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FOREWORD
learned Dr. Takakusu he was converted to the Yogacara only ten years before his death by his elder brother Asanga. Be that as it may, all our authorities on Sanghabhadra, namely, Paramartha, Hiuen Thsang and I-Tsing, are unanimous in saying that Sanghabhadra was a contemporary of Asanga and Vasubandhu, and that he was a great Vaibhâşika teacher. The time of Sanghabhadra thus depends on the date of Vasubandhu, whom we have reasons for placing between A. D. 280-360. Some scholars have confused this Sanghabhadra with another Sanghabhadra who translated & few books into Chinese in the year 489 A. D.,) and on that ground placed Vasubandhu between A. D. 420-500. But this cannot be correct. Vasubandhu was converted to Yogacara ten years before his death, which brings us down to A. D. 490; before his conversion a challenge to a discussion was given by Sanghabhadra who spent twelve years in writing bis Nyáyánusára containing a refutation of Vasubandhu. In the immediately preceding period, Sanghabhadra could have found no time to go to China, to learn Chinese and trauslate books into Chinese. Even if he had gone there he could not have returned before 490 A. D. and spent twelve years of study in composing his work against the Koşa, and in challenging Vasubandhu to a discussion before the latter's conversion to Asanga's Yogâcâra.
It seems therefore very probable that there were two Sanghabhadras, one a contemporary of Vasubandhu and another who went to China, learnt Chinese and translated Indian works into Chinese. Our Sanghabhadra is a Vaibháşika teacher and a contemporary of Vasubandhu. Both Sanghabhadra and Vasubandhu were old when there was a proposal for discussion and we will not be very wrong if we place the former cir. A. D. 280-350 and fix the time of his death ten years prior to that of Vasubandhu.
1. Takakusu, op. cit. p. 41. 2. For instance, Takakusu: op. cit., p. 51.-"Dotted Record"... brought to
China by Sanghabhadra... Samantapdeddikd which was written by Buddhaghoşa ... translated by Sangbabhadra into Chinese in 488 A. D."
Also Vidyabhaşana: Indian Logic, p. 266. 3. Nanjio, op. oit. p. 95. Sanghabhadra trauslated (Sudars'ana) Vibhd.
şdvinaya in 489 A. D. 4. Beal: Si-Yu-Ki, Vol. I, p. 193. 3. Kin-she-pao-lun in Fiuen Thsang.
