Madhyadesika Madhyoddesika And Madhyuddesika

SR No.: 269590
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J W De Jong
Publisher: J W De Jong
Total Pages: 6
Language: English
Classification: Article
File Size: 634 KB

Page 6

143 Madhyadesika, Madhyoddeoika and Madhy'uddesika 143 Bhiksu Pratimoksa-sutra, and as characteristic for the terminology of the Lokottaravadins in general." The first manuscript referred to by Dr. Roth is of the greatest importance for the study of the Mahavastu and it is very much to be hoped that it will be edited as soon as possible and/or made available in a facsimile edition. The reading madhy'uddesikanam is most probably only one example of many in which this manuscript must have preserved better readings than those found in the manuscripts used by Senart for his edition of the Mahavastu. * Additional note: Only recently I discovered that in his review of Gustav Roth's edition of the Bhiksuni-vinaya (Patna, 1970), John Brough suggested the meaning 'who preaches the Middle (Way)' for madhyoddesika- (BSOAS 36, 1973, pp. 675-677). Brough does not quote other instances to support this hypothesis; the passage in which he discussed the meaning of madhyoddesika- is the following: It has generally been accepted that the Mahavastu belonged to the 'Lokottaravadins of Madhyadesa'. The form madhyuddesikanam here (madhyoddesikanam in their Pratimoksasutra) may raise doubts. On reflection, it is somewhat curious that a Buddhist sect should specify that it belonged to Madhyadesa; and madhyoddesika- would readily have been corrupted to madhyadesika-, while the converse is extremely improbable. Although uddesa- can mean 'place' as well as 'instruction', we may suggest as a hypothesis for future consideration that the sect designated itself as 'Lokottaravadins who preach the Middle (Way)'. In view of their transcendental doctrines (cf. A. Bareau, Les sectes bouddhiques du Petit Vehicule, Saigon, 1955, 77), this would probably mean a doctrine holding to a middle path between the Sravakayana and the more extreme forms of the nascent Ma hayana.