Articles by alphabetic order
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 Ā Ī Ñ Ś Ū Ö Ō
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0


Difference between revisions of "Asanga's Understanding of Madhyamika: Notes on the Shung-chung-lun"

From Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with " by John P. Keenan I. Introduction Since Madhyamika and Yogacara are the two principal fdstra schools of Indian Mahayana Buddhism, the relationship between thes...")
 
 
(4 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 7: Line 7:
  
  
by John P. Keenan  
+
by [[John P. Keenan]]
  
  
  
I. Introduction  
+
===I. Introduction===
  
  
  
Since Madhyamika and Yogacara are the two principal fdstra schools of Indian Mahayana Buddhism, the relationship between these two schools is of central importance in understanding the development of Mahayana thinking. Yet the main Yogacara thinkers of the classical period—Maitreya-natha, Asariga, and  
+
Since [[Madhyamika]] and [[Yogacara]] are the two [[principal]] fdstra schools of [[Indian Mahayana Buddhism]], the relationship between these two schools is of central importance in [[understanding]] the [[development]] of [[Mahayana]] [[thinking]]. Yet the main [[Yogacara]] thinkers of the classical period—[[Maitreya-natha]], Asariga, and  
Vasubandhu—do not, it would appear, refer to the Madhyamika masters Nagarjuna and Aryadeva nor outline their view of Madhyamika philosophy. Edward Conze writes that "these two schools were engaged in constant disputes and the works of one have no authority for the other."1 Yet upon a closer examination, it becomes clear that such disputes took place between later proponents of these schools and, as will be shortly evident, Madhyamika texts do indeed retain
 
  
their authority for Yogacara thinkers. In contrast to Conze's opinion, Nagao Gadjin argues that "Madhyamika philosophy, which began with Nagarjuna, is presently believed to have been wholly inherited by Maitreya-natha, Asariga, and other Yogacaras."2 According to his understanding, Yogacara differs in the way it interprets emptiness but in no wise rejects the main themes of Madhyamika. Nagao has presented this view by focusing on analogous passages from
+
[[Vasubandhu]]—do not, it would appear, refer to the [[Madhyamika]] [[masters]] [[Nagarjuna]] and [[Aryadeva]] nor outline their view of [[Madhyamika philosophy]]. [[Edward Conze]] writes that "these two schools were engaged in [[constant]] [[disputes]] and the works of one have no authority for the other."1 Yet upon a closer {{Wiki|examination}}, it becomes clear that such [[disputes]] took place between later proponents of these schools and, as will be shortly evident, [[Madhyamika]] texts do indeed retain
  
Nagarjuna's Madhyamakahariha and Maitreya-natha's Madhyantavibhdga.* He convincingly shows the lines of doctrinal development from the Madhyamika notion of the middle path to the Yogacara interpretation of the same. Yet in these Yogacara texts no specific reference is made to Nagarjuna or Madhyamika. It almost seems that, although these lines of developing thought
+
their authority for [[Yogacara]] thinkers. In contrast to [[Conze's]] opinion, [[Nagao Gadjin]] argues that "[[Madhyamika philosophy]], which began with [[Nagarjuna]], is presently believed to have been wholly inherited by [[Maitreya-natha]], [[Asariga]], and other [[Yogacaras]]."2 According to his [[understanding]], [[Yogacara]] differs in the way it interprets [[emptiness]] but in no [[wise]] rejects the main themes of [[Madhyamika]]. [[Nagao]] has presented this view by focusing on analogous passages from
  
 +
[[Nagarjuna's]] [[Madhyamakahariha]] and [[Maitreya-natha's]] [[Madhyantavibhdga]].* He convincingly shows the lines of [[doctrinal]] [[development]] from the [[Madhyamika]] notion of the [[middle path]] to the [[Yogacara]] [[interpretation]] of the same. Yet in these [[Yogacara texts]] no specific reference is made to [[Nagarjuna]] or [[Madhyamika]]. It almost seems that, although these lines of developing [[thought]]
  
did occur in cognizance of one another, the Yogacara thinkers intentionally refrained from mentioning Madhyamika and did not accept its authorative status, as Conze maintained. Yet this is not the case, for there does exist a commentary by Asariga which interprets the Mahdprajndpdramitdsutra through
 
  
 +
did occur in cognizance of one another, the [[Yogacara]] thinkers intentionally refrained from mentioning [[Madhyamika]] and did not accept its authorative {{Wiki|status}}, as {{Wiki|Conze}} maintained. Yet this is not the case, for there does [[exist]] a commentary by Asariga which interprets the [[Mahdprajndpdramitdsutra]] through
  
Nagarjuna's Madhyamakakdrikd. This text is invaluable in delineating the development from Madhyamika to Yogacara. It is the intent of this paper to offer evidence in support of Nagao's thesis of the organic relationship between Yogacara and Madhyamika by examining this text and outlining Asariga's understanding of Madhyamika and the Madhyamika ideas that underlie his explanation of the central Yogacara theme of the three patterns of consciousness.
 
  
 +
[[Nagarjuna's]] [[Madhyamakakdrikd]]. This text is invaluable in [[delineating]] the [[development]] from [[Madhyamika]] to [[Yogacara]]. It is the intent of this paper to offer {{Wiki|evidence}} in support of [[Nagao's]] {{Wiki|thesis}} of the organic relationship between [[Yogacara]] and [[Madhyamika]] by examining this text and outlining Asariga's [[understanding]] of [[Madhyamika]] and the [[Madhyamika]] [[ideas]] that underlie his explanation of the central [[Yogacara]] theme of the three patterns of [[consciousness]].
  
Asanga on Madhyamika
 
  
 +
===[[Asanga on Madhyamika]]===
  
The text in question is the Shun-chung-lun-i ju tai-pan-jo-pomi-to-ching chu-hin-fa-men, "Introduction to the Doctrine of the Introductory Section of the Mahdprajndpdramitdsutra in accord with the Meaning of the Mddhyamikasdstra (i.e., Madhyamakakdrikd)" Ui Hakuju has restored the Sanskrit title as Mddhyamikasfetra-artha-anugata-MahdprajMpdramitd-sutra-Mipariva parydya-pravesa.4 Unfortunately no Sanskrit version is extant and apparently no Tibetan
 
  
translation was made. The sole source for our consideration then is the Chinese translation made in 543 by Gautama-Prajnaruci, a translation which was characterized by Ui Hakuju as "rude" or "immature."5 Indeed, it is because of the poor quality of this translation that the Shunchung-lun has received scant attention both in Japan and in the West, for the difficulties in interpretation are numerous and often not amenable to definitive solution. Unfortunately, its Asarigan authorship cannot be definitely established, since it is attested only by this Chinese text. There is, however, little reason
+
The text in question is the [[Shun-chung-lun-i ju tai-pan-jo-pomi-to-ching chu-hin-fa-men]], "Introduction to the [[Doctrine]] of the Introductory Section of the [[Mahdprajndpdramitdsutra]] in accord with the [[Meaning of the Mddhyamikasdstra]] (i.e., [[Madhyamakakarika]])" [[Ui Hakuju]] has restored the [[Sanskrit]] title as {{Mddhyamikasfetra-artha-anugata-MahdprajMpdramitd-sutra-Mipariva parydya-pravesa[[.4
  
to reject this Chinese attribution. The text is clearly Indian, delving into the intricacies of formal logic and argumentation in a way few early Chinese attempted. The "rudeness" of the translation in part comes from the difficulty of finding Chinese terms for the Sanskrit terminology. Modern Japanese scholars accept Asanga as its author." Indeed, the only reason to reject
+
Unfortunately no [[Sanskrit]] version is extant and apparently no [[Tibetan translation]] was made. The sole source for our [[consideration]] then is the {{Wiki|Chinese}} translation made in 543 by [[Gautama]] Prajnaruci, a translation which was characterized by [[Ui Hakuju]] as "rude" or "immature."5 Indeed, it is because of the poor [[quality]] of this translation that the [[Shunchung-lun]] has received scant [[attention]] both in [[Japan]] and in the [[West]], for the difficulties in [[interpretation]] are numerous and often not amenable to definitive {{Wiki|solution}}. Unfortunately, its Asarigan authorship cannot be definitely established, since it is attested only by this {{Wiki|Chinese}} text. There is, however, little [[reason]]
  
 +
to reject this {{Wiki|Chinese}} attribution. The text is clearly [[Indian]], delving into the intricacies of [[formal logic]] and {{Wiki|argumentation}} in a way few early {{Wiki|Chinese}} attempted. The "rudeness" of the translation in part comes from the difficulty of finding {{Wiki|Chinese}} terms for the [[Sanskrit]] {{Wiki|terminology}}. {{Wiki|Modern}} [[Japanese]] [[scholars]] accept [[Asanga]] as its author." Indeed, the only [[reason]] to reject
  
NOTES ON THE SHUNG-CHUNG-LUN 95
 
  
 +
it is for the anachronistic [[reason]] that the text treats [[Madhyamika]] [[thought]], not [[Yogacara]]. In this article, its [[Asangan]] authorship is accepted as probable and its thematic {{Wiki|structure}} employed to ascertain Asariga's [[understanding]] of the basic [[Madhyamika]] teachings. Although composed by the [[Yogacara]] thinker [[Asariga]], the [[Hsun-chung-lun]] presents no [[Yogacara]] [[philosophy]]. One might expect that [[Asariga]] would interpret [[Madhyamika]] in [[Yogacara]] fashion, through the
  
it is for the anachronistic reason that the text treats Madhyamika thought, not Yogacara. In this article its Asangan authorship is accepted as probable and its thematic structure employed to ascertain Asariga's understanding of the basic Madhyamika teachings. Although composed by the Yogacara thinker Asariga, the Hsun-chung-lun presents no Yogacara philosophy. One might expect that Asariga would interpret Madhyamika in Yogacara fashion, through the  
+
basic themes of the three patterns of [[consciousness]]. Indeed, that is what [[Sthiramati]] does in his commentary.7 In fact, the [[Hsun-chung-lun]] is a straightforward [[Madhyamika]] commentary. This leads [[Mochizuki Shinkyo]] to conclude that it represents an early work of Asariga and dates to a pre-[[Yogacara]] period when, as is recorded in [[Vasubandhu's]] {{Wiki|biography}}, he was struggling with the notion of [[emptiness]] and before he adopted [[Yogacara]].8 It does seem probable that this text represents an early stage in his developing [[understanding]] of [[emptiness]] as presented in the [[Prajnaparamita]] {{Wiki|literature}} and explained
  
basic themes of the three patterns of consciousness. Indeed, that is what Sthiramati does in his commentary.7 In fact, the Hsun-chung-lun is a straightforward Madhyamika commentary. This leads Mochizuki Shinkyo to conclude that it represents an early work of Asariga and dates to a pre-Yogacara period when, as is recorded in Vasubandhu's biography, he was struggling with the notion of emptiness and before he adopted Yogacara.8 It does seem probable that this text represents an early stage in his developing understanding of emptiness as presented in the Prajriaparamita literature and explained
+
by [[Nagarjuna]]. [[Asariga's]] [[interpretation]] of [[Nagarjuna's]] [[stanzas]] should amply convince the [[scholar]] of later [[Tibetan]] and {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[disputes]] between [[Madhyamika]] and [[Yogacara]] that [[Asariga]] himself, at this stage at least, fully accepted and [[affirmed]] the basic [[Madhyamika]] notions, and, inasmuch as he never is recorded to have repudiated [[Madhyamika]] in any later text, that he maintained his commitment to [[Madhyamika]] throughout his entire career. His [[intention]] in this text, it would seem, is to explicate [[Nagarjuna's]] basic [[teaching]]. The anonymous author of the brief introductory note explains:
  
by Nagarjuna. Asariga's interpretation of Nagarjuna's stanzas should amply convince the scholar of later Tibetan and Chinese disputes between Madhyamika and Yogacara that Asariga himself, at this stage at least, fully accepted and affirmed the basic Madhyamika notions, and, inasmuch as he never is recorded to have repudiated Madhyamika in any later text, that he maintained his commitment to Madhyamika throughout his entire career. His intention in this text, it would seem, is to explicate Nagarjuna's basic teaching. The anonymous author of the brief introductory note explains:
+
[[Nagarjuna]] [[Bodhisattva]] was a [[master]] of the basic [[teaching]] and, relying on the [[Mahdprajnaparamita]], composed the full text of the [[Madhyamika-sastra]]. But he did not exhaust its ramifications. The [[Mahayana sastra]] [[master]] [[Asariga]] understood points not yet clarified and composed this article in a discerning manner.1'  
  
Nagarjuna Bodhisattva was a master of the basic teaching and, relying on the Mahdprajnaparamita, composed the full text of the Mddhyamika-sastra. But he did not exhaust its ramifications. The Mahayana sastra master Asariga understood points not yet clarified and composed this article in a discerning manner.1'
 
  
 +
This note agrees with [[Nagao's]] appraisal of the role of Asariga in inheriting [[Madhyamika]] [[thought]]. It further specifies that Asariga identified his task as the explication of the ramifications of [[Madhyamika]] [[thought]], not as the [[offering]] of an alternative [[philosophy]] to [[Madhyamika]]. The [[Bussho]] haisetsu daijiten explains:
  
This note agrees with Nagao's appraisal of the role of Asariga in inheriting Madhyamika thought. It further specifies that Asariga identified his task as the explication of the ramifications of Madhyamika thought, not as the offering of an alternative philosophy to Madhyamika. TheBussho haisetsu daijiten explains:
 
  
 +
As this text is an [[interpretation]] focused on the [[eight negations]] and [[prapanca]] in the dedicatory [[stanzas]] of the [[Madhyamakakdrika]], it is not a complete commentary on the Madhyamakakdrikd. Nevertheless, in as much as it is an [[interpretation]] of [[Nagarjuna's]] [[Madhyamakakdrika]] by the [[Yogacara]] [[Asanga]], one can surmise that at their origin these two schools were not in opposition.10
  
As this text is an interpretation focused on the eight negations and prapanca in the dedicatory stanzas of the Madhyamakakdrikd, it is not a complete commentary on the Madhyamakakdrikd. Nevertheless, inasmuch as it is an interpretation of Nagarjuna's Madhyamakakdrikd by the Yogacara Asanga, one can surmise that at their origin these two schools were not in opposition.10
 
  
 +
It would seem reasonable then to conclude that the [[Hsun-chunglun]] presents [[Asanga's]] early [[understanding]] of [[Madhyamika]] and, in comparison with [[Asanga's]] mature [[thought]] as expressed in the [[Mahayanasamgraha]], can be used to highlight some aspects of the [[development]] from [[Madhyamika]] to [[Yogacara]].
  
It would seem reasonable then to conclude that the Hsun-chunglun presents Asaiiga's early understanding of Madhyamika and, in comparison with Asahga's mature thought as expressed in the Mahayanasamgraha, can be used to highlight some aspects of the development from Madhyamika to Yogacara.
 
  
 +
===[[The Content of the Hsun-Chung-Lun]]===
  
The Content of the Hsun-Chung-Lun
 
  
 +
The [[Hsun-chung-lun]] focuses from beginning to end on the dedicatory [[stanzas]] of [[Nagarjuna's]] [[Madhyamakakdrika]] and their themes of [[prapanca]] and the [[eight negations]]. [[Asanga]] describes his [[effort]] clearly:
  
The Hsun-chung-lun focuses from beginning to end on the dedicatory stanzas of Nagarjuna's Madhyamakakdrikd and their themes of prapanca and the eight negations. Asanga describes his effort clearly:
 
  
 +
These (dedicatory) [[stanzas]] from the fdstra (i.e., [[Madhyamakakdrika]]) summarize its basic meaning and it is in their {{Wiki|light}} that I now reinterpret its unexplicated significance. This is the meaning I treat, for it is this that severs the craven [[attachments]] of [[sentient beings]]. I compose this essay in accord with this [basic] meaning and do not {{Wiki|present}} an ordered treatment [of [[Nagarjuna's]] entire text)."
  
These (dedicatory) stanzas from the fdstra (i.e., Madhyamakakdrikd) summarize its basic meaning and it is in their light that I now reinterpret its unexplicated significance. This is the meaning I treat, for it is this that severs the craven attachments of sentient beings. I compose this essay in accord with this [basic] meaning and do not present an ordered treatment [of Nagarjuna's entire text)."
+
The first chiian distinguishes counterfeit [[perfection of wisdom]], engrossed in [[prapanca]], from true [[perfection of wisdom]], characterized by an absence of [[prapanca]]. Refutations are [[offered]] on a number of [[heretical views]]: [[Mahesvara]], time, [[atoms]], an original source, original {{Wiki|matter}}, etc. In addition, as [[Mochizuki]] [[Shinko]] observes, this section would appear to be the first {{Wiki|Chinese}} text to examine arguments through the three marks of [[logical]] {{Wiki|reasoning}}: {{Wiki|thesis}}, [[reason]], and example.1'2 The second chiian treats the [[eight negations]], developing the theme of [[emptiness]] and denying [[essence]] to all things, even the [[truth]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning. The text begins by quoting the dedicatory [[stanzas]] of the Madhyamakakdrikd:
  
The first chiian distinguishes counterfeit perfection of wisdom, engrossed in prapanca, from true perfection of wisdom, characterized by an absence of prapanca. Refutations are offered on a number of heretical views: Mahesvara, time, atoms, an original source, original matter, etc. In addition, as Mochizuki Shinko observes, this section would appear to be the first Chinese text to examine arguments through the three marks of logical reasoning: thesis, reason, and example.1'2 The second chiian treats the eight negations, developing the theme of emptiness and denying essence to all things, even the truth of ultimate meaning. The text begins by quoting the dedicatory stanzas of the Madhyamakakdrikd:
 
  
 +
I [[bow]] before [[universal wisdom]]— "Not passing away and not [[arising]], Not {{Wiki|annihilated}} and not eternal, Not one and not many, Not coming and not going, [[Buddha]] [[taught]] [[dependent co-arising]] To sever all [[prapanca]]— Thus I [[bow]] my head in reverence Before the best of all [[Dharma]] [[teachers]].""
  
I bow before universal wisdom— "Not passing away and not arising, Not annihilated and not eternal, Not one and not many, Not coming and not going, Buddha taught dependent co-arising To sever all prapanca— Thus I bow my head in reverence Before the best of all Dharma teachers.""
 
  
 +
[[Asanga]] [[understands]] these [[stanzas]] of [[Nagarjuna]] to describe [[universal wisdom]] (sarvajndna) and sees [[Nagarjuna's]] source as the Prajriaparamita [[teaching]]. Immediately after stating his intent to closely follow the {{Wiki|structure}} of these two [[stanzas]] in the passage quoted above, a questioner asks:
 +
What intent do you understand [[[Nagarjuna]]] to have had in composing his sdstra? What [[doctrine]] did he rely upon?14
  
Asanga understands these stanzas of Nagarjuna to describe universal wisdom (sarvajndna) and sees Nagarjuna's source as the Prajriaparamita teaching. Immediately after stating his intent to closely follow the structure of these two stanzas in the passage quoted above, a questioner asks:
 
What intent do you understand [Nagarjuna] to have had in composing his sdstra? What doctrine did he rely upon?14
 
  
 +
[[Asanga]] responds by citing the Mahaprajnaparamitdsutra in a passage that distinguishes the true [[perfection of wisdom]] from a counterfeit [[perfection of wisdom]] that issues from a preaching of the [[perfection of wisdom]] "in accord with one's [[own]] [[ideas]] and understanding,"15 and which consequently fails to understand its [[nature]] as [[skillful means]] ([[upaya]]) and treats [[wisdom]] as a goal to be [[attained]]."' By contrast, true [[perfection of wisdom]] relies on not the slightest
  
Asanga responds by citing the Mahaprajnaparamitdsutra in a passage that distinguishes the true perfection of wisdom from a counterfeit perfection of wisdom that issues from a preaching of the perfection of wisdom "in accord with one's own ideas and understanding,"15 and which consequently fails to understand its nature as skillful means (upaya) and treats wisdom as a goal to be attained."' By contrast, true perfection of wisdom relies on not the slightest
+
doctrine,17 since in the [[perfection of wisdom]] there is no true doctrine.18 Thus, even if one articulates the [[doctrine of emptiness]] that all things are [[impermanent]] and [[empty]], that can still be a counterfeit [[perfection of wisdom]], if it constitutes attachment.19 Quoting the appropriate passages from the [[Madhyamakakdrika]], [[Asanga]] strongly argues against taking [[emptiness]] as yet another view, for "all [[views]] are transcended by emptiness."20 In support he quotes a passage from an unknown work of [[Rahulabhadra]], the third [[master]] of the [[Madhyamika]] [[lineage]] after [[Nagarjuna]] and [[Aryadeva]]:
  
doctrine,17 since in the perfection of wisdom there is no true doctrine.18 Thus, even if one articulates the doctrine of emptiness that all things are impermanent and empty, that can still be a counterfeit perfection of wisdom, if it constitutes attachment.19 Quoting the appropriate passages from the Madhyamakakdrikd, Asanga strongly argues against taking emptiness as yet another view, for "all views are transcended by emptiness."20 In support he quotes a passage from an unknown work of Rahulabhadra, the third master of the Madhyamika lineage after Nagarjuna and Aryadeva:
 
  
 +
The counter against all [[views]] is [[Emptiness]] as [[taught]] by the [[Tathagata]]. Neither seek after nor be [[attached]] to [[emptiness]]; For, when one is [[attached]] to [[emptiness]], [[emptiness]] becomes reified. Seek neither [[emptiness]] nor non-emptiness; Both are to be abandoned. Do not cast aside the [[Buddha's words]], Spoken in so many places.21
  
The counter against all views is Emptiness as taught by the Tathagata. Neither seek after nor be attached to emptiness; For, when one is attached to emptiness, emptiness becomes reified. Seek neither emptiness nor non-emptiness; Both are to be abandoned. Do not cast aside the Buddha's words, Spoken in so many places.21
+
All [[views]] are to be rejected because they arise from [[prapanca]] and, as [[Nagarjuna's]] [[stanzas]] teach, the [[Buddha]] [[taught]] [[dependent co-arising]] in order to sever [[prapanca]]. The term [[prapanca]] has [[caused]] some [[confusion]] among scholars.22 [[Asanga]] offers a [[definition]]:
  
All views are to be rejected because they arise from prapanca and, as Nagarjuna's stanzas teach, the Buddha taught dependent co-arising in order to sever prapanca. The term prapanca has caused some confusion among scholars.22 Asanga offers a definition:
 
  
 +
The term [[prapanca]] means [[attachment]] to the [[duality]] between [[attaining]] as something real and the thing [[[attained]]] as something real and the inability truly to apprehend the equality of all [[characteristics]]. The term [[prapanca]] denotes a ludicrous {{Wiki|dialogue}} [as occurs on stage].23 In a [[word]], it is the apprehending of essences.24
  
The term prapanca means attachment to the duality between attaining as something real and the thing [attained] as something real and the inability truly to apprehend the equality of all characteristics. The term prapanca denotes a ludicrous dialogue [as occurs on stage].23 In a word, it is the apprehending of essences.24
+
The [[Buddha]] [[taught]] [[dependent co-arising]] in order to sever such ludicrous {{Wiki|dialogue}}, and [[Asanga]] explains that "all that which is dependently co-arisen is prapanca"2* for any view, even about the [[doctrine]] of Prajfiaparamita, being conceptually and coherently expressed, functions within the [[duality]] of a [[subjective]] [[attaining]] and an [[object]] [[attained]].  
  
The Buddha taught dependent co-arising in order to sever such ludicrous dialogue, and Asanga explains that "all that which is dependently co-arisen is prapanca"2* for any view, even about the doctrine of Prajfiaparamita, being conceptually and coherently expressed, functions within the duality of a subjective attaining and an object attained.
 
  
 +
In the HInayana the [[Buddha]] introduced [[doctrinal]] meaning by arranging it in an ordered fashion in order to counter the [[doctrine]] of the heretics.26
 +
[[Dependent co-arising]] is then explained as the presentation of the [[teaching]] on the twelvefold [[chain of conditioned arising]] from [[primal ignorance]] to [[old age]]
  
In the HInayana the Buddha introduced doctrinal meaning by arranging it in an ordered fashion in order to counter the doctrine of the heretics.26
+
and [[death]], seen by [[Asanga]] as a deconstructive strategy functioning within the [[realm]] of [[prapanca]] to refute the various [[views]] propounded by the {{Wiki|heretics}}, which occupy the next eight columns of the text. When asked why then [[Nagarjuna]] composed the [[Madhyamakakarika]], [[Asanga]] answers not just by referring to the [[views]] of the {{Wiki|heretics}}, but by negating the genesis of all such [[dualistic]] [[views]].
Dependent co-arising is then explained as the presentation of the teaching on the twelvefold chain of conditioned arising from primal ignorance to old age
 
  
and death, seen by Asanga as a deconstructive strategy functioning within the realm of prapanca to refute the various views propounded by the heretics, which occupy the next eight columns of the text. When asked why then Nagarjuna composed the Madhyamakakarika, Asanga answers not just by referring to the views of the heretics, but by negating the genesis of all such dualistic views.
 
  
  
 +
He employed [[reason]] to introduce the meaning of the Mahdprajnapdramitd to lead [[sentient beings]] to abandon [[prapanca]]. Having done so, through {{Wiki|reasoning}} they will speedily enter the [[perfection]] of wisdom.27
  
He employed reason to introduce the meaning of the Mahdprajnapdramitd to lead sentient beings to abandon prapanca. Having done so, through reasoning they will speedily enter the perfection of wisdom.27
 
  
 +
Upon being asked just what this [[perfection of wisdom]] is, [[Asanga]] responds by quoting the first of the [[Nagarjuna's]] [[stanzas]] on the [[eight negations]], which he describes as "{{Wiki|reasoning}} upon the [[sutras]], an ordered [[interpretation]] of the Agamas."2* He then proceeds to interpret the [[eight negations]] as signifying the
  
Upon being asked just what this perfection of wisdom is, Asanga responds by quoting the first of the Nagarjuna's stanzas on the eight negations, which he describes as "reasoning upon the sutras, an ordered interpretation of the Agamas."2* He then proceeds to interpret the eight negations as signifying the
+
absence of any [[essence]] which might validate the genesis of [[views]], insisting that nothing ever arises or passes away in an essentialist context. The questioner, [[thinking]] perhaps to hoist Asariga upon his [[own]] petard, raises the question of the [[truth]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning. Does that not truly [[exist]]?  
absence of any essence which might validate the genesis of views, insisting that nothing ever arises or passes away in an essentialist context. The questioner, thinking perhaps to hoist Asariga upon his own petard, raises the question of the truth of ultimate meaning. Does that not truly exist?  
+
If that were the case [and the [[truth]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning were a real identifiable [[essence]]], then there would be [[two levels of truth]], the [[worldly]] [[truth]] and  
If that were the case [and the truth of ultimate meaning were a real identifiable essence], then there would be two levels of truth, the worldly truth and  
 
  
the truth of ultimate meaning. Only if these two truths were to exist [in that essentialist fashion] would your assertion hold.29  
+
the [[truth]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning. Only if these [[two truths]] were to [[exist]] [in that essentialist fashion] would your [[assertion]] hold.29  
The questioner continues to press his point, arguing that apart from worldly truth, there is a truth of ultimate meaning, and that this validates his assertion. He quotes the Madhyamakak&xika to the effect that both of two truths are real (zz )& % f?| "& ), apparently a misquotation of chapter 24.9.
 
  
Asanga agrees that the Tathagata preached the doctrine of the two truths, but points out that in so doing in fact he was preaching the suchness of things and it is incorrect to understand the two truths as two disparate levels of truth:
 
  
 +
The questioner continues to press his point, arguing that apart from [[worldly]] [[truth]], there is a [[truth]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning, and that this validates his [[assertion]]. He quotes the Madhyamakak&xika to the effect that both of [[two truths]] are real (zz )& % f?| "& ), apparently a misquotation of [[chapter]] 24.9.
  
[Nagarjuna] neither rejected [the truth of ultimate meaning] nor bifurcated [it from the truth of worldly convention]. If in the two truths one regarded ultimate meaning as disparate, then the suchness of beings would be separate from things true in the world.30
+
[[Asanga]] agrees that the [[Tathagata]] [[preached]] the [[doctrine of the two truths]], but points out that in so doing in fact he was preaching the [[suchness]] of things and it is incorrect to understand the [[two truths]] as two disparate levels of [[truth]]:
  
  
There are then no solid reasons for propounding a dualistic suchness of things. In fact the two truths do not refer to two separate levels of truth. Both truths have the same characteristic:
+
[[[Nagarjuna]]] neither rejected [the [[truth]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning] nor bifurcated [it from the [[truth of worldly convention]]]. If in the [[two truths]] one regarded [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning as disparate, then the [[suchness]] of [[beings]] would be separate from things true in the world.30
  
  
 +
There are then no solid [[reasons]] for propounding a [[dualistic]] [[suchness]] of things. In fact the [[two truths]] do not refer to two separate levels of [[truth]]. Both [[truths]] have the same [[characteristic]]:
  
being without essential characteristic. It is precisely this absence of essence and original emptiness that constitutes truth as beyond deconstruction (jUC ^^flO-31 Asariga presents yet another stanza from the Madhyamakakdrikd:
 
  
These two truths are both non-existent And are not projected in ludicrous dialogue. They are neither imagined nor separated. This meaning characterizes truth.111'
 
  
This stanza shows, Asaiiga explains, that while all tathdgatas rely upon the two truths, they all in fact have no support. They do not rely on worldly truth and they do not rely on the truth of ultimate meaning, for their minds are unsupported. Being without essential characteristic, ultimate meaning cannot be mediated in thinking. It cannot be employed as a thesis to refute other theses.
+
being without [[essential]] [[characteristic]]. It is precisely this absence of [[essence]] and original [[emptiness]] that constitutes [[truth]] as beyond deconstruction (jUC ^^flO-31 Asariga presents yet another [[stanza]] from the Madhyamakakdrikd:
  
 +
These [[two truths]] are both [[non-existent]] And are not {{Wiki|projected}} in ludicrous {{Wiki|dialogue}}. They are neither [[imagined]] nor separated. This meaning characterizes truth.111'
  
Thus no thinking of any kind can identify the essence of the truth of ultimate meaning. Therefore it cannot refute arising, nor passing away. To conceive the truth of ultimate meaning as a subtle essence that can be brought to speech is itself an expression of selfhood.
+
This [[stanza]] shows, Asaiiga explains, that while all tathdgatas rely upon the [[two truths]], they all in fact have no support. They do not rely on [[worldly]] [[truth]] and they do not rely on the [[truth]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning, for their [[minds]] are unsupported. Being without [[essential]] [[characteristic]], [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning cannot be mediated in [[thinking]]. It cannot be employed as a {{Wiki|thesis}} to refute other theses.  
This inability of thought to identify ultimate meaning does not, however, imply the abandonment of reasoning. Rather it casts reason in a deconstructive role in negating the assertions of prapanca consciousness in its mistaken formulation of views and attachment to propositional claims. Indeed, the remainder of Asahga's text turns to an examination of reason in the context of emptiness and outlines norms of logical consistency that can apply to all questioning.  
 
  
  
IV. The Move to Yogdcdra
+
Thus no [[thinking]] of any kind can identify the [[essence]] of the [[truth]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning. Therefore it cannot refute [[arising]], nor passing away. To [[conceive]] the [[truth]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning as a [[subtle essence]] that can be brought to {{Wiki|speech}} is itself an expression of [[selfhood]].™
  
  
Yogacara attempts to develop a critical understanding of consciousness as the dependently co-arising support for both illusion and wisdom. It tries to explicate the ramifications of Madhyamika insight into emptiness and dependent co-arising
+
This inability of [[thought]] to identify [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning does not, however, imply the [[abandonment]] of {{Wiki|reasoning}}. Rather it casts [[reason]] in a deconstructive role in negating the assertions of [[prapanca]] [[consciousness]] in its mistaken formulation of [[views]] and [[attachment]] to propositional claims. Indeed, the remainder of Asahga's text turns to an {{Wiki|examination}} of [[reason]] in the context of [[emptiness]] and outlines norms of [[logical]] consistency that can apply to all questioning.
  
  
in terms of a reflective understanding of consciousness as a synergistic functioning between the latent habit-seeds in the container consciousness and the manifested activities of the active consciousnesses of sensation, perception, and thinking. The entire attempt is to critically ground insight into the genesis of illusion and into the nature of awakening within a reflective understanding of consciousness by identifying the basic structure and functioning of the mind through critical analysis. The Hsun-chung-lun, although Madhyamika in its entire context, contains inchoate Yogacara themes. One can discern a clear parallelism between the above themes and Asariga's presentation of the three patterns of consciousness in the Mahdydnasaingraha. The theme of prapanca echoes Asahga's presentation of the imagined pattern (parikalpita), which is defined as:
 
  
The appearance of conscious constructs [as real], despite the fact that objective things are not real and are only conscious construction.*4
+
===IV. [[The Move to Yogacara]]===
The appearance of what seems to be an object over against the knowing subject and the imagining of that object to be an essence constitutes the basic illusion of primal ignorance and engenders attachment to such putative objects as if they themselves already contained meaning. Asvabhava comments:
 
In reality there is neither an object known (grdhya) nor a knowing subject {grdhaka). There is simply a host of mental constructs within unreal imagining in virtue of which imagination takes on the appearance of an object."
 
  
  
This explanation probably is based upon the first stanza of the Madhydntavibh&ga, which affirms the existence of unreal imagining, but the non-existence of the apparent duality within that imagining. This is the basic text used by Nagao to outline the Yogacara development of the Madhyamika notion of the middle path.36 Asahga's Mahdydnasawgraha further describes the imagined pattern as thinking endowed with concepts and having as its seed the permeation of language.37 The Hsun-chung-lun in describing prapanca as "ludicrous dialogue" and the "duality
+
[[Yogacara]] attempts to develop a critical [[understanding]] of [[consciousness]] as the dependently co-arising support for both [[illusion]] and [[wisdom]]. It tries to explicate the ramifications of [[Madhyamika]] [[insight]] into [[emptiness]] and [[dependent co-arising]]
  
  
  
between attaining and the thing [attained]" is then an early attempt to understand this imagined pattern of consciousness, for it too treats the illusory nature of subject-object knowing and the influence of the ludicrous dialogue oiprapaOca in engendering that illusion. Similarly, the definition of the perfected pattern iparinispanna) in the Mahdydnasaifigraha is that it is:
+
in terms of a reflective [[understanding]] of [[consciousness]] as a synergistic functioning between the latent habit-seeds in the [[container consciousness]] and the [[manifested]] [[activities]] of the active [[consciousnesses]] of [[sensation]], [[perception]], and [[thinking]]. The entire attempt is to critically ground [[insight]] into the genesis of [[illusion]] and into the [[nature]] of [[awakening]] within a reflective [[understanding]] of [[consciousness]] by identifying the basic {{Wiki|structure}} and functioning
  
The complete absence of all images as objective realities in that same other-dependent pattern.™
+
of the [[mind]] through critical analysis. The [[Hsun-chung-lun]], although [[Madhyamika]] in its entire context, contains inchoate [[Yogacara]] themes. One can discern a clear parallelism between the above themes and [[Asariga's]] presentation of the three patterns of [[consciousness]] in the [[Mahdydnasaingraha]]. The theme of [[prapanca]] echoes [[Asahga's]] presentation of the [[imagined]] pattern ([[parikalpita]]), which is defined as:
  
 +
The [[appearance]] of [[conscious]] constructs [as real], despite the fact that [[objective]] things are not real and are only [[conscious]] construction.*4
 +
The [[appearance]] of what seems to be an [[object]] over against the [[knowing]] [[subject]] and the [[Wikipedia:Imagination|imagining]] of that [[object]] to be an [[essence]] constitutes the basic
  
The Hsun-chung~lun treats true perfection of wisdom as the absence of prapanca and non-attachment to one's own ideas and understanding. In the Mahdydnasamgraha Asanga explains the Mahdprajndpdramitd as the counter-agent to all views, echoing once again the theme of the Hsun-chung-lun that true perfection of wisdom abandons all views.39 The crux of the matter, however, is the Yogacara understanding of the other-dependent pattern, for Asanga defines it as the basic nature of consciousness, becoming manifest either in the imagined pattern or in the perfected pattern. The otherdependent pattern is defined as follows:  
+
[[illusion]] of [[primal ignorance]] and engenders [[attachment]] to such putative [[objects]] as if they themselves already contained meaning. [[Asvabhava]] comments:
  
 +
In [[reality]] there is neither an [[object]] known ([[grdhya]]) nor a [[knowing]] [[subject]] [[grdhaka]]). There is simply a host of [[mental]] constructs within unreal [[Wikipedia:Imagination|imagining]] in [[virtue]] of which [[imagination]] takes on the [[appearance]] of an [[object]]."
  
The other-dependent pattern consists in all the conscious constructs that have the container consciousness as their seed and that are comprised within unreal imagining.40
 
  
 +
This explanation is probably based upon the first [[stanza]] of the Madhydntavibh&ga, which affirms the [[existence]] of unreal [[Wikipedia: Imagination|imagining]], but the [[non-existence]] of the apparent [[duality]] within that [[Wikipedia:Imagination|imagining]]. This is the basic text used by [[Nagao]] to outline the [[Yogacara]] [[development]] of the [[Madhyamika]] notion of the middle path.36 Asahga's Mahdydnasawgraha further describes the [[imagined]] pattern as [[thinking]] endowed with [[Wikipedia:concept|concepts]] and having as its seed the permeation of language.37 The [[Hsun-chung-lun]] in describing [[prapanca]] as "ludicrous {{Wiki|dialogue}}" and the "[[duality]]
  
These mental constructs are engendered chiefly through the permeations of language, for it is in imagining that words refer to objective essences over against the subjective knower that the other-dependent pattern functions in an imagined, illusory manner. The central insight in the teaching on the three patterns relates to this other-dependent pattern, for that is the fulcrum upon which the other two patterns turn.4' The Mahdydnasawgraha describes the other-dependent pattern in the following passage.
 
  
  
With what intent did the World-Honored One teach in the Abhidharmamahdyanasutra that "there are three factors: that which pertains to the pure aspect, that which pertains to the defiled aspect, and that which pertains to both?" That which pertains to the defiled aspect is the imagined pattern. That which pertains to the pure is the fully perfected pattern. The other-dependent pattern itself is that which has both these aspects. This was the intention of the World-Honored One/2
+
between [[attaining]] and the thing [[[attained]]]" is then an early attempt to understand this [[imagined]] pattern of [[consciousness]], for it too treats the [[illusory nature]] of subject-object [[knowing]] and the influence of the ludicrous {{Wiki|dialogue}} oiprapaOca in engendering that [[illusion]]. Similarly, the [[definition]] of the perfected pattern iparinispanna) in the Mahdydnasaifigraha is that it is:
  
 +
The complete absence of all images as [[objective]] [[realities]] in that same [[other-dependent]] pattern.™
  
The Yogacaras employ this notion of the threefold other-dependent pattern of consciousness to explain the meaning of the apparent contradictions in the scriptures, especially the Prajnaparamita scriptures. Asanga explains that in the other-dependent pattern there is neither arising nor passing away, for the arising of essences is negated as imagined, yet the other-dependent pattern is recovered and affirmed as itself other-dependent, i.e., dependency co-
 
  
arisen. Nagao explains that it is in virtue of becoming perfected and thus eliminating the imagined world of illusion that "the other-dependent pattern is restored as otherdependent. To be fully perfected means that this restoration [of the basic other-dependent pattern] is realized. . . ."4S This developed
+
The Hsun-chung~lun treats true [[perfection of wisdom]] as the absence of [[prapanca]] and [[non-attachment]] to one's [[own]] [[ideas]] and [[understanding]]. In the [[Mahdydnasamgraha]] [[Asanga]] explains the Mahdprajndpdramitd as the counter-agent to all [[views]], echoing once again the theme of the [[Hsun-chung-lun]] that true [[perfection of wisdom]] abandons all views.39 The crux of the {{Wiki|matter}}, however, is the [[Yogacara]] [[understanding]] of the [[other-dependent]] pattern, for [[Asanga]] defines it as the basic [[nature]] of [[consciousness]], becoming [[manifest]] either in the [[imagined]] pattern or in the perfected pattern. The other dependent pattern is defined as follows:
  
notion of the other-dependent pattern is not present in the Hsun-chung4un, for it implies the critical Yogacara understanding of the structure of consciousness as the interplay between the container and active consciousnesses. Thus the Makdydnasawgraha differs from the Hsun-chung-lun in that it moves
 
  
within a realm of conscious interiority where meaning is established through analysis of the internal functioning both of insight and understanding, and of ignorance and misunderstanding. Nevertheless, in its treatment of the two truths the Hsunchung lun presents basic themes that seem to have led Asanga to
+
The [[other-dependent]] pattern consists in all the [[conscious]] constructs that have the [[container consciousness]] as their seed and that are comprised with in unreal imagining.40
  
develop such a critical understanding. The main point of that explanation was that the two truths are not to be conceived as two disparate levels of truth, one worldly and falsifiable and one true and beyond deconstruction, because that would attribute an essence, however subtle, to the truth of ultimate
 
  
meaning. Rather, Asanga thinks, both truths are characterized as empty and without essential characteristic. Being without essential characteristic, the truth of ultimate meaning is ineffable and unobtainable in words and concepts, while worldly truth, being enunciated and expressed, can make no claim to anything
+
These [[mental]] constructs are engendered chiefly through the permeations of [[language]], for it is in [[Wikipedia:Imagination|imagining]] that words refer to [[objective]] [[essences]] over against the [[subjective]] knower that the [[other-dependent]] pattern functions in an [[imagined]], [[illusory]] manner. The central [[insight]] in the [[teaching]] on the three patterns relates to this [[other-dependent]] pattern, for that is the fulcrum upon which the other two patterns turn.4' The Mahdydnasawgraha describes the [[other-dependent]] pattern in the following passage.
  
  
beyond a provisional validity. From a Yogacara perspective, the question this elicits is how truth, both worldly and ultimate, is grounded within the structure and functioning of conscious understanding.42 If truth is not a double-layered essence out there to be encountered by the subjective mind, then
+
With what intent did the [[World-Honored One]] teach in the Abhidharmamahdyanasutra that "there are three factors: that which pertains to the [[pure]] aspect, that which pertains to the [[defiled]] aspect, and that which pertains to both?" That which pertains to the [[defiled]] aspect is the [[imagined]] pattern. That which pertains to the [[pure]] is the fully perfected pattern. The [[other-dependent]] pattern itself is that which has both these aspects. This was the [[intention]] of the World-Honored One/2
  
how does it occur? It is in response to such questions that the Yogacaras developed their critical understanding of consciousness and their account of the three patterns, for truth, just as ignorance, must be identified within its operational structure. Central to the endeavor is their understanding of other-dependent consciousness. The fulcrum structure of other-dependent consciousness allows Asariga to offer a critical understanding of conversion (dsraya-
 
  
parivrtti) and to outline the realization of truth. Upon conversion, one abandons attachment to the putative realities of the imagined pattern and realizes non-discriminative wisdom and awakening. But in the Mahayana understanding this does not sever all mental function, for the task of carrying out bodhisattva action necessitates a wisdom and encompasses an awareness of all the myriad factors that constitute the world. Awakening includes not only
+
The [[Yogacaras]] employ this notion of the threefold [[other-dependent]] pattern of [[consciousness]] to explain the meaning of the apparent contradictions in the [[scriptures]], especially the [[Prajnaparamita scriptures]]. [[Asanga]] explains that in the [[other-dependent]] pattern there is neither [[arising]] nor passing away, for the [[arising]] of [[essences]] is negated as [[imagined]], yet the [[other-dependent]] pattern is recovered and [[affirmed]] as itself [[other-dependent]], i.e., [[dependency]] co-
  
insight into silent emptiness, but also insight into the suchness of thinking as itself dependently co-arisen. Awakening does not abolish the structure of consciousness, but rather enables one to recover the heretofore obstructed and obfuscated pattern of other-dependence itself. In this recovery one neither imagines things to be essences nor remains in silent awareness of uncharacterizable emptiness, but rather, in full awareness of the genesis of views from
+
arisen. [[Nagao]] explains that it is in [[virtue]] of becoming perfected and thus eliminating the [[imagined]] [[world of illusion]] that "the [[other-dependent]] pattern is restored as otherdependent. To be fully perfected means that this restoration [of the basic [[other-dependent]] pattern] is [[realized]]. . . ."4S This developed
  
language and of their ultimately "ludicrous" quality, brings to skillful speech and clear reason doctrines that flow from emptiness and leads others toward awakening. This mode of being fully conscious of the other-dependent functioning of consciousness is insight into the limited, but valid role of worldly truth. Here the distinction in the Hsun-chung-lun between counterfeit perfection of wisdom, caught in the web of prapanca, and true perfection of wisdom,
+
notion of the [[other-dependent]] pattern is not {{Wiki|present}} in the Hsun-chung4un, for it implies the critical [[Yogacara]] [[understanding]] of the {{Wiki|structure}} of [[consciousness]] as the interplay between the container and active [[consciousnesses]]. Thus the Makdydnasawgraha differs from the [[Hsun-chung-lun]] in that it moves
  
liberated therefrom, is expressed in terms of the Yogacara focus on conscious interiority. The theme of the restoration of the other-dependent structure of consciousness brought about by the realization of the pattern of full perfection represents a critical explication of the two truths, for
+
within a [[realm]] of [[conscious]] interiority where meaning is established through analysis of the internal functioning both of [[insight]] and [[understanding]], and of [[ignorance]] and {{Wiki|misunderstanding}}. Nevertheless, in its treatment of the [[two truths]] the Hsunchung [[lun]] presents basic themes that seem to have led [[Asanga]] to
  
 +
develop such a critical [[understanding]]. The main point of that explanation was that the [[two truths]] are not to be [[conceived]] as two disparate levels of [[truth]], one [[worldly]] and falsifiable and one true and beyond deconstruction, because that would attribute an [[essence]], however {{Wiki|subtle}}, to the [[truth]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]]
  
both are understood by the same consciousness to be essencefree and empty. Asaiiga has grounded both truths in the awakened mind functioning through insight into the ultimate meaning of emptiness in the recovery of its other-dependent structure.44 Both awareness of ultimate meaning and of worldly truth occur in the same consciousness. They are not disparate levels corresponding to separate realities, but differing modes expressing the identical awareness
+
meaning. Rather, [[Asanga]] [[thinks]], both [[truths]] are characterized as [[empty]] and without [[essential]] [[characteristic]]. Being without [[essential]] [[characteristic]], the [[truth]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning is {{Wiki|ineffable}} and unobtainable in words and [[Wikipedia:concept|concepts]], while [[worldly]] [[truth]], being enunciated and expressed, can make no claim to anything
of emptiness—the one in abeyance of all words and the other in an employment of all words. In ultimate meaning one realizes the emptiness of all things. In worldly truth one realizes the dependently co-arisen being of all that is empty, for dependent co-arising is the designation of emptiness within the world
 
  
of mediated and verbalized meaning" In these points one can, perhaps, discern the developmental lines of Asahga's thinking from the Hsun-chung-lun to the MahdyanasaTflgraha in his progressive focus on conscious interiority and in his attempt to critically ground the Madhyamika themes which he fully accepted and articulated within his understanding of conscious understanding.
 
  
 +
beyond a provisional validity. From a [[Yogacara]] {{Wiki|perspective}}, the question this elicits is how [[truth]], both [[worldly]] and [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]], is grounded within the {{Wiki|structure}} and functioning of [[conscious]] understanding.42 If [[truth]] is not a double-layered [[essence]] out there to be encountered by the [[subjective mind]], then
  
 +
how does it occur? It is in response to such questions that the [[Yogacaras]] developed their critical [[understanding]] of [[consciousness]] and their account of the three patterns, for [[truth]], just as [[ignorance]], must be identified within its operational {{Wiki|structure}}.
  
NOTES
+
Central to the endeavor is their [[understanding]] of [[other-dependent]] [[consciousness]]. The fulcrum {{Wiki|structure}} of [[other-dependent]] [[consciousness]] allows Asariga to offer a critical [[understanding]] of [[conversion]] (dsraya-parivrtti) and to outline the
  
 +
[[realization]] of [[truth]]. Upon [[conversion]], one abandons [[attachment]] to the putative [[realities]] of the [[imagined]] pattern and realizes [[non-discriminative wisdom]] and [[awakening]]. But in the [[Mahayana]] [[understanding]] this does not sever all [[mental
  
 +
function]], for the task of carrying out [[bodhisattva]] [[action]] necessitates a [[wisdom]] and encompasses an [[awareness]] of all the {{Wiki|myriad}} factors that constitute the [[world]]. [[Awakening]] includes not only
  
1. Thirty Years of Buddhist Studies, 1934-1972, San Francisco: Wheelright Press, 1980, p. 52. 2. "From Madhyamika to Yogacara; An Analysis of MMK XXIV. 18 and MV 1.1-2," in The Journal of the international Association of Buddhist Studies 2.1 (1979), p. 29. 3. Ibid. Also see "Ku-i yori sanshosetsu e," [From the Meaning of Emptiness to the Theory of the Three Patterns], in Chukan to yuishiki, Tokyo: Iwanami, 1978, pp. 180-206. 4. Indo tetsugaku kenkyu, Tokyo: Sanseido, 1938, vol. 1, p. 400. 5. Ibid. 6. Besides the references to Ui in note 4 and to Mochizuki in note 8, see Kajiyama Yuichi, Chukan shiso, vol. 7 oilheKosa: Daijo bukkyo series. 1982, Tokyo: Shunjusha, p. 10. 7. In his Mulamadhyamakasaindhinirmocanavydkhyd, T. 30, #1567. This text also awaits further study. It is also influenced, so it would seem, by Bhavaviveka and is important in delineating the structure of MadhyamikaYpgacara synthesis. See Donald S. Lopez, A Study of Svdtantrika (Ithaca: Snow
+
[[insight]] into [[silent]] [[emptiness]], but also [[insight]] into the [[suchness]] of [[thinking]] as itself dependently co-arisen. [[Awakening]] does not abolish the {{Wiki|structure}} of [[consciousness]], but rather enables one to recover the heretofore obstructed and obfuscated pattern of other [[dependence]] itself. In this recovery one neither imagines things to be [[essences]] nor remains in [[silent]] [[awareness]] of uncharacterizable [[emptiness]], but rather, in [[full awareness]] of the genesis of [[views]] from
  
 +
[[language]] and of their ultimately "ludicrous" [[quality]], brings to [[skillful]] {{Wiki|speech}} and clear [[reason]] [[doctrines]] that flow from [[emptiness]] and leads others toward [[awakening]]. This mode of being fully [[conscious]] of the [[other-dependent]] functioning of [[consciousness]] is [[insight]] into the limited, but valid role of [[worldly]] [[truth]]. Here the {{Wiki|distinction}} in the Hsun-chung-lun between counterfeit [[perfection of wisdom]], caught in the web of [[prapanca]], and true [[perfection of wisdom]],
  
 +
{{Wiki|liberated}} therefrom, is expressed in terms of the [[Yogacara]] focus on [[conscious]] interiority. The theme of the restoration of the [[other-dependent]] {{Wiki|structure}} of [[consciousness]] brought about by the [[realization]] of the pattern of full [[perfection]] represents a critical explication of the [[two truths]], for
  
Lion, 1987) for the best study in a Western language of these late developments in Indian Buddhist thinking. On Sthiramati's chronology, see Yuichi Kajiyama, "Bhavaviveka, Sthiramati, and Dharmapala," in Beilrdge zur Geistesgeschichte lndiens: Festschrift fur Erich Frauwallner (Wien, 1968), pp. 193-203. 8. Butten daijiten, 3.2526c. 9. T. 1656, p. 39c. 110-12. 10. Bussho kaisetsu daijiten, 5.242d. 11. T. 1565, pp. 39c.29-40a.3. 12. Bussho kaisetsu daijiten, 5.242d. 13. T. 1565, p. 39c.24—28. 14. T. 1565, p. 40a.4-5. 15. T. 1565, p. 40a.7. See Edward Conze, The Large Sutra on Perfect Wisdom, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1975, pp. 263-265. 16. T. 1565, p. 40a. 13-14. 17. T. 1565, p. 40a.21. See Conze, The Urge Sutra, p. 265. 18. T. 1565, p. 40a.22. 19. T. 1565, p. 40b.6. 20. T. 1565, p. 40b. 13-14. 21. T. 1565, p. 40b. 19-20. Compare Candrakirti's Prasannapadd: "Emptiness is taught in order to lay to rest all prapanca without exception. Thus the intent of emptiness is the laying to rest of prapanca in its entirety. But you, in [attributing] to emptiness the sense of non-being, hypostatize it." (Jacques May, Candraklrti Prasannapadd Madhyamakavjtti, Paris: AdrienMaisonneuve, 1959, p. 23, #491.) 22. Franklin Edgerion, Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary, pp. 380-81. 23. M. Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit English Dictionary, p. 681c, includes among the meanings of prapanca "ludicrous dialogue (as in drama)." This seems to be the sense of the Chinese "hsi-lung." 24. T. 1565, p. 41a. 1-3. 25. T. 1565, p. 41a.8. 26. T. 1565, p. 41a.9. 27. T. 1565, p. 44c.24-25. 28. T. 1565, p. 45a.6. 29. T. 1565, p. 45a. 14-16. 30. T. 1565, p. 45a.23-24. 31. T. 1565, p. 45b.2. 32. T. 1565, p. 45b.7-8; reference is the Madhyamakakdrikd 18.9, but Asaiiga relates the stanza to the two truths. 33. T. 1565, p. 45c.6-8. 34. Mahdydnasarftgraha 2.3; Etienne Lamotte, La Somme du Grand Vehicle d'Asanga, Louvain: Editions Peeters, 1973, p. 90; Nagao Gadjin, Shodaijoron: Wayaku to chukai, Tokyo: Kodansha, 1982, p. 281. 35. Lamotte, La Somme, p. 90, n. 3. 36. Nagao, "From Madhyamika to Yogacara," p. 36. 37. Mahdydnasamgraha 2.16; Lamotte, p. 108; Nagao, pp. 328-329. 38. Mahdydnasaingraha 2.4; Lamotte, pp. 90-91; Nagao, p. 283. 39. Mahdydnasarfigraha 2.22; Lamotte, pp. 115-118; Nagao,  
+
 
 +
both are understood by the same [[consciousness]] to be essencefree and [[empty]]. Asaiiga has grounded both [[truths]] in the [[awakened mind]] functioning through [[insight]] into the [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning of [[emptiness]] in the recovery of its [[other-dependent]] structure.44 Both [[awareness]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning and of [[worldly]] [[truth]] occur in the same [[consciousness]]. They are not disparate levels [[corresponding]] to separate [[realities]], but differing modes expressing the [[identical]] [[awareness]]
 +
 
 +
of emptiness—the one in abeyance of all words and the other in an employment of all words. In [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] meaning one realizes the [[emptiness of all things]]. In [[worldly]] [[truth]] one realizes the dependently co-arisen being of all that is [[empty]], for [[dependent co-arising]] is the designation of [[emptiness]] within the [[world]]
 +
 
 +
of mediated and verbalized meaning" In these points one can, perhaps, discern the developmental lines of [[Asahga's]] [[thinking]] from the [[Hsun-chung-lun]] to the MahdyanasaTflgraha in his progressive focus on [[conscious]] interiority and in his attempt to critically ground the [[Madhyamika]] themes which he fully accepted and articulated within his [[understanding]] of [[conscious]] [[understanding]].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===NOTES===
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
1. Thirty Years of [[Buddhist Studies]], 1934-1972, [[San Francisco]]: Wheelright Press, 1980, p. 52. 2. "From [[Madhyamika]] to [[Yogacara]]; An Analysis of MMK XXIV. 18 and MV 1.1-2," in The Journal of the international Association of [[Buddhist Studies]] 2.1 (1979), p. 29. 3. Ibid. Also see "Ku-i yori sanshosetsu e," [From the Meaning of [[Emptiness]] to the {{Wiki|Theory}} of the Three Patterns], in Chukan to [[yuishiki]], [[Tokyo]]: [[Iwanami]], 1978, pp. 180-206. 4. Indo tetsugaku kenkyu, [[Tokyo]]: Sanseido, 1938, vol. 1, p. 400. 5. Ibid. 6. Besides the references to Ui in note 4 and to [[Mochizuki]] in note 8, see [[Kajiyama]] Yuichi, Chukan [[shiso]], vol. 7 oilheKosa: [[Daijo]] [[bukkyo]] series. 1982, [[Tokyo]]: Shunjusha, p. 10.
 +
 
 +
7. In his Mulamadhyamakasaindhinirmocanavydkhyd, T. 30, #1567. This text also awaits further study. It is also influenced, so it would seem, by [[Bhavaviveka]] and is important in [[delineating]] the {{Wiki|structure}} of MadhyamikaYpgacara {{Wiki|synthesis}}. See [[Wikipedia:Donald S. Lopez, Jr.|Donald S. Lopez]], A Study of Svdtantrika (Ithaca: Snow Lion, 1987) for the best study in a [[Western]] [[language]] of these late developments in [[Indian Buddhist]] [[thinking]]. On [[Sthiramati's]] {{Wiki|chronology}}, see Yuichi [[Kajiyama]], "[[Bhavaviveka]], [[Sthiramati]], and [[Dharmapala]]," in Beilrdge zur Geistesgeschichte lndiens: Festschrift fur Erich {{Wiki|Frauwallner}} ([[Wien]], 1968), pp. 193-203.  
 +
 
 +
8. Butten daijiten, 3.2526c. 9. T. 1656, p. 39c. 110-12. 10. [[Bussho]] kaisetsu daijiten, 5.242d. 11. T. 1565, pp. 39c.29-40a.3. 12. [[Bussho]] kaisetsu daijiten, 5.242d. 13. T. 1565, p. 39c.24—28. 14. T. 1565, p. 40a.4-5. 15. T. 1565, p. 40a.7. See [[Edward Conze]], The [[Large Sutra on Perfect Wisdom]], [[Berkeley]]: {{Wiki|University of California Press}}, 1975, pp. 263-265. 16. T. 1565, p. 40a. 13-14. 17. T. 1565, p. 40a.21. See {{Wiki|Conze}}, The [[Urge]] [[Sutra]], p. 265. 18. T. 1565, p. 40a.22. 19. T. 1565, p. 40b.6. 20. T. 1565, p. 40b. 13-14. 21. T. 1565, p. 40b. 19-20. Compare [[Candrakirti's]] Prasannapadd: "[[Emptiness]] is [[taught]] in order to lay to rest all [[prapanca]] without exception. Thus the intent of [[emptiness]] is the laying to rest of [[prapanca]] in its entirety. But you, in [attributing] to [[emptiness]] the [[sense]] of [[non-being]], [[Wikipedia:Hypostasis (philosophy and religion)|hypostatize]] it." (Jacques May, [[Candraklrti]] Prasannapadd Madhyamakavjtti, {{Wiki|Paris}}: AdrienMaisonneuve, 1959, p. 23, #491.)  
 +
 
 +
22. Franklin Edgerion, [[Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit]] {{Wiki|Dictionary}}, pp. 380-81. 23. M. {{Wiki|Monier-Williams}}, A [[Sanskrit]] English {{Wiki|Dictionary}}, p. 681c, includes among the meanings of [[prapanca]] "ludicrous {{Wiki|dialogue}} (as in {{Wiki|drama}})." This seems to be the [[sense]] of the {{Wiki|Chinese}} "hsi-lung." 24. T. 1565, p. 41a. 1-3. 25. T. 1565, p. 41a.8. 26. T. 1565, p. 41a.9. 27. T. 1565, p. 44c.24-25. 28. T. 1565, p. 45a.6. 29. T. 1565, p. 45a. 14-16. 30. T. 1565, p. 45a.23-24. 31. T. 1565, p. 45b.2. 32. T. 1565, p. 45b.7-8; reference is the Madhyamakakdrikd 18.9, but Asaiiga relates the [[stanza]] to the [[two truths]]. 33. T. 1565, p. 45c.6-8. 34. Mahdydnasarftgraha 2.3; {{Wiki|Etienne Lamotte}}, La Somme du Grand [[Vehicle]] d'Asanga, Louvain: Editions Peeters, 1973, p. 90; [[Nagao]] Gadjin, Shodaijoron: Wayaku to chukai, [[Tokyo]]: Kodansha, 1982, p. 281. 35. [[Wikipedia:Étienne Lamotte|Lamotte]], La Somme, p. 90, n. 3. 36. [[Nagao]], "From [[Madhyamika]] to [[Yogacara]]," p. 36. 37. Mahdydnasamgraha 2.16; [[Wikipedia:Étienne Lamotte|Lamotte]], p. [[108]]; [[Nagao]], pp. 328-329. 38. Mahdydnasaingraha 2.4; [[Wikipedia:Étienne Lamotte|Lamotte]], pp. 90-91; [[Nagao]], p. 283. 39. Mahdydnasarfigraha 2.22; [[Wikipedia:Étienne Lamotte|Lamotte]], pp. 115-118; [[Nagao]],  
  
  
 
   
 
   
pp. 349-351. 40. Mahaydnasarpgraha 2.2; Lamotte, pp. 87-88, Nagao, p. 275. 41. Nagao, Shodaijoron, p. 273. 42. Mahdydnsarrigraha 2.29; Lamotte, p. 125; Nagao, p. 376. 43. Keenan, John P., "The Intent and Structure of Yogacara Philosophy: Its Relevance for Modern Religious Thought," Otani daigaku shinshu sogo kenkyujo: Kenkyujoho," #15, 1987. 44. Mahayanasamgraha 2.26; Lamotte, p. 121; Nagao, p. 362. 45. Madhyamakakdrikd 24.18
+
pp. 349-351. 40. Mahaydnasarpgraha 2.2; [[Wikipedia:Étienne Lamotte|Lamotte]], pp. 87-88, [[Nagao]], p. 275. 41. [[Nagao]], Shodaijoron, p. 273. 42. Mahdydnsarrigraha 2.29; [[Wikipedia:Étienne Lamotte|Lamotte]], p. 125; [[Nagao]], p. 376. 43. Keenan, John P., "The Intent and Structure of [[Yogacara Philosophy]]: Its Relevance for {{Wiki|Modern}} [[Religious]] [[Thought]]," Otani daigaku shinshu sogo kenkyujo: Kenkyujoho," #15, 1987. 44. [[Mahayanasamgraha]] 2.26; [[Wikipedia:Étienne Lamotte|Lamotte]], p. 121; [[Nagao]], p. 362. 45. Madhyamakakdrikd 24.18
  
  

Latest revision as of 10:27, 30 January 2024





by John P. Keenan


I. Introduction

Since Madhyamika and Yogacara are the two principal fdstra schools of Indian Mahayana Buddhism, the relationship between these two schools is of central importance in understanding the development of Mahayana thinking. Yet the main Yogacara thinkers of the classical period—Maitreya-natha, Asariga, and

Vasubandhu—do not, it would appear, refer to the Madhyamika masters Nagarjuna and Aryadeva nor outline their view of Madhyamika philosophy. Edward Conze writes that "these two schools were engaged in constant disputes and the works of one have no authority for the other."1 Yet upon a closer examination, it becomes clear that such disputes took place between later proponents of these schools and, as will be shortly evident, Madhyamika texts do indeed retain

their authority for Yogacara thinkers. In contrast to Conze's opinion, Nagao Gadjin argues that "Madhyamika philosophy, which began with Nagarjuna, is presently believed to have been wholly inherited by Maitreya-natha, Asariga, and other Yogacaras."2 According to his understanding, Yogacara differs in the way it interprets emptiness but in no wise rejects the main themes of Madhyamika. Nagao has presented this view by focusing on analogous passages from

Nagarjuna's Madhyamakahariha and Maitreya-natha's Madhyantavibhdga.* He convincingly shows the lines of doctrinal development from the Madhyamika notion of the middle path to the Yogacara interpretation of the same. Yet in these Yogacara texts no specific reference is made to Nagarjuna or Madhyamika. It almost seems that, although these lines of developing thought


did occur in cognizance of one another, the Yogacara thinkers intentionally refrained from mentioning Madhyamika and did not accept its authorative status, as Conze maintained. Yet this is not the case, for there does exist a commentary by Asariga which interprets the Mahdprajndpdramitdsutra through


Nagarjuna's Madhyamakakdrikd. This text is invaluable in delineating the development from Madhyamika to Yogacara. It is the intent of this paper to offer evidence in support of Nagao's thesis of the organic relationship between Yogacara and Madhyamika by examining this text and outlining Asariga's understanding of Madhyamika and the Madhyamika ideas that underlie his explanation of the central Yogacara theme of the three patterns of consciousness.


Asanga on Madhyamika

The text in question is the Shun-chung-lun-i ju tai-pan-jo-pomi-to-ching chu-hin-fa-men, "Introduction to the Doctrine of the Introductory Section of the Mahdprajndpdramitdsutra in accord with the Meaning of the Mddhyamikasdstra (i.e., Madhyamakakarika)" Ui Hakuju has restored the Sanskrit title as {{Mddhyamikasfetra-artha-anugata-MahdprajMpdramitd-sutra-Mipariva parydya-pravesa[[.4

Unfortunately no Sanskrit version is extant and apparently no Tibetan translation was made. The sole source for our consideration then is the Chinese translation made in 543 by Gautama Prajnaruci, a translation which was characterized by Ui Hakuju as "rude" or "immature."5 Indeed, it is because of the poor quality of this translation that the Shunchung-lun has received scant attention both in Japan and in the West, for the difficulties in interpretation are numerous and often not amenable to definitive solution. Unfortunately, its Asarigan authorship cannot be definitely established, since it is attested only by this Chinese text. There is, however, little reason

to reject this Chinese attribution. The text is clearly Indian, delving into the intricacies of formal logic and argumentation in a way few early Chinese attempted. The "rudeness" of the translation in part comes from the difficulty of finding Chinese terms for the Sanskrit terminology. Modern Japanese scholars accept Asanga as its author." Indeed, the only reason to reject


it is for the anachronistic reason that the text treats Madhyamika thought, not Yogacara. In this article, its Asangan authorship is accepted as probable and its thematic structure employed to ascertain Asariga's understanding of the basic Madhyamika teachings. Although composed by the Yogacara thinker Asariga, the Hsun-chung-lun presents no Yogacara philosophy. One might expect that Asariga would interpret Madhyamika in Yogacara fashion, through the

basic themes of the three patterns of consciousness. Indeed, that is what Sthiramati does in his commentary.7 In fact, the Hsun-chung-lun is a straightforward Madhyamika commentary. This leads Mochizuki Shinkyo to conclude that it represents an early work of Asariga and dates to a pre-Yogacara period when, as is recorded in Vasubandhu's biography, he was struggling with the notion of emptiness and before he adopted Yogacara.8 It does seem probable that this text represents an early stage in his developing understanding of emptiness as presented in the Prajnaparamita literature and explained

by Nagarjuna. Asariga's interpretation of Nagarjuna's stanzas should amply convince the scholar of later Tibetan and Chinese disputes between Madhyamika and Yogacara that Asariga himself, at this stage at least, fully accepted and affirmed the basic Madhyamika notions, and, inasmuch as he never is recorded to have repudiated Madhyamika in any later text, that he maintained his commitment to Madhyamika throughout his entire career. His intention in this text, it would seem, is to explicate Nagarjuna's basic teaching. The anonymous author of the brief introductory note explains:

Nagarjuna Bodhisattva was a master of the basic teaching and, relying on the Mahdprajnaparamita, composed the full text of the Madhyamika-sastra. But he did not exhaust its ramifications. The Mahayana sastra master Asariga understood points not yet clarified and composed this article in a discerning manner.1'


This note agrees with Nagao's appraisal of the role of Asariga in inheriting Madhyamika thought. It further specifies that Asariga identified his task as the explication of the ramifications of Madhyamika thought, not as the offering of an alternative philosophy to Madhyamika. The Bussho haisetsu daijiten explains:


As this text is an interpretation focused on the eight negations and prapanca in the dedicatory stanzas of the Madhyamakakdrika, it is not a complete commentary on the Madhyamakakdrikd. Nevertheless, in as much as it is an interpretation of Nagarjuna's Madhyamakakdrika by the Yogacara Asanga, one can surmise that at their origin these two schools were not in opposition.10


It would seem reasonable then to conclude that the Hsun-chunglun presents Asanga's early understanding of Madhyamika and, in comparison with Asanga's mature thought as expressed in the Mahayanasamgraha, can be used to highlight some aspects of the development from Madhyamika to Yogacara.


The Content of the Hsun-Chung-Lun

The Hsun-chung-lun focuses from beginning to end on the dedicatory stanzas of Nagarjuna's Madhyamakakdrika and their themes of prapanca and the eight negations. Asanga describes his effort clearly:


These (dedicatory) stanzas from the fdstra (i.e., Madhyamakakdrika) summarize its basic meaning and it is in their light that I now reinterpret its unexplicated significance. This is the meaning I treat, for it is this that severs the craven attachments of sentient beings. I compose this essay in accord with this [basic] meaning and do not present an ordered treatment [of Nagarjuna's entire text)."

The first chiian distinguishes counterfeit perfection of wisdom, engrossed in prapanca, from true perfection of wisdom, characterized by an absence of prapanca. Refutations are offered on a number of heretical views: Mahesvara, time, atoms, an original source, original matter, etc. In addition, as Mochizuki Shinko observes, this section would appear to be the first Chinese text to examine arguments through the three marks of logical reasoning: thesis, reason, and example.1'2 The second chiian treats the eight negations, developing the theme of emptiness and denying essence to all things, even the truth of ultimate meaning. The text begins by quoting the dedicatory stanzas of the Madhyamakakdrikd:


I bow before universal wisdom— "Not passing away and not arising, Not annihilated and not eternal, Not one and not many, Not coming and not going, Buddha taught dependent co-arising To sever all prapanca— Thus I bow my head in reverence Before the best of all Dharma teachers.""


Asanga understands these stanzas of Nagarjuna to describe universal wisdom (sarvajndna) and sees Nagarjuna's source as the Prajriaparamita teaching. Immediately after stating his intent to closely follow the structure of these two stanzas in the passage quoted above, a questioner asks: What intent do you understand [[[Nagarjuna]]] to have had in composing his sdstra? What doctrine did he rely upon?14


Asanga responds by citing the Mahaprajnaparamitdsutra in a passage that distinguishes the true perfection of wisdom from a counterfeit perfection of wisdom that issues from a preaching of the perfection of wisdom "in accord with one's own ideas and understanding,"15 and which consequently fails to understand its nature as skillful means (upaya) and treats wisdom as a goal to be attained."' By contrast, true perfection of wisdom relies on not the slightest

doctrine,17 since in the perfection of wisdom there is no true doctrine.18 Thus, even if one articulates the doctrine of emptiness that all things are impermanent and empty, that can still be a counterfeit perfection of wisdom, if it constitutes attachment.19 Quoting the appropriate passages from the Madhyamakakdrika, Asanga strongly argues against taking emptiness as yet another view, for "all views are transcended by emptiness."20 In support he quotes a passage from an unknown work of Rahulabhadra, the third master of the Madhyamika lineage after Nagarjuna and Aryadeva:


The counter against all views is Emptiness as taught by the Tathagata. Neither seek after nor be attached to emptiness; For, when one is attached to emptiness, emptiness becomes reified. Seek neither emptiness nor non-emptiness; Both are to be abandoned. Do not cast aside the Buddha's words, Spoken in so many places.21

All views are to be rejected because they arise from prapanca and, as Nagarjuna's stanzas teach, the Buddha taught dependent co-arising in order to sever prapanca. The term prapanca has caused some confusion among scholars.22 Asanga offers a definition:


The term prapanca means attachment to the duality between attaining as something real and the thing [[[attained]]] as something real and the inability truly to apprehend the equality of all characteristics. The term prapanca denotes a ludicrous dialogue [as occurs on stage].23 In a word, it is the apprehending of essences.24

The Buddha taught dependent co-arising in order to sever such ludicrous dialogue, and Asanga explains that "all that which is dependently co-arisen is prapanca"2* for any view, even about the doctrine of Prajfiaparamita, being conceptually and coherently expressed, functions within the duality of a subjective attaining and an object attained.


In the HInayana the Buddha introduced doctrinal meaning by arranging it in an ordered fashion in order to counter the doctrine of the heretics.26 Dependent co-arising is then explained as the presentation of the teaching on the twelvefold chain of conditioned arising from primal ignorance to old age

and death, seen by Asanga as a deconstructive strategy functioning within the realm of prapanca to refute the various views propounded by the heretics, which occupy the next eight columns of the text. When asked why then Nagarjuna composed the Madhyamakakarika, Asanga answers not just by referring to the views of the heretics, but by negating the genesis of all such dualistic views.


He employed reason to introduce the meaning of the Mahdprajnapdramitd to lead sentient beings to abandon prapanca. Having done so, through reasoning they will speedily enter the perfection of wisdom.27


Upon being asked just what this perfection of wisdom is, Asanga responds by quoting the first of the Nagarjuna's stanzas on the eight negations, which he describes as "reasoning upon the sutras, an ordered interpretation of the Agamas."2* He then proceeds to interpret the eight negations as signifying the

absence of any essence which might validate the genesis of views, insisting that nothing ever arises or passes away in an essentialist context. The questioner, thinking perhaps to hoist Asariga upon his own petard, raises the question of the truth of ultimate meaning. Does that not truly exist? If that were the case [and the truth of ultimate meaning were a real identifiable essence], then there would be two levels of truth, the worldly truth and

the truth of ultimate meaning. Only if these two truths were to exist [in that essentialist fashion] would your assertion hold.29


The questioner continues to press his point, arguing that apart from worldly truth, there is a truth of ultimate meaning, and that this validates his assertion. He quotes the Madhyamakak&xika to the effect that both of two truths are real (zz )& % f?| "& ), apparently a misquotation of chapter 24.9.

Asanga agrees that the Tathagata preached the doctrine of the two truths, but points out that in so doing in fact he was preaching the suchness of things and it is incorrect to understand the two truths as two disparate levels of truth:


[[[Nagarjuna]]] neither rejected [the truth of ultimate meaning] nor bifurcated [it from the truth of worldly convention]. If in the two truths one regarded ultimate meaning as disparate, then the suchness of beings would be separate from things true in the world.30


There are then no solid reasons for propounding a dualistic suchness of things. In fact the two truths do not refer to two separate levels of truth. Both truths have the same characteristic:


being without essential characteristic. It is precisely this absence of essence and original emptiness that constitutes truth as beyond deconstruction (jUC ^^flO-31 Asariga presents yet another stanza from the Madhyamakakdrikd:

These two truths are both non-existent And are not projected in ludicrous dialogue. They are neither imagined nor separated. This meaning characterizes truth.111'

This stanza shows, Asaiiga explains, that while all tathdgatas rely upon the two truths, they all in fact have no support. They do not rely on worldly truth and they do not rely on the truth of ultimate meaning, for their minds are unsupported. Being without essential characteristic, ultimate meaning cannot be mediated in thinking. It cannot be employed as a thesis to refute other theses.


Thus no thinking of any kind can identify the essence of the truth of ultimate meaning. Therefore it cannot refute arising, nor passing away. To conceive the truth of ultimate meaning as a subtle essence that can be brought to speech is itself an expression of selfhood.™


This inability of thought to identify ultimate meaning does not, however, imply the abandonment of reasoning. Rather it casts reason in a deconstructive role in negating the assertions of prapanca consciousness in its mistaken formulation of views and attachment to propositional claims. Indeed, the remainder of Asahga's text turns to an examination of reason in the context of emptiness and outlines norms of logical consistency that can apply to all questioning.


IV. The Move to Yogacara

Yogacara attempts to develop a critical understanding of consciousness as the dependently co-arising support for both illusion and wisdom. It tries to explicate the ramifications of Madhyamika insight into emptiness and dependent co-arising


in terms of a reflective understanding of consciousness as a synergistic functioning between the latent habit-seeds in the container consciousness and the manifested activities of the active consciousnesses of sensation, perception, and thinking. The entire attempt is to critically ground insight into the genesis of illusion and into the nature of awakening within a reflective understanding of consciousness by identifying the basic structure and functioning

of the mind through critical analysis. The Hsun-chung-lun, although Madhyamika in its entire context, contains inchoate Yogacara themes. One can discern a clear parallelism between the above themes and Asariga's presentation of the three patterns of consciousness in the Mahdydnasaingraha. The theme of prapanca echoes Asahga's presentation of the imagined pattern (parikalpita), which is defined as:

The appearance of conscious constructs [as real], despite the fact that objective things are not real and are only conscious construction.*4 The appearance of what seems to be an object over against the knowing subject and the imagining of that object to be an essence constitutes the basic

illusion of primal ignorance and engenders attachment to such putative objects as if they themselves already contained meaning. Asvabhava comments:

In reality there is neither an object known (grdhya) nor a knowing subject grdhaka). There is simply a host of mental constructs within unreal imagining in virtue of which imagination takes on the appearance of an object."


This explanation is probably based upon the first stanza of the Madhydntavibh&ga, which affirms the existence of unreal imagining, but the non-existence of the apparent duality within that imagining. This is the basic text used by Nagao to outline the Yogacara development of the Madhyamika notion of the middle path.36 Asahga's Mahdydnasawgraha further describes the imagined pattern as thinking endowed with concepts and having as its seed the permeation of language.37 The Hsun-chung-lun in describing prapanca as "ludicrous dialogue" and the "duality


between attaining and the thing [[[attained]]]" is then an early attempt to understand this imagined pattern of consciousness, for it too treats the illusory nature of subject-object knowing and the influence of the ludicrous dialogue oiprapaOca in engendering that illusion. Similarly, the definition of the perfected pattern iparinispanna) in the Mahdydnasaifigraha is that it is:

The complete absence of all images as objective realities in that same other-dependent pattern.™


The Hsun-chung~lun treats true perfection of wisdom as the absence of prapanca and non-attachment to one's own ideas and understanding. In the Mahdydnasamgraha Asanga explains the Mahdprajndpdramitd as the counter-agent to all views, echoing once again the theme of the Hsun-chung-lun that true perfection of wisdom abandons all views.39 The crux of the matter, however, is the Yogacara understanding of the other-dependent pattern, for Asanga defines it as the basic nature of consciousness, becoming manifest either in the imagined pattern or in the perfected pattern. The other dependent pattern is defined as follows:


The other-dependent pattern consists in all the conscious constructs that have the container consciousness as their seed and that are comprised with in unreal imagining.40


These mental constructs are engendered chiefly through the permeations of language, for it is in imagining that words refer to objective essences over against the subjective knower that the other-dependent pattern functions in an imagined, illusory manner. The central insight in the teaching on the three patterns relates to this other-dependent pattern, for that is the fulcrum upon which the other two patterns turn.4' The Mahdydnasawgraha describes the other-dependent pattern in the following passage.


With what intent did the World-Honored One teach in the Abhidharmamahdyanasutra that "there are three factors: that which pertains to the pure aspect, that which pertains to the defiled aspect, and that which pertains to both?" That which pertains to the defiled aspect is the imagined pattern. That which pertains to the pure is the fully perfected pattern. The other-dependent pattern itself is that which has both these aspects. This was the intention of the World-Honored One/2


The Yogacaras employ this notion of the threefold other-dependent pattern of consciousness to explain the meaning of the apparent contradictions in the scriptures, especially the Prajnaparamita scriptures. Asanga explains that in the other-dependent pattern there is neither arising nor passing away, for the arising of essences is negated as imagined, yet the other-dependent pattern is recovered and affirmed as itself other-dependent, i.e., dependency co-

arisen. Nagao explains that it is in virtue of becoming perfected and thus eliminating the imagined world of illusion that "the other-dependent pattern is restored as otherdependent. To be fully perfected means that this restoration [of the basic other-dependent pattern] is realized. . . ."4S This developed

notion of the other-dependent pattern is not present in the Hsun-chung4un, for it implies the critical Yogacara understanding of the structure of consciousness as the interplay between the container and active consciousnesses. Thus the Makdydnasawgraha differs from the Hsun-chung-lun in that it moves

within a realm of conscious interiority where meaning is established through analysis of the internal functioning both of insight and understanding, and of ignorance and misunderstanding. Nevertheless, in its treatment of the two truths the Hsunchung lun presents basic themes that seem to have led Asanga to

develop such a critical understanding. The main point of that explanation was that the two truths are not to be conceived as two disparate levels of truth, one worldly and falsifiable and one true and beyond deconstruction, because that would attribute an essence, however subtle, to the truth of ultimate

meaning. Rather, Asanga thinks, both truths are characterized as empty and without essential characteristic. Being without essential characteristic, the truth of ultimate meaning is ineffable and unobtainable in words and concepts, while worldly truth, being enunciated and expressed, can make no claim to anything


beyond a provisional validity. From a Yogacara perspective, the question this elicits is how truth, both worldly and ultimate, is grounded within the structure and functioning of conscious understanding.42 If truth is not a double-layered essence out there to be encountered by the subjective mind, then

how does it occur? It is in response to such questions that the Yogacaras developed their critical understanding of consciousness and their account of the three patterns, for truth, just as ignorance, must be identified within its operational structure.

Central to the endeavor is their understanding of other-dependent consciousness. The fulcrum structure of other-dependent consciousness allows Asariga to offer a critical understanding of conversion (dsraya-parivrtti) and to outline the

realization of truth. Upon conversion, one abandons attachment to the putative realities of the imagined pattern and realizes non-discriminative wisdom and awakening. But in the Mahayana understanding this does not sever all [[mental

function]], for the task of carrying out bodhisattva action necessitates a wisdom and encompasses an awareness of all the myriad factors that constitute the world. Awakening includes not only

insight into silent emptiness, but also insight into the suchness of thinking as itself dependently co-arisen. Awakening does not abolish the structure of consciousness, but rather enables one to recover the heretofore obstructed and obfuscated pattern of other dependence itself. In this recovery one neither imagines things to be essences nor remains in silent awareness of uncharacterizable emptiness, but rather, in full awareness of the genesis of views from

language and of their ultimately "ludicrous" quality, brings to skillful speech and clear reason doctrines that flow from emptiness and leads others toward awakening. This mode of being fully conscious of the other-dependent functioning of consciousness is insight into the limited, but valid role of worldly truth. Here the distinction in the Hsun-chung-lun between counterfeit perfection of wisdom, caught in the web of prapanca, and true perfection of wisdom,

liberated therefrom, is expressed in terms of the Yogacara focus on conscious interiority. The theme of the restoration of the other-dependent structure of consciousness brought about by the realization of the pattern of full perfection represents a critical explication of the two truths, for


both are understood by the same consciousness to be essencefree and empty. Asaiiga has grounded both truths in the awakened mind functioning through insight into the ultimate meaning of emptiness in the recovery of its other-dependent structure.44 Both awareness of ultimate meaning and of worldly truth occur in the same consciousness. They are not disparate levels corresponding to separate realities, but differing modes expressing the identical awareness

of emptiness—the one in abeyance of all words and the other in an employment of all words. In ultimate meaning one realizes the emptiness of all things. In worldly truth one realizes the dependently co-arisen being of all that is empty, for dependent co-arising is the designation of emptiness within the world

of mediated and verbalized meaning" In these points one can, perhaps, discern the developmental lines of Asahga's thinking from the Hsun-chung-lun to the MahdyanasaTflgraha in his progressive focus on conscious interiority and in his attempt to critically ground the Madhyamika themes which he fully accepted and articulated within his understanding of conscious understanding.


NOTES

1. Thirty Years of Buddhist Studies, 1934-1972, San Francisco: Wheelright Press, 1980, p. 52. 2. "From Madhyamika to Yogacara; An Analysis of MMK XXIV. 18 and MV 1.1-2," in The Journal of the international Association of Buddhist Studies 2.1 (1979), p. 29. 3. Ibid. Also see "Ku-i yori sanshosetsu e," [From the Meaning of Emptiness to the Theory of the Three Patterns], in Chukan to yuishiki, Tokyo: Iwanami, 1978, pp. 180-206. 4. Indo tetsugaku kenkyu, Tokyo: Sanseido, 1938, vol. 1, p. 400. 5. Ibid. 6. Besides the references to Ui in note 4 and to Mochizuki in note 8, see Kajiyama Yuichi, Chukan shiso, vol. 7 oilheKosa: Daijo bukkyo series. 1982, Tokyo: Shunjusha, p. 10.

7. In his Mulamadhyamakasaindhinirmocanavydkhyd, T. 30, #1567. This text also awaits further study. It is also influenced, so it would seem, by Bhavaviveka and is important in delineating the structure of MadhyamikaYpgacara synthesis. See Donald S. Lopez, A Study of Svdtantrika (Ithaca: Snow Lion, 1987) for the best study in a Western language of these late developments in Indian Buddhist thinking. On Sthiramati's chronology, see Yuichi Kajiyama, "Bhavaviveka, Sthiramati, and Dharmapala," in Beilrdge zur Geistesgeschichte lndiens: Festschrift fur Erich Frauwallner (Wien, 1968), pp. 193-203.

8. Butten daijiten, 3.2526c. 9. T. 1656, p. 39c. 110-12. 10. Bussho kaisetsu daijiten, 5.242d. 11. T. 1565, pp. 39c.29-40a.3. 12. Bussho kaisetsu daijiten, 5.242d. 13. T. 1565, p. 39c.24—28. 14. T. 1565, p. 40a.4-5. 15. T. 1565, p. 40a.7. See Edward Conze, The Large Sutra on Perfect Wisdom, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1975, pp. 263-265. 16. T. 1565, p. 40a. 13-14. 17. T. 1565, p. 40a.21. See Conze, The Urge Sutra, p. 265. 18. T. 1565, p. 40a.22. 19. T. 1565, p. 40b.6. 20. T. 1565, p. 40b. 13-14. 21. T. 1565, p. 40b. 19-20. Compare Candrakirti's Prasannapadd: "Emptiness is taught in order to lay to rest all prapanca without exception. Thus the intent of emptiness is the laying to rest of prapanca in its entirety. But you, in [attributing] to emptiness the sense of non-being, hypostatize it." (Jacques May, Candraklrti Prasannapadd Madhyamakavjtti, Paris: AdrienMaisonneuve, 1959, p. 23, #491.)

22. Franklin Edgerion, Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary, pp. 380-81. 23. M. Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit English Dictionary, p. 681c, includes among the meanings of prapanca "ludicrous dialogue (as in drama)." This seems to be the sense of the Chinese "hsi-lung." 24. T. 1565, p. 41a. 1-3. 25. T. 1565, p. 41a.8. 26. T. 1565, p. 41a.9. 27. T. 1565, p. 44c.24-25. 28. T. 1565, p. 45a.6. 29. T. 1565, p. 45a. 14-16. 30. T. 1565, p. 45a.23-24. 31. T. 1565, p. 45b.2. 32. T. 1565, p. 45b.7-8; reference is the Madhyamakakdrikd 18.9, but Asaiiga relates the stanza to the two truths. 33. T. 1565, p. 45c.6-8. 34. Mahdydnasarftgraha 2.3; Etienne Lamotte, La Somme du Grand Vehicle d'Asanga, Louvain: Editions Peeters, 1973, p. 90; Nagao Gadjin, Shodaijoron: Wayaku to chukai, Tokyo: Kodansha, 1982, p. 281. 35. Lamotte, La Somme, p. 90, n. 3. 36. Nagao, "From Madhyamika to Yogacara," p. 36. 37. Mahdydnasamgraha 2.16; Lamotte, p. 108; Nagao, pp. 328-329. 38. Mahdydnasaingraha 2.4; Lamotte, pp. 90-91; Nagao, p. 283. 39. Mahdydnasarfigraha 2.22; Lamotte, pp. 115-118; Nagao,


pp. 349-351. 40. Mahaydnasarpgraha 2.2; Lamotte, pp. 87-88, Nagao, p. 275. 41. Nagao, Shodaijoron, p. 273. 42. Mahdydnsarrigraha 2.29; Lamotte, p. 125; Nagao, p. 376. 43. Keenan, John P., "The Intent and Structure of Yogacara Philosophy: Its Relevance for Modern Religious Thought," Otani daigaku shinshu sogo kenkyujo: Kenkyujoho," #15, 1987. 44. Mahayanasamgraha 2.26; Lamotte, p. 121; Nagao, p. 362. 45. Madhyamakakdrikd 24.18




Source