Interpretation of sūtra; Exegesis; Vasubandhu; Vyākhyāyukti; Preach; Buddha’s word
摘要
As its name implies, Vasubandhu’s Vyākhyāyukti (VyY) explains the logic or methodology (yukti) of exegesis or sūtra interpretation (vyākhyā) and only survives in a Tibetan translation. In recent years, research on this treatise has been gradually accumulating. However, due to the difficulty of the Tibetan translation, some of the arguments therein have been misunderstood. In this article, after reviewing the general framework of Vasubandhu’s method of interpreting the sūtras, I will present a newly discovered parallel regarding his discussion of the “purpose, prayojana” of the sūtras and reread it through a close philological examination of various sources in Sanskrit and Tibetan. Thus, this article will first elucidate the details of Vasubandhu’s explanation of the purpose of the Buddha’s preaching using synonyms and will clarify an aspect of his views on the Buddha’s word. In addition, concerning this “purpose,” I will elucidate the characteristics of the final chapter of this text, which provides stories about hearing the Buddha’s words with respect. By doing so, I would like to reveal the characteristics of the VyY as a manual for vivid preaching.
目次
Abstract 539 Introduction 540 What is the Purpose of Buddhist Sūtras? 541 Exegesis Based on Five Aspects 541 Purpose 542 Why Did the Buddha Teach Synonyms? Vasubandhu’s View of the Buddha’s Words 545 Overview 545 Investigation of Each Item 546 Conclusion of this Section 556 The Structure of the VyY in Relation to the Methodology of Sūtra Interpretation 557 The Organic Relationship Between the Five Aspects of Sūtra Interpretation 557 The Structure of the VyY 558 The Position of VyY Chapter 5 in Relation to the “Purpose” 559 The Relation Between “Purpose” and Hearing the Buddha’s Word Respectfully 559 An Example of a Story in VyY Chapter 5 562 Conclusions 563 References 564
