Tattvasangraha 01

SR No.: 010566
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Embar Krishnamacharya
Publisher: Central Library
Publication Year: 1926
Total Pages: 832
Language: Hindi, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 57 MB

Page 69

DEVI
FOREWORD
Vasubandhu.
A. D. 280-360 Vasubandhu comes next in chronological order." He was born in Gândhåra, and a tablet to his memory was seen by Hiuen Thsang. He was a Vaibhåșika teacher in the beginning of his career, but was subsequently converted to Yogåcåra by his illustrious brother Asanga, A desciple of Maitreyanatha. He spent many years of his life in travelling, taking part in discussions and writing a large number of books, and he died at the age of eighty. He was a contemporary of the two Vaibháşika teachers Sanghabhadra and Manoratha.'
Kumârajiva wrote a Life of Vasubandhu between A. D. 401-9 and Paramârtha* (A.D. 499-560) wrote another subsequently. The biography of Kumârajîva was lost in 730 A. D. as Nanjio informs us. Hiuen Thsango and I-Tsing also compiled some information and mentioned them in their Travels. Paramartha' informs us that Vasubandhu was a contemporary of Vikramaditya who is according to V. A. Smith none other than Chandragupta the First of the Gupta Dynasty wlio reigned between cir. 320--330. Paramartha further informs us that his preceptor was Buddhamitra who was defeated by Vindhyavâsin in a debate. The date of Vasubandhu has been differently assigned by different scholars. The two most important are those that place him between A, D. 280–360 and between A. D. 420-500. Those who desire to have full details about the discussion may refer to the masterly review of Sir V. A. Smith in the third edition of the Early History of India, page, 328 ff.
: . 1. Tattvasangraha, p. 129.
2. Vidyabhūşhanı: op. oib. p. 266; also Beal: Si-Yu-Ki, Vol. I, 195. 3. Nanjio: op. oit. app. I. 64. 4. Nanjio: No. 1463. 5. Beal: Si-Yu-Ki. Vol. I, pp. 98, 172, 193, 225, 236. 6. Takakusu: 1-Tsing's Travels, pp. 157, 181. 7. Takakusu: JRAS (1905), p. 44... 8. Early History of India, 3rd edition, p. 329.