Abhi Dharm Samucchaya Bhasyam

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Abhidharmasamuccaya Bhasya" by Nathmal Tatia, based on the provided pages from the K. P. Jayswal Research Institute publication of 1976.

Book Title: Abhidharmasamuccaya Bhasya Author: Nathmal Tatia Publisher: K. P. Jayswal Research Institute, Patna Publication Year: 1976 Series: Tibetan Sanskrit Works Series No. 17

I. Introduction and Context:

• Origin of the Text: The critical edition is based on a manuscript discovered by Mahapandita Rahula Sankrityayana in a Tibetan monastery (Ngor) in 1934. Photographs of this manuscript are preserved at the Bihar Research Society, Patna.
• Manuscript Details: The manuscript is described as having the title "Abhidharmasamuccayabhasya," with a script potentially called "Proto-Maithili" rather than "Magadhi." The author is suggested to be Yasomitra, based on a Tibetan term translated as "Jinaputra," though this is debated. The manuscript contains 149 folios plus an extra one.
• Editorial Basis: The critical edition was prepared using Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Chinese texts. These include:
  • Fragments of Asanga's "Abhidharmasamuccaya" (edited by V.V. Gokhale).
  • Prahlad Pradhan's edition of Asanga's "Abhidharmasamuccaya."
  • Tibetan translation of the "Abhidharmasamuccayabhasya" (attributed to Jinaputra/Rgyal-bahi sras).
  • Chinese translation of Sthiramati's "Abhidharmasamuccayavyakhya."
  • Tibetan translation of Sthiramati's "Abhidharmasamuccayavyakhya."
• Authorship Debate: The authorship of the Bhasya is attributed to Sthiramati in Chinese tradition and Jinaputra (not Yasomitra) in Tibetan tradition. There's a Chinese tradition suggesting Buddhasimha wrote the Bhasya, which Sthiramati revised and expanded into the Vyakhya. The Bhasya shows significant similarity to Sthiramati's "Trimsika Bhasya," suggesting Sthiramati might be the author of both.
• Textual Similarities: The introduction provides comparative quotes from Asanga's "Abhidharmasamuccaya," the "Abhidharmasamuccaya Bhasya," and Sthiramati's "Trimsika Bhasya" to illustrate similarities and the evolution of ideas.
• Manuscript Variations: The editor notes discrepancies in the manuscript, including variations in word forms and consonant doubling, which were corrected according to standard Sanskrit. Marginal corrections in the manuscript suggest influences from both Tibetan and Chinese versions.
• Structure of the Bhasya: The colophon indicates the Bhasya was divided into five chapters (Samuccayas):
  1. Laksanasamuccaya (Collection of Characteristics)
  2. Satyaviniscaya (Determination of Truths)
  3. Dharmaviniscaya (Determination of Dharma)
  4. Praptiviniscaya (Determination of Attainments)
  5. Sankathyaviniscaya (Determination of Discussion/Debate) The Chinese translation has eight sections, and the Tibetan has ten chapters, indicating different organizational schemes.
• Explanation of Buddhist Concepts: The Bhasya explains the Abhidharma of the Vijnaptivadin or Yogacara school, drawing parallels and quotations from other Abhidharma texts.
• Editorial Challenges: The editor, Dr. N. Tatia, expresses regret for not being able to write a detailed introduction or provide an index due to pressing engagements, but thanks Prof. Anantalal Thakur and Mr. Masashige Shinoda for their invaluable assistance.

II. Content Summary (Based on the detailed "Contents" section):

The text is structured into five major sections (Samuccayas), each covering specific aspects of Abhidharma.

1. Laksanasamuccaya (Collection of Characteristics): This section delves into the fundamental elements of existence and the Buddhist path, including:

• Purpose of the text: To provide skillfulness in understanding concepts like skandhas, dhatus, and ayatanas.
• The Five Skandhas: Detailed analysis of the Form (Rupa), Feeling (Vedana), Perception (Samjna), Mental Formations (Samskara), and Consciousness (Vijnana) skandhas. This includes a comprehensive list of 50 mental factors (Caitasikas) and mind-independent formations (Citta-viprayukta Samskaras).
• The Eighteen Dhatus and Twelve Ayatanas: Their structure and classification.
• The Nature of Form (Rupa): Discusses Mahabhutas (Great Elements) and their derived forms (Rupa), including concepts like emptiness (phena-pinda-upama), and the characteristics of phenomena.
• The Nature of Consciousness (Vijnana): Explains the various types of consciousness, including Alayavijnana (storehouse consciousness), citta (mind), and vijnana (consciousness).
• The Nature of the Unconditioned (Asamskrta): Discusses elements like Akash (space), Nirodha (cessation), and Anikya (immutability).
• Categorizations of Dharmas: Numerous classifications are presented, such as Rupi/Arupi (material/immaterial), Sanidarshana/Anidarshana (with/without appearance), Saprathigha/Aprathigha (with/without obstruction), Sasrava/Anasrava (conditioned/unconditioned), Samskrta/Asamskrta (conditioned/unconditioned), and Lokika/Lokottara (worldly/supramundane).
• The Concept of Causality: Explains Pratityasamutpada (dependent origination) through its various aspects: causality, factors, interdependence, and the process of accumulation and cessation.
• The Nature of Suffering (Duhkha): Discusses the three types of suffering: Duhkha-duhkha (suffering itself), Viparinama-duhkha (suffering of change), and Samskara-duhkha (suffering of conditioned existence).
• Mental Defilements (Klesas): An extensive enumeration and explanation of mental afflictions, such as greed, hatred, delusion, pride, envy, anger, etc., including their causes and effects.
• Karma and its Results (Karma-Phala): Details the ten types of unwholesome karma and their consequences, as well as the ten types of wholesome karma. It discusses the concept of "niyata-vedaniya karma" (karma whose result is determined).
• The Nature of the Four Noble Truths: Explains the characteristics and implications of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path.
• The Noble Eightfold Path: A detailed analysis of the path, including Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. It discusses the stages of the path (Sambhara-marga, Prayoga-marga, Darshana-marga, Bhavana-marga, and Nishtha-marga).
• The Nature of the Three Jewels (Ratna-traya): The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are discussed.
• The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: Their interconnectedness and causal flow.
• The Three Pitakas: Sutra, Vinaya, and Abhidharma are described in terms of their content and purpose.

2. Satyaviniscaya (Determination of Truths): This section focuses on the Four Noble Truths:

• Duhkha Satya (Truth of Suffering): Analyzes the pervasiveness of suffering, its various manifestations (birth, aging, sickness, death, etc.), and its fundamental characteristics (impermanence, suffering, emptiness, non-self).
• Samudaya Satya (Truth of the Origin of Suffering): Identifies the root cause as craving (Trsna) and elaborates on its various forms and how it fuels the cycle of rebirth. It also discusses karma and defilements (Klesas) as primary causes.
• Nirodha Satya (Truth of the Cessation of Suffering): Describes Nirvana as the ultimate state of liberation, characterized by the absence of suffering, craving, and the cycle of rebirth.
• Marga Satya (Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering): Details the Noble Eightfold Path as the means to achieve liberation, including its various stages and practices like mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom.

3. Dharmaviniscaya (Determination of Dharma): This section explores the Dharma in its broader context, including:

• The Twelve Divisions of the Buddha's Teachings (Dvadashanga Dharma): Discusses the different categories of Buddhist scriptures like Sutra, Geya, Vyakarana, etc.
• The Three Pitakas: Further elaboration on Sutra, Vinaya, and Abhidharma, their interrelationships, and their role in spiritual development.
• The Nature of Buddha-Dharma: Explains the vastness and profundity of the Dharma, its incomprehensible aspects, and the qualities of a Bodhisattva and a Buddha.
• Paramitas (Perfections): A detailed discussion of the six (or ten) Paramitas (generosity, morality, patience, effort, meditation, wisdom), their characteristics, and their role in the Bodhisattva path.
• The Nature of Emptiness (Sunyata) and Non-Self (Anatman): Explains these core concepts of Mahayana Buddhism.
• The Characteristics of Conditioned Phenomena: Discusses impermanence (anityata), suffering (duhkha), emptiness (sunyata), and non-self (anatman) as the marks of conditioned existence.
• The Nature of the Unconditioned (Asamskrta): Nirvana and its attributes are described.
• The Stages of the Path: Further elaboration on the stages of the Bodhisattva path, including the ten bhumis (grounds).

4. Praptiviniscaya (Determination of Attainments): This section focuses on the results of spiritual practice and the attainment of liberation:

• The Nature of the Individual (Pudgala): Discusses the concept of a self or individual within the Buddhist framework, emphasizing its conventional existence and ultimate emptiness.
• The Different Paths and Attainments: Explains the progression through various stages of spiritual realization, from the Srotapanna (stream-enterer) to the Arhat and the Bodhisattva. It differentiates the paths of the Shravaka, Pratyekabuddha, and Bodhisattva.
• The Eight Vimokshas (Liberations): Describes states of meditative absorption and liberation.
• The Eight Abhibhayatanas: States of overcoming perception.
• The Ten Krtsnayatanas: Objects of meditation for achieving concentration.
• The Three Pure Ones (Arana): States of freedom from defilements.
• The Four Bases of Success (Rddhi-pada): The powers of intention, effort, mind, and analysis.
• The Five Spiritual Faculties (Indriya): Faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom.
• The Five Powers (Bala): The strengthening of the spiritual faculties.
• The Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Bodhyanga): Mindfulness, investigation of Dharma, effort, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity.
• The Eightfold Noble Path (Arya-marga): A reiteration of the path to enlightenment.
• The Thirty-seven Factors of Enlightenment (Bodhipakshya-Dharmas): A comprehensive list of the factors leading to enlightenment.
• The Buddha's Qualities: Discusses the eighteen unique qualities of a Buddha (Avena-Buddha-dharma), such as omniscience, compassion, and the absence of certain flaws.
• The Nature of the Great Compassion (Mahakaruna): Its role in the Bodhisattva path.

5. Sankathyaviniscaya (Determination of Discussion): This section deals with the methodologies of discourse and debate in understanding the Dharma:

• The Sixfold Meaning of Analysis: Discusses the interpretation of terms based on their inherent nature (Svabhava), cause (Hetu), result (Phala), action (Karma), practice (Yoga), and function (Vrtti).
• The Fourteen Ways of Exposition: Outlines different methods of explaining the Dharma, such as summarizing, analyzing, illustrating, and refuting.
• The Art of Debate: Discusses the principles of logical reasoning, argumentation, and refutation in philosophical discourse. It covers various aspects of debate, including the participants, the topic of debate, the proposition, the proof, the example, the inference, and testimony (Agama).
• The Importance of Understanding Intent (Abhisandhi): Explains how the Buddha's teachings often have hidden meanings (Abhisandhi) that require careful interpretation.
• The Six Types of Reasons for Misunderstanding: Discusses how various factors can lead to misinterpretations of the Dharma.
• The Ten Ways of Perverted Views (Abhūta-parikalpa): Outlines common misunderstandings and distortions of reality.
• The Nature of Right and Wrong Understanding: Differentiates between correct and incorrect views of the Dharma.
• The Role of Debate in Spiritual Progress: Explains how skillful debate can clarify understanding and deepen spiritual insight.

Overall Significance:

"Abhidharmasamuccaya Bhasya" is a significant Abhidharma text that provides a detailed and systematic exposition of Buddhist philosophy, particularly from the Yogacara/Vijnaptivada perspective. It elaborates on fundamental concepts, ethical principles, the path to liberation, and the methodologies of understanding and debating the Dharma. The text is notable for its comprehensive classification of phenomena, mental states, and spiritual attainments, making it a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of Abhidharma. The editor's meticulous work in deciphering and presenting this ancient text contributes significantly to the field of Buddhist studies.