., arak≈ya. Because the Tathågata’s conduct is pure, he does not need to guard his actions of body, speech, and mind.
81 The eighteen unique factors (åvevikadharma) of a Tathågata are explained in the KoNa VII, but the three points that do not need to be guarded (arak≈ya) belong to the Mahayana.
82 See KoNa II, pp. 279 et seq.
83 The year Renyin is 1302, but Wuyin, 1278, is meant. See Hoog, p. 82. ’Phags-pa died in 1280. Zhenjin died in 1285.
Bagchi, P. C. “Chang so che lun (Jñeya-prakåNa-Nåstra). An Abhidharma work of ¸åskya-Pav∂ita of Tibet,” in Sino-Indian Studies, Vol. II, 3–4, 1946–47, pp. 136–56.
Bareja-Starzyč nska, Agata. “The Essentials of Buddhism in the Čiqula keregleg i: A Sixteenth-century Mongolian Buddhist Treatise,” in Studia Indologiczne, Vol. IV, 1997, pp. 1–30.
Franke, Herbert. “Sha-lo-pa (1259–1314), A Tangut Buddhist Monk in Yüan China,” in Religion und Philosophie in Ostasien, Festschrift für Hans
Steininger. Gert Naundorf, Karl-Heinz Pohl, and Hans-Hermann Schmidt, eds. Würzburg, Germany: Köningshausen und Neumann, 1985, pp. 201–22.
Hoog, Constance. Prince Jiç-gim’s Textbook of Tibetan Buddhism. Leiden, The Netherlands: E. J. Brill, 1983. Religious Texts and Translations Series: Nisaba Vol. 13.
La Vallée Poussin, Louis de. L’AbhidharmakoNa de Vasubandhu. Six volumes. Brussels: Mélanges Chinois et Bouddhiques, Vol. XVI, 1971.
Sadakata, Akira. Buddhist Cosmology: Philosophy and Origins. Tokyo: Kosei Publishing Co., 1997.
Willemen, Charles. “New Ideas about Sarvåstivåda Abhidharma,” in the Indian Journal of Buddhist Studies, Vol. X, 1–2, 1998, pp. 82–94.
THE CYCLE OF THE FORMATION OF THE SCHISMATIC DOCTRINES
Translator’s Introduction TSUKAMOTO Keisho 83
The Cycle of the Formation of the Schismatic Doctrines
Chapter I. Introductory Verse 91
Chapter II. Origin and Distribution of the Buddhist Schools 93
Chapter III. Doctrines of the Four Schools of the Mahåsåµghikas 97
Chapter IV. The Later Differentiated Doctrines of the Four Schools of the Mahåsåµghikas 103
Chapter V. Doctrines of the BahuNrutayas 105
Chapter VI. Doctrines of the Prajñaptivådins 107
Chapter VII. Doctrines of the Three Schools of the Andhra Mahåsåµghikas 109
Chapter VIII. Doctrines of the Sarvåstivådins 111
Chapter IX. Doctrines of the Haimavatas 117
Chapter X. Doctrines of the Våtsaputrayas and Their Four Schools 119
Chapter XI. Doctrines of the MahaNåsakas 123
Chapter XII. The Later Differentiated Doctrines of the MahaNåsakas 127
Chapter XIII. Doctrines of the Dharma gup takas 129
Chapter XIV. Doctrines of the KåNyapayas 131
Chapter XV. Doctrines of the Sautråntikas 133
Chapter XVI. Concluding Verse 135
Bibliography 137
81
The text translated here with the title Cycle of the Formation of Schismatic Doctrines (Samayabhedoparacanacakra) is number 2031 in volume 49 of the Taisho Shinshi Daizokyo. Though brief, this text is of considerable interest to Buddhists and scholars of the history of Buddhism during its early centuries. The Cycle of the Formation of Schismatic Doctrines is an essay by the scholar-monk Vasumitra, concerning the unorthodox and schismatic doctrines within the Buddhist sangha (community of monks) that began to arise soon after the parinirvåva of the Buddha, and which led to the formation of a number of different schools. Vasumitra was looking back on this situation some four hundred years after the Buddha’s passing. Thus, the text is an account, or record, of the proliferation of schools and the differing points of doctrines that separated them. It is both a history of early Buddhism and a lament for what had become of the Buddha’s teaching.
Why did ¸åkyamuni’s followers splinter into many contentious and wrangling groups? In some cases, certain monks remembered certain teachings of the Buddha differently than the versions preserved in the memories of other monks. This is not surprising given the fact that the teachings were passed down via oral tradition. The Dharma was not committed to written form until several hundred years after the Buddha’s time. Consequently, there was variation in the memorized and orally transmitted material. Also, some parties within the sangha wanted a relaxation of some of the monastic rules, a move opposed by others. Other doctrines arose through the process of change in the conception of what constitutes a Buddha. As the view of the historical Buddha began to evolve and assume a more cosmic, universal nature, old doctrines had to give way to teachings
Cycle of the Formation of the Schismatic Doctrines
that conformed to this new conception. These and other factors led to the development of new doctrines, and new schools arose out of this situation. This was the situation that Vasu Mitra refers to as a “disaster” in the Cycle of the Formation of Schismatic Doctrines.
This unsalutary state of affairs began, the author tells us, when a large number of monks began to promulgate doctrines that were abhorrent to the more conservative faction of the sangha. Each faction insisted that its version of the teaching was the correct one and no agreement was possible. Tradition has it that a council was called by King ANoka (r. 268–232 B.C.E.) to settle the dispute but no reconciliation occurred, and the doctrinal schism became the basis for an actual schism in the sangha itself. The more conservative side, who were in the minority, began to call themselves the Sthaviras (“Elders”), while the larger group became known as the Mahå såµ ghikas (“Majority Party”). Thus, the Buddha-Dharma was divided into two, a division that has endured into modern times.
Many scholars interested in the history of Buddhism believe that the Mahåsåµghika school may have been one of the primary sources for the ideas that were developed more fully in the later Mahayana tradition, which was to become the form of Buddhism prevalent in North and East Asia. Comparing the Mahåsåµghika teachings listed by Vasumitra with the teachings of the Sthaviras, it is possible to detect a fundamentally different attitude toward such matters as the nature of a Buddha. Was ¸åkyamuni simply a human teacher, subject to the same law of impermanence as all living beings, or is a Buddha by nature a being of radically different order—if not completely divine, then very nearly so? Mahåsåµghika teachings show the beginning of a process of elevating the historical Buddha to a much more exalted status.
The numerous sects that grew out of the original schism survived for awhile, taught their doctrines, and subsequently vanished. Almost none survived to today. Some had a strong effect on developments in later Buddhism, such as the possible roots of the Mahayana in Mahå- såµ ghika doctrine. The Sarvåstivådins became famous for a type of literature called Abhidharma, which made careful definitions of terms found in the sutras, lists of relationships among the terms, and so on. The school itself did not survive, but the compendious Abhidharma koNa authored by the fourth-century scholar-monk Vasubandhu remained important for many Buddhists of later times. The school also left us their monastic regulations (Vinaya), important for comparative study. The Sthaviras migrated to Sri Lanka where they became known as the Theras (“Elders”). Their version of the Dharma spread to Southeast Asia, where it remains very influential in the modern-day cultures and societies of the region, including those of Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam. The Thera- vadin school, as it is now known, claims to teach the true, undistorted doctrines of ¸åkyamuni and rejects the teachings of the Maha yana traditions that perhaps got their start with the Mahåsåµghikas centuries ago.
The reader will find here a number of doctrines that were very controversial in their day. The Våtsaputrayas taught the real existence of the pudgala, “person” or “self.” This is remarkable because all other sects of the time agreed that a fundamental teaching of the Buddha is that no inherently existing person, self, or being exists, and all modern forms of Buddhism likewise agree that no such entity exists. Yet, as we can see from this text, at one time this teaching was proffered by the Våtsaputrayas in great seriousness. Other doctrines of a metaphysical nature indicate the great amount of speculation taking place in the Buddhist community after the parinirvåva of the Buddha. The number of these doctrines as well as their variety bear witness to Vasumitra’s lament concerning the proliferation of novel doctrines and new schools.
The Cycle of the Formation of the Schismatic Doctrines is attributed to a certain Vasu mitra. The name Vasumitra recurs in many different traditions, standing among others for eight Sarvåstivådins, three bodhisattvas, three authors of the Avadåna literature, and so on. However, since these traditions were not independent from each other, the Vasumitras they refer to might have all been the same person.
Kuiji (632–682), author of a commentary on the Chinese translation of this treatise by Xuanzang (600–664), identifies the author of the Samayabhedoparacanacakra with the Vasu mitra who lived about four hundred years after the Buddha’s parinirvåva. Because this figure is said to have been one of the compilers of the Abhi dharma- mahå vibhå≈å, we can conclude that he must have been a follower of the Sarvåstivådin school.
While the original Sanskrit text of the Samayabhedoparacanacakra has been lost, there are extant three Chinese translations and one Tibetan translation:
In addition, there are extant three versions of commentaries on the text:
This English translation of the Samayabhedoparacanacakra is based on the seventh-century version by Xuanzang, the Yibuzong- lun lun (Ibushirinron). The contents and structure of this text does not differ substantially from those of the other two Chinese versions by Kumårajava and Paramårtha. In this translation I have omitted minor variants, while significantly different readings from the other two Chinese versions are provided in parentheses. Glosses, simple definitions, and the Sanskrit terms for certain words or phrases are also given in parentheses, while brackets indicate interpolated material to clarify meanings.
I wish to thank my student Dr. Paul Hoornaert, lecturer at Kanazawa University, with whom I read the Yibuzonglunlun in the seminar on Buddhist history at Tohoku University during the academic years 1981–4, for his help in the preparation of this English translation.
THE CYCLE OF THE FORMATION OF THE
SCHISMATIC DOCTRINES
by
Bodhisattva Vasumitra
Translated into Chinese by Xuanzang
When a hundred-odd years had elapsed
After the parinirvåva of the Buddha,
There arose [two] different schools of the sacred teaching.
This was the beginning of disaster.
As the clinging to divergent views kept on growing,
There accordingly arose many more [subsidiary] schools.
On the basis of their respective scriptures (Ågamas), Each school asserted views that inspired the disgust [of other schools].
The great bodhisattva Vasumitra,
Endowed with eminent knowledge, intellect, and insight,
A great sage and Buddhist mendicant,
Looked back to those times and examined them critically.
Examining exhaustively all the various worldly views
That were whirling round and round,
And splitting apart the words of the Muni (“Sage,” i.e., the Buddha),
He decided to expound all those teachings [in this work].
One should closely examine the teaching of the Buddha,
And, basing oneself on the teaching of the holy truths,
One should pick up the truth
As if gathering gold from heaps of sand.
This is the tradition that was handed down to me from mouth to mouth: A hundred-odd years had passed since the Venerable Buddha entered parinirvåva. It was a far from saintly time, as if the sun had been setting for a long time.
At Kusumapura in the kingdom of Magadha, King ANoka ruled over Jambudvapa (India) under a white umbrella (i.e., a symbol of his sovereignty), his rule extending to gods and humans. During his reign the great Buddhist sangha was split for the first time.
In fact, because the four communities disagreed on their interpretation of the Five Propositions of Mahådeva, the Buddhist sangha divided into two schools: the Mahåsåµghikas and the Sthaviras. The four communities were: 1) the Någa community, 2) the barbarian community of the border region (Pratyantikas), 3) the community of the learned (BahuNrutayas), and 4) the community of the venerable (Sthaviras).
The Five Propositions are explained in the following verse:
[Arhats] are tempted by others. [They still have] ignorance. They still doubt. They are made aware of their enlightenment by others (i.e., their teachers). The [holy] path is produced through the vocal expression [of supering].
This is the true teaching of the Buddha.
Later, during the second century [after the Buddha’s pari nirvåva], three schools issued from the Mahåsåµghikas: 1) the Ekavyåvahårikas, 2) the Lokottaravådins, and 3) the Kukkutikas (Paramårtha: Kaukilikas).
Subsequently, during the second century, still another school called the BahuNrutayas issued from the Mahåsåµghikas.
And again during the second century, another school called
15b the Prajñaptivådins issued from the Mahåsåµghikas.
At the close of the second century, there was a heretic mendicant who abandoned the heretical doctrine and converted to the Right Dharma. His name was also Mahådeva. He joined the Mahåsåµghika order and received his final ordination (upasaµpadå) in that same order. He was learned (bahuNruta) and diligent (varya). He dwelled on the Mountain of the Caitya (stupa), where he again discussed the Five Propositions in detail with the monks of his school. As a result of the ensuing controversy, the Mahå såµghika school split into three: 1) the CaityaNailas, 2) the AparaNailas, and 3) the Uttara Nailas.
Thus there were four or five schisms in the Mahåsåµghika school. The original school and its offshoots add up to the following nine schools: 1) the Mahåsåµghikas, 2) the Ekavyåvahårikas, 3) the Lokottaravådins, 4) the Kukkutikas, 5) the BahuNrutayas, 6) the Prajñaptivådins, 7) the CaityaNailas, 8) the AparaNailas, and 9) the UttaraNailas.
The sangha of the Sthaviras maintained unity and perfect harmony for many years. At the beginning of the third century a minor controversy set in, as a result of which the sangha was divided into two schools: 1) the Sarvåstivådins, also called the Hetu vådins, and 2) the Pirvasthaviras, who later changed their name to the Haimavatas.
Later, during the third century [after the Buddha’s pari nirvåva], a school called the Våtsaputrayas issued from the Sar- våsti vådins.
And again during the third century, four schools issued from the Våtsaputrayas: 1) the Dharmottarayas, 2) the Bhadrayåvayas, 3) the Saµmatayas, and 4) the ˛åv∂agirikas (Kumårajava: ˛avvå garikas).
Thereafter, during the third century, a school called the MahaNåsakas issued from the Sarvåstivådins.
Later, during the third century, a school called the Dharma- guptakas issued from the MahaNåsakas. The founder [Dharma gupta] held himself to be the successor of the master Maudgal yå yana.
At the end of the third century, a school called the KåNyapayas, or Suvar≈akas, issued from the Sarvåstivådins.
At the beginning of the fourth century still another school, called the Sautråntikas, or Saµkråntikas, issued from the Sarvåsti vådins. Its founder claimed that Ånanda had been his teacher. Thus there were seven or eight schisms in the Sthavira school.
The original schools and their offshoots total eleven schools: 1) the
Sar våstivådins, 2) the Haimavatas, 3) the Våtsaputrayas, 4) the Dharmottarayas, 5) the Bhadrayåvayas, 6) the Saµmatayas, 7) the ˛åv∂agirikas, 8) the MahaNåsakas, 9) the Dharmaguptakas, 10) the KåNyapayas, and 11) the Sautråntikas.
Of all the schools mentioned above I shall now explain the teachings originally held in common and the teachings developed later on which there was disagreement.
The propositions on which the Mahåsåµghikas, Ekavyåvahårikas, Lokottaravådins, and Kukkutikas originally agreed are these:
Paramårtha: has no more sthåna [i.e., a place to stand or occur].)
1) Cessation obtained through discriminative cognition (prati- saµ khyånirodha).
2) Cesation due to absence of a productive cause (aprati saµ khyå nirodha).
3) Space (åkåNa).
4) The sphere of unlimited space (åkåNånantyåyatana).
5) The sphere of unlimited consciousness (vijñånå nan tyåyatana).
6) The sphere of emptiness (åkiñcanyåyatana).
7) The sphere of neither identification nor nonidentification(naiva saµjñånåsaµjñåyatana).
8) The own-nature of the members of dependent origination(pratatyasamutpådåçgasvabhåva).
9) The own-nature of the members of the holy path (årya mårgåçgasvabhåva).
16a
Such are the teachings [originally] held in common [by the four schools of the Mahåsåµghikas].
The propositions that were developed later, on which the four schools did not agree, are:
3 Two [different] consciousnesses can arise simultaneously.
These later doctrines underwent further development. New distinctions were made, resulting in an endless variety of doctrines.
The teachings on which the BahuNrutayas originally agreed are:
All other utterances of the Tathågata are his mundane teaching.
Most of their other doctrines [of this school] are the same as those of the Sarvåstivådins.
The propositions upon which the Prajñaptivådins originally agreed are:
Most of the other teachings [of this school] are the same as those of the Mahåsåµghikas.
The doctrines that the CaityaNailas, AparaNailas (omitted in Kumårajava and Paramårtha), and UttaraNailas originally held in common are:
These propositions and most of the other teachings [of this school] are the same as those of the Mahåsåµghikas.
The propositions originally held in common by the Sarvåstivådins are:
Past and future also have substantial existence.
Cycle of the Formation of the Schismatic Doctrines
(phala sthita) in the sixteenth moment (i.e., the first stage of the path of cultivation, bhåvanåmårga).
said to have surpassed (samatikrånta) the stage (bhimi) of worldlings.
Some sayings of the Bhagavat are not in conformity with truth (aya thårtha). Not all sutras preached by the Buddha are of explicit meaning (natårtha). The Buddha himself has said that some sutras are not of explicit meaning.
These are the doctrines originally held in common by [all] Sarvåsti vådins. The doctrines developed later on which they were in disagreement are innumerable.
The fundamental propositions on which all Haimavatas originally agreed are:
Most of the other teachings [of this school] are the same as those of the Sarvåsti vådins.
The propositions that the Våtsaputrayas originally held in common are:
(Paramårtha adds: 1] All living beings commit two kinds of mistakes: mistakes of the intellect [manas] and mistakes of fact [vastu?, i.e., natural, spontaneous mistakes?]; 2] the two main causes of samsara are defilements [kleNa] and actions [karman]; 3] two dharmas are supreme causes of liberation: meditative insight [vipaNyanå] and mental tranquility [Namatha]; 4] one who has sinned against the Right Dharma [saddharma] without his own-nature being the predominant condition [adhipatipratyaya] [of that sin] cannot be held responsible [for that sin]; 5] two things constantly operative in all living beings are the roots of defile ments: wrong knowledge [avidyå] and the thirst for existence [bhavata≈vå]; 6] there are seven pure abodes; 7] The Buddha’s knowledge is dissociated [viprayukta] from the objects of moral conduct [Nala], and so on; 8] based on what has been clearly discerned, a comprehensive knowledge of all dharmas can be attained; 9] when cessation [nirodha] is included, there are altogether six; 10] in the realms of form and non-form no one attains establishment in righteous conduct; 11] bodhisattvas are always born in the middle; 12] one who has gained the knowledge of cessation [of present passions] [k≈ayajñåna] and knowledge of no more birth [of future passions] [anutpådajñåna] may be called a Buddha; 13] the sutras preached by the Tathågata have a threefold purpose: to show the demerits of samsara; to show the merits of liberation [vimukti], and not to show anything. Such are the major propositions [of the Våtsaputrayas]).
When disagreement arose on the interpretation of a [certain] verse (Nloka), [the Våtsaputrayas] were divided into the following four schools: the Dharmottarayas, the Bhadrayåvayas, the Saµma tayas, and the ˛åv∂agirikas. The verse in question is as follows:
Already delivered, one retrogresses again.
Retrogression is caused by desire.
One can return and reach the abode of calm and joy again.
According to desire one obtains supreme happiness.
The teachings originally held in common by the MahaNåsakas are:
1) Cessation obtained through discriminative cognition (pratisaµkhyånirodha).
2) Cessation due to the absence of a productive cause (apratisaµkhyånirodha).
3) Space (åkåNa).
4) The immovable (åneñjya).
5) The suchness of good dharmas (kuNaladharmatathatå). 6) The suchness of bad dharmas (akuNaladharmatathatå).
7) The suchness of [morally] indeterminate dharmas (avyå kata dharma tathatå).
8) The suchness of the members of the [noble] path (mårgåçgatathatå).
9) The suchness of [the members of] dependent origination(pratatyasamutpådatathatå).
Such are the teachings that [this school] originally held in common.
The doctrines developed later on which [the MahaNåsakas] disagreed are:
As to the doctrine of this school that developed later, divergent views arose because of different interpretations of the following verse:
Five things definitely bind.
From these all supering is born. They are: ignorance, desire, passion, The five [false] views, and actions.
The propositions originally held in common by the Dharma uptakes are:
Most of the other teachings [of this school] are the same as those of the Mahåsåµghi kas.
The teachings originally held in common by the KåNyapayas are:
past but they are never caused by the future.
Most of the other teachings [of this school] are the same as those of the Dharma uptakes.
The propositions on which the Sautråntika school originally agreed are:
Most of the other teachings [of this school] are the same as those of the Sarvåstivå dins.
Having completed the translation of this treatise (Nåstra), the Dharma Master (dharmåcårya) of the Tripitaka (i.e., Xuanzang) summarizes the meaning of this new translation in a verse:
After having examined many Sanskrit texts in detail,
I translated the treatise on the Cycle of the [Formation of the Schismatic] Doctrines anew.
As the text is satisfactory and its meaning free of error, The wise should zealously study it.
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Demiéville, Paul. “L’origine des sectes bouddhiques d’après Paramårtha.” Mélanges Chinois et Bouddhiques 1 (1932): 15–64.
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