Book Reviews

SR No.: 269676
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J W De Jong
Publisher: J W De Jong
Total Pages: 7
Language: English
Classification: Article
File Size: 869 KB

Page 3

128
JIABS VOL. 9 NO.1
REVIEWS
129
Philosophy of Mind in Sixth Century China. Paramartha's 'Evolution of Consciousness,' by Diana Y. Paul. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1984, vii + 266 pages.
from the Ghanavyuhasútra: "Just as) lands are the basis of the varieties (of all things grown)." A correct interpretation has been given by Seyfort Ruegg who translates: "Les différentes Terres (bhumi) (sont) l'alaya."
In order not to give rise to a wrong impression, it is absolutely necessary to repeat again that Hopkins' work is a remarkable achievement. However, it is perhaps not superfluous to point out that it is not always satisfactory to rely entirely on rather recent Tibetan works and on oral explanations. There are many Sanskrit texts that have been carefully studied by several generations of scholars, and it is not advisable to neglect them. Hopkins' work could be so much more useful if he would take the trouble to pay more attention to Indian texts and to the study of the technical vocabulary that is found in these texts. It is impossible lo study Tibetan Buddhism, and especially such a learned school as that of the de-lugs-pas, without a profound knowledge of its Indian background and of the Indian texts that are quoted over and over again.
J.W. de Jong
NOTES
1. Cf. "Linh-Son". Publication d'études bouddhologiques, No. 14 (1981), p. 21.
2. Unrai Wogihara, Lexikalisches aus der Bodhisattvabhūmi (Leipzig, 1908), pp. 28-30 (reprinted in his edition of the Bodhisattabhumi, Tokyo, 1930–1936; 2nd ed., 1971); L. de La Vallée Poussin, L'Abhidhannakosa de Vasubandhu. Cinquième et sixième chapitres (Paris-Louvain, 1925), Pp. 180-182; D. Seyfort Ruegg. La théorie du tathagalagarbha et du gotra (Paris, 1969), pp. 196-197; Walpola Rahula, Le compendium de la superdoctrine (philosophie). (Abhidharmasam uccaya) d'Asanga (Paris, 1971), p. 152,
Paramartha (499–569) is considered to be one of the four great translators of Indian texts into Chinese, the other three being Kumārajiva, Hsuan-sang and Amoghuvajra. He arrived in China in 546, but did not meet with favourable conditions and was forced to wander from one place to another. Nevertheless, he was able to translate many texts, most of which belong to the Vijñanaváda school. He was interested in particular in the Mahāyānasamgraha, and he founded the She-lun school. His interpretations of the Vijñānavada texts were disseminated by his disciples. After the foundation of the Fa-hsiang school by Hsuan-tsang's chief disciple, Chi (632-682), the She-lun school disappeared from the scene.
Diana Paul's book is the first monograph in a Western language on Paramartha. The bibliography comprises many Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese sources, and among the secondary sources a number of publications by Japanese scholars are mentioned. Her work seems to be the result of many years of study during which the author discussed her ideas with colleagues both in Japan and America. The first two chapters deal with the life and times of Paramartha and the spreading of his ideas by his disciples. Paramartha's views on language and on the philosophy of mind are discussed in the following two chapters. His Chuan shih lun is analysed in the last chapter, which is followed by the translation of the text.
The reader of this book cannot but be impressed by the wide range of sources both primary and secondary. However, when one takes the trouble to check the information the author gives, one soon discovers that her study and interpretation of the sources leaves much to be desired. For instance, she writes that all biographical data presented on the figure of Paramartha are based upon his biography in the Hsu kao seng chuan. The single most important secondary source in the analysis of the HSKC is Ui Hakuju's study, Indo tetsugaku kenkyu, vol. 6, 1930, pp. 5-130 (cp. 187, note 31). On p. 35 Paul writes that after Hui-k'ai's death in 568 Paramartha continued to translate the Abhidharna-kosa. On p. 194 (note 25) she repeats the same information, referring to Paramartha's biography, and she wonders how Hui-k'ai could have written an introduction to the Kosa in 567 as stated by Ui on p. 6 of his book. In the same note Paul
n. 3.
S. D. Seyfort Ruegg. Le traité du tathāgatagarbha de Bu ston Rin chen grub (Paris, 1973). pp. 95 and 90. See also Robert A.F. Thurman, Tsong Khapa's Speech of Gold in the Essence of True Eloquence (Princeton, 1984). p. 350.