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ŚRĀVAKABHUMI
11. Asanga and Ayurveda
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The discipline of the Buddhist order (samgha) prescribes several rules for the monks and the laity which comprise the discussion regarding the kind and quantity of nutrition to be taken1, the bedding2 walking and the awakening in the first and the later halves of nights. Later expositions and commentaries elucidate these points in the light of the canonical texts. Asanga also gives a detailed note regarding nutrition (āhāra), bedding (Śayyā), walking (caǹkrama), sitting (nişadya)10 and awakening in the first and the later halves of nights11.
But the exposition of Asanga, as found in the YBS indicates that he not only elucidated the viewpoint embodied in the Nikayas and other Buddhist texts, but he equally incorporated in his exposition of these points the account as preserved in the Ayurvedic
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1. Dh. S., pp. 290-1; S. N. II.289, 291, 83, 84; III.96; A. N., I, 104 sq., Vbh. 299, M. N., I.335, I1.22 etc.
2. Vbh., p. 298 sq.
3. Vbh., p. 301; M. N. 1.78, 330, 331, etc.
4. Vbh., pp. 299-300.
5. Such as the Vsm. and Vimuttimagga, Ada, JPS and other works.
6. Such as VSm, SVA., ADV. Sdp. and other commentaries.
7. ŚBh., p. 7, 47 sq.; YBS, I.99 sq.; 46.
8. Ibid., p. 58 sq.
9. ŚBh., p. 8.
10. Ibid., p. 56.
11. Quoted in YBS I.27, AKB, I.35; Vide Narendra Deva, AK., I.42, f.n. 12; vide, M. N., III.322 sq.
