Tattvasangraha 01

Author(s): Embar Krishnamacharya
Publisher: Central Library

Page 53

TORIWORD
because the Vijñanavådins postulate that the Sarvajña. does not speak but others think as if he speaks. The Sarvajña in fact is nothing but a chain of Vijfâna and what it thinks is transmitted into the different chains of Vijñknas surrounding it, and through them to the rest of the world or properly speaking to the other chains of Vijñana.
The most interesting topic, namely the nature of Nirvana, as conceived by our author and his commentator, then follows and it is useful to note our author's views in this connection. A Bodhisattva's chain of Vijñana, our author explains, because of its unbounded sympathy and compassion for the suffering world, does not merge into the S'anya and thus lose its form, individuality and activity: it does not care to obtain salvation until all creatures realize the truth of Nairåtmya of the Universe and obtain Nirvåņa consequent thereon. We thus see the necessity of setting up in Mahayânism the ideal Bodhisattva in the form of Avalokitesvara, who refused salvation, though fully entitled to it, until all creatures of the Universe obtain salvation, as early as the first century A. D. in the Sukhávativydha and then in the Karandavydha which was translated into Chinese in about the third century A. D.
Another important difference between the Mahåyåna and Hinayana lies in the fact that the S'råvakas and the Pratyekas who are devoid of compassion for the suffering humanity obtain their Nirvåņa soon, as they have not to wait for the salvation of others: they obtain Nirvana As soon as they are qualified for it, whereas the Mahayanists cannot or will not accept it, even though entitled to it, simply because all others are still immersed in the sea of Samsåra and are undergoing untold sufferings. A
1. Heri yuring ATTATYTI
साधारयोगतो वृत्तान्न कथञ्चिभिवर्तते ॥ ३४३३॥ Kamalas'ila adds-Type Testament geferciergfiruarate urca THE 1997
मासंसारमशेषसत्वोद्धरणायावस्थानात्तदायवर्तिनी वित्तसन्ततिरतितरा स्थिराश्रया । या तु धावकावीनो सन्तानवर्सिनी सा न स्थिराश्रया तेषां शीघ्रतरं परिनिर्वाणान्मन्दaller Thurat Taraft Rotarar:
-p. 894.