On Origins Of Guna Theory Struggling For A New Approach Wrestling With Frauwallner

SR No.: 269423
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Albrecht Wezler
Publisher: Albrecht Wezler
Total Pages: 8
Language: English
Classification: Article
File Size: 2 MB

Page 1

ON THE ORIGIN(S) OF THE GUNA-THEORY. STRUGGLING FOR A NEW APPROACH (1):
WRESTLING WITH FRAUWALLNER
Albrecht Wezler, Hambourg
The "prehistory", "early history" or "formation" of Sāmkhya is a highly controversial topic. When going through the works of earlier scholars who have dealt with it, one cannot but gather the impression that it is in fact a veritable mine-field: it is hence absolutely necessary to move with utter care. Several lessons, in my view, have to be learned first, viz. the following ones:
1. a The term 'system' should be avoided, i.e. not applied to any of the pre-Kärikä stages of Sāmkhya, unless they can be shown to have indeed been a whole organized somehow systematically, or it should at least be indicated that the term is used in a figurative sense only;
1. b The above holds good for the term 'school', too;
2. It is advisable to use neutral terms instead, such as 'aggregate of (philosophical) thoughts or doctrines', even though this may sound a bit long-winded;
3. Even if we grant VAN BUITENEN'S (1956, 1957a and b) speculative reconstruction of the history of early Samkhya a certain plausibility, and even if we basically agree with his appeal (1957b: 102) "to allow for the greatest diversity, rather than the greatest uniformity of doctrine", it has to be emphasized that we cannot avoid addressing the questions as to a) which of the pre-Kärikä stages attested in our sources should be regarded as the earliest form or forms of Samkhya - regardless whether the expression Samkhya was used with reference to it, no matter what the meaning of samkhya is in its first occurrences - and b) whether this form, or these forms, should also be considered as the very beginning of Samkhya as such and hence c) which doctrines should be regarded as constituting Samkhya in its beginning, as being typical for it.