Text of Confucianism Part 02

SR No.: 007676
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Legge
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1882
Total Pages: 2405
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 43 MB

Page 1529

xii
FO-SHO-HING-TSAN-KING.
Sanavâsa (she-na-po-sa), who also held the Dharmapitaka in 80,000 (divisions). After him came Upagupta, of whom the lord of the world (Buddha) predicted that as "a Buddha without marks"(alakshanako Buddhah; see Burnouf, Introd. p. 378, note 1) he should overcome Mâra, which is related in the Avadanas (yin ün). This (master) could not hold the 80,000 divisions of the Dharmapitaka. After him there were five schools (the school of the “Great Assembly" being the first of the five) to which the following names were given : (1) Dharmaguptas, (2) Mahîsasakas, (3) Kasyapîyas, (4) Sarvâstivadas. This last is also called the school "that holds the existence of all,” because it maintains the distinct nature of things existing in) past, present, and future time. Each of these schools had its own president and distinctive doctrine. Because of this in the time of Asokaråga, when the king was in doubt what was right and what was wrong, he consulted the priests as to what should be done to settle the matter. They replied, “The law (dharma) ought to be settled by the majority.” The king said, “If it be so, let the matter be put to the vote (by lots or tokens of wood), and so let it be seen who is right in the majority)." On this they cast lots, and our sect (i.e. the Mahasanghikas) was in great preponderance. Therefore it is called the Mahâsangîti or Great Assembly.'
From this it appears that the Mahasanghikas, on their part, claimed to be the original portion of the Buddhist church, and that they regarded the four sects, whose names are given, to be heretical. The same colophon has a further notice respecting this subject. It states that . There was in former times in Mid-India a wicked king who ruled the world. From him all the Sramanas fled, and the sacred books were scattered far and wide. This wicked king having died, there was a good king who in his turn requested the Sramanas to come back to their country to receive his protection (nurture). At this time in Påtaliputra there were 500 priests who wished to decide (matters of faith), but there was no copy of the Vinaya, or teacher who knew the Vinaya, to be found. They therefore sent forthwith to the Getavana Vihara to copy out the Vinaya in its original character, as
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