Alamban Pariksha

Author(s): Dinnaga, Dharmapala, N Aiyaswami Shastri
Publisher: Adyar Library

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identcial with the groups of elements, nor differing from them. Having accordingly practised meditation, he could nowhere find such an Ego. He practised severe penance sitting betwixt fires at four directions. While he was doing so, the preceptor asked him what he was doing. He replied he was searching for the Ego. The preceptor said: “Thou art overthrowing our own philosophical system. Therefore, be gone.” He departed and finally came to the teacher, Vasubandhu. With the latter he studied the texts of 3 Vehicles and became specially versed in the Vijñānavāda and in logic. He composed the commentary on the Abhidharmakos'a, the commentary on the Gunaparyantastotra, the Alambanaparīkșa and other fragmentary works, 100 in number. But as these treatises were mere fragments (without any system), he resolved to compose the Pramāṇasamuccaya. And it is stated that he composed it being induced by Mañjus'ri for the benefit of the world. One of his pupils was Īs/varasena who was versed in 5 branches of the science and composed a sub-commentary on the Pramanasamuc.caya." (v. Ober Miller's translation, History of Buddhism, part II, pp. 149-50).
The following accounts of his life are given by Thomas Watters from the Tibetan Channels, viz., from Tārānātha :
“He was born in Simha-vaktra, a suburb of Kāñci in the south, and he was of a Brahmin family and well trained in the orthodox learning. He afterwards joined the Vātsīputra sect of the Hīnayāna Buddhists, but