The Buddhist philosopher Vasubandhu (4th century C.E.) was a great light at the peak of India's resplendent Gupta empire.[1] His works display his mastery of Buddhist as well as non-Buddhist thought of the day, and he made his mark, successively, upon three Buddhist scholastic traditions that are traditionally considered distinct: Vaibhāṣika, Sautrāntika, and Yogācāra.[2] His master work of Abhidharma thought, the Commentary on the Treasury of the Abhidharma (Abhidharmakośabhāṣya), is to this day the primary resource for knowledge of “Śrāvaka” or non-Mahāyāna philosophy among Tibetan and East Asian Buddhist schools.[3] His three concise works on Yogācāra philosophy set a new standard for that school, which became mainstream Buddhist metaphysics in India for half a millennium thereafter.[4] Venerated as he is across the Buddhist world, he has always been a subject of disputation. This article will sketch his contested biography and works, and provide summary analyses of his most prominent arguments.[5]
目次
1. Biography and Works 1.1 Biography (Disputed) 1.2 Doctrinal Positions and Works 2. Major Arguments from the Treasury of the Abhidharma 2.1 Disproof of the Self 2.2 Momentariness and Continuity 2.3 Disproof of Invisible Physicality 2.4 Disproof of a Creator God 3. Approaches to Scriptural Interpretation 4. Major Yogācāra Arguments and Positions 4.1 Defense of Appearance Only 4.2 Disproof of Sensory Objects 4.3 Three Natures and Non-Duality 5. Controversy over Vasubandhu as “Idealist” Bibliography Primary Sources Secondary Sources Academic Tools Other Internet Resources Related Entries
