Bu Ston On Schism Of Buddhist Church And On Doctrinal Tendencies Of Buddhist Scriptures

SR No.: 269589
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Claus Vogel
Publisher: Claus Vogel
Total Pages: 7
Language: English
Classification: Article
File Size: 727 KB

Page 3

Claus Vogel
On the manner in which (the clergy) was split into sects at that (time), Bhavya22) says that there were two principal (sects)-the Mahāsāmghikas and the Sthaviras. Others") say that along with the Vibhajyavādins there were three (such sects). The Mül(asarv)ästivädins 24) say (as follows): "Until the second recapitulation (of the doctrine) there was no (school) but one-the Mulasarvästivādins; thereafter, since (the doctrine) was preached in different languages, there were 17 (other schools). As regards (these other) schools, (the texts used by them) are not the teaching (of the Buddha): they are not met with in the Vinaya since they have not been recapitulated in the table of contents; they are not found in the Sūtra section since they disagree with one another in meaning; they are in discord with the normal state 25) since they teach the meaning of the words otherwise. Therefore they are not the word (of the Buddha)."
To (this) statement (I reply that) the texts of the 17 (other) schools are the word (of the Buddha): for the reason that they are met with in the Vinaya since they teach (superior) morality 26), that they are found in the Sütra section since they teach superior intelligence 26), [89 b] (and) that they do not disagree with the normal state since they are in concord with (the doctrine of) nirvana and teach superior wisdom 2); for the reason that they have been stamped with the three seals-(that of) the selflessness of all states of existence 27) etc.; for the reason that they let only the meaning of the Buddha's word stand foremost; for the reason that an explication (of them) has been given by the Arhats; for the reason that they too have sprung from the Buddha's blessing; and (for the reason that) in the Sutra setting forth the dream of King Krkin") they have been recognized as the word (of the Buddha), because (there) it has been said: "Great King! As regards the (fact that) in your dream you have seen 18 men pulling at a piece of cotton-cloth, (you shall know that) the teaching of Säkyamuni will be split into 18 varieties, while the cotton-cloth of his (doctrine of) liberation will not be torn."
Vinitadeva and Varṣapṛcchäpandita") posit four principal sects. Vinitadeva 30) says:
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22) In his Tarkajvālā; see Peking Tanjur, mDo section, vol. 19 (dza), fol. 163 a 2-3 [~ Otani reprint, vol. 96, p. 67].
23) Cf. ib., fol. 162 b 1-2.
24) Excerpted and abridged from Sakyaprabha's Prabhāvati; see Peking Tanjur, mDo section, vol. 89 (hu), fol. 182b2-6 [~ Otani reprint, vol. 127, p. 127].
25) Skr. dharmata.
26) Skr. adhisila, adhicitta, adhiprajñā; they constitute the three instructions (śikṣā). 27) Skr. sarvadharmanairatmya.
28) According to Taranatha (p. 47.15-17), this Sūtra was entitled gSer-'phren-can-gyi rtogs-brjod, that is, Kāñcanamālāvadāna. Most probably it is the same as the Sumagadhāvadāna, which forms the 93rd Pallava of Kṣemendra's Avadanakalpalata; on the episode in point see vv. 84-107, especially 93 cd and 104 cd, and its indirect rendering by G. N. Roerich, The Blue Annals, I, Calcutta, 1949, p. 26 sq.
29) According to Taranatha (p. 167. 13-14), the actual name of this author was Padma'byun-gnas-dbyans, that is, Padmākaraghoṣa.