The Ontology of the Middle Way

Studies of Classical India

Editors
Bimal K. Matilal
Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions & Ethics, Oxford University, United
Kingdom
Editorial Board:
R. P. Goldman, Daniel H. H. Ingalls, and A. K. Ramanujan
The aim of this series is to publish fundamental studies concerning classical
Indian civilization. It will conclude editions of texts, translations, special-
ized studies, and scholarly works of more general interest related to various
fields of classical Indian culture such as philosophy, grammar, literature,
religion, art, and history.
In this context, the term 'Classical India', covers a vast area both
historically and geographically, and embraces various religions and
philosophical traditions, such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism, and
many languages from Vedic and Epic Sanskrit to Pali, Prakrit, and
Apabhramsa. We believe that in a profoundly traditional society like India,
the study of classical culture is always relevant and important.
Classical India presents an interesting record of deep human experience,
thoughts, beliefs, and myths, which have been a source of inspiration for
countless generations .. We are persuaded of its lasting value and relevance to
modem man.
By using extensive and for the most part unexplored material with
scientific rigor and modem methodology, the authors and editors of this
series hope to stimulate and promote interest and research in a field that
needs to be placed in its proper perspective.
Volume 11
The Ontology of
the Middle Way
by
Peter Fenner
Deakin University, Gee/ong, Australia
KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS
DORDRECHT / BOSTON / LONDON
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Fenner, Peter G., 1949-
The ontology of the middle way / by Peter Fenner.
p. cm,/-- (Studies of .classlcal India; v. 11>
Includes a translation of the Madhyamakavatara by Candraklrti.
Based on the author's thesis (Ph,D.)--Universlty of Oueensland.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ).
ISBN 0-7923-0667-8 (U.S. : alk. paper)
1. Candraklrtl. Madhyamakavatara. 2. Madhyamlka (Buddhism)
I. CandrakTrti. Madhyamakavatara. English. 1990. II. Title.
III. Series.
B02910.M367F45 1990
294.3'85--dc20
ISBN 0-7923-0667-8
Published by Kluwer Academic Publishers,
P.O. Box 17,3300 AA Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
Kluwer Academic Publishers incorporates
the publishing programmes of
. D. Reidel, Martinus Nijhoff, Dr W. Junk and MTP Press.
Sold and distributed in the U.S.A. and Canada
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In all other countries, sold and distributed
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All Rights Reserved
. 1990 by Kluwer Academic Publishers
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No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or
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including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without written permissionJrom the copyright owner.
Printed in The Netherlands
This book is dedicated to my daughters
Tahli, Yeshe and Brooke.
CONTENTS
FOREWORD ..... XI
ABBREVIATIONS .... XIII
INTRODUCTION ..... 1
Notes ..... 8
CHAPTER ONE: THE INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY [MAl AND
ITS RELIGIOUS CONTENT ..... 9
1
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
3
3.1
3.2
4
Chandrakirti and the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl ..... 9
Three Systems of Thought that can be Isolated in the Introduction to the
Midtlle Way [MAl ..... 11 _
The System of Insight and its Development ..... 15
The Bodhisattvas' Development and their Deeds (carya) ..... 15
The Characterised Madhyamika ..... 17
The Context of the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl ..... 19
Knowledge (jnana) Yoga ..... 21
The Transference of Insight ..... 25
The Profound and Extensive Contents ..... 26
Notes ..... 29
CHAPTER TWO: THE PROFOUND VIEW ..... 35
1 The Cognitive Basis of Madhyamika Soteriology ..... 35
2 The Philosophy of Emptiness (sunyavada) ..... 37
2.1 The Descriptions of Emptiness ..... 38
2.2 Different Types of Emptiness ..... 40
2.3 Twenty Emptinesses ..... 40
viii
2.4 Intrinsic Existence (svabhava) as what is Negated by E m p ~ n e s s ..... 42
3 Madhyamika Analyses ..... 44
4 Analysis of Phenomena (dharma) ..... 45
4.1 Birth from Self ..... 46
4.2 Birth from Other ..... 48
4.3 Birth from both Self and Other ..... 51
4.4 Birth from no Cause ..... 51
5 Analysis of the Person (pudgala) ..... 54
5.1 The Self or Person Negated ..... 54
5.2 Seven-Sectioned Analysis ..... 57
5.3 The Self is not Different from the Psycho-physical Organism ..... 59
5.4 The Self is not the Same as the Psycho-physical Organism ..... 60
5.s Refutation of a Substantial Self ..... 64
5.6 The Self is not the Same as the Collection ..... 67
5.7 The Self is not in the Psycho-physical Organism and Vice Versa ..... 70
5.8 The Self does not have the Psycho-physical Organism ..... 70
5.9 The Self is not the Shape of the Psycho-physical Organism ..... 71
6 Critique of Buddhist Phenomenalism (vijnanavada) ..... 73
6.1 Refuting the Non-extemality of Sense Objects ..... 75
6.2 The Failure of Mental Potentials to Account for Sensory Experience ..... 77
6.3 Counter-examples ..... 79
6.4 Refutation of a Self-reflexive Consciousness (svasamvedana) ..... 80
7 Some Meta-logical Observation ..... 82
8 The Middle Path and Relational Origination ..... 85
9 The Profound Path Structure ..... 86
Notes ..... 89
CHAPTER THREE: ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT ... 99
1 Western of the Problem ..... 100
2 Chandrakirti's Statement on the Relationship ..... 101
3 The Structural Foundations of Analysis ..... 105
3.1 Entity Discrimination (samjna) and Predication ..... 105
3.2 The Principle of Definition Through Logical Opposites ..... 107
3.3 Dichotomisation ..... 109
3.4 The Paradoxical Structure of Predication ..... 111
3.5 The Destructuring of Conceptuality ..... 115
4 Patterns of Analysis in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl ..... 122
4.1 The Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl Proofs and Categories of
Analysis ..... 122
4.2 . The Introduction's [MAl Analyses and the Core Structure ..... 127
4.3 The Introduction's [MAl Contradictions .....
4.4 Category Restricted and Unrestricted Analyses ..... 134
4.5 Abstract and Instantiated Analyses ..... 135
4.6 Interpretation of Diagram 3.1 as a Flow-chart ..... 136
4.7 Modal Analysis and Substantive Bi-negative Conclusions ..... 141
4.8 Implicative and Non-affirming Negations ..... 143
5 Logical and Experiential Consequences ..... 146
6 Contingency and Necessity in Consequential , Analysis ..... 148
Notes ..... 151
CHAPTER FOUR: INSIGHT AND EXTENSIVE DEEDS ... 159
1 Common-sense World-view ..... 160
1.1 Instruments of Valid Conventional Cognition ..... 160
1.2 Subjective Determinants of Cognition ..... 162
ix
x
1.3 The Common-sense World ..... 162
2 The Yogin's Practices ..... 164
3 The Bodhisattvas' Path ..... 165
3.1 The Bodhisattvas' Compassion ..... 167
4 The Buddha-nature ..... 170
4.1 Interpretative Teaching ..... 173
5 The Relations between the Profound and Extensive Contents ..... 179
5.1 Emptiness and Conventions ..... 180
5.2 The Relations between the Two Realities ..... 183
5.3 Emptiness and Valid Conventions ..... 185
6 Insight and the Fully Evolved Mind ..... 186
6.1 Insight and Compassion ..... 187
6.2 Insight and the Fully Evolved Mind (bodhicitta) ..... 191
Notes ..... 194
CONCLUSION . 205
APPENDIX ONE: A TRANSLATION OF THE VERSES OF THE
INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY [MAl .... 209
APPENDIX TWO: TSONG KHA PA'S SECTION HEADINGS IN THE DBU
MA DGONGS PA RAB GSAL (Trans. with Michael Richards) ..... 303
BIBLIOGRAPHy .... 323
INDEX . 333
FOREWORD
This study is mainly the outcome of work completed as a PhD. thesIs at the
University of Queensland. However, it has been revised in many ways since its
preparation in dissertation form.
Many people have contributed to the study and I am concerned that I may
fail to mention everyone who has assisted me. My first introduction to The
Introduction to the Middle Way (Madhyamakavatara) carne through a course I
attended at a Buddhist Centre in Queensland called Chenrezig Institute. The
course was given by Yen. Geshe Loden, originally of Sera Monastery in India,
and was translated by Yen. Zasep Tulku. Besides participating in this course I
also attended a number of other courses on Madhyamika presented by these and
other lamas in Australia and in Nepal. I was also fortunate to spend a semester
at the University of Wisconsin - Madison studying with Professor Geshe
Lhundup Sopa.
At different times I had the opportunity to discuss, in person or through
correspondence, aspects of the study with a number of leading scholars.
Professors J.W. de Jong, Robert Thurman, Jeffrey Hopkins and Paul Williams
gave freely of their expertise although in some cases I know that I was unable to
take full advantage of their suggestions. Special mention and thanks go
Professor Fred Streng who supported the study and gave most graciously of his
time.
In Australia I would like to thank my advisers at the University of
Queensland, Drs. Ross Reat, Arvind Sharma and Richard Hutch.
Finally, I wish to acknowledge Michael Richards who went over the
translation of the verses of the Madhyamakavatara with great care and made
many suggestions which have improved the accuracy of the translation.
Together we prepared the translation of the section heading of Tsong kha pa's
which appears as a second appendix. I only regret that I did not have the time to
refer to that text in the body of the study.
Some sections of this study have appeared in various journals and I would
like to thank Philosophy East and West, Journal of the International Association for
Buddhist Studies and the Journal of Indian Philosophy for permission to publish
reworked versions of my essays.
ABBREVIATIONS
AK 'Abhidharmakosa (Collection on the Higher Sciences) ofVasubandhu
BCA Bodhicaryiivatiira (Introduction to the Evolved lifestyle) of Santideva
CS Catu(lsatakaSastrakiirikii (Commentary on the four Hundred Stanzas) of Aryadeva
D sDe dge edition
DS Dasabhumika-satra (Ten Levels Satra)
JIABS Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies
j1P Journal of Indian Philosophy
LS Lailkiivatiira-siitra (Decent into Lailkii Satra)
LMS The Literature of the Madhyamaka School of Philosophy in India by David Seyfort Ruegg
LSNP Drang nges rnam 'byed legs bshad snying po (Essence of True Eloquence) of Tsong kha pa
MA Madhyamakiivatiira (Introduction of the Middle Way) of CandrakIrti
MABh Madhyamakiivatiira-bhii'!Ya (Commentary on the Introduction to the Middle Way) of
CandrakTrti' .
ME
MK
MN
MSA
MY
N
P
PEW
PP
PPS
PVT
RSM
Meditation on Emptiness by Jeffrey Hopkins
MUlamadhyamakakiirikii (Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way) of Nagarjuna
Majjhima-nikiiya (Middle Length Discourses)
Mahiiyiinasufriilmikiira (Ornament of the Universal Vehicle Satra) of Asanga
Mahiivyutpatti (Great
Nikiiya (Pali Discourses)
Peking edition
Philosophy East and West
Prasannapadii (Clear Words) of CandrakTrti.
Paficavimsatisiihasrika-prajfiiipiJramitii-siltra (Perfect Insight in Twenty-Five Thousand Stanzas
Satra) .
Pramii1Jllviirttika (Compendium on Epistemology) of DharmakIrti
dBu ma la 'jug pai bstan bcos kyi dgongs pa rab tu gsal bai me long (Mirror of Complete
Clarification) of dGe 'dun grub
xiv
RA RatniivaTi(Precious Jewel) of Niigiirjuna
SN Sarrzyutta-nikaya (Collected Discourses)
VP Vallee Poussin's edition
VPTd Madhyamakavatiira, Introduction au Traite du Milieu by Louis de la Valhfe Poussin .
VPV Vallee Poussin's variant
VV Vigrahavyiivartan7 (Repudiation of Criticism) of Nagiirjuna
For full details see Bibliography
INTRODUCTION
The relationships between reason, spiritual insight or intuition, and the
fuller dimensions of religiousity such as human love and social action are
matters of concern to many philosophers of religion investigating many different
religious traditions. In rational faiths like Buddhism and Hindu Advaita
Vedanta the relationship between these different yet essential facets of each
religious tradition take on a special significance, and in the case of a religio-
philosophical tradition like Madhyamika Buddhism - where the faculty of
reason is explicitly linked to the insight of an ultimate reality and where insight
is subsumed into a more overarching religious awakening such as we see in the
universal vehicle or Mahayana - the relationships and problems associated with
them become particularly pronounced.
In the case of Madhyamika Buddhism, and eastern religions and
philosophies in general (perhaps less so in the Semitic faiths), the issues and
problems that stem from a study of these relationships are largely hermeneutical
in character for they arise in the context of contemporary investigations of
religio-philosophical systems that represent 'another' paradigm in terms of
orientation to theory, intellectual presuppositions, standards of reasoning, and
criteria of meaning, relevancy, value, and intelligibility. These differences in
intellectual paradigms, issue forth in western scholarship as the posing of new
questions to traditional materials that require answers and information that are
oftentimes quite different from those which the traditional materials were
originally designed and intended to answer.
In other words, in the task of comprehending traditional ideas from a
modern framework, the contemporary cross-cultural inquiry inevitably creates
new foci of attention that form genuine and legitimate areas of concern and
inquiry; areas and issues which are broached in Madhyamika literature only
obliquely and indirectly. Problems thus emerge as perceived areas of
opaqueness, lack of detail, ambiguities, and omissions in Madhyamika texts.
Why certain areas of inquiry are neglected in the traditional materials we
can only hazard a guess, but presumably their paucity of detail in certain areas,
such as a lack of attention to "relationships" and "explanatory details" in general,
lies no doubt in part with the practical orientation of Indian Madhyamikas.
Many implied but omitted details were probably intended to be clarified
through oral instruction, debate, and contemplation. Others doubtless represent
a failure to see such omissions as problematic. Whatever the reasons are,
Madhyamika texts by and large tend to describe only the constituents of their
religio-philosophical system without explaining the relationships and internal
2 REASONING INTO REALITY
dynamics that underpin the interactions and dependences between the different.
aspects of the overall system of philosophy and doctrine. In the contemporary
western context, on the other hand, understanding is sought through detailed
explanation and clarifications of the various sorts of relationships that obtain
between the co-acting aspects of a religious understanding, and hence it is just
these above areas, which figure as the most prominent relationships in many
religious traditions, that require an elucidation.
The above relationships are - as we have said - especially significant yet also
problematic for contemporary Madhyamika scholarship. Though this is not
without good reason, it is true to say that although western Madhyarnika
scholarship has progressed for several decades and on several fronts, utilising a
variety of methods of scholarship ranging from formal textual exegesis to free
interpretation carried out in the fields of phenomenology and history of
religions, comparative philosophy and logical philosophy, these relationships
are unclarified, and the problems associated with them unresolved. Thus, they
constitute an ongoing concern for many scholars.
The aim' of this study is to investigate the relationships between reason,
insight, and the awakening of a fully evolved mind in the Madhyamika tradition
with a view first to clarifying the issues involved in their investigation and
second to offering some suggested resolutions of the problems. It seeks
clarification and resolution at a philosophical and psychological level as the
problems - at least in the Madhyarnika - are mainly in the area of philosophical-
psychology. This, of course, is not to deny that historical issues bear upon these
problems, especially in relationship to the doctrinal development of the
Madhyamika, or that such problems may bear on the philosophical problems.
The decision here to focus on the philosophical and leave aside the historical
issues .is an expedient of manageability which leaves work to be done.
Hopefully it helps to provide the philosophical and doctrinal basis for such
needful work.
Hopefully also, the study may be valuable and useful for similar discussions
being carried out in other traditions if for no other reason than that the problems
are explicit, pronounced, and able to be fully exposed in the Madhyamika.
Hence though this study is not linked specifically to other religious traditions it
may be that it provides some insights that are helpful in resolving those issues in
the cross-cultural religious context and indicate some avenues for grappling
with them.
In this study we will be concerned with investigating relationships imd
problems associated with them that crystalise around three main areas, which
we will define.
1. Problems centering on the relationships between reason (tarka) - as a basic
faculty of rationality; analysis (vicara) - in the sense of logical investigation
and particularly consequential (prasanga) analysis; emptiness (sunyata);
reality (tattva); and liberation (nirvana), Professor de Jong has called
INTRODUCTION
3
attention to this area and especially the relationshi:p between reason,
intuition and wisdom Cprajna).1 The 'principal problems In this area concern
the place and function of consequential ana1ysis in meditation and the extent
to which such analysis plays a role in the acquisition of insight into
emptiness as conceived by the Prasangika Madhyamika. The central issue
that has arisen for contemporary Madhyamika scholarship is whether the
Madhyamika philosophical analysis is intended as a preparatory exercise for
meditation or whether its role is more integral, as somehow being an
efficient cause for insight.
2. The next area of inquiry is concerned with the relationships between so-
called technique Cupaya) and insight. Of the three areas tnis is the least
problematic and that which has received more attention than the others,
frequently as a discussion of the relationship between the 'two realities'.
3. The third set of problems focuses on the relationship at a philosophical and
doctrinal level between Madhyamika philosophy and the universal vehicle
form of Buddhism in general and is specifically concerned to clarify and
elucidate the relations and interactions that obtain between insight,
compassion Ckaruna), and the fully evolved mind Cbodhi).
The above problems are present in all Buddhist traditions but are
particularly pronounced in the Madhyamika due to its claims that reason may be
used for soteriological ends, and its distinction at the level of doctrine between
liberation and full evolution Cbodhi).
Of the problems mentioned, those in the first area, centering on the relation
between analysis and insight, attract the greatest attention and hermeneutical
rigour for they are the perennial concern of Madhyamika scholars. The two
other areas are pursued as subsidiary to this central concern.
That the problems are genuine is demonstrated by the continued efforts of
scholars like Murti, Streng, Inada, Sprung, Ichimura, Thurman and others to
elucidate the problems and a clear lack of agreement and concurrence in their
response to them. That they are urgent problems is evidenced by the fact that
the present state of research, with the exception of some recent work by
Gangadean and Ichimura, is in something of a still-water.
In approaching these problems this study focuses on a different textual basis
than that used in other studies. According to the approach here, the
investigation of the relationships is best accomplished by a two staged process:
the first involving a textual reconstruction of relevant materials and the second,
a making of reasoned inferences and extrapolations on the basis of the
reconstructed material.
Given the trenchancy of the relationships in questions, and problems and
unclarities that surround them, the choice of texts and hermeneutical tools is a
singly important factor, and it is to these I now direct our attention.
The corpus of Madhyamika literature is vast and varied, spanning over six
hundred years in India and more than that in Tibet. It includes the original
4
REASONING INTO REALITY
Madhyamika of N agarjuna and its subsequent developments into the Prasangika
and the two schools of Svatantrika Madhyamika. The bulk and diversity of that
literature makes it important from the point of view of expediency to have a
research focus, that is to saYi a: set of texts through which to investigate the
relationships, and within these a text singled out as a bench-mark in virtue of its
exemplifying a rounded and coherent expression of the Madhyamika. Given,
also, that most Madhyamika texts broach these relationships only obliquely the
choice of texts itself is a crucial decision.
This study draws on the works of Nagarjuna and Shantideva and spotlights
on Chandrakirti's Introduction to the Middle Way (MA) as a natural, and arguably
the best research focus. The reasons for choosing the Introduction [MA] as a
bench-mark are several.
With respect to the original expression of the Madhyamika the Introduction to
the Middle Way [MAl encapsulates its central characteristics. Like the Principal
Stanzas on the Middle Way (Mulamadhyamakakarika) and Averting Arguments
(Vigrahavyavartani), the Introduction includes statements of the pure
consequential (prasanga) dialectic - the leitmotif of the Principal Stanzas [MK] -
and also raises the meta-epistemological analyses of the Averting Arguments (VV)
(albeit without analysing the variety of phenomena and pramanas that N agarjuna
does). The Principal Stanzas [MK] and Precious Jewel (Ratnavali) are Chandrakirti's
own sources for the Madhyamika and both are quoted frequently in the
Introduction. For our purposes, then, where the structural nature of reason and
analysis is more significant than the variability in their deployment, the
Introduction [MAl is equally as serviceable as the works of Nagarjuna (in fact
more so, as we will see). This holds also for Chandrakirti's Clear Words
(Prasannapada) which tends to duplicate the insight made earlier in the
Introduction [MAl. There is no evidence of any fundamental change in
Chandrakirti's philosophy between the Introduction [MAl and Clear Words [PPl.
Hence, with respect to the first set of problems concerned with the
relationship between analysis and insight, the Introduction [MAl tends to
replicate the earlier Madhyamika texts. Thus, unless one is concerned to explore
these relationships solely on the basis of the original Madhyamika of Nagarjuna,
then the Introduction [MAl is an obvious choice of text. With respect to the
relation between thought and reality and the Madhyamika theory of perception,
the Introduction [MAl is an informative text that implicitly raises the problem
through its critique of the Vijnanavada school and states a developed
Madhyamika response to it. .
The choice, though, becomes even more significant in view of the fact that
the Introduction [MAl gives voice to a Madhyamika praxis where earlier texts do
not. It does this in two ways: directly and indirectly. The direct way is by
including information about the procedures and assumptions that underpin
analysis. The analyses found in the Introduction [MAl, for example, are more
INTRODUCTION
5
stylised than those occurring in the Principal Stanzas [MKl and are a precursor in
fact toa later meditative formulation of the same analyses.
Equally as significant, though, is an implied and, as it were, between the
lines description of Madhyamika praxis, that can be inferred from its format and
explicit contextualisation within the religio-philosophical milieu of ~ e v e n t h
century India. By writing in response to a wide range of philosophical
viewpoints and presumed religious mentalities, Chandrakirti infuses a vibrancy
and dynamism into the Introduction [MAl that conveys the flavour and life of the
Madhyarnika as a practical system of interpersonal debate and contemplation.
From this one can extrapolate to the procedures and formal' structures that
undergird Madhyamika praxis.
In relationship to the second area, concerning the relationship between
method and insight, the Introduction [MAl is structured around the religious
practices of the perfections (paramita). In this respect, and also in relationship to
its discussion of the two realities, it is similar to the Introduction to the Evolved Life
Style (Bodhicaryavatara). It is more informative, however, in its discussions of
valid conventions (tathya-samvrti) ,distribution between' interpretative-definitive
(neyartha-nitartha) and in its relating the practice to insight.
With respect to the third area of concern: the relation between the
Madhyamika and the universal vehicle in general, the Introduction [MAl is
clearly a key text for two reasons. One, it gives expression to a more formal
universal vehicle doctrinal structure than any other developed Madhyamika
texts, and, two, it integrates and creatively synthesizes the Madhyamika and
universal vehicle into an overriding and comprehensive religious philosophy. A
final point is that the Introduction [MAl is supplied with Chandrakirti's own
extensive commentary, the Madhyamakavatara-bhasya [MABhl. ,
In summary, the Introduction [MAl, when it is studied with a cognisance of
the works of Nagarjuna, is an ideal text through which to address the
hermeneutical problems above. In fact, it is surprising and remiss of
Madhyamika scholarship to have neglected such a significant text up till now.
Had it been accorded the attention that the Principal Stanzas [MKl and Clear
Words [PPl have attracted, Madhyamika scholarship and interpretation may be
different today from what they are, and in part this thesis hopes to rectify what
can be viewed as a fairly narrow view of the Madhyamika as described by
Nagarjuna, and to enhance a broader appreciation of the system.
The selectivity with which the Introduction [MAl describes the Madhyamika-
universal vehicle system and its general sparseness of detail in just those areas
we are looking at, makes the selection of hermeneutical tools as crucial as the
selection of textual materials. Considering that the hermeneutical exercise is
essentially one of clarifying what the Introduction [MAl says and then fleshing
out some details by further inferences, the hermeneutical tools should both
expose the relationships, particularly so as to draw out the problems, and guide
6
REASONING INTO REAUTY
the extrapolations and direct the formation of hypotheses that attempt to explain
the workings and dynamics of the relationships in question.
Where in the past the hermeneutical exercise has proceeded by the methods
of comparative philosophy (Murti, Thurman), phenomenology of religion
(Streng), western philosophy (Sprung), and logical philosophy (Gangadean and
Ichimuru), this thesis comes at the problems from a new angle. It does this by (1)
introducing a different method of textual reconstruction and (2) by utilising a
psycho-philosophical framework for analysis rather than the more strictly
philosophical perspective that has been used in other studies. The change of
approach is made with the. specific intention of highlighting and explaining the
relationships.
The method of reconstruction differs from the more usual one of giving a
running verse by verse philosophical exegesis or gloss of the arguments and
doctrines of a text, and involves, instead, structurally reorganising the
Introduction [MAl so as to isolate and juxtapose the different sets of arguments
and doctrinal positions that are important to the questions we are addressing.
Hence the text as a whole as well as its arguments, are reconstructed. In some
cases the reorganisation involves drawing together a common topic-matter that
is scattered throughout the Introduction [MAl (such as, its depiction of an insight
path-structure and specification of a valid world-view). In other cases it
proceeds by philosophically reconstructing a set of verses that display a
consistency of subject-matter (as in the case of the Introduction's [MAl dialectical
analyses and critique of the Vijnanavada). In some cases, also, certain materials
that are extraneous for our purposes here have been culled from the
Introduction's [MAl analytical content in an effort to clarify the structure of
certain arguments.
The actual arrangement of the verses in terms of their sequential appearance
in the thesis is guided by the order in which we previously listed the problems,
and with a view to placing the relationships in their proper perspective by
seeing how the Introduction [MAl leads into them and places them within an
overarching system. The juxtapositioning of the different sets of ideas and trains
of thought that are expressed in the Introduction [MAl is designed to bring into
full focus both the tensions and dovetailing that occurs between different aspects
of the overall philosophy and doctrine.
In concluding this introduction it. is useful to indicate some procedural
details about the development of the chapters and also to sketch their contents.
The first two substantive chapters: chapters two and three; address themselves
to the first problem area. The procedure here - which is roughly repeated in
discussing the second and third sets of problems also - is to firstly present and
reconstruct the Introduction's [MAl own arguments and doctrines relevant to the
set of questions at hand, and then to take up these problems for a more
systematic investigation in the following chapter. Hence chapter two addresses
itself to the Introduction's [MAl analyses, and conception of insight and
INTRODUCTION
7
liberation, and chapter three looks at the relationship between analysis and
insight. Doing things this way gives full expression to the Introduction's [MAl
doctrine and argument without any drastic interruption to its internal continuity
and coherency.
Chapter four follows basicaliy the same procedure. The first sections exegete
and reconstruct the so-called extensive and for most part universal vehicle
content of the Introduction [MAl and the final sections - drawing on all the
preceding material in the study - address the second and third sets of problems,
concerned with the relationships between method and insight, the Madhyamika
and universal vehicle, and liberation (nirvana) and full evolution (bodhi).
As the chapters are fairly dense, and some issues and doctrines recurrent, it
is useful to briefly sketch the content of each chapter and weave a continuity
through their sequential development"
Chapter one briefly describes the content of the Introduction [MAl then
outlines its historical context in the Indian monastic tradition and placement in
the meditative discipline of knowledge yoga.
Chapter two isolates and philosophically reconstructs the theory of emptiness
(sunyavada); the Introduction's [MAl dialectical analyses that purport to
demonstrate the emptiness of phenomena (dharma) and the personality (pudgala);
Chandrakirti's critique of Vijnanavada idealism; and the structure of the srunts
path vis-a-vis the development of im;ight. In so doing this chapter discusses the
so-called profound (zab po) content of the Introduction, as distinguished from the
extensive (rgya che ba) content. The profound path includes all that pertains
directly to the insight of emptiness and correlates with the arhat-yana and its fruit
(phala) of nirvana. The extensive content include all else in the Introduction [MAl
and most significantly the altruistic feature of the bodhisattva career.
Chapter three utilises the foregoing reconstruction and attempts to tease out
the Introduction's [MAl own explicit and implied position on the relationship
between analysis and insight.
The first half of the chapter details the logical principles utilised in
consequential analysis and describes the rudimentary structure of such analysis
and reasons for its claimed salvific utility in halting conceptual proliferation.
The second half of the chapter embeds the foregoing rudimentary structure in
the Introduction's [MAl analyses and describes some technical features of the
Introduction's [MA] analyses. The final sections of this chapter raise the question
of the relationship between logical consequences and their supposed experiential
correlates.
Chapter four is concerned with the relationship between the profound and
extensive doctrines in the Introduction [MAl. In the first half I reconstruct the
extensive content of the Introduction [MAl by locating certain structural
distinctions and dynamic processes within that content. The procedure is to
divide the extensive content into two aspects. (1) The methods (upaya) as they
relate to the liberative or arhats path, and (2) the methods as they figure in the
8
REASONING INTO REAUTY
bodhisattvas' and buddhas' deeds of working for the welfare of others. The first
sense of the methods includes a discussion of their relationship to insight, the
world-view being put forward in the Introduction [MA], and the factors
determining the veridical perception of that world-view. The second sense in
which the methods can be understood includes a discussion of altruism, the
bodhisattvas' and buddhas' path of development, and their pedagogical skills
and cognitive achievements.
The second half of this chapter focuses on the relationship between different
aspects of the profound and extensive paths. It is divided into sections that try
and get some resolution on the relationships between insight and the so-called
method perfections; the relationship between the 'two realities' and the unifying
role of the doctrine of 'relational origination'; the relationship between
emptiness and the 'knowledge of all facets'; the relations between emptiness
and altruism or universal compassion (mahafaruna); and lastly looks at the
concept of a single vehicle.
An appendix gives a Tibetan transliteration and English translation of the
Stanzas on the Introduction to the Middle Way.
NOTES
1. T.W. de Tong, "Emptiness", JIP, 2 (1972), 11
CHAPTER ONE
THE INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY [MAl AND
ITS RELIGIOUS CONTEXT
1 CHANDRAKIRTI AND THE INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY
[MAll
The full treatise of the Introduction to the Middle Way (Madhyamakavatara)
consists of a set of verses, known as the Madhyamakavatara or Madhyamakavatara-
karika, and Chandrakirti's own commentary on these known as the
Madhyamakavatara-svavrtti or Madhyamakavatara-bhasya. It does not survive in its
original Sanskrit, having been lost, as were so many Buddhist scriptures in the
Muslim persecution of Indian Buddhism. It exists now in its Tibetan translation
which was made in the first case by the Indian Tilaka-kalasha with the Tibetan
Nyi rna grags, and revised and improved some time after by the Indian
Kanakavarma working with the same Tibetan translator.
Its author, Chandrakirti, is known to us as a renowned Buddhist monk,
yogin, and philosophical psychologist. He lived in the seventeenth century2 and
is the author of a number of works,3 mainly commentaries to earlier Buddhist
treatises of which the most famous is his Clear Words [PP], a text elucidating the
Principal Verses on the Middle Way [MK] of the second-century saint Nagarjuna.
According to the hagiographies of Bu ston4 and Taranatha5, Chandrakirti was
born at Samana in the south of India. He became learned in the full corpus of
Buddhist scriptures, both sutras and tantras, and was ordained as a monk
(bhiksu). According to Taranatha6 he subsequently became abbot (upadhyaya) of
the great N alanda monastery (mahavihara), at that time India's foremost Buddhist
seat of learning7 and was respected as a "master-scholar among scholars".8 By
contemporary western scholars, Chandrakirti is regarded as a leading expositor
of Madhyamika-Buddhist thought and, alongside Buddhapalita, Aryadeva, and
Shantideva, as one of the principal formulators of the Prasangika or
Consequential form of Madhyamika philosophy. Contemporary Tibetan dGe
lugs scholars regard the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] as the foremost
10
REASONING INTO REALITY
Buddhist insight text. In the Tibetan colleges (grva tshang) it is.. memorised and
then studied and debated over a period of five years.
9
The Introduction [MAl is based on the seminal thought of Nagarjuna, the
initiator of the Madhyarnika as a formal system of thought. Chandrakiiti
acknowledges this several times in the Introduction [MAl .. He writes, for example
(6.3): "Just as these [bodhisattvasl comprehend the highly profound teaching
(gambhira-dharma) through scriptures (agama), and listening through reason
(yukti), so I will explain from Saint Nagarjuna's texts in accordance with his
system of presentation." In the concluding sections to the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MA: Cll he shows his indebtedness particularly to the Treatise of the
Middle Way (Madhyamaka-sastra), i.e. the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK],
stating that the Introduction to the Middle Way "is related in accordance with that
treatise." According to dGe 'dun grub (RSM, f.2bl) it is an introduction to the
Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MKl (Mula-prajna). In that tradition of
Madhyarnika literature the Introduction to the Middle Way is concerned with
establishing the viewpoint of emptiness as the final and ultimate reality of
things, and with the salvific nature of knowing emptiness.
Even so the Introduction [MAl differs significantly from Nagarjuna's
treatises. Whereas Nagarjuna's works
1
0 exclusively discuss emptiness or meta-
theoretical issues pertaining to emptiness, the Introduction [MAl has this as just
part of its subject-matter, though a substantial and crucial part at that. The
Introduction [MAl is divided into twelve chapters. Each of the first ten chapters
is devoted to one of the ten so-called steps or levels (bhumi) that a universal
vehicle saint is said to traverse en route to achieving the full evolution of a
buddha. 11 For this infrastructure the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl is
indebted to the Ten Levels Sutra [DS], which it quotes frequently. These ten
levels, and hence first ten chapters also, are further correlated with ten special
practices that the universal vehicle saint accomplishes during his path. These
are the ten perfections (paramita). As the perfection of insight (prajna) is the sixth
of the ten perfections the bulk of the Introduction's [MAl discussion of insight
andhence of emptiness, occurs in the sixth chapter. This chapter is considerably
longer than any of the others and accounts for 226 of the Introduction to the
Middle Way's [MAl 330 verses. The remainder of the subject-matter of these first
ten chapters is, then, the development of the nine remaining accomplishments;
namely, the perfections of giving (dana), good conduct (sila), endurance (ksanti),
enthusiasm (virya), meditation (dhyana), therapeutic techniques means (upaya),
powerful capacities (bala), resolution (pranidhana) and knowledge (jnana). In an
eleventh chapter titled" The Individual Qualities of the Levels" the Introduction
[MAl summarises the characteristics and achievements of the saints on each of
the ten levels, as expounded in the previous chapters, and in a finru chapter of
42 verses describes "The Qualities at the Level of Buddhas"
This additional content is collected under the rubric of "extensive content" as
opposed to the "profound" and so Chandrakirti sees the Introduction to the Middle
INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY
11
Way [MABh: 409] as clarifying both the profound and extensive ways.
Chandrakirti's sources for the extensive material, which for the most part is
universal vehicle doctrine, comes mainly from sutras. dGe 'dun grub (RSM, f.
261-2) speaks of Chandrakirti as complementing or filling out (kha bskang) the
profound content of the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK] with
Nagarjuna's own oral teaching (upadesa) on the extensive path. This fact has lead
Jeffrey Hopkins to render avatara in the title of the text as "Supplement".1
2
Interestingly he does not quote from the treatises of Maitreya-Asanga, though it
seems likely he must have known ofthem.13 Likewise, he was probably aware
of the various Perfect Insight Sutras (Prajnaparamita-sutras)14 and the Great
Commentary on Perfect Insight (Mahaprajnaparamita-sastra) which detail the various
universal vehicle theories and schemas that the Introduction [MA] utilises.
In summary, these additional chapters, describing the saints' practices and
levels of accomplishment make the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl a
significantly different text from the earlier expositions of Madhyamika
thought.15 Effectively, in one text the Introduction [MAl describes the insight
philosophy of the Madhyamika and important details of its method and practice.
Where, for example, the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK] of Nagarjuna is
textually categorised as concerned only with the insight component (darsana-
bhaga) of Buddhist thought the Introduction [MAl is said to be concerned with
both insight and the practical component (carya-bhaga).1
6
This breadth of the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl and its incorporation of Madhyamika
philosophy within a path structure make it an interesting text to reconstruct.
The practical component, contributing, as it does, a diachronic element to the
Introduction [MAl adds to the value of this work in sorting out the salvific
function of logical analysis.
2 THREE SYSTEMS OF THOUGHT THAT CAN BE ISOLATED IN THE
INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY [MAl
Given that the aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between
various aspects of the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl, it is useful before
beginning the actual reconstruction and inquiry to isolate the Introduction to the
Middle Way's [MAl main doctrinal and philosophical structures for they serve to
direct the method for reconstructing the text, in that certain of the structures
have provided a fairly natural way of breaking up chapters and of developing
them internally.
Before isolating the different doctrinal structures it is significant to note that
the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl aligns itself with the universal vehicle
theory of a single vehicle (ekayana). This holds that the Buddha personally held,
and on occasions taught - in some universal vehicle sutras - that in the final
analysis there is just one spiritual career leading to one final goal. The one goal
is that of buddhahood (buddhatva) or full mental and physical evolution (bodhi) as
12
REASONING INTO REALITY
distinguished from the individual vehicle goal of arhatship (arhattva). According
to the doctrine of a single vehicle the goal of arhatship (actually the two goals of
the disciples (sravaka) and self-evolvers (pratyekabuddha is not a final terminus
to the saint's career but merely a' point of progress en route to the fully evolved
state of a buddha. Hence, although the Introduction [MA] describes various
aspects to the bodhisattvas' actions, meditations, attainments, etc. and on
occasions isolates various features of the path to full evolution, it understands
that these are all integrally related to the goal of achieving a fully evolved state.
Thus in the final analysis they are theoretically meant to be assimilated within
the overarching concept of a single spiritual career. This is important to bear in
mind when it comes to studying the relationship between the different
theoretical and doctrinal structures within the Introduction to the Middle Way
[MA],
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl says that the state of full mental and
physical evolution is a result of three relatively distinct processes of conscious
mental development. At the very beginning of the Introduction [MAl, in making
his praises, Chandrakirti says (1.1) that the buddhas arise from bodhisattvas - in
the evolutionary sense that without saints following the bodhisattvas' career the
goal of buddhahood couldn't be gained. In their turn the bodhisattvas are said
to arise in dependence on three things, (1) the compassionate mind, (karuna-
Gitta), (2) a non-dualistic intellect, (advaya-matz), and (3) the spirit to become
evolved, (bodhi-citta). Compassion is defined in the Commentary [MABh: 6] as
love and the non-dualistic intellect as "the insight that is free from the extremes
[of positing] things and non-things, etc." The bodhicitta or fully evolved mind is
defined by Chandrakirti (MABh: 6-7) through a quotation from an unknown
sutra, the Omnipresent Doctrine Sutra (Aryadharmasamgitisutra, tib. 'Phags pa chos
kun bgro bai mdo). It says:
The bodhisattva comprehends all phenomena (sarva-dharma) with
the fully evolved mind (bodhicitta).
All phenomena are equal within the sphere of truth (dharmadhatu).
As much as he realises that all phenomena arise adventitiously and
are non-abiding, the realiser will fully understand by just that
much, that this is due to [their being] empty (sunya), and he will
think thus, "Living creatures should fully understand this quality
of truth (dharmata) like this." Having thought this, the mind thus
born in the bodhisattva is referred to as the fully evolved mind of
the bodhisattva.
[It is] the mind that benefits and [brings] happiness to all living
creatures, the superlative mind, the mind that is tender with love,
INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY
the mind that does not avert from compassion (karuna), the mind
that does not regret [giving] joy, the mind that is unchanging with
respect to emptiness, the mind that is not obscured with respect to
signlessness (animitta), and the mind that is non-abiding with
wishlessness (apranihita).
13
Besides reiterating (MABh: 7) the aforementioned three mental qualities that
are the principle causes for the bodhisattvas, the extract defines three qualities
that characterise the fully evolved mind. (1) It cognises everything. This is the
universal vehicle belief in the buddhas' ability to comprehend all perspectives
[on reality] (sarvakara-jnana). (2) It knows emptiness. (3) It has produced an
active compassion that is concerned and caring for the welfare of all creatures.
Thus we can make out three streams or currents of qualities within the one
stream that are said to be developed by the bodhisattvas. They develop the
insight into emptiness, develop an attitude of great compassion that seeks to
remove the suffering of all creatures, and increase their perceptions of
phenomena to the point where they are said to be aware of everything. These
three aspects to the bodhisattvas development are each treated systematically in
the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAJ. The insight of emptiness is expounded
mainly in the sixth chapter. The development and types of compassion
particularly in the first chapter, and the cognitive abilities of the bodhisattvas
and buddhas are mainly explained in the two final chapters. The concept of a
fully evolved mind (bodhi-citta) is different from among these qualities for it
defines not only the mind of the buddhas but denote also a wish or inspiration
. that functions causally in the development of bodhisattvas. The evolved mind,
refers both to a spirit of aspiration that aims or is directed towards gaining the
state of a complete and perfect evolution, (samyaksambodhi) i.e. the state where
the insight of emptiness, active compassion, and knowledge are fully developed,
and to the resultant state itself. In this the evolved mind (bodhi-citta) is a mind
that (1) is awake to the possibility of becoming perfect, (2) actually aspires to
reach that state, and (3) is also the state it aspires for. In that it is a motivation to
consciously develop an evolved mind and the fully evolved mind, itself, it
signifies a teleological process that is bound to its own growth or development
into a psychologically and cosmically perfect state. The term bodhicitta can thus
be translated as the "spirit to become evolved" or the "fully evolved mind",
depending on whether it is referring to a causal or a resultant mind respectively.
Within the three aspects that define the currents of development within the
universal vehicle saint, not all are exclusive to the universal vehicle saint, for
Chandrakirti considers that the insight of emptiness is gained by the individual
vehicle saints as well. What marks the buddhas off from the disciples and self-
evolvers, according to the Commentary [MABh: 4] is the latter saints lack of (the
vastness of the bodhisattvas) collections of merit and knowledge, (punya-jnana-
sambhara), of great compassion, and the comprehension of all perspectives on
reality. The insight of emptiness is thus considered to be common to both the
REASONING INTO REALITY
individual vehicle and universal vehicle saints. The impressiqn one gains from
this is that the insight into emptiness is envisaged in the Introduction [MA] as a
quite different spiritual realisation and process of development than either the
development of compassion or the expansion (vistara) of cognition, and
considering that it can be deveioped without the other two aspects, it must also
be thought of as a relatively autonomous system of mental development.
Further more, the motivation behind developing insight is different from the
other evolving features of the bodhisattvas' development for insight could be
construed (and seems to be by the universal vehicle practitioner when viewing
the narrow vehicle saints) as a practice designed for self liberation. The result is
thus restricted to the individual who practices and perfects insight. Thus, in the
bodhisattva-vehicle, in the first instance at least, insight releases from suffering
just the bodhisattvas themselves. There is more to this, though, as will be
explained later.
The cultivation of compassion and the development of the bodhisattvas'
cognitive skills and levels of interaction with their environment are genuinely
altruistic features and can be usefully considered together in that they relate
specifically to the bodhisattva-vehicle, whereas the development of insight
relates to both the bodhisattva and disciple and self-evolver vehicles. The
development of compassion and increased levels of cognition that the
bodhisattvas are said to gain are also related to each other, for the activation of
their compassion in the actual removal of creatures' suffering depends on their
knowing the predispositions, psychic make-up, etc. of creatures. The
maximisation of their altruism would depend in the long run on their knowing
everything, and hen,ce their concern for helping is the rationale behind their
supposed acquisition of super-sensitive cognitions, and the fantastic and magical
qualities of the ,buddhas' and bodhisattvas' behaviour. Compassion and
knowledge (jnana), then, relate very closely to each other, and more so, on first
sight at least, than insight relates to these. .
There is a third quite specifiable and very significant aspect to the
Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA] doctrinal and philosophical fabric that I've
termed the "characterised Madhyamika". This is a feature that one finds in the
developed Madhyamika texts of philosophers like Chandrakirti' and Shantideva.
It accounts for the dialectic content of the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA]
that is directed towards refuting quite specific doctrinal stances taken by other
Buddhist and non-Buddhist schools. It is unclear exactly how this third feature
of the Introduction [MA] relates to the previous strands of thought although I will
make some suggestions in the fourth chapter.
It is useful to briefly describe the three main currents of thought in the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAJ. Namely, (1) the system of thought involved
with the insight into emptiness and its development. (2) The compassionate
deeds, and the development of the bodhisattvas and buddha, and (3) the
"characterised Madhyamika". Although these are coordinated in a creative
INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY 15
synthesis in the Introduction [MA] under the .over arching idea of a single vehicle
to full" evolution, they display a certain degree of autonomy in terms of their
definition and dynamic assumptions. They are also usefully specified
individually since contemporary scholarship on the Madhyamika philosophy
has in various ways confounded or failed to notice the separability of these
relatively autonomous systems. Together, these three systems give a basically
exhaustive account of the Introduction's [MAl subject-matter.
2.1 THE SYSTEM OF INSIGHT AND ITS DEVELOPMENT.
The first system of thought is described in the sixth chapter on insight. It
consists of proofs for and expositions of emptiness (sunyata). For the main this is
established by furnishing refutations against the view that phenomena (bhava,
dngos po; dharma, chos; vastu, ngo bo) and a personality (pudgala, gang zag; atma,
bdag) have an intrinsic nature (svabhava).
This is accomplished by analyses (vicara) based on the exposure of logical
consequences (prasanga). The fruition of this system is perfect insight (prajna-
paramita), this being defined as insight into emptiness. Insight into emptiness in
tum gives a yogin personal liberation (pratimoksa) (MA: 6.117-19, 165 and 179).
This system of thought can be called the private aspect or component of the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MA]. This system is effectively the one described
by Nagarjuna in his treatises generally and especially in the Principal Stanzas on
the Middle Way [MK], with the difference that in the Introduction to the Middle Way
[MA] Chandrakirti imposes a schematic rigour that tends to align his text with
meditations on emptiness rather than postulated proofs for its facticity. The
Introduction [MA] does this by facilitators that firstly divide objects into two
categories, the person and other phenomena. He then stylises his analyses with
respect to both of these. This first system is genuinely Madhyamic.
2.2 THE BODHISATTV AS' DEVELOPMENT AND THEIR DEEDS
(CARYA)
The second system of thought we can isolate is that which is described in the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl by its systematic presentation of the
bodhisattva levels, from the first level up to the tenth level and culminating in
the achievement of becoming a buddha. Within this system the bodhisattva,
spurred on by his great resolve to see all living creatures liberated, produces the
spirit to become evolved (bodhi-citta) as a cause for becoming a buddha (MA:
1.1 cd). According to the Introduction [MAl (l.4cd): "Whoever has the ~ i n d of
these victors' children generates the power of compassion in order to completely
liberate creatures." To describe this system in terms of the bodhisattva's
compassion, i.e. his motivating thought (cifta-utpada), is to describe the affective
and volitional vectors of this system. The affective and volitional components
16
REASONING INTO REALITY
are accompanied by a cognitive one. The cognitive component of the
bodhisattva's path and final goal is described in the Introduction [MA] by the
various cognitive capacities and powers that the bodhisattva comes to realise in
his path, and which culminate in his knowledge of all perspectives [on reality]
(sarvakarajnata) at the level of buddhahood. This capacity for knowing all facets
of things is described in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 12.19-31] by a
facilitator known as the "ten capacities" (dasa-bala). The production of a
knowledge of all perspectives on reality is viewed not as a mere epiphenomenon
to the condition of buddhahood but as an integral, in fact necessary condition for
full evolution (sambodhi), for the reason that buddha-activity (karitra)
presupposes a fully evolved cognitive capacity. This is to say that the
therapeutic and pedagogical skill (upaya-kausalya) of buddhas, as is enjoined
upon them by their vast compassion, necessitates a maximisation of their
knowledge with respect to the causes within living creatures, which bind and
constrict them. Thus the Introduction [MA: 12.10] speaks of buddhas as
"knowing the higher and lower faculties [of people] and the paths which lead to
all [their goals]". This is what we may term the public facet of a buddha's
evolution. It consists of a buddha's knowledge of all perspectives on reality and
the knowledge of how to impart whatever is of benefit to those who are less
evolved. Consequently we have here a very dynamic system, and one that is
environmentally conditioned. In many respects this system is similar to the
panentheistic and process theological conceptions of a being who has
unsurpassed capacities for creative expression.1
7
From a cognitive viewpoint,
the buddhas' knowledge and understanding contains all possible viewpoints,
perspectives, and perceptions of things, and yet the buddhas are not personally
committed to one view as being intrinsically more preferable, truer or better than
any others.18 K.V. Ramanan, for example, speaks of the "ultimate view" as "not
any definite view exclusive of all the rest", but as "the all embracing
comprehension which is inclusive of all specific views".19
The first system, of cognitive expansion, the extension of the scope of action
and volition and the comprehension of all views of reality is not exclusively
Madhyamika. Hence the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA], when describing
these processes and attainments, does not distinguish itself from the religious
thought of the universal vehicle generally. Nor does it distinguish itself from
within the universal vehicle in regarding these as real human possibilities. It
does, however, distinguish itself from some traditions within the universal
vehicle in terms of the extensiveness with which it regards cognitive expansion
and knowing everything as real rather than ideational possibilities. The
Introduction [MA: 12.36d], as we have said, asserts that Buddha related a vehicle
unequal and undivided (theg pa mi mnyam dbyer med) and thus aligns itself with
the doctrine of one vehicle (ekayana).20 On this view all living creatures have the
propensity to become buddhas and will in fact do so. This differs from some
Phenomenalists (Yogacharas) who upheld the doctrine of three paths (triyana).
INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY 17
On this view, living creatures belong to different lineages (gotra) such that not all
have the propensities to become buddhas. Hence one has paths that terminate at
arhathood (arhattva), . namely the disciples (sravaka) and self-evolver vehicles
(pratyeka-buddha-yana), and buddhahoodi namely the bodhisattva vehicle.
21
2.3 THE CHARACTERISED MADHYAMAKA
Within the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl, and alongside, in fact often
interspersed and embedded within its description of the first system of thought,
we can locate a third. This system expresses itself in the Introduction to the Middle
Way [MAl with Chandrakirti - in the name of the Madhyamika philosophy -
commenting upon and engaging in dialogue and disputation with various non-
Madhyamika philosophical systems. The. philosophies mentioned by
Chandrakirti are Buddhist and non-Buddhist. They represent the religio-
philosophical milieu of seventh century India. The Buddhist expounders
mentioned in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl are the Vaibhashikas (Bye
brag smras ba), Sautrantikas (mDo sde Pa), Sammitiyas (Mang pos bkur ba pa),
and Vijnanavadins or Phenomenalists (rNam par shes pa smra ba). Non-
Buddhist philosophers (tirthika) mentioned are the Samkhyas (Grans can pa),
Vaisheshikas (Bye brag pa), Jainas (Tshig gal gnyis su smra ba) and Charvakas or
Lokayatas ('Jig rten rgyang phen pa). Some of these are mentioned in passing,
such as the Jaina, others like the Samkhya and Buddhist schools are the objects of
sustained refutations in regard to their tenets.
22
Though the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MAl does not mention the Svatantrika branch of the Madhyamika
by name, it distinguishes itself from this branch both by its use of consequences
and rejection of Svatantrika viewpoints, a major one being its rejection of the
Svatantrika view that things exist intrinsically on the conventional level of truth
(samvrti-satya).23 Of course, in the Clear Words [PPl Chandrakirti mentions
Bhavaviveka by name and concertedly refutes his interpretation of Nagarjuna's
Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MKl.
Philosophically these philosophies represent a variety of positions:
materialism, realism and phenomenalism, and together they account for most of
the systems of thought that were influential in India at the time of Chandrakirti.
The argumentation engaged in by the Madhyamikas in the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MAl is not merely counter-refutation of objections directed against
emptiness by other philosophies but arguments by the Introduction to the Middle
Way [MAl, in its own right, against specific views of other philosophies. In some
cases these views have to do with topics other than emptiness. In doing so, the
Introduction [MAl establishes the Madhyamika, implicity and explicity, as a
system with tenets or postulates (siddhanta). The Introduction to the Middle Way
[MAl makes its refutations and establishments by a variety of techniques. It uses
consequential arguments (prasanga) selectively, inasmuch as these are applied by
way of refuting specifically chosen viewpoints and tenets. This is to say that the
18 REASONING INTO REALITY
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl refrains from consequential
refutations toward particular theses that it otherwise could have refuted. Instead
Chandrakirti affirmingly negates only key theses from various other schools, for
example, the purusha of the Samkhyas, the self of the Sammitiyas, and the
source-consciousness (alaya-vijnana) of the Phenomenalists. Such selective
negations involve a 'partisan application' of consequences. This differs from the
alternative procedure - and one employed in the classical Madhyamika of
Nagarjuna - of directing consequential arguments against any and all theses and
viewpoints, and in practice having an acknowledged policy of not excluding any
formalised thesis or philosophical system as a subject for consequential
analysis.
24
Besides a selective application of consequences, the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MAl, in the course of refuting the viewpoint of others, and in
establishing and supporting its own tenets, uses self-styled (svatantra) arguments
(e.g. 6.48-52), analogy (6.18-19, 27-29, 40, 53, 110, 113, 122, 135, 174-75), and
arguments based on the common (laukika) views of ordinary people (6.12,32).
This third system in which the Madhyarnika is specified as a system of tenets we
may call the characterised Madhyamika.
25
Between these three systems that we have just mentioned there are
important dynamic relationships. From one viewpoint there are also certain
tensions. Perhaps the most important dynamic is that functioning between the
first two systems, and within that, the relative influences that cognitive
expansion and cognitions of emptiness have on each other. The tensions, which
may be obvious, obtain between the last system and the preceding two. That is,
the characterised Madhyamika, with its assention to certain philosophical
viewpoints, is discordant with both the omni-perspectival view of buddhas, in
the first system, and the viewlessness of yogins in the second system. Both these
systems are unbbunded by anyone and any system of tenets respectively,
whereas the characterised Madhyamika is restricted in the sense that some tenets
or theories are true whereas other tenets are seen as fallacious. The Introduction
to the Middle Way [MA] itself does not directly elucidate the dynamics or resolve
these apparent tensions. FoT that matter it does not delineate or assimilate the
systems that we have isolated. And for this reason they will become focal points
in this study and areas that our reconstruction will concentrate on.
In summary to this section, what we are presented with in the Introduction to
the Middle Way [MA] is a text purporting to describe an aeonian path of religious
understanding and psychological development that has the fully evolved state of
buddhahood as its result. It is a self-directed and evolving development in
which consciousness is the predominant factor. Hence it is a teleological system.
The causes and conditions for the eduction and propelling of this development
are described together with profiles and world-views at various stages of the
path of religious development. The text is operational and descriptive as it
outlines both the techniques and methods for yogic development and the
purported results of these procedures as the attainments are gained. The
JNTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY 19
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl, as we have mentioned, expounds mainly the
(right) view (drstJ). As such its main thrust is in delineating a system of
philosophical and cognitive development and expression. Though this is its
major thrust, the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] also considers affective and
volitional systems and their relationships with and bearing on cognitive
concerns. That is to say, the Introduction [MAl discusses three mutually
interactive systems, the cognitive, affective and volitional, with concern and
focus mainly on the cognitive system. These above foci of the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MAl will thus be ours also.
3 THE CONTEXT OF THE INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY
[MAl
The milieu in which the Introduction to the Middle Way[MAl was written, of
which it is a product indeed, and the context in which it was subsequently
studied differ significantly, as we have said, from the methods used and aims
assumed by contemporary scholarship when investigating and assessing any
traditional religious literature. These differences, we have noted also, are
partially responsible for certain incommensurabilities of meaning that obtain
between the traditional literatures and the modern methods of studying them.
These differences also account for the interpretative orientation of recent
Madhyamika studies.
Some insight into the traditional context, and more specifically into the
function and role of texts in that context, is useful if we are to fully appreciate the
Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl content, in that such insights help one to
penetrate a little deeper into what the Introduction [MAl describes and why it
uses the schemas it does and a dialogical form of presentation.
The context of relevance to a text like the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl
includes not only the cultural conditions obtaining in seventh century India but
the very methods for studying a literature: the accepted modes of
comprehension, i.e. the epistemological and methodological presuppositions and
procedures used in studying a traditional literature. In the case of the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl these presuppositions and procedures are
significant in two ways. Firstly the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl itself
presupposes a certain methodology as being integral to the development of the
bodhisattvas that it describes. Although it formally begins its discussion of the
bodhisattvas' path at the saintly (arya) stage - a point at which bodhisattvas have
already made very substantial progress in their meditations - and so it presumes
the completion of certain practices begun much earlier. It also presumes, though
doesn't describe, certain other principles that undergird the bodhisattvas'
practices from their beginning to end. Secondly, to whatever extent the Indian
monastic communities were trying to emulate the bodhisattva ideal and follow
the very same path described in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl, they
20 REASONII\JG II\JTO REALITY
will have brought to bear those same or similar methodologi\Cal procedures and
techniques on the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl. That is to say, the Indian
monks who studied the Introduction [MAl would have done so within a
framework of praxis that aimed, however feasible or otherwise, at leading them
towards the universal vehicle goal of full mental and physical evolution.
In the case of a philosophical literature like the Introduction to the Middle Way
[MAl the ideal model of comprehension used by both the Madhyamika yogins
described in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl and the scholar-monks who
studied it, is the model formalised within the theory and practice of the gnostic
or knowledge (jnana) yoga, for this, as opposed to the bhakti and karma forms of
yoga, was thought to provide a method attuned to the genuinely religious and
hence liberative concerns of Indian philosophy in which the summom bonum of
all study was to realise existentially the realities, values and attitudes that the
religious literatures described.
Though the compounded term jnana-yoga
26
or the delineation of a structure
of different types of yoga and corresponding paths (marga) such as bhakti,
karma, and raja is not found in Buddhism, as it is in Hinduism, Buddhist
literature parallels exactly the procedures assumed in Hindu jnana yoga. In this
the jnana yogic praxis represents a genuinely pan-Indic ideal of philosophical
study.
Jnana yoga, or the yoga aimed at union with knowledge or gnosis, has its
origins in the Upanishads where through rigorous yogic exercises coupled with
intellectual speculation the Hindu saints gained an intuition (darsana)27 of reality
(Brahman). This rationalistic tradition reached its full Hindu expression in the
Advaita Vedanta and in Buddhism with the universal vehicle traditions of
Northern Indian monasticism.
A number of formulations and schemas - some of them common to
Hinduism and Buddhism - serve to describe the general procedures of jnana
yoga. The three trainings (trisiksa) involving the practice of good conduct (sila),
mental integration (samadhi), and insight (prajna) is one schema common to all
schools of Buddhism, and the perfections (paramita), which order the chapters of
the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl, are another specifically universal vehicle
formulation.
28
In both of these a seriation is implied with the earlier aspects
being foundational to the latter.
However, the really distinctive formulation, which emphasises the epistemic
nature of the jnana yoga method of investigation and comprehension, is
contained in a tripartite schema that in broad details is common to both
Hinduism and Buddhism. This is the method of hearing, thinking and
meditation. In Hinduism these are traditionally listed as shravana (hearing),
manana (pondering), and nididhyasana (constant meditation), 29, and in
Buddhism as shruta (tib. thos), chinta (tib. bsam), and bhavana (tib. sgom).30
According to the Commentary [MABh: 2] these are practised serially and for each
JNTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY
21
one there is an (MABh: 1) accompanying insight (prajna) with an unalloyed
gnosis said to come only with the insight gained from meditation.
For the most part Hindu and Buddhist training in knowledge yoga took
place in monastic institutions. In Hinduism the ashramas and mathas and in
Buddhism the smaller provincial viharas and the handful of maha-viharas .such as
Nalanda, VikramashiIa, and Odantapuri of Bihar and Bengal. In Buddhism it
was clearly the great monasteries that were the most important institutions for
scholastic study as can be gauged from the luminaries who studied and taught at
them. For example, Nalanda has been home to Dignaga, Vasubandhu, Asanga,
Dharmakirti, Shantideva, KamalashiIa, Shantarakshita, Naropa, and of course
Chandrakirti who, as we have mentioned, was at one time abbot.
31
Atisha is
thought to have been ordained at Nalanda, abbot at Vikramashila, and to have
attended all of the major institutions.
32
We expect then that a jnanically inclined Buddhist would have entered a
monastery, preferably one of the main ones, received his monk's ordination
(firstly the shramanera, and then the bhikshu vows) thereby embarking on the
practice of good conduct (sila) and thus beginning the first of the three trainings
(siksa). This would consist in the observance of rules that functionally served to
induce wholesome attitudes and actions. Such actions are encapsulated in a
schema referred to in the Commentary [MABh: 42-43] called the ten wholesome
action paths (dasa-kusala-karma-patha) and consist of modifications to motor
(kaya), vocal (vak), and mental (manas) actions. They are to not kill, not steal,
have no (illicit) sex, not lie, not slander, speak no divisive words, not to chitter-
chatter, not to covet, not to hate, and to have no wrong views.33 The rationale
for inducing wholesome actions and attitudes would be to free the monks'
minds from emotional entanglements that would act as hindrances to their study
and meditation. They would make the monks fit vessels or receptacles (bhajana)
for accommodating and assimilating the knowledge that their . teachers
imparted.
34
The next chronological step for monks was to enter into a relationship with
one or more friendly guides (kalyana-mitra) who would direct and guide their
scholastic studies and meditative practice. Though personal preference may
have had some bearing in the students' choices of teachers,35 certain guidelines
were provided to expedite their choice and ensure the location of high quality
teachers. The Ornament for the Universal Vehicle Sutras [MSA: 18.10] advised
monks that: "One adheres to a friend (mitra) who is disciplined, calm, appeased,
superior in virtue (guna), diligent, rich in instruction (agama), fully
understanding reality, skilful in speech, of kind nature, and tireless."36
3.1 KNOWLEDGE (JNANA) YOGA
Having chosen suitable teachers the students would have begun by reciting
(vacana) and memorising (udgrahana)37 the core (mula) texts that comprised their
22
REASONING INTO REALITY
curriculum. What those texts were in the great Buddhist monasteries we cannot
be certain. We have every indication though to believe they were texts authored
by the seminal thinkers in the different philosophical traditions: such names as
we have already mentioned: No doubt the curriculi were modified and
expanded at various times in the history of the great monasteries; . probably
becoming consolidated around the ninth or tenth centuries, i.e. some time
shortly after their peak of activity and creativity. Naropa (1016-1100 A.D.) we
know was abbot of Nalanda
38
and while there studied the five method texts of
Maitreya-Asanga and the six insight t r e a t i s ~ s of Nagarjuna.3
9
We may suppose
he also studied the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA]. Atisha (980-1052 A.D.)
was similarly conversant with the works of the major thinkers for he translated
texts of Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Vasubandhu, Asanga, and Chandrakirti into
Tibetan.
40
The texts that we presume must have been studied would therefore have
covered all aspects of universal vehicle thought: Madhyamika, Yogachara,
Abhidharma, epistemology and logic (pramana). From these texts students were
advised to rely on texts of explicit or definitive import (nitartha) rather than those
having an equivocal or interpretative meaning (neyartha).41 These distinctions,
according to the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA], are made on the basis of
whether or not texts teach about emptiness. We are told (6.97b-d) that:
Sutras that expound subject matters that are not [directly about]
reality (tattva) [Le. emptiness] are said to have an interpretable
meaning (neyartha), and on understanding this one should
interpret them [as a provisional doctrine]. [Those sutras that] have
emptiness as their subject should be understood as having a
definitive meaning (nitartha).
If this advice was in fact followed it means that texts like the Introduction to
the Middle Way [MA] and Nagarjuna's treatises were studied and practised with
a special emphasis and discipline, because emptiness was the liberative reality,
and hence in the soteriological context it would be the most relevant and
immediate concern.
At this first stage of the knowledge yoga path, students were primarily
concerned with unmistakenly recognising the words (vac, tshig) in the texts being
studied and as commented on by their teachers. Study and hearing (sruta), then,
was based on a non-distorted apprehension of the spoken and written word.
Essentially it was a linguistic achievement arrived at when students gained a full
competence and mastery of phonetics, grammar, and syntax. These subjects
along with etymology, poetics, metrics, etc. in fact constitute one branch of the
five secular know ledges (vidya) studied in Hindu and Buddhist monasteries
alike.
42
They prepared monks for the second step of their practice, namely
thinking about what they had heard.
TO THE MIDDLE WAY
23
Whereas hearing is characterised as a discipline in linguistics, thinking
(cinta) is essentially the study of semantics, for it involves determining the
conceptual meanings' that are implied by textual materials. The discovery of
meaning (artha, don) was facilitated by receiving oral commentaries (upadesa) to
the core texts and then exploring the intricacies of meaning by using the
,techniques of debate, logical analysis, and linguistic analysis. In the case of
philosophical texts, thinking presumably entailed both reflecting on experience
by way' of imbuing the texts with meaning, and then comprehending the formal
and factual logic involved in the inferential presentations that occurred in them.
The Mirror of Complete Clarification [RSM) of dGe 'dun grub, for example, gives a
clear indication of how philosophical texts were debated. The text, which is an
interlinear commentary to the versified portion of the Introduction to the Middle
Way [MAl, is composed along the lines of a debate and is used right up to the
present in Tibetan dGe lugs colleges as a facilitator for debate. The commentary
.structures the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA) around the formal procedures
used in Tibetan college debates where discussion proceeds systematically
through three steps thus: 1. notification of the subject being debated (rtsod gzhi
chos), 2. qualities of the object of establishment ('grub bya chos) and 3. statement
of a reason (rtags). The reason serves to place or establish the qualities on the
subject. In the Mirror of Complete Clarification [RSM) the sentences ending with te,
etc. indicate 2., Le. they state the qualities applied to a subject, and the sentences
closing with ... bal phyir give 3., the reason. The second step can be construed as
either a thesis proffered or a question depending on the content.
An assumption throughout this method is that meaning is empirically
derived, and hence that the requisite and appropriate experiences were needed
on behalf of students in order to make sense of the texts they studied. Asanga
says for example that: "If the meaning were seen just by listening, then
meditation would be meaningless [Le. otiose)".43 Hence if a meaning was not
grasped or not forthcoming we can assume that a student would go about
meditatively trying to gain experiences that made the text(s) intelligible. In this
respect the traditional methods of study make a significant and major departure
from what we are familiar with for students were expected to acquire
experiential correlates to the referential terms occurring in their texts. A reliance
(pratisarana) stipulates that students should rely on meanings (artha) rather than
on the symbols (vyanjana) themselves.
44
This emphasis on meditative
experience is of course consonant with the experiential nature of Buddhism as
advocated by the Buddha himself when characterising his teaching as a "come
see" (ehipasyika) philosophy, or in other words to be tested solvitur ambulando,
that is, by practical experiment. Hence, throughout the knowledge path, even
from the stage of memorisation, monks would have been engaged in those
meditative practices which gave them access (in however a diluted or
adulterated a form) to the religious experiences that their texts either described
or assumed a prior knowledge of.
24
REASONING INTO REALITY
More specifically they would have practised serenity (samatha) and mental
integration (samadhi) exercises as subject-neutral instruments for penetrating the
inner textual meanings. The practice of tranquillity is said to remove affective
and unwanted conceptual concomitants, and was viewedas the basis for
achieving concentration or the collection and focus of mental attention. The
Ornament for the Universal Vehicle Sutras [MSA: 15.11-14] speaks of nine stages in
the development of serenity and mental integration, beginning at a point when a
mind can first become fixed on a meditative object, this is called the stage of
interiorisation or placing the mind on the object, and culminating in an effortless
and prolonged mental integration. 45 With these mental powers as a foundation
students of the traditional path would ideally have developed the meditative
absorptions (dhyana). In a sense these would give them the research tools for
practising meditation (bhavana).
In summary, the stage of thinking (cinta) was a bridging and transitional
activity between a focus on symbols in the first stage and their referents in
meditation. It was the lexical-cum-symbolic and semantic-cum-experiential
work of correlating words and meanings.
The final, 46 and from a contemporary viewpoint, clearly most distinctive
step within the knowledge yoga path was the supposed acquisition of a direct
non-conceptual comprehension of textual referents through the practice of
meditation. This last stage would be distinguished from the previous one by an
increasing emphasis on meanings and a de-emphasis on symbol systems.
47
The
transition from symbols to their experiential referents was presumably thought
to be gradual, taking place through a number of meditative stages. The Tibetan
tradition of meditation, which claims indebtedness to and a faithful accuracy
with Indian Buddhism, and which attempts to replicate these Indian practices
right up to the present day, distinguishes three main types of meditation. The
first is glance or perusal meditation (shar sgom). As the name indicates, this form
of meditation involves going over an entire body on instruction, written and
oral, in order to become familiar with its contents. The second is examination or
analytical meditation (dpyad sgom). This type consists of investigative
contemplations which, based on reasoning and experience, produce logical and
experiential consequences of a kind that confirm and consolidate the import of
philosophical texts. The most important form of confirmational reasoning is that
based on the functional ability (krta-krtya) of textual formulations to be acted
upon and cause change. This involves a student checking in his or her own
experience and among his contemporaries, to see if the results said to 'accrue
from practising meditation and acting on the basis of textual formulations do in
fact accrue. This form of testing is based on the criterion of the power of
intentional action (arthakriya-sakti).48
Once texts have been tested to the satisfaction of students they may begin
the practice of formal or cessation meditation ('jog sgom). This is the point at
which the practice of meditation becomes truly distinguished. It is based on a
TO THE MIDDLE WAY
25
'development of serenity and mental integration,and in Buddhism consists of a
"special disce:mment (vipasyana) meditation that claims to penetrate to the core of
'<reality. In the case of textually based meditations with a philosophical content
'this would involve a repeated placing of focussed concentrations on inferentially
'produced conclusions, in an effort to transform those conceptual conclusions
., into non-conceptual ones. The final fruit of meditation, then, is stated to be a
',non-mediated and hence direct insight into reality or aspects of it.
i 'EpistemicalIy, each of the three steps in the knowledge yoga path can be
icorrelated with a particular knowledge situation. That is to say, each is based on
.a particular mode (pra1r!ana), within which there is a claimed
evolution towards eplstemologIcal certitude.
Hearing, as we have defined it, does not give rise to any meaningful
information for it is only the recognition of a symbol description with no
, indication of its referent. It is, as it were, knowing merely an index. As such the
,insight of hearing (srutamayi-prajna) is based on presumption (manasvicara).
"Thinking or cogitation is concerned with mapping symbols to their designated ,
'referents. The student is cognisant of both the index and what is indexed, and so
the insight of thinking (cintamayi-prajna) is conceptual and mediated by symbol
denotations. It is based on inference (anumana) and gives rise to propositional
knowledge. The extreme case of this is where a single syllable such as "ah" is
referentially correlated with emptiness to the point apparently where mere
reflection on the one syllable is thought to rigidly and directly induce the insight
of emptiness.49 The insight of meditation (bhavanamayi-prajna) is purportedly
non-indexical or rather self-indexing, for meanings become known without
having to make reference to any symbol or symbol system. It is also said to be
self-certifying and hence incorrigible for the reason that it is direct experience
that is uninterpreted. Its instrument is yogic perception (yogic-pratyaksa).
The epistemological evolution reads from presumptive knowledge and
towards an increasing degree of certitude
SO
and students of this traditional
method of study and practice were advised to rely on the non-conceptual
knowledge (jnana) in preference to conceptual understanding (vijnana).Sl
Writing of the praiseworthy yogin, the Ornament for the Universal Vehicle Sutras
[MSA: 14.2] says: "Then, knowing the meaning (artha) he understands that the
whole philosophy (dharma) is like a ship, avoiding being satisfied with listening;
it's because of this he is said to know the philosophy."S2
3.2 THE TRANSFERENCE OF INSIGHT
The function of this tripartite schema, was to provide an efficient means for
transferring religious insights between individuals, and in this context it would
have formed an integral part of the teaching program in the Indian (and now
Tibetan) monasteries where the principal concern was to maintain the insights of
the Buddha through a continuity of transmission from teachers to students
26
REASONING INTO REALITY
Cguru-sisya-parampara). From this viewpoint textual materials provided the
communicable medium, the common ground or lingua franca, for the
transmission of insight. They represent state- or aspect-specific descriptions, the
function of which is to locate yogic realities. The process can be illustrated
through a diagram (1.1).
The idealised procedure is that an originator of a religio-philosophical
tradition would have obtained salvific insights which were then conceptualised
and after that either verbalised and/ or written down. The oral traditions or texts
then represented the objectification of what was a subjective datum, i.e. the
religious insight. The operational texts described the meditative techniques
required for obtaining the insight and the descriptive .texts directed the
meditative inquiry. The latter would ideally be referentially perspicuous and
unambiguous, in other words, they would rigidly designate their referents.
Hence the supposed distinction of definitive (nitartha) literature.
The lineage of transmission was set in motion when the immediate disciples
and students of the propagator attempted to mirror their teacher's route of
discovery by retracing his steps. That is, they would hear or read about the
insights of their teacher with a view to comprehending the words. They would
then think and ponder about those words in an attempt to reduplicate the
conceptualisations of their teacher and finally would attempt meditatively to
replicate the original insight. The teacher would check these against his own
insights in order to ensure the accuracy and depth of his students'
understandings. This made for the distinction between teachings that
transmitted realisations or insights (adhigatna-nirdesa) and those which merely
transmitted the text (agama-nirdesa).53
Whatever the actual procedures were in Nalanda and the other great
monasteries they must have at least been modelled on an archetypal jnana yoga
method of study and comprehension and so formed the practices envisaged
within the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl as preparatory to and coextensive
with the practices of the perfections and as forming the method for studying the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl itself, insofar as the Buddhist student himself
aspired to become the saint (arya) described in his texts.
4 THE PROFOUND AND EXTENSIVE CONTENTS
Before proceeding into the substantive chapters of the thesis, I would just
like to clarify the range of certain rubrical terms that we have already mentioned
and will continue to use. Once these definitions are out of the way we need not
worry about causing any confusion as to when and where certain terms are
interchangeable.
The most basic hermeneutical device around which the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MAl is being recast (it divides chapters two and four) is a
distinction between the profound (gamohira) and extensive (udara) . . This is a
J':NTRODUCTION TO TNE MIDDLE WAY
27
conduct (sila) ----'----...
.... _____ insight (vipasyana)
mental
(samadhl)
. thinking (einta)
f
,----'---...,... speech (vac)
experiential
understanding
direct insight
mental content
" ,
:-:
"
oral and/or
written
word
(sastra)
,ll' ""'\
"'>/ ...... .
symbol
descriptions
material
content
,
\\ .....
r-----L---,
texts
Fig. 1.1 Transmission of realisation
hearing/study
(snlta)
thinking
meditation
hearing/study
thinking
meditation
28
REASONING INTO REALITY
standard universal vehicle organisational device that Chandrakirti refers to and
uses (6.7b-d) and which serves to account (12.34) for all aspects and features of
the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA] content. The profound, deep or
penetrating refers (12.34) to emptiness or (RSM: f. 43a5) the realisation of reality,
and the extensive, vast, or pervasive to everything else. The extensive thus
includes the technique or methods (upaya) such as the first five perfections, the
capacities, super-sensitive cognitions, knowledges, etc. that are said to be gained
by the bodhisattvas and buddhas. The terms 'profound' and 'extensive' are
usually used adjectivally as qualifying the (MABh: 409.8) way (tshu!), (RSM: f.
43a5) the path (marga), and the philosophy, (dharma).
These two rubrics relate isomorphically to the two [levels] of reality (dvaya-
satya); the ultimate (paramartha) and conventional (samvrti) or social (vyavahara).
Like the profound and extensive, the ultimate and conventional realities account
non-residually for all the Buddhist teachings.
54
The four realities for the saint
(arya-satya), for example, (MABh: 148) divide thus: the reality of suffering, its
origin, and the path to its cessation define conventional realities while the truth
of cessation is the ultimate reality. In turn these two pairs of categories; the
profound and extensive, and ultimate and conventional, correlate with the
epistemologically toned categories of insight (prajna) and techniques or methods
(upaya).
I have chosen the categories of the profound and extensive with which to
reorganise the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] as they seem to accommodate
the bodhisattvas and buddhas deeds as well as their knowledge more
comfortably than the other categories. I have also chosen to include the
discernment (vipasyana) practices of the Madhyarnika yogins within the
profound view, (where they would not find place as an ultimate truth, though
presumably would be placed in the prajnaparamita).
Where the above pairs of categories correlate isomorphically with each other
they do not distinguish the arhat vehicle from the bodhisattva vehicle for (1) both
the arhats and bodhisattvas gain insight into the profound or ultimate with (2)
the difference between them being in terms of the extensiveness of the methods
they are said to practice and conventional truths and realities they come to
know. Hence, if we are thinking about what describes and constitutes the
bodhisattvas' practices it is the profound and all of the extensive content of the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MA], whereas for the arhats, i.e. both the disciples
and self-evolvers, the extensive amounts, in doctrine at least, only to those
methods and conventional realites that one needed in order to comprehend the
profound.
:;' INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY
1- _
29
.1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
The two translations appear respectively in the D.T.Suzuki edition of the Tibetan
Tripitaka as numbers 5261 in volume 98, Tibetan Tripitaka (Tokyo-Kyoto: Suzuki
Research Foundation, 1955). ~ .
OS. Ruegg writes that "For lack of external historical evidence, Chandrakirti's date has
to be fixed relatively to that of his predecessor Bhavaviveka, whom he criticised by name
in his Prasannapada .. " "A Chronology ... p.513. This puts Chandrakirti in the seventh
century. Ruegg suggests the dates of 600-650 in LMS, p.71.
Christian Lindtner has proposed earlier dates for Chandrakirti, namely from 500-560, on
the grounds that the Madhyamakaratnapradipa, a text by Bhavya (i.e. Bhavaviveka), refers
to a Chandrakirti. See D.S. Ruegg, "A Chronology" ... ap.cit, pp.513-4 and p.530 for
Ruegg's reason for holding to the more traditional dates.
See Taranatha's rGya gar chos 'byung, tr. by Lama Chimpa (et. al.), History of Buddhism in
India (Simla: Indian Institute of Advanced Study, 1970), Supplementary note no. 29, pp.
401-402 for a list of texts attributed to Chandrakirti in the Tibetan bsTan 'gyur. See LMS,
pp.126 and 129-130 for modern editions of Chandrakirti's works.
Bu ston's Chos 'byung, Ir. by E. Obermiller, History of Buddhism, Pt. 2, The History of
Buddhism in India and Tibet (Heidelberg: Harrassowitz, 1931-32), pp.134-136.
Taranatha, op. cit., pp. 198-199.
Ibid., P 198.
See Sukumar Dutt, Buddhist Monks and Monasteries of India - their history and their
contribution to Indian culture (London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd., 1962), p. 331.
Taranatha, op. cit., p. 198.
Jeffrey Hopkins, Meditation on Emptiness (London: Wisdom Publications, 1983), p. 572,
writes, "When Madhyamika is studied in the Ge-luk-ba monastic colleges, it is
Chandrakirti's Supplement that is memorized and that serves as the basis for the entire
study of Madhyamika."
This is true of his magnus opus, the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK] and the
Vaidalya-sutra (Sutra on the Finely Woven), Sunyata-saptati (Seventv on Emptiness), Yukti-
sastilea (Sixty on Reasoning) and Repudiation of Criticisms (VV). '!he PrecIOus Jewel [RA]
discusses other aspects of the universal vehicle. These six are the so-called "Collection of
six logical [treatises] of the Madhyamika" dbu mai rigs tshogs drug). The Friendly Letter
(SuhrUekha) discusses earlier practices, particularly morality and renunciation (nges
'byung, nihsarana).
These levels and their corresponding perfections describe the bodhisattva's career not
from its beginning but from a well-defined transitional stage at which the bodhisattva is
said to cease beingJ'ust an ordinary yogin and to become truly a saint (arya, 'phag pal and
bodhi- sattva qua 'bo hisatlva' (byang chub sem pai zhes byai sgra nyid, MA: l.5d).
See Meditation on Emptiness, pp. 868-871, n.545 for Hopkins's detailed analysis that leads
him to conclude that "supplement" is the primary meaning.
As such the MA is not a "Madhyamika-Prajnaparamita synthesis", a phrase Ruegg
confines (LMS, pp.101-102) to the synthetic works of Vimuktisena & Haribli.adra.
30
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
REASONING INTO REALITY
The large Prajnaparamita-sutras, i.e. the Astadasasahasrika, Paneavimsatisahasrika, and
Satasahasrika, date from the beginning of the Christian era. See E .. Conze (tr.) Selected
Sayings from the Perfection of Wisaom (London: The Buddhist Society, 1954), p. 12.
The Mahaprajnaparamita-sastra as K.V. Ramanan, NafJarjuna's Philosophy as Presented in the
Maha-PraJnaparamita-Sastra (Varanasi: Bharatiya Vldya Prakashan, 1971) notes (p. 14)
"seems to have sunk into oblivion in India," it being hardly ever referred to In the
Sanskrit shastras. As a commentary to the Perfect Insight in Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas
[PPS] (and now generally agreed to be falsely attributed to Nagarjuna) it voices all the
universal vehicle material that Chandrakirti uses.
Other texts that cover similar material and speak from the same philosophical position as
the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] are the Precious Jewel [RA] of Nagarjuna and the
Introduction to the Evolved Lifestyle [BCA] of Shantideva. Unlike the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MA] these treatises do not describe the qualities of buddhas.
See, for example, mKhas grub rje's rGyud sde spyii rnam par gzag pa rgyas par brjod, tr. by
F.D. Lessing and A Wayman, Fundamentals of tiie BuddhlSt Tantras (Paris: Mouton, 1968),
p.89.
Lit. This buddha's son (rgyal poi sras po 'di).
This aspect of a buddha's cognition is best described in K.V. Ramanan op. cit. See for
example pp. 38, 40, 120, 134, and 160.
Ibid., pp. 120 and 160 respectively.
MA: 12.36-42.
See E. Obermiller, "The Doctrine of Prajna-pararnita as exposed in the
Abhisamayalamkara of Maitreya", Acta Orientalia, 11 (1933),32-33. Another explanation
talks of three final vehicles and five lineages to the previous three. A fourth lineage is
uncertain with respect to whether or not it will enter any of the three vehicles. Its
indeterminacy is resolved in dependence on whether people of this lineage have teachers
and from whether their teachers follow the universal or individual vehicle. A fifth
lineage is precluded from achieving even arhathood. This lineage is cut off (rigs bead)
from obtaining liberation (Geshe Sopa, communication). This doctrine of three final
veh,icles is asserted by Phenomenalists who follow scripture (agama), such as
Vasubandhu and Sthiramati, as opposed to Phenomenalists who rely on reason (nyaya),
such as Dignaga and Dharmakirti. Asanga is not specified as either of these two types of
Phenomenalists. The Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA] view of one final vehicfe that
terminates at buddhahood is based on the tathagata-garbha doctrine, that alI sentients
are possessed of the germ or genes of buddhahood and that given the necessary
conditions that germ or seed will fully' mature. See, for example, the Uttaratantra (rGyud
bla mal known also as the Ratnagotravlbhaga of Asanga.
For a discussion of one versus three vehicles see Fujita Kotatsu, "One Vehicle or Three?",
JIP 3 (1975), 70-166. This article is based in the main on the Lotus of the Good Philosophy
Sutra (Saddharmapundarikasutra). .
22. At the time of the MA most of the Hindu wisdom systems (darsana) were well
established. Their fundamental sutras had been written and f'resumably in some cases
the philosophies were already vital by this time. The dates gIVen by S. Radhakrishnan
and c.A. Moore, A Source Book in Indian Philosophy (Princeton University Press, 1957) are:
Nyaya sutras of Gotama - 3rd century B.C. (p. 357), Vaisesika sutra of Kanada - later than
300 B.C. (p. 386), Sankhya-karika of Ishvara Krshna - 3rd Century A.D. (pA25), and the
Yoga Sulra of Patanjali - 2nd century B.c. (p. 453). The dates of Asanga and Vasubandhu
and hence origins of a formalised Yogachara and Vaibhashika schools are 310-390 A.D.
and 320400 A:D. respectively.
'INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY 31
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
The Sautrantika school was expounded by Dignaga whose dates are 480-540 A.D.
See LSNP, pp. for the differences in the status of conventional reality between
the Svatantrika- and Prasangika-madhyamika.
It is this Nagarjunian position of directing consequences, without reservation to any
viewpoint tnat gives rise to his Madhyamika being characterised as a positionless
(apaksa) philosophy. nus allows Nagarjuna, in the RA, 1.75 for example to sl?eak of the
buddhas teaching a philosophy (dhanna) that is without a foundation or bas1s (analaya)
and having no assumftions (msparigraha). See Jeffrey Hopkins et aI., tr. from the Tibetan
of Precious lweI [RA tib. rGyal po la gtam /nta ba rin po chei phreng ba in The Precious
Garland and the Song of the Four Mindfulnesses (London: George Allen and Unwin, 1975) p.
27. (April, 1934),234.
I use the term Madhyamika here for the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl so
characterises that system in the Introduction [MAl that engages in disputation with the
Phenomenalists and so forth. The question of whetlier or not a "characterised"
Madhyamika can really be an expression of the Madhyamika philosophy is not at issue
here. Suffice it to say that, on the one hand, if Nagarjuna's exemplification of the
Madhyamika is taken to be exhaustive, then the characterised Madhyamika, or at least
all of 1t that is not concerned with analysing emptiness, is not really Madhyamika. On
the other hand, within the definition of the Madhyamika as found in Tibetan grub mtha'
(siddhanta) texts, the characterised Madhyamika - of which there are both Svatantrika and
Prasangika forms - are properly termed Madhyamika. See, for example, Kon mchog 'jig
med .dbang po's, Grub pai mthai rnam par bzag TJa rin po chei TJhrens ba, tr. by Geshe L. Sopa
and Jeffrey Hopkin. s as "Precious Garland of Tenets" in Practice and Theory of Tibetan
Buddhism (London: Rider and Company, 1976), pp. 45-152. The description given to the
Prasangika Madhyamika system is on pp. 133-145. That, and other grub mtha'
descriptions of tfie Madhyamika are extracted from Indian shastras such as the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl.
Although the term yoga of perfect insight (prajnaparamita-yoga) is used in the Perfect
Insight In Twenty-five Tliousand Stanzas [PPS: 3 and 60-651.
Other cognate terms are saksatkara, prayoga, abhisambodha, jnana, prajna, saksatkriya.
These are respectively the 2nd,3rd and 6th perfections (paramita). The five forces (panca-
indriya), a class within the aids to awakening (bodhi-paksa), is another schema. Its
seriation is faith (sraddha), energy (virya), mindfulness (smrti), mental integration
(samadhi). and insight (prajna). SeeMV, 976-981, p.75 and MSA, 18.55. The saints eight
limbed path (asta-anga-marga) is another. A Hinau schema is Patanjali's eight-limbed
yoga (asta-anga-yoga).
See Shankara (circa 8th A.D.) Vivekacudamani (70a) where using slightly different
terminology, he writes that, "Then came hearing, reflection on that, and long, constant
and unbroken meditation of the truth for the muni. "Tr. after Swami Madnavananda,
Vivekachudamani of Shri Shankara Shankaracharya: Text, with English notes and index
(Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama, 1970), p. 25. For an earlier and pre-Buddhist reference see
the Nyaya-sutra 4.2.38, 47-48.
See for example the Ornament for the Universal Vehicle Sutras MSA: 1.16a-bl. Here Asanga
uses a different terminology (see Bagchi, p.16). For a hinayana or individual vehic1e
statement see the Collection on Phenomenology [AK: 6.51.
See H.D. Sankalia, The Nalanda University (Delhi: Oriental Pub., 1972), chpt. 5.
See A. Chattopadhyaya, Atisa and Tibet - Life and Works of Dipamkara Srijnana in relation to
the History and Religion of Tibet (Calcutta: Studies - Past and Present, 1967, pp. 100-
101 and 127-142, esp. 129. Also S. Dutt, op. cti., p. 353.
32
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
REASONING INTO REALITY
See also RA: 1.8-9; MV, 1685-98, pp. 134-135; and PPS: pp. 121 and 389.
In the case of Maclhyamika studies the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 6.4-Scj
indicates there are additional requirements for being a fit vessel that include a natural
propensity to understanding' emptiness. We are told of the suitable diSCiple who when
merely hearing about emptmess "great joy (rab tu dga ba) rises over and over and from
the great joy his eyes flood (brlan) with tears and all the hair of his body become erect
(ldan bar) (6.4b-d).'
Weighing against personal preference being a chief influence is the universal vehicle
Budahist advice that students "rely not on yersonalities but on [theirj teaching." This is
one of the four reliances (pratisarana, Tton pa (see MSA, 18.31-33, MV, 1545-49, p. 124, and
Rarnanan, op. cit., p. 130 and LSNP, pp. 114-115.). It advises students not to be
enamoured by a teacher's personality but to be foremostly concerned with the content
and quality of their teaching.
Loden Nyingje (tr.), The Ornament of the Mahayana SutTas (Chenrizig Institute, Eudlo:
rnimegraph, -1979), p. 55. Sanskrit /Torn Bagchi op. cit., p. 116. For Hindu guides to
teacher choice see Vivekilcudamani, 33 and lIpadesa SahasTz, 1.1.6. The issue of teacher
credentials relates also to the question of the establishment of valid teachers (sasin, ston
pal as is discussed in the Compendium on Epistemology [PVTj of Dharmakirti. There,
teachers are proved valid by the validity of their teachings. The fallacy of making
recourse to unsuitable authonties or ad verecundiam is thus thought to be avoided.
These are isolated as specific stages in a methodolOgical division called the ten dharma
actions (dasadharmacarya). See MV, 902-12, p. 70. The earlier steps of offering and giving
are also included by way of showing respect and service to teacl:iers and perceptors.
S. Dutt, op. cit., p. 351.
See H.V. Guenther's tr. of IHai bysun pa rin chen rnam gyal's mKhas grub kun gyi gtsug
rgyan pan chen Na TO pai rnam thar no mtshar rmad byung as "The Wondrous Lire of the
Great Scholar Naropa Crown-Jewel of all Philosopher-Saints" in The Life and Teaching of
Naropa (London: OXford University Press, 1963), p. 12. The five teachings of Maitreya-
Asanga (byams chos lnga) are the Ornament for the Universal Vehicle Sutras [MSAj,
Madhyanta-vibhanga, Dliarma- dharmata-vibhanga, Abhisamayalamkilra, and U t t a r a ~ t a n t r a .
As a lay disciple Naropa studied the seven epistemological texts of Dharmakirti, see
Guenther, op Clt., pp. 11-12.
Further information on the course of study at the mahaviharas can be inferred from the
scholastic traditions of Tibetan Buddhism which according to Snellgrove "inherited
complete the developed Indian Buddhist tradition as it was up to its final dissolution
about 1200 A.D." See "Buddhist Monasticism - a brief historical survey, "Shambhala -
Occasional Papers of the Institute of Tibetan Studies, 2 (July 1973), p. 21. We know the bKa'
gdam tradition began by Atisha came to hold six shastras as core texts. These were the
Yogacaryabhumi, Ornament for the Universal Vehicle Sutras [MSAj, Siksasamuccaya,
Introduction to the Evolved Lifesytle [BCA], Jatakilmala; and Udaravarga. They also regarded
the Sunyatasaptati, and PrecIOus Jewel [RAJ highly, and Atisha eloquently praised
Chandrakirti's philosophy. See A. Chattapadhyaya, op cit., pp. 395-96. The reformed
bKa gdam school of Tsong kha pa (1357-1419), the dGe rugs, we know study the
Collection on the Higher Sciences [AKj, Compendium on Epistemology [PVTj, IntroductIOn to
the Middle Way [MAJ. Abhisamayalamkilra, and the Vinaya-sutra as root (rtsa ba) texts. For
a general discussion of Indian studies and the Tibeto-Indian discourse see S. Dutt op. cit.,
pp.328-66.
This is another of the four reliances, see LSNP, p.116-126.
See MSA, 12.60; Mundakil Upanisad, 1.1.5; and S. Dutt, op. cit., p, 332.
TO THE MIDDLE WAY
(rl ,
33
;44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
MSA, 13.3 1/2b, L. Nyingje, up. cit., p. 36.
MY, 1546, p. 124 ..
See L. Nyingje, up. cit., p. 43 and Bagchi, up. cit., p. 89.
Whether the final insight (prajna) of the universal vehicle is meant to be contaiIi.ed within
or represent a stage oeyond meditation is debated. The Uttaratantra (31.2) of Asanga
implIes that the final insight is not the insight of meditation itself but a different order of
knowledqe. See E. Obermiller (tr.) 'The Sublime Science of the Great Vehicle to
Salvation', Acta Orientalia, 9 (1931),249.
The stages in the path of knowledge presumably represent emphases on a continuous
rrocess of change rather than discrete intervals. This means that the alignm,ent of
cognitive meditations" between chinta and bhcroana is somewhat arbitrary. I have
followed the suggestion of Geshe T. Loden and included the "cogitative meditations"
under meditation, even tho)lgh as he says the tesults or wisdoms they are said to
produce would generally be those assigned to the second stage. The foregoing
elaboration of three modes of meditation has benefitted from discussion with Geshe
Loden. See also Alexander Berzin (tr.), Lam rim man ngag: A Standard Intermediate Leoel
Textbook ot the Graded Course to Enlightenment (unpub.1'Ii.D. diss., Harvard University,
1972), pp. 54-57.
See Dharrnakirti's PVT, vv. 8 and 30-31 of the Prarnana-siddha chapter for the logical test
of applicability, and Masatoshi Nagatorni, "Arthakriya", The Adyar Library Bulletin, 31-32
(1967-68) for a discussion of arthakriya in PVT, see esp. pp. 56-58. .
The claim for this ability is included in the concept of the kshama dharani which is defined
as the adequacy of just one syllable to serve indexically for the realization of emptiness.
See Ringo Tulku, "The Mahayana Concept of Dhararu," in G.B. Mullins and N.Ribush
(eds.), Teachings at Tushita (Delhi: Mahayana Publications, 1981) pp. 134-137. This article
mentions a system of four types of dhaTani that give a parallel out even more idealised
Eicture of the jnana yogic path. The four dharam are the dharma dharani which facilitates
the mere but faultless memory of teachings; the artha dharani which actualises the
meanings; the mantra dharani which gives the Eower to formulate and crystalise
_ teachings into mantra, and the kshama dliarani. The kshama dharani also gives purpose to
the single syllable PerfeCt Insight Sutra.
Jeffrey Hopkins in his "SuEplernent" to Tsong ka pa, Tqntra in Tibet: The Great Exposition
of Secret Mantra, tr. and ed. oy J. Hopkins (London: George Allen and Unwin, 1977) traces
the movement through seven stages. (1) wrong view, (2) doubt tending to the non-
factual, (3) equal doubt, (4) doubt tending to tIie factual, (5) -correct assumption, (6)
inferential cognition, (7) direct perception. See pp. 189-192. No source is given. In
Hinduism the gradual process traces a gradual patIi from a mere theoretical knowledge
(paroksa) to a orrect perceEtion or intuitIve experience (aparoksa) of brahman. See T.M.P.
Mahadevan, Outlines of Hinduism (Bombay: Chetana Limited, 1960), p. 96. This
concludes a brief discussion of Hindu jnana-yoga, for which see also S. Radhakrishnan
(ed.),. The Principal Upanisads - with intro. text, tr. and notes (London: George Allen and
UnWIn, 1974), pp. 133-135.
MY, 1548, p.124.
MSA, 14.2, L. Nyingje, up. cit., p. 39; Bagchi, up. cit., p.
to the insight of rneClitatlon.
''Knowing the meaning" refers
And the corresponding distinction between the textual (agama-) and realised doctrine-
(adhigama-dharma). See-E.Oberrniller (tr.), History of Buddhism, up. cit., pt.I, pp .. 22-22 and
p. 14'7. nn. 164-165.
34
54.
REASONING INTO REALITY
See MA, 6.266; MK, 24.8-10; and BCA, 9.13. According to Chqndrakirti (6.79-80) the
expressional truth is the means and the ultimate truth wnat arises from the means, and
wnoever doesn't comprehend the division between these, as they are defined by
Nagarjuna, enters the u.nfortunate paths, i.e. the lower rebirths.
CHAPTER TWO
THE PROFOUND VIEW
The purpose of this chapter is to philosophically reconstruct those sections
and verses of the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] that bear on the liberative
path, Le. the path that leads to nirvana. The major sections under which this is
.discussed are: the cognitive basis of Madhyamika soteriology; the theory of
emptiness; the ways in which emptiness is expressed and communicated; the
different types of emptiness; the analyses that claim to demonstrate the
emptiness of the person and phenomena; certain meta-epistemological
observations that the Introduction [MA] makes about Madhyamika philosophy;
and, the path-structure implied in the Introduction [MA] concerning the
development of the insight into emptiness.
1 THE COGNITIVE BASIS OF MADHYAMIKA SOTERIOLOGY
The profound view, as was indicated in the last chapter, circumscribes a
content of the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] that focusses on the concept of
emptiness and the attendant self-analytical and meditative practices that
bodhisattvas employ for realising emptiness. When the profound view is gained
it is understooc;i to fulfil the personal or private requirements of a bodhisattva
insofar as a knowledge of emptiness ensures a liberation from all pain and
suffering.! The Introduction [MA: 6.106] says:
[The Buddha] said that [contaminated] actions (karma) arise in
dependence on confusion (moha) and that in the absence of
confusion such [actions] do not arise.
Certainly only those of learning understand this. Scholars, whose
sun-like intellect clears away [all] dense confusion, penetrate
emptiness [through this teaching], and thereby become liberated.
The reference here to action (karma) means specifically action that causes and
arises from states of consciousness that are dominated by emotional reactions
36 REASONING INTO REALITY
(klesa). These two, action and the emotional reactions, are. viewed as being
responsible for the quality of experience and its necessitated perpetuation.
While individuals are subject to emotional states of mind they act in ways that
create dispositions and place .encoded residues or traces (vasana), also termed
impiilses or drives (samskara), on their minds. These traces in turn have a
determining effect in that they are said to create predispositions that condition
the quantitative and qualitative aspects of subsequent experiences. The
particularities of subsequent experiences further enjoin certain actions which in
turn again place predispositions on individuals' personalities. This cyclic
conditioning between actions and emotional reactions acts to ensure that actions
and experience self-perpetuate to produce cyclic existence or samsara, and of the
two, the emotional reactions are etiologically more fundamental for karmic
actions arise on the basis of them. Compulsive or necessitated experience of this
type is, according to Buddhism, always under-scored by change, pain, pleasure,
or neutrality. These combine to make it essentially unsatisfactory (duhkha).
Confusion (moha) is one of the three prominent emotional reactions - the
other two are anger (dvesa) and desire (raga). Confusion signifies a fundamental
error individuals have in regard to themselves and the world, whereby they
confound what is imaginary with what is real. It is functionally equivalent to
ignorance (avidya) which, of all affective states, is regarded as the most basic in
the sense that all others arise from and are sustained by it. It provides a
foundation for all the emotional reactions in the sense that if there were no
igngrance the emotional reactions would not exist. More specifically, the root
affliction, from (MABh: 234) which all others such as desire (raga) and
attachment (lobha), and all of the problems of existence (dosa) in samsara, such as
birth, old age sickness, death, etc. arise, is the wrong view of individuality
(satkaya-drsti). This is defined in the Commentary [MABh: 234] as an afflicted
insight (shes rab nyon mongs) that entertains the thought of'Y and mine'. In the
context of Madhyamika philosophy this is specifically the thoughts that conceive
the 'I' and what it owns to be real. If such thoughts are not forsaken, the
impulses manifest and prolong the existence of samsara. It is in this sense that
all the emotional reactions are rooted in and are said to have the nature of the
view of individuality (satkaya-drsti).2
On the other hand, the view of individuality with respect to the 'I' and
'mine' is removed or replaced by the insight of emptiness for emptiness is said to
be an absence of the 'view of individuality'. As Chandrakirti writes in the Clear
Words [PP: 41], misbelief (viparyasa) and an absence of misbelief are incompatible
(bhinna). As the view of individuality causes suffering, its removal in and
through the insight of emptiness causes liberation from suffering. The idea is
that when things are cognised as empty there is nothing to be lost or gained,
nothing capable of causing pain or temporal pleasure.3 '
The concomitance and causal relationship between liberation and emptiness
is stated more clearly when Chandrakirti (6.165cd) writes: "Therefore, having
tHE PROFOUND VIEW
37
the view that the self and its possessions are empty the yogin becomes
completely free." - The remedy, then, for being bound, according to the
Madhyamika, is to be found in the cognition of emptiness. It is regarded as a
sine qua non for liberation. The possibility for liberation exists because ignorance
is viewed as an unfortunate adjunct of consciousness and not an essential quality
of it.
Z THE PHILOSOPHY OF EMPTINESS (SUNYAVADA)
We see that liberation is essentially couched as a cognitive achievement in -
that it is a removal of ignorance and acquiring of knowledge. The knowledge
that is acquired is of emptiness and emptiness is equated with what is real.
Hence the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] uses two terms inter-changeably,
emptiness (sunyata) and reality (tattva).4 Yogins corne to remove affective
concomitants from their minds and by so doing become veridical cognisers. By
obtaining veridical cognitions they become free. The cognitions of yogins cease
to be mediated by conceptuality and are replaced by a- yogic perception (yogi-
pratyaksa). That is to say, they achieve a cessation of compulsive affections and
conceptuality and in doing so see the profound reality. The Introduction to the
Middle Way [MA: 6.1] says:
Abiding with a composed mind at [the 'level of] manifesting
(abhimukhi)' [the bodhisattvas] manifest [some] qualities of
perfected buddhas, and through the perception of the reality of
relational origination (pratityasamutpada), and by dwelling in
insight (prajna), they obtain cessations (nirodha).
The bodhisattva referred to here is at the sixth level called "confronting", on
which she or he obtains a final cessation to conceptuality by realising the reality
of relational origination, a realisation that is synonymous with emptiness. The
object of yogic perceptionS is just one, emptiness, and according to
Madhyamikas that insight is first received at the path of intuition (darsana-
marga), i.e. the point at which a yogin first cognises emptiness. Prior to this,
yogins' cognitions are said to be facsimile understandings, as they are mediated
by a mental picture (snang ngo) lit. image [acquired through] audition, and so are
discursive. Soteriologically the yogin's consciousness is said to become
transformed from that of a sentient creature into the essential or natural form
(svabhavika-kaya)6 of a buddha. This is the emptiness of a buddha's truth form-
(dharma-kaya) and is defined as being naturally pure (svabhava-suddha) in that it is
free from all adventitious and emotional concomitants. Like the "primordial"
nature of Whitehead's conception of deity the natural basis exists necessarily
rather than contingently.
38
REASONING INTO REALITY
The realisation of emptiness, like most mystical experiences, is said to be
ineffable.
7
The reasons for this are that emptiness is finally non-conceptual and
hence inconceivable. It transcends mental constructs and so is beyond verbal
designation. In the Commentary [MABh: 362.14-16] Chandrakirti says that the
form (kaya).that is said to realise reality is regarded as being naturally serene (zhi
ba) and as such is separate from the mind (citta) and mental events (caitta). This
inexpressibility of emptiness' is necessary rather than contingent, for it is not
merely that appropriately descriptive predicates cannot be found, but that in
principle they do not exist. In other words, there are no predicates which would
describe it. The Commentary [MABh: 110-111] quotes the Introduction to the Two
Realities Sutra (Aryasatyadvayavatara-sutra) to this effect:
If the ultimate reality was in essence an object of the body, speech,
and mind then it would have the nature of conventional reality and
[so] not be countered as an "ultimate reality". However ... in fact
the ultimate reality is beyond expression. It is undifferentiated,
unborn, unobstructed, and separated from designata and
designations, and cognisables and cognitions.
This is a statement against the temptation to describe emptiness, or at least
to bear in mind that when emptiness is purportly described one is being misled,
for to do so is to reduce emptiness to a mere convention, emptiness itself being
beyond conventions, forms, and demarcations. As Chandrakirti writes (MA:
12.36a-c) in the context of demonstrating that one vehicle (eka-yana) can be
taught:
There is no way of effectively clearing away all impurities (mala)
other than by cognising the reality [of things]. The reality of
phenomena is not divisible into aspects, nor dependent [on the
aspects]. The discerning, who take reality as their referent, are not
to be categorised either.
Besides reiterating that cognising reality is a process of mental purification,
and that emptiness is itself a purifier of impurities, the Introduction to the Middle
Way [MAl is asserting the non-divisive and so non-distinctive nature of
emptiness.
2.1 THE DESCRIPTIONS OF EMPTINESS
Even' though emptiness is and so propositionally
inexpressible, certain devices are used, and referred to, in the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MA] and by Madhyamikas generally, to convey what is meant by
the term emptiness. The most important and informative of these is the bi-
negative locution. Though this device is only used sparingly in the Introduction
THE PROFOUND VIEW
39
to the Middle Way [MA]S (and with less frequency than Nagarjuna's use of it
9
) it
is an important device and a leit motif of the Perfect Insight Sutras
(prajnaparamita-sutras) .
The bi-negative disjunction employs a logical syntax that in natural language
reads as "neither A nor not A" where A is any phenomenon that is being
characterised as empty. It is an eliptical device that rigidly designates
emptiness. It is applied to both substances and predicates in order to indicate
their empty nature.
Thus, with respect to any object A, when it is said that it neither exists nor
does not exist, this is taken to designate the emptiness of A with respect to its
existence. When a bi-negation is applied as a descriptive symbol to any property
P of A - i.e. A is neither P nor not P - this is taken to designate that A is empty of
property P. These characterisations are different from straightforward negations
for rather than denying the existence of A or the attribution of P to A, the bi-
negation, through its non-residual logic of exclusion, says that existential and
qualitative predications cannot ultimately be made. Rigid designation is
obtained with the bi-negation because it does not add information - affirmative
or negative - concerning the qualities, properties, characteristics, etc. of
phenomena. As phenomena account for all conventionalities, w h ~ t is referred to
can only be emptiness. In other words, it describes emptiness, or the emptiness
of phenomena, rather than phenomena themselves because no predicates are
implicated in the description. This is clear from the fact that bi-negations do not
help in the demarcation of phenomena, one from the others, whereas
affirmations and negations do.
The bi-negation is positioned at a linguistic junction between the ultimate
and conventional truths or realities. It is applied to conventions but describes
their emptiness and is as close as one can get, linguistically, to emptiness. It is
more adequate than other devices because it does not ascribe properties or
qualities to emptiness and so does not phenomenalise emptiness. It is also, as
we will see, a logical conclusion to the Madhyamikas' analytical techniques of
approaching emptiness.1
0
Even though, the foregoing linguistic device is consciously guaged to
demonstrate the unpredictability of emptiness, selected predicates are applied to
emptiness. Some of these we have mentioned such as undifferentiability. Others
are that emptiness is permanent (nitya) unproduced (asamskrta) and uniform
(eka-rasa). Likewise, the mind of the buddhas realising emptiness, the truth-form
(dharma-kaya), is (MABh: 362) according the final word (tshig bla dwags) of the
Buddha, unborn and unceasing. The "ten even [qualities] of things (dharma-
samata)" as quoted in the Commentary [MABh: SO-Sl] from the Ten Levels Sutra
[DS] are further predictions which, though of things (dharma), are intended to
qualify that ultimately they are empty. According to the Sutra all things are
signless or without marks (animitta), undefined (alaksana), without birth (ajati),
unborn (ajata), solitary (vivikta), pure (visuddha) from the beginning, inactive
40 REASONING INTO REALITY
(nihprapanca), without acquisition (avyuha) and rejection (nirvyuha), are like
similitudes, and are free from the duality of existence (bhava) and non
existence. 1 1
Certain metaphorical and analogical similies are also applied within the "ten
even [qualities]" in order to clarify the concept of emptiness. These are that
things are" similar to an illusion (maya), a dream (svapna), an optical illusion
(pratibhasa), an echo (pratisrutka), [the reflection of] moon in water (adakacandra),
a mirror image (pratibimba), and an emanation (nirmana).12 The similitudes all
emphasise that things are insubstantial and in some way mere fictions.
13
2.2 DIFFERENT TYPES OF EMPTINESS
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] also divides emptiness into various
types. This division of emptiness into different types must be seen as
functioning within a strictly cogl!-itive mode of description, for it is not that
emptiness itself comes to be defined or predicated differently in the different
emptinesses, but rather just" that emptiness is being predicated of different
things. For Madhyamikas, everything in the universe is characterised by being
empty. Any class of phenomena can be defined and then described as being
empty. The various divisions: into two, four and sixteen emptinesses, each
account for all phenomena.
The coarsest division, and that which is procedurally the most important in
the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] is the two-fold division in which
existents are classified as the person (pudgala) and phenomena (dharma), i.e.
everything else. These correspond to the selflessness of the person (pudgala-
nairatmya) and the selflessness of phenomena (dharma-nairatmya), both of which
are affirmed in the Pali Discourses [N].l4 These two divisions form the major
focus for the Introduction's [MA] investigation into emptiness.
The most elaborate division is into sixteen emptinesses, and the four
emptinesses (the final four of the twenty) are apparently (MA: 6.80a-c) a
resolution or condensation of the sixteen, though how they coalesce into those
four is not clear. At this point we will just briefly examine the twenty
emptinesses; for the emptinesses of the person and phenomena, and analyses
gauged to demonstrate these, are discussed in length shortly.
2.3 TWENTY EMPTINESSES
These are elaborated at the conclusion of chapter six (6.181-223) after
Chandrakirti has specified the analytical techniques for demonstrating the non-
self of the person and phenomena. They represent a finer enumeration than the
two-fold division into the person and phenomena, and have a sutric precedent in
the Perfect Insight in Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas [pPS].15
THE PROFOUND VIEW
41
The verse definitions can be easily referredto in the appendix so I'll just list
the emptinesses here. The Sanskrit for the first to sixteenth emptiness is from the
Great Etymology [MV: 934-949; 72-73).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
The emptiness of the subject (adhyatma-sunyata).
The emptiness of externals (bahirdha-sunyata).
The emptiness of the subject and externals (adhyatma-bahirdha-sunyata).
These first three emptinesses have direct analogues in the Pali Discourses
[N). The Great Emptiness Sutra (Maha-sunnata-sutta) of the Middle-length
Discourses [MN: 122) refers to entering on and abiding in an internal
emptiness (ajjhatta sunnata), an external emptiness (bahiddha sunnata),
and an internal and external emptiness. The internal emptiness refers to
the emptiness of a monk's own psycho-physical organism and the
external emptiness, according to the commentary, refers to the emptiness
of others' psycho-physical organisms.1
6
Emptiness of emptiness (sunyata-sunyata). This emptiness is presumably
for countering the absolutisation and reification of emptiness that
Nagarjuna warns against (MK: 13.8).
The great emptiness (maha-sunyata). (The ten directions to which this
emptmess refers are the eight cardinals, nadir, and zenith.)17
The emptiness of the ultimate (paramartha-sunyata). For Madhyamikas'
grasping at nirvana, the ultimate, would preclude one from attaining it.
Emptiness of the conditioned (samskrta).
Emptiness of the unconditioned (asamskrta).
Emptiness of what has surpassed boundaries (atyanta). Haribhadra
interprets this as that which is beyond the extremes of nihilism (uccheda)
and eternalism (sasvata).18
Emptiness without a beginning or an end (anavaragra).
Emptiness of that which is not rejected (anavakara) (of what is gained and
required in the spiritual endeavour).
The emptiness of a thing's own nature (prakrtisunyata). The unmade
(akrta) state of things referred to in this emptiness means (MABh: 199)
specifically not made by disciples, self-evolvers, bodhisattvas, or the
Tathagatha, i.e. by design.
The emptiness of all phenomena (sarva-dharma)
Emptiness of self-defining properties (svalaksana). This is the emptiness
of the definitions or defining characteristics of all knowables and is
expanded at length (6.202-215) with definitions applicable to that which
is basic to existence (6.202-204), the bodhisattvas' path (6.205-207), and
the liberated state (moksa) (6.208-215).
The emptiness of the unobservable (anupalambha).
The emptiness of non-things (abhava). This is the emptiness of non-
phenomenality, rather than nonphenomena. The Perfect Insight in
Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas [PPS] says that things have no entity
because of relational origination (pratitya-samutpada)19.
The emptiness of things (bhava).
The emptiness of non-things (abhava). The unproduced or permanent
phenomena referred to are space and the two cessations (mrodha), i.e.
nirvana and non-analytical stases.
The emptiness of own nature (svabhava).
42 REASONING INTO REALITY
20. The emptiness of the other thing (parabhava).
These different aspects to emptiness are not indicative of emptiness being
divisible or non-uniform, rather they signify that emptiness can be predicted of
different things. Hence, the basis for the various division lies with pbjects as
they are conventionally or technically defined and not within emptiness itself.
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MAJ is not explicit about the function or
role of this categorial breakdown but the Commentary [MABh: 302J does say that
it is necessary to listen, understand, and meditate on the various aspects of non-
self in order for people to achieve freedom. The utility of the enumeration is
explained orally by Tibetan philosophers as facilitating yogins' meditations on
emptiness. They say that yogins have different propensities vis-a-vis their
attachment to the things in the world and so they find it easier and hence more
economical to meditate on different objects. Also, yogins are said to vary the
object of their meditation in dependence on what is meditatively efficacious at
any particular time.
20
Hence the twenty entities that are empty appear to have a
practical role as different things that are analysed in the context of discernment
(vipasyana) meditation.
Haribhadra - who post-dates Chandrakirti
21
- correlates these twenty
emptinesses in his Illumination of the Ornament of the Realisations
(Abhisamayalamkara-aloka) with the paths (marga) and bodhisattva levels (bhumi)
thus: The first three emptinesses pertain to realisations obtained on the path of
accumulation (sambhara-marga); the fourth is cognised on the connecting path
(prayoga-marga); the fifth to eleventh correlate respectively with the first to
seventh levels (bhumi); the twelfth and thirteenth with the eighth level;
fourteenth and fifteenth with the ninth; sixteenth and seventeenth with the tenth;
and the final three emptinesses with the level of buddhas (buddha-bhumi).
Tibetan commentators do likewise.
22
On this count the twenty emptinesses
would be realised serially and perhaps were meant to be meditated on in that
same order, (though not necessarily so for perhaps some were thought more
difficult to gain insight into than others). The divisions between these
emptinesses are made solely on the basis of different phenomena that are empty
and so shouldn't be taken as meaning that there are twenty different
emptinesses.
23
2.4 INTRINSIC EXISTENCE (SVABHA VA) AS WHAT IS NEGATED BY
EMPTINESS .
The concept of emptiness is also defined in terms of the negation of its
semantic opposite. The term used in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAJ and
throughout Madhyamika literature to define the opposite of emptiness is
svabhava, tib. rang bzhin, literally own-being, self existence, or intrinsic existence.
Often times in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] just the term ngo bo, skt.
.TIlli PROFOUND VIEW
43
bhava,vastu, meaning entity or existence is used; with an implicit proviso, always
expressly stated bydGe 'dun grub, that the technical term svabhava is intended.
The term bdag nyid, skt. atma - which I have translated as 'self and sometimes
'essence' - is functionally equivalent to svabhava also. Likewise the term dngos po,
skt. bhava - translated as and meaning a '[functional] thing' - when negated, is
done so in terms of it having an intrinsic existence. The term "intrinsic existence"
is defined in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] through a quotation from
the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK: 15.1-2] that says:
The production of a self existent thing by a conditioning cause is
not possible, [for] being produced through dependence on a cause,
a self-existent thing would be "someting (sic) which is produced"
(krtaka). How, indeed, will a self existent thing become "something
which is produced?" Certainly, a self-existent thing [by definition]
is "not-produced" and is independent of anything else.
24
This definition is in terms of the consequences of something being
intrinsically existent. That is to say, if a thing were intrinsically existent then it
would be unaffected by causes, unproduced, and in all senses independent. A
svabhava, or the intrinsic existence of things is, then, an essential or inherent
nature that they possess which is efficiently self-contained. It is the essence,
substratum, or substance of things without which they would cease to be what
they are. In other words, if a thing's intrinsic existence changed it would cease
to be that thing. As such, an intrinsically existing thing is by definition
petromorphic. Intrinsic existence is what makes things what they essentially are.
Intrinsically existing things are also self-marked (svalaksana), meaning that they
are self-defined; their definition not relying on anything outside of themselves.
As J.W. de Jong writes, For Chandrakirti "the svo bhava and the svalaksana, the
'own-being' and the individual character have one and the same meaning."25
Thus in rejecting instrinsic existence Chandrakirti also rejects that things have
self-defined characteristics, and vice versa.
Intrinsically existent things are also necessarily permanent because they are
independent of causes and conditions. Intrinsic existence is also the necessary
rather than contingent aspect of things and 50 it relates closely to the Latin
concept of substantia and the Greek ousia and hypokeimenon. Intrinsic existence,
like the concept of aseity in classical theism,26 defines a quality of self-
sufficiency in the sense that a thing is self-moved and completely autonomous.
That is to say, things so defined exist in se, by themselves and unrelated to
anything else. They are also immutable and impassible.
As the opposite of emptiness, intrinsic existence is the object of negation in
the theory and practice of emptiness. Where emptiness is the object of insight
(prajna) intrinsic existence is the object of ignorance (avidya). The view of the
Madhyamikas is that intrinsic existence is constructed by an ignorant
consciousness and is the principle cause for the creation of (contaminating)
44
REASONING INTO REALITY
actions (karma), insofar as mental predispositions are created only with the
assumption or mental attitude that things have real or essential natures rather
than merely nominal ones. Because intrinsic existence is constructed by an
ignorant consciousness it is viewed as an utterly fictitious creation. Hence in the
theory of the Madhyamika, emptiness is a non- affirming (med dgag) proposition
for what it negates has never had an existence.
27
On the other hand, the denial of intrinsic existence is not a denial of
existence per se, for it denies only the existence of independent, self-sufficient,
self-designatory, self-presentational, etc. things. As Chandrakirti says in the
Commentary [MABh: 77]: "It is a distorted conception to consider that emptiness
means non-existence (med pa) - that [idea] gives birth to the erroneous view that
negates (skur 'debs pa) everything." What is denied is that things have a solid
core (asarika).28 Whatever is dependent is not denied in either the theory or
practice of emptiness. From this viewpoint, then, the practice of emptiness is the
eradication of all essentialistic conceptions. The yogins' path is one of removing
the [wrong] views and opinions (drstl) which reify experience through the
projection of intrinsic existence onto what is really dependently arisen.
The term svabhava is also used in the Commentary [MABh: 305-308] in a way
not mentioned here. ThIS second usage of the term makes it a synonym for
emptiness rather than its opposite, for it is countered that the absence of svabhava
in things is their svabhava. This usage of the term is equated with the ultimate
(paramartha) level of reality where its more standard use is equated with the
conventional (samvrtl) level
29
.
3 MADHYAMlKA ANALYSIS
At this point I want to begin reconstructing the analytical sections of the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MA]. My aim in doing this is to show the type,
style and patterns involved in Chandrakirti's analyses, and to provide the
material with which we can, in the next chapter, investigate more directly the
relationship between logical analysis and insight.
Two points should be borne in mind when reading these analytical
reconstructions. The first is that analysis is clearly central to Madhyamika
philosophy. If it is the view of real or intrinsic existence that is at the root of
ignorance, then, like Leibniz, Madhyamikas rely on a "principle of sufficient
reason" whereby "no fact [is] real or existing, no statement true, unless there be a
sufficient reason."30 In other words, if something is real or true it is able to
withstand logical analysis. If it cannot then it must relinquish the status of being
real, in a substantialistic sense.
Without wanting to foreshadow the investigation in the next chapter, the
second point to be aware of is that for Chandrakirti dialectical or logical analysis
is thought to be an efficient force in gaining insight. He writes, for example,
(6.118) that the dialectical analysis (dpyad rtsod) found in Madhyamika texts "is
TflE PROFOUND VIEW
45
not undertaken out of an attachment to debate. [Rather, Nagarjunal taught
'about reality (tattva) with a view to [showing others the way tol complete
liberation (vimukti)." ,
The stated position of Chandrakirti in this regard is stronger than the
function accorded to dialectical analysis by many contemporary interpreters of
ihe Madhyamika, who see it as a system designed primarily to demonstrate
formal logical fallacies in all philosophical thought. On this view the
consequential arguments of Madhyamikas draw out contradictions that are
'claimed to inhere in any philosophical theses, with the aim of showing that
theory formulations are internally inconsistent, and hence fallacious. No theses
a.re thought to be resiliant to the Madhyamika analysis, and from among all
philosophers only the Madhyamikas are immune for the simple reason that they
Offer no theses themselves.
Yet, as Chandrakirti makes quite explicit claims for the soteriological
significance of consequential analysis it is worth remembering this when reading
the remainder of this chapter. The most significant fact to keep in mind is that
Chandrakirti's analyses are a yogic practice in their own right, and integral to
the discernment (vipasyana) contemplations of Madhyamikas.
The Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl analyses divide in terms of the two
types of emptiness that Chimdrakirti isolates. These are the emptiness or
selflessness of the person (pudgala) and phenomena (dharma). The next two
sections reconstruct those two sets of analyses, first considering, as does
Chandrakirti, the analysis of phenomena.
4 ANALYSIS OF PHENOMENA (DHARMA)
From verses 6.8-119 the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl analyses
phenomena (dharma) with a view to demonstrating their emptiness.
31
"Phenomena" in this context is all things other than the person (pudgaZa) for in
the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl the paired concepts of phenomena and
the person comprise all knowables in the universe. As such phenomena
includes corporeal and non-corporeal forms, abstract objects, concepts,
definitions and yogic attainments. In so doing it includes noumenal objects.
Thus, as an equivalent to dharma "phenomena" is broader than its etymology
implies. Alternative equivalents are "things" and "objects" though these do not
naturally demarcate from the "self" or "person".
In point of fact though, the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl analyses only
a subset of phenomena. Specifically it analyses and claims to show the
emptiness of produced phenomena (samskrta-dharma). Though Chandrakirti
certainly believes that unproduced (asamskrta) phenomena are empty (they are
included in the twenty emptinesses) these go unanalysed in' the
Introduction [MAl. The term Chandrakirti uses consistently throughout the
Introduction'S [MAl analysis of phenomena is dngos po, skt. bhava, which as we
46 REASONING INTO REALITY
said earlier, refers to functional things, i.e. things that find theqlselves in the nexi
of causes and conditions, hence things that come into existence, undergo change,
and disintegrate.
The analysis that Chandnikirti uses in the Introduction [MAl follows the
same procedure of N agarjuna' s analysis in the first chapter of Principal Stanzas on
the Middle Way [MKl. Both utilise an analytical structure known as the diamond
grains (vajra-kana).32 In his explication of this analysis Chandrakirti is indebted
to Buddhapalita.33 In fact, his analysis is in essence a restatement of
Buddhapalita's Commentary (Vrttl) on Nagarjuna's Principal Stanzas.
It is worth going through the arguments, for even though the Principal
Stanzas on the Middle Way's [MKl analysis is well documented, Buddhapalita's
arguments are less well known, and additionally, Chandrakirti's arguments and
examples here are more elaborate.
34
The following treatment abstracts the
arguments by removing various other ancillary arguments and dialectical
exchanges that are embedded or interpolated within the basic analytical
structure.
The analysis focuses on the quality of production (jati, utapatti, utpada), for
this is the defining property (svalaksana) of a produced thing. The analysis
adduces four possible theses for explaining how things may be produced. All
four are refuted on the basis of arguments using logical consequences (prasanga)
and incompatibilities or anomalies with the common sense empirical world. The
four theses are proffered as a jointly exhaustive set of possibilities such that
when all four are refuted no alternative theses remain and hence the emptiness
of produced things is established. For Madhyamikas, the adherence to any of
the four alternatives would preclude their gaining the insight into the emptiness
of things.
The four possible theses, stated in verse 6.8ab, are that things are born or
arisen from:
1. themselves;
2. another;
3. both; or
4. without a cause.
4.1 BIRTH FROM SELF35
The view that things arise from themselves has traditionally been held by
the Hindu Sarnkhya
36
and Vedanta who both subscribe to the view that an effect
(karya) is pre-existent (sat) in its cause. This doctrine of (pre)existent effects
(satkaryavada) holds that effects exist in an unmanifest or latent form (avyakta) at
the time of the cause. The effect is viewed as the actualisation of a pre-existing
potential. dGe 'dun grub (RSM: f.12a2) tells us that it is the Samkhya (Grangs
can) system that is being refuted here. Chandrakirti begins his refutation (6.8c-9)
by writing that:
THE PROFOUND VIEW
There is no point to a thing arising from itself. Moreover, it is
wrong for that which is already produced to be produced yet
again. If you conceive that that which is already produced gives
rise to further production, then this does not admit production of
the shoots and the rest. Seeds would produce [shoots] in profusion
till the end of existence. How would all those [shoots] disintegrate
those [seeds]?
47
The argwnent here is that the birth of something from itself is completely
unwarranted and quite unnecessary for what is to be born already exists. For
example, if the sprout exists within and at the same time as its seed then there is
no point in its subsequent birth. A second consequence of birth from self is that
production would be affectively continuous and never-ending for things can
give birth to themselves without any change or modification. Things would
never cease being produced. A final point is that if seeds and sprouts are
essentially the same - a consequence of birth from self - then at the time of the
product, for example the mature sprout, one should also have the producer, for
example the seed from which the sprout arose.
In the world this is not the case for the sprout replaces the seed. So birth
from self contradicts the ways of the world in which seeds and sprouts and
producers and products are temporally and spatially removed from each other.
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 6.10-12] continues:
For you [Samkhya philosophers] the distinctions of the sprout's
shape, colour, taste, capacity, and development would not be
distinct from the seed's creative cause. If after the removal of its
former self, that thing, it becomes a different entity, how could it be
that thing at such a time? If for you the seed and sprout are not
different, then like the seed, the so-called 'sprout' would not be
apprehended either. Or again, because they are the same, the [seed]
would be apprehended when the sprout is. This you cannot assert.
Because the effect (phala) is seen only if the. cause (hetu) is
destroyed, not even by conventional criteria are they the same.
Therefore, to impute that things arise from a 'self' is incorrect, both
in reality and conventionally.
If there is birth from self, Chandrakirti reasons that we cannot distinguish
between the qualities and characteristics that make the seed and sprout different.
On this view any differences between producers and products are in principle
unperceivable for throughout the process of eduction producers and products
are one, and hence neither change. On the other hand if it were the case that the
producer, e.g. the seed ceased, in the process of eduction, to be what it originally
was such thatit could not be found in fhe final product, e.g. the sprout, then the
product cannot have been an essential component of the producer, as Sankhyas
48 REASONING INTO REAUTY
must claim. That is to say, if the two, the producer and prpduct do become
different then they cannot have been one.
Chandrakirti continues that if the seed and sprout were genuinely one, then
whenever the sprout is perceived so the seed must also be; or, if the seed is non-
perceived at the time of the sprout, the sprout likewise must be un-perceived.
This, though, is not confirmed by experience in the world, for people clearly do
distinguish seeds from sprouts and so this position is unacceptable, both
analytically and on empirical grounds. The point in this argument is that effects,
if they are real or genuine, cannot be merely potential, and that if a thesis really
only intends that the "effect in and at the time of the cause" is unmanifest, then
this is not a genuine effect.
37
In concluding his investigation of "birth from self" Chandrakirti states (6.13)
the consequential objection (prasanga),.namely that birth requires a producer and
product, yet with birth from self there is no producer to be distinguished from a
product and hence no birth. The contradictions a r ~ that either two distinct
things are asserted to be one, in which case they are not two; or, one thing is
asserted to be two in which case it is not one.
38
4.2 BIRTH FROM OTHER
The view that things arise from phenomena which are different from
themselves is traditionally the view of the Vijnanavada, Sautrantika, and
Sarvastivada Buddhists and the Hindu Nyaya-Vaisheshika. These subscribe to
the view that effects are non-existent [within the cause] (asatkaryavada).39 These
schools believe in the "newness" of the effect in relationship to the cause.
Chandrakirti opens his analysis by citing an unpalatable empirical
consequence of birth from other. He writes (6.14) that "If an 'other' were to
arise in dependence on others, well then thick darkness would arise even from
fhimes. And moreover, everything would be produced from everything for non-
producers would all be similar in respect of being different." That is to say that
as all things are equally other, i.e. not identical with all other things, if there is
birth from other then anything and everything can be posited as the cause for
everything else. The only limitation on possible causal or productive
relationships would be that things cannot produce themselves. As neither light
nor dark are identical with a flame, both are equally other and hence a flame
might just as well give rise to darkness as it does to luminosity. The positing of
causal relationships would be utterly haphazard, there would be no grounds for
preferring anyone relationship over another and so the concepts of production
and causality would lose all meaning and function.
In response to Chandrakirti's argument, a proponent of "birth from other"
responds (6.15) that: The definite expression 'effect' is for that which can be or
does. That which is able to produce [the effect] although other is a cause. As
there is birth from a producer and belonging to the one continuum (samtana)
THE PROFOUND VIEW
49
therefore a rice sprout is not [produced] from a barley [seed] etc. That is, the
respondent holds that cause and effect can still operate and function when there
is birth from other because just that which produces something is a cause and
. that which it produces, though different from itself, is the effect. These causal
relationships are delimited since causes and effects can only obtain within the
same continuum. That is to say, what makes a cause the effect of something else
is that these two, the cause and the effect, are poles at the extremes of a
continuum. Things that cannot be poles of a continuum cannot be instances of a
cause and its effect. To this response Chandrakirti rejoins (6.16-17);
Just as barley, gesar and kinshuka flowers, and so on, are not
judged to be producers of rice sprouts [since] they lack the ability
[to produce them], do not belong to a common continuum, and are
qualitatively dissimilar. Similarly, a rice seed is no [exception]
because it is quite different [from a sprout]. Seed and sprout do
not exist simultaneously, and if they were not different how could
the seed become different? Therefore, you will not prove production
of a sprout from a seed. Instead relinquish the position that 'there
is production from another'.
The Madhyamika here calls to issue the whole notion of a continuum and its
presupposing the very notion of a cause and effect that it is said by the non-
Madhyamikas to substantiate. The point again is that if a product is genuinely
other than the producer they are dissimilar and hence all other (hypothetical)
producers are on an equal footing vis-a-vis their being different from the product.
Further, if the respondent was to argue that the sprout is not really different
from the seed his position would collapse to that of "birth from self" which
Chandrakirti has already refuted. The respondent replies (6.18a-c) that
producers and their products may be different from each other yet cotemporal in
the same way that the two bars of a balance may be different (Le. one higher, the
other lower) and yet coexistent (at the fulcrum). This example does not pull
weight for Chandrakirti who writes in reply (6.18d-19c) that:
[The balance beams may] be simultaneous, but [producers and
their products] do not exist at the same time.
You assert that during production, [the product] does not exist
because the production phase [is operating] and that during
cessation [a product] exists thougn the cessation phase [is
operating]. How then could these Instances be equivalent to a
balance?
The point being made here is that the analogy is false, for the producer and
what is produced cannot exist at the same time, for were they to co-exist one
would not have a case of birth from other. According to Chandrakirti (MABh:
50 REASONThfG ThfTO REAUTY
96) the sprout exists only when it has been produced as a sprout. In any stage
prior to being a sprout it is not yet a sprout. Moreover, at any stage prior to the
emergence of a sprout one can only have a seed. Hence at no one time can one
find a seed and a sprout. wrth respect to any transitional stage that may be
posited, one can have neither a growing sprout, for this is not yet produced, not
a diminishing seed, for this is already destroyed.4
0
Hence a cotemporality of
genuinely different causes and effects, and producers and products is
impossible.
The question of the cotemporality of producers and products is finally
dispensed (6.20) with for reasons adduced earlier: that if, say a visual
consciousness has otherness with respect to a simultaneous producer, the eye, etc.
and the discrimination that also arise together with it, then the eye consciousness
is already in existence and so not needful of being produced.
The Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA] refutation of "birth from other" as
given in these verses is essentially that products and producers must be related
via the relation of production, causation, birth, or arising and that the relation is
either one in which the producer and product meet or do not meet.
41
If they do
not meet then there is no interface between the producer and product, hence no
causal nexus and hence no real production one from the other. As Chandrakirti
writes much later in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 6.169c]: "If [cause
and effect] are separate, then the cause would be no different from non-causes."
In summary to the generalised refutation of "birth from other" the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 6.21] says:
If a producer is a cause (hetu) producing another, then the product
is counted as an existent (sat), or anon-existent, both, or neither. If
[the product] exists, then what need is there of a producer? Then,
what has the [producer] done if [the product] is non-existent? What
was done if it is both or if it was neither?
The verse draws on the characteristics of products that are genuinely or
intrinsically other than their producers. If products are intrinsically existing
products, as they must be in order to be really other than their producers then if
they are existent they have no need of a producer, if intrinsically non-existent
then nothing could bring them into being, for what could a producer produce
from nothing. If it was both existent and non-existent one does not have one
thing but rather two, and the previous contradictions then apply. Lastly there
are no things that are neither existent nor non-existent for these are jointly
exhaustive.
The contradictions that emerge from Chandrakirti's analysis are that
phenomena cannot be born from other phenomena because that which is
produced, "the other" would at some point have to be other than itself, i.e. both
be and not be itself. Or, that "the other" at some point is "not an other"; namely,
when it is what produced it.
THE PROFOUND VIEW
51
Even though the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] makes what oftentimes
read as- unequivocal rejections of "birth from other", these are always implicitly,
and sometimes explicitly, qualified as rejections of intrinsic or inherent "birth
from other". In so doing Chandrakirti seeks not to negate that seeds give rise to
sprouts, flames to light, etc. and that causes can be and are correlated with
specifiable effects: rather he wishes to show that in the ultimate analysis - and
hence in reality - these are not real processes. The domain of relevance and
applicability for notions such as birth, causation, production, etc. is in the realm
of conventional states of living. Following these verses (6.22ff) the Introduction to
the Middle Way [MAl introduces a discussion of the two realities and a critique of
key Phenomenalist tenets. These sets of verses will be discussed shortly.
4.3 BIRTH FROM BOTH SELF AND OTHER
According to the Commentary [MABh: 202] "birth from both self and other" is
the view of the Jainas who hold, for example, that a jug is born from itself and
others. It is born from itself insofar as it is produced from its own material _
cause, viz. clay, and is born from others as it requires the contribution of a potter,
water, etc. In rejecting this view of production Chandrakirti presumes that all
cases of "birth from self and other" can be resolved without any residue
remaining into "birth from self" and "birth from other". Once resolved into these
tWo preceding possibilities, they can be dealt with as the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MA] has just shown. We can note also that it is contradictory to
ascribe two mutually excluding qualities to the one thing, i.e. that it is born from
itself and what is not itself.
4.4 BIRTH FROM NO CAUSE
. . The view that things can arise from no cause is ascribed by the Commentary
[MABh: 205] to essentialist philosophers (ngo bo nyid smra pa) who say that some
naturally occurring phenomena suCh as the shape and colour of some flowers
and plants, and the colouring of certain birds arise independently of any causes.
These philosophers are identified by dGe 'dun grub (RSM: f.36b5) as rGyan phan
pa, the Indian materialist and hedonistic sChool of Charvaka
42
or Lokayata,
presumably also because of their rejection of past and future lives (6.101-103). In
refutation of this view, (6.99-100), whiCh amounts to a belief in creation ex nihilo,
the Introduction to .the Middle Way [MAl firstly clarifies that birth from neither self
Ilor other is equivalent to being exclusively born from no cause and then points
to an empirical consequence of birth from no cause (6.99); namely, that
everything would give the appearance of arising from everything else. This
would mean, for example, that farmers would not need to collect, plant and
water seeds in order to obtain fruit, since if fruit arose from no cause, the
planting of, or failure to plant, seeds would be quite immaterial to their arising.
52
REASONING INTO REALITY .
Things would, as it were, pop out of thin air, and for no rhyme or reason.
Causes and effects would be traceless as there are no causes, and this,
Chandrakirti says, would give rise to the appearance of things being caused by
all other things. He then continues (6.100) that if living creatures are genuinely
uncaused, they would be on an equal ontological footing with hallucinatory and
illusory objects such as the sky-flower (utpala). In other words, they would be
uncognised and invalidated by a valid sense consciousness and so be non-
existent. The converse is the case though, living creatures and inanimate objects
also are vividly known by valid sense consciousness .and so their existence is
established.
This position, of "birth from no cause", like the preceding ones, is also
internally or logically contradictory. The implicit contradiction is that being a
product necessitates being produced yet in this case the produced is non-
produced. In other words, production requires a product being produced by a
producer. If there is no producer there is no product and hence no process of
production. As such, production from no cause is fallacious. From a different
angle it flouts Lucretius' principle that nothing can become out of nothing (ex
nihilo nihil fit) by necessitating that at some common locus in the productive
continuum the product both is and is not.
4
3
The essence of these consequences for each of the four possibilities can be
, depicted diagrammatically (2.1). In the first case there is no process of production
as the continuum undergoes no transformation. In case two, as there is no
interface between A and B any number of different A's can be equally posited as
causes of B. The third case is resolvable without residue into the two previous
ones and hence there is no real or intrinsic production, and in the final case, in
the absence of a producer there is no product. "
After a closing rebuttal (6.101-3) to the Essentialists' view that future lives
are impossible because consciousness is essentially physical and so decays at
death, the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 6.104ab] concludes that because all
four theses, of birth from self, other, both, and causelessly are in error, things
have no intrinsic existence.
In completing his discussion of the non-self or emptiness of phenomena
Chandrakirti carefully reiterates (6.107-15) that the denial of production and
hence of real or intrinsic existence does not mean a blanket dismissal of
production, causation, and existence per se, but only that these have an intrinsic
reality. Analogically, the negation of intrinsic existence "is not comparable with
a barren woman's son" (6.113d) which does not exist at all, but rather should be
compared with (6.109a-c) a dream, (sky) city of the Gandharvas, water in a
mirage, a magical deception, or a reflection which, although non-existent can
still be seen. Hence (MABh: 225), although all common-sense and everyday
entities are analytically unfindable, and fiction-like in nature, they exist through
the force of designation (prajnapti).
i
XHE
PROFOUND VIEW
53
1 Birth from self
2 Birth from another
~
Al
I
I ~
{
A2
{
A.
I
3 Birth from both [self & other 1
4 Birth from no cause
r------ -----. --- -.- ----..,
, .
, '
: \ ~
: ,,;
: '}
t. __________________ ___ ~
. Fig 2.1 Consequences of birth from four possibilities
54 REASONING INTO REALITy
5 ANALYSIS OF THE PERSON (PUDGALA)
Though the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] introduces its presentation
of emptiness with an analysis demonstrating the non-self of phenomena (dharma-
nairatmya) and only on completing this turns its attention to analysing the non-
self of the person (pudgala-nairatmya), the opening verse (6.120) of this analysis
indicates that the practice and realisation by the yogins of the "non-self of the
person" is more important, and in a developmental context precedes the practice
of meditating on the non-self of phenomena. The verse reads: "Having
intellectually perceived that all the emotional reactions (klesa) and problems of
existence (dosa) arise from our view of the individual (satkaya-drsti), and having
understood the self as the object of [the egocentricity] of this [view], yogins
negate the self." The idea here, repeated elsewhere in the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MA: 1.3ab and 6.164-5] is that the concept of "mine" presupposes the
concept of a self, such that if the object self ceased to arise, so the grasping at
phenomena as real would necessarily subside also. Hence, first people grasp the
self, from which they develop a genuine attachment for things. As the notion of
'mine' depends etiologically and for its maintainance on the notion of 'I', when
the latter is destroyed so is the former.
44
Thus the Commentary [MABh: 234] says
that the abandonment of the wrong view of individuality (Le. of 'I' and 'mine') is
accomplished by realising the selflessness of the self.
The concept of "mine", which is raised subsequent to attachment to the self,
means specifically the psycho-physical organism (skandha) of mental and
corporeal elements that are normally taken to comprise the person. Here it is
denoted by the technical equivalent of the individual (satkaya) lit. corruptible
group. The psycho-physical organism is composed of the physical body (rupa),
feelings (vedana), discriminations (samjna), impulses or drives (samskara), and
consciousness (vijnana). The first psycho-physical constituent, the physical body
or form, in Abhidharma treatises
45
includes all corporeal an non-corporeal
forms, and so the organism which is grasped as "mine" in fact includes all things'
except for the self, though in the context of meditation the physical body figures
most prominently.46
The primacy of the notion of 'self' in the process of karma creation and
existential self-perpetuation means that from the point of view of yogic practice,
the analysis of their own person is the more direct route of practice. The
Commentary [MABh: 234] hence explains that at the beginning of their practice,
yogins analyse only the self (bdag kho na).
5.1 THE SELF OR PERSON NEGATED
The conceptions of a self refuted in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA]
are non-Buddhist viewpoints and Buddhist conceptions other than the
Madhyamikas. The non-Buddhist conceptions mentioned in the Introduction's
' ~ ' f B E PROFOUND VIEW
55
[MAl refutation are specifically those of -the Hindu Samkhya
47
and
Yaisheshika.
48
Their conceptions of the self, though different from each other,
'are both refuted (6.122) on the grounds that, being unborn they are on a similar
ontic status to the children of barren women, i.e. are utterly non-existent. This
,contravenes a conventional criterion of existence.
. For Chandrakirti the archetypal non-Buddhist conception appears to be the
5amkhya's notion of purusha (tib. skyes bu) which is distinguished by five
'characteristics (6.121ab); namely, that it is an experiencer, or literally, consumer
(zha po), a permanent thing, not a creator and devoid of both qualities (yon tan)
and action.
49
From the above qualities, being a consumer means that purusha
can receive experiences of objects, suffering, happiness, etc. Being a non-creator
means that purusha is inactive. All of these defining characteristics of purusha
are absent in the Samkhya's notion of phenomena (prakrti), for purusha is
. completely separate from prakrti. As such the conception of a person here is one
of a self that is completely different and ind,ependent from both mental and
corporeal factors. This conception of the self as a quite separate and
independent entity from all mental and physical factors is of course not unique
to the Samkhya philosophy. Hence, mutatis mutandis, the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MAl can be seen as refuting to all transcendental conceptions of the
self, such as the Advaitan atman, Platonic soul, and Cartesian ego.
These non-Buddhist viewpoints are regarded by Madhyamikas as coarse or
gross misconceptions. They have their basis in thought-constructs such as one
finds in religious and philosophical systems. Also as devised or acquired
conceptions (abhisamskarika) they are considered to be comparatively easy to
'e:radicate, for their removal requires only the refutation of some formal system of
thought that supports an intellectual or theoretical (parikalpita) egoism.
Buddhist conceptions of the self, as we have said, are also the subject of the
Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl refutations. Whereas (MABh: 286) the non-
Buddhists consider the person to be different from the psycho-physical
organism, the Buddhists (Chandrakirti uses the phrase "the Madhyamikas' own
community (svayuthya)" which is a semantic equivalent to nang pa and sang rgyas
pa) accept that it is the same as the mere psycho-physical organism, and in this
the Buddhist schools are locating a non-transcendental self. This conception of a
self differs in that it is claimed to describe a natural, non-intellectual, or so-called
innate (sahaja) self-conception, rather than the Hindus' philosophical self that is a
logical or rational fabrication. The innate conception is that which is located by
the common-sense and spontaneous way in which people relate to themselves.
50
It is a self-concept that is said to be had by all the creatures of samsara who,
though they do not realise it, are placed in samsara because of the grasping that
is engendered to the 'I' and its possessions, such as the internal organs, the eye,
etc. and external forms. The Madhyamika position is that this non-analytically
established self is established by ignorance when in fact it does not exist in the
sense of being established due to having an entity or essence of its own. In the
56
REASONll\IG INTO REALITy
Commentary [MABh: 20.] it is said that the cause for not the non-self of
this person is that the psycho-physical organism is perceived as though it Were
the self. Though it is the Madhyamikas' view that the referent of the term "self"
is based on the psycho-physical organism, such a conception represents a
conception to be negated. This differs from the Samkhya and Vaisheshika who
are at pains, of course, to substantiate their transcendental conceptions of the
self. Chandrakirti is out to refute both the transcendental and mundane self-
conceptions. His view, even though he says that Hindus conceive
transcendental selves where Buddhists locate mundane ones, must be that
Hindus also function and operate in life with a mundane conception for
otherwise the Hindus would be spiritually more advanced than the Buddhists
vis-a-vis their eradication of errant conceptions, as the transcendental
conceptions are purportedly more superfical and more easily eradicated than
mundane conceptions.
51
Certain specific Buddhist conceptions mentioned in the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MAl are that the self is impermanent, and that in some way it is not
exactly the same entity as the psycho-physical organism and on the other hand
not entirely different from it either. The first view, that the self is not
permanent,52 is regarded by Chandrakirti (6.140) as still capable of providing a
basis for self-grasping or egoism (atma-graha) and so it is an insufficiently refined
and subtle view of the self. 53
The reason here is that the mere apprehension of the self as changing does
not preclude grasping towards such a self, for permanent and impermanent
selves alike could be viewed as having an intrinsic existence (svabhava) and so
provide bases for attachment, karma creation, etc. The realisation of the non-self
or emptiness of the person is a finer and more subtle realisation than that of the
impermanence of the person, and so (6.141) the latter is no substitute for the
former.
The second view (6.146), that the person and the psycho-physical organism
are not exactly the same or different and that the self is not really permanent or
impermanent, is ascribed in the Commentary [MABh: 268] to the Sammitiyas, a
Vaibhashika sub-schoo1.54 Their position here, though it uses the logical syntax
so characteristic of the Madhyamikas' themselves in describing emptiness, is not
saying that the self is empty, but rather that in certain ways the self behaves as
though it was the psycho-physical organism and at other times as though it was
not. It is an expression of a designatory equivocation and ambiguity rather than
syntactical precision.
On the Sammitiyas' view, the self relates to the psycho-physical organism in
much the same way that an employer is dependent on employees yet still retains
autonomy and manages them. Likewise the self, though dependent on the
psycho-physical organism, powers and co-ordinates it. Hence this is like a
sovereign self thesis where the self or agent directs and controls the mental and
corporeal person.
55
.. ;hm PROFOUND VIEW 57
At issue in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl is the subtlety of the
> Buddhist views - in other words, whether they negate all wrong conceptions of
: the person. The Introduction [MAl is especially concerned to negate that a person
has an intrinsic existence and in so doing establish the emptiness of the person.
From the Introduction's [MAl perspective only the Madhyamikas refute the
intrinsic existence of the person, and all others, Buddhist and Hindu
>philos
o
phers alike, either negate the self with insufficient subtlety and precision
i (and hence fail to remove the conception of intrinsic existence) or, in the case of
Hindu philosophies, (wrongly) establish that it has an intrinsic nature.
5.2 SEVEN-SECTIONED ANAL YSIS56
All wrong conceptions of the person - coarse, subtle, Buddhist and non-
'Buddhist - are claimed in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl to be negated
by an analysis that comprises seven sections. In refuting these false view-points
the analysis establishes the emptiness or non-self of the person. Chandrakirti's
source for the analysis dates at least to Nagarjuna for it is an extension of a
"briefer analysis used in the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MKl57 and cited
in the Commentary [MABhl.
58
Nagarjuna's analysis in turn is foreshadowed in
the Pali suttas, and these may be his inspiration for in the Suhrllekha (bShes pai
spring yig) (vs. 49) he quotes a passage from the Collected Discourses [SN] which is
it summary conclusion to his own analysis.
59
The analysis is based on refuting seven relationships that can be posited as
relating the person and the psycho-physical organism. Each section of the
a.nalysis focuses on one relationship. The relationships refuted are summarised
at verse 6.151. This verse instantiates a carriage and its parts as relata, as this is a
substitution Chandrakirti makes for the person and the psycho-physical
organism part way through the analysis.
60
This substitution is said to facilitate
the exposition of theanalyses
61
and the analogy is well known from Pali
literature.
62
It is clearly cited as an example (6.162) and it is understood that
yogins would in practice be analysing themselves. The verse reads:
Likewise, worldly consensus also maintains that [there isl a self
[designated] in dependence on the psycho-physical organism, the
basic constituents (dhatu) and the six sense-bases (ayatana), and that
it also is an acquirer. [There is a presentation in our system that
says:] acquisition is thus, action is thus, and the agent is thus.
For the relata intended then, the seven relationships are these:
1.
2.
3.
The self is not different (gzhan) from the psycho-physical organism.
The self is not the same as the psycho-physical
organism.
The self does not have (ldan) the psycho-physical organism.
58
4.
5.
6.
7.
REASONING INTO REALITY
The self is not in (la) the psycho-physical organism. .
The psycho-physical organism is not in the self.
The seIf is not the collection (' dus or tshog, sangha) of the psycho-physical
constituents.
The self is not the shape (dbyibs, samsthana) of the psycho-physical
constituents. .
The cognate analyses in the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK]
comprise five sections, the first five cited above. The relations of "being the
collection", and "having the same shape" are Chandrakirti's own contribution.
Four (and perhaps five) of these wrongly conceived relationships are
mentioned (though not analytically refuted) in the Middle-length Discourses [MN:
1.300] (and Collected Discourses [SN: III. 114-115] as just noted). There the Buddha
explains that those without any training in the dhamma view each of the psycho-
physical constituents, i.e. the physical body, feelings, perceptions, impulses, and
consciousness, as the self,'the self as having these, these as in the self and self as in
these. These, thus, account for the two relations of containment, of identity, and
possession. A fifth is perhaps included as the "self as the physical body (rupa)"
may be the same as it being the shape (samsthana) of the psycho-physical
organism. It is through these misconceptions, the Buddha says, that one comes
to have a wrong view about the body.
The first two relationships are generic as they specify the most rudimentary
or fundamental ways in which the self and the psycho-physical organism could
be related. The following five are each a species of relationship in that they
isolate specific ways in which the self and the psycho-physical organism may be
related. They are thought to be typical ways in which ordinary people
misconceive a relationship between the self and the psycho-physical organism.
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] refutes each of the seven
relationships in turn. These are introduced and essentially discussed serially
though in an order that differs in three places from that summarised at 6.151.
The order that can best be established from the Verses (karika) is difference,
sameness, collection, the two relations of containment, possession, and shape.
Oftentimes verses discuss more than one relation within the one verse and
Chandrakirti also moves fairly freely between the refutations relevant to each
relationship. Here, though, for the sake of clarification and structure, they are
presented in a more separate and serial order.
The section headings that follow state the relationships as 'what is being
established' by Chandrakirti's analyses. The theses being refuted are thus the
negations of what is established, e.g. in the first case that 'the self is different
from the psycho-physical organism'.
rim PROFOUND VIEW
,5.3
THE SELF IS NOT DIFFERENT FROM THE PSYCHO-PHYSICAL
ORGANISM'
59
Writing in refutation of transcendental conceptions of the self - i.e. those
which posit that the self is a completely different entity from the psycho-physical
organism - the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 6.124] says:
A self that is [intrinsically] different from the
organism (slamdha) cannot exist because the apprehension [of a
self] cannot be established independently of [i.e. without reference
to] the psycho-physical organism. We do not assert [the self] as the
basis of worldly, egocentric cognitions, because [such] views are
totally inappropriate.
The argument here is that if the self were not included within the psycho-
physical organism it would be quite unknown, for the self is always and
necessarily established only on the basis of the psycho-physical organism. (The
psycho-physical organism we recall is composed of all the physical and mental
.constituents of the person.) For example, our knowledge of some one is
necessarily made with reference to their psycho-physical being, i.e. physical
.appearance, affective traits, mental qualities, etc. Without such a reference the
.location of a person could never be made. This is also the case of first person
analyses, for all knowledge about one's self is mediated by a consciousness of
one's self, and consciousness (vijnana) is included within the psycho-physical
organism.
On this point, Murti is wrong when he says that the self which is distinct
from the body and its states (i.e. different from the psycho-physical organism) is
a "separate reality as consciousness", its simplicity as pure awareness its
immortality as not being composite ... "63 and so on, for the point is that outside of
the mind a self cannot be known and hence one cannot with even the slightest
foundation say anything about it. This is to say that Murti's "self as distinct from
the body and its states ... " is rightly included within the psycho-physical
organism and not separate from it.
The point for Chandrakirti is that the self can only be known with reference
to the psycho-physical organism viz. one's body, feelings, discriminations,
drives or impulses, and mind. As a knowledge and so location of the self is
mediated by and made with reference to the set or a subset of elements of the
psycho-physical organism the self cannot be independent of and completely
different from the psycho-physical organism.
64
Were it to be, it could be known
independently of the psycho-physical organism and this is contingently and
necessarily impossible. It is necessarily impossible for as we have said,
knowledge is a function of the psycho-physical person. Hence the Introduction
concludes that, though a self-conception and grasping to it can be
60
REASONING INTO REAUTy
prod'Uced, its basis or support can not be a transcendent self ,for the existence of
such is quite unascertainable.
Chandrakirti exemplifies his analysis with an example intended to establish
the merely intellectual and- speculative (parikalpita) nature of transcendent
conceptions of a self, and to show why they cannot be the basis for an innate self-
conception and self-grasping. He writes (6.125):
Similarly, an unproduced and permanent [self] is not perceived
even by those who, as animals, have become stupified for many
aeons. But [animals] clearly do still have a sense of egoism, and
therefore the self is not different from the psycho-physical
organism.
The argument here is that an attitude of self-grasping or egoism (such as is
necessarily based on a self conception) can be observed in animals. Animals,
though, are unable to conceive of the permanent, independent, etc.
transcendental self of the (Hindu) philosophers and so that innate conception
cannot be based in or supported by the acquired view of a self.
Having refuted that the self can be an entity utterly different from the
psycho-physical organism Chandrakirti turns his attention to the basis of innate
conceptions of the self in which the self is identified with rather than
differentiated from the psycho-physical organism.
5.4 THE SELF IS NOT THE SAME AS THE PSYCHO-PHYSICAL
ORGANISM
Chandrakirti begins (6.126):
[The Vaibhashika Buddhist:] Because the self cannot be established
as something different from the psycho-physical organism, the self
is only the psycho-physical organism, the referential-support
(alambana) for the view [of individuality]. Some [of the Sammitiya
Buddhists] maintain that [all] five divisions of the psycho-physical
organism [namely, the body, feelings, perceptions, drives, and
consciousness, constitute] the basis for our view of the self, while
others maintain that the mind (citta) alone [provides the basis].
As from the foregoing, no proof can be made for a genuine difference
between the self and psycho-physical organism. As such, certain Buddhist
philosophies notably here the Vaibhashikas,65 conclude that the self must be
merely the psycho-physical organism. According to Chandrakirti some
Vaibhashikas considered that all five psycho-physical constituents were the self
whereas others considered it was only the consciousness constituent. The latter
view was held by the A vantakas.
'THE PROFOUND VIEW
61
Several logical consequences issue from this identification of the self with
~ i t h e r all of the psycho-physical constituents or consciousness alone. The logical
basis for these consequences is stated by Leibniz's "principle of the identity of
indiscernibles". It says that "to suppose two things indiscernible is to suppose
the same thing under two names".66 In the case at hand then, one has two
things, self and psycho-physical organism, of which it is said they are the same.
Yet "to say of two things that they are identical is nonsense".67 Hence the wedge
the Madhyamika drives in the position of the Vaibhashikas, (and all other
opponents) exposes in this case a stated unity of two things yet an instinctive and
sometimes doctrinal separation of the two. The Madhyamika points to a
confounding of qualities in which one or other of two entities may be
characterised by a set of qualities, but not both.
The refutation opens (6.127):
If the psycho-physical organism is the self, then because [the
psycho-physical organism is composed of] many [parts, Le. the
body, feelings, and so on] there would also be many selves. [Also]
the self would be substantial, and thus, the view of [individuality]
would take a substantial thing [as its object] and would not be
mistaken [given the Vaibhashika definition of the veridicamess of
substance-based sense perception].
. Three separate consequences are made here. The first is that if the self and
the psycho-physical organism are really the same then the unity of the self will
be lost for the self must necessarily bifurcate into five selves, as this is the
primary number of psycho-physical constituents. In fact the self would multiply
beyond five for there would be as many selves as there are distinct parts of the
body, real aspects to feelings, etc. Moreover, even if the self is asserted to be just
the consciousness constituent, its integrity is lost for there are visual, auditory,
olfactory, etc. consciousnesses.
68
If, in the light of such consequences one were
to maintain the oneness of the self, then the divisions between the psycho-
physical constituents must collapse also. In other words, the unity of the self can
only be maintained at the expense of denying that form, feeling, etc. are
substantially different.
The second point to be made is that if the self and the psycho-physical
organism are the same then just as the psycho-physical organism is (for the
Vaibhashikas) substantially existent, then the self must be also. This, though,
contradicts the Vaibhashikas' own philosophy which holds that the self is not
substantial but exists dependent on a mental label (savikalpa). Finally, if the self
is substantial then the self would be free from error with respect to its cognition,
and moreover it would then be quite unnecessary to give up attachment to the
psycho-physical organism for the purpose of achieving liberation.
Furthering his refutation Chandrakirti (6.128) writes:
62 REASONING INTO REALITY
[Other consequences of the Vaibhashika identity thesis] between
the self and psycho-physical organism are: (1) that when one
passed beyond misery. [into the arhats non-residual nirvana at
death) the self would certainly be annihilated. (2) There would be,
for [the self and the components of the psycho-physical organism]
in the moment preceding nirvana, no decay, production or an
agent, and hence no result. (3) And [karma] accumulated would be
experienced by another [as the self would cease after the last pre-
nirvana moment].69
There are four main points in this verse. The first consequence is directed
towards some Vaibhashika philosophers who held that a continuum of the self
passed into nirvana. (dGe'dun grub (RSM, f. 30a6) glosses this as the nirvana
unaccompanied by psycho-physical organism i.e. the arhats post-mortem
nirvana.)70 To these Vaibhashikas Chandrakirti points out that what they say is
surely inconsistent for if the self and psycho-physical organism are one, then
once the psycho-physical organism is destroyed so is the self. (One could add a
general case, that if the self is the psycho-physical organism then at the time
when a person's body (rupa) is being cremated or buried so is his self, or at least
some part of it.)
The second point is that if the self and the psycho-physical organism are one
then in the pre-nirvana state the self is subject to decay and birth from moment
to moment. In other words, because the Vaibhashikas hold that the psycho-
physical organism decays and is renewed in its entirety from one moment to the
next, the self would likewise disintegrate and be reborn from one moment to the
next. Hence, there is no continuity of the self.
The third point is that a psycho-physical organism which exists only
momentarily cannot provide the continuity of agency that is needed in order to
produce karmic effects through intentional action mediated by the psycho-
physical organism. The final consequence is that momentariness implies an
intrinsic discontinuity, such that "states of being" in one continuum can be no
more related to each other than states in different continua. Thus, it is not
impossible for the karma created by one individual to be experienced by
someone else. A further consequence in this regard of identifying the self and
psycho-physical organism is stated in a later verse (6.137)71. Chandrakirti
writes:
It is incorrect for the acquirer (upadatar) [i.e. the self], and the
acquisition [the psycho-physical organism] (upadana) to be the
same. If it were so, then the doer and the deed would be the same.
If you think there can be a deed without the doer, this is not so.
With no doer there is no deed.
.:rHE PROFOUND VIEW
63
The implications of this view are that action and the results or consequences
(phala) of action would be untraced to an agent for the motivator and intendor of
an action would be no different from the action itself. The notion of causal nexi
would be meaningless for want of a basis for locating causal continua. Hence in
Buddhism the concept of karma, in which agents reap results, would be
unfounded, for agents are indistinguishable from results. As results can no more
be ascribed to one agent than to any other, this would give rise to the seeming
possibility of the karma accrued by one self being experienced by another.
72
The Vaibhashikas retort (6.129a) that they have not forfeited the concept of a
continuum (samtana) to which the Madhyamikas (6.129b-d) refer back to a
refutation (6.61) proffered earlier in the Introduction [MA].73 The Madhyamikas
conclude on a doctrinal note, that the psycho-physical organism cannot be the
self, for the physical constituent at least has a beginning and so contradicts the
Buddhist teachings of beginningless existence, etc. .
The Madhyamikas continue (6.130-131):
[If the mind or psycho-physical organism were the self] then when
your yogins perceive the non-existence of a self, without question
they would [also perceive] the non-existence of things. If they
abandon a permanent self, then at such a time [they would see]
your mind or psycho-physical organism become the self no longer.
Because your yogins perceive selflessness, they would not
understand the reality (taltva) of forms and so forth, and when they
direct [their attention] to forms, they would generate attachment to
them, and thus not understanding their nature.
The Madhyamika is saying that according to the Vaibhashika, when yogins
achieve an insight into the truth there is an absence of self consciousness. As
things (dharma) are identical with the self, in virtue of their inclusion within the
physical form constituent (rupa), when the self disappears at the moment of the
yogins' insight, so must conditioned things. The Vaibhashikas then clarify their
position (MABh: 252) as asserting only that the yogins abandon the view that the
self is permanent. The response of the Madhyamika is that if Vaibhashikas
construe the term "self" to mean a permanent self, then such an apprehension of
the self is unable to support the notion that the psycho-physical organism or
mind is the self. (Presumably, because at times other than the time of insight,
i.e. when the yogin is perceiving the self, the psycho-physical organism and
mind are not permanent). The Madhyamikas then attempt to rectify (6.131) the
Vaibhashikas' apparently arbitrary designation of the term "self" to the physical
organism or mind by observing (6.131) that their conception of non-self in no
way ensures the abandonment of emotional reactions (and hence gaining of
liberation) for the abandonment of attachment and aversion, etc. require the
insight of emptiness. The insight merely of impermanence still conceives that
64 REASONING INTO REAUTY
things have an intrinsic existence and so continues to provide a basis for creating
(contaminated) actions (karma), etc.
In some closing remarks (6.132-3) to the refutation that the self and psycho-
physical organism are the same Chandrakirti interprets a sutric source that the
Vaibhashikas had earlier drawn on as supporting their position of an identity
between the two. On the Madhyamika interpretation a sutric statement that "the
psycho-physical constituents are the self" was taught by the Bhagavan as an
expedient to root out a conception that the self is different from the psycho-
physical organism. Evidence for such an interpretation being that yet another
sutra says that the physical form is not the self. In other words, Chandrakirti is
assigning an interpretative (neya) status to the Vaibhashika's sutric source.
5.5 REFUTATION OF A SUBSTANTIAL SELF
At this point it seems-sensible to move ahead some verses to a set of four
verses (6.146-9) that in a sense form an amalgam if not a conjunction of the two
relations just discussed, viz. difference and identity. These verses provide
insights into the relationship between description and ontology, and the logic of
Madhyamika refutation. They constitute an exposition and refutation of the
Sammitiyas doctrine that the person is substantially existent (dravyasat). Stating
the Sammitiyas theory the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 6.146] says:
Some [specifically the Vatsiputriyas] maintain that the person
(pudgala) cannot be expressed as identical or different [from the
psycho-physical organism], as permanent or impermanent; [yet]
they maintain that the personality is substantially existent (dravya-
sat). [These philosophers] maintain that [the self] is an object that
can be cognised by the six [types of] consciousness (vijnana), and
that it is also the [genetic] basis for egoism.
According to this view the person is not different from the psycho-physical
organism because outside of the psycho-physical organism no grasping or
apprehension of a person can be ascertained. On the other hand, the person
does not have the nature of the psycho-physical organism because it is beyond
birth and destruction. Therefore the Sammitiyas concluded that one cannot say
whether a person is identical with or different from the psycho-physical
organism, and . likewise (MABh: 268) (by parity or reasoning) one cannot say
whether a person is permanent or impermanent. Even so they theorise that a
person is a substantial entity because it can be perceived by the mind and
sensory consciousness, in its functions as a worldly and spiritual agent (MABh:
268-269).
THE PROFOUND VIEW 65
Arguing against the consistency of establishing, as substantial, something
that precludes relational designation the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA:
6.147] says:
[For them, the self] is [supposedly] mind rather than form,
inexpressible, incomprehensible. [For them, the self] is an existent
thing that is inexpressible and not to be comprehended. If the self
were established in any way as a thing, then it would be just as
established as the mind is and would no longer be inexpressible.
The argument here is fortified with the help of an example, the mind.
Chandrakirti reasons that the mind about which one could not say that it was
identical with form, or different from form would be unknowable. Being
unknowable it certainly could not be a substantially existing thing. The
unknowability entailed here is a necessary rather than a merely contingent
unknowability for reasons adduced earlier. Namely - still with Chandrakirti's
example - that if one could not look to forms or anything other than forms in an
effort to find the mind it would be in principle unknowable for "form" and "not
form" are jointly exhaustive and mutually excluding categories of being.
Likewise, all things which cannot be predicated as different or not different from
something else are unknowable. Things exist in dependence upon the
distinctions that are made conceptually and in speech. If the means to
distinguish (bead pa) things are not utilised, or things are genuinely
indistinguishable, they go unlocated and so are unknown. Conversely,
. Chandrakirti concludes, whatever is established as existing is not inexpressible,
the mind being a case in point.
The assumption here on the part of the Madhyamika is that the same self is
peing referred to by the Sammitiyas when they ascribe contradictory properties,
in which case one has a genuine mutual exclusion and so such a self is unknown.
Whether the same self is in fact implicated in the Sammitiyas' contradiction is in
a sense immaterial to the Madhyamika. From their viewpoint, if it is the same
self then the analysis holds. If it is not the same then the self has been
unwittingly bifurcated with the Sammitiyas giving the impression that the same
self is the subject of these two contradictory properties when in fact they are
simply being loose with their thought. Continuing his argument Chandrakirti
(6.148) writes:
So, for you a vase is not established as a thing and so it is
inexpressibly beyond the entity of form and so forth. Hence any
self becomes inexpressible - beyond the psycho-physical organism
- and [yet] you believe that you have established [that the self]
exists.
66 REASONING INTO REALITY
The verse reiterates the meaning of the previous one; , namely that the
existence of a designation (prajnapti) depends on there being a support or base
on which the designation is .applied. On this count non-referring designations
are not designations. The point is that designations cannot be applied to objects
that are purported to be neither identical with nor different from other objects,
for the reason that such things cannot provide a basis or support within or on
which distinctions and hence object discernments can be made. In other words,
(MABh: 269) if objects' relations with other things - for example, a vase to its
form, and a self to its psycho-physical constituents - cannot be specified, those
"objects" are merely "putative objects" for they cannot establish either their
existence or nature (dharma).
At first sight this may seem as though the Madhyamika are implicating
themselves into a position diametrically opposed to their stated view in which
the expressibility of things is indicative of their being empty of an intrinsic
existence. For Madhyamikas, intrinsically existing things could not be related to
names. The implication (from 6.148cd) would be that a self whose relations can
be known is an object "established as existing by itself (rang gyis yod par grub pa)".
The point though is that "inexpressible objects" are "unrelated objects" and
objects unrelated to other things cannot be established as having the nature they
may be purported to have, for the very discernment of their nature depends on
their comparison with other objects. If those comparisons are not made then
objects fail to establish their nature and hence themselves. When comparisons
are made they established things not as possessed of an intrinsic existence but as
nominal bases suitable for nominal designations. Chandrakirti concludes his
refutation of the Sammitiyas errant view (6.149):
For you, one does not maintain that consciousness (vijnana) is
different from one's own self. You maintain it is a different thing
from the physical body, and so forth. [Thus, you do in fact] see
these two aspects (akara) [of identity and difference] to the thing.
Thus [such] a self does not exist because it is not related to the
phenomena of things.
The final argument is made first with the example of consciousness (vijnana).
If consciousness is not different from its own self (Le. is the same as itself) then it
must be a different entity from what is not itself, e.g. form, etc. In that case the
relations of identity and difference do apply, and so consciousness is not
substantially existing. Likewise, the self if it is substantial cannot be other than
its own self, in which case it is different from that which it is not. Hence, it is not
inexpressible vis-a-vis the two aspects of identity and difference and so on the
Sammitiyas' own criterion cannot substantially exist. The final sentence of the
verse just repeats the earlier conclusion, that a self apart from the two aspects is a
no self for want of a location for its properties.
THE PROFOUND VIEW
67
There are two points worth making about these four verses. The first point
is that the Madhyarnikas do not query the analytical ascertainments of the self as
neither one with or different from the psycho-physical organism, for they
establish that conclusion themselves. It is the conclusions that follow from
conjoining the first two sections of the seven-sectioned analysis: viz, that self is
.not different from the psycho-physical organism and that it is not the same
either. The query and concern of the Madhyamikas lies in an errant conclusion
drawn by the Sarnrnitiyas: that a self so described does substantially exist. The
second point is that in drawing his own Madhyamika conclusion Chandrakirti
gives an implicit recognition and utilisation of the "three principles of thought":
viz, those of identity, the excluded middle, and contradiction.
74
5.6 THE SELF IS NOT THE SAME AS THE COLLECTION
The remaining five sections of the seven-sectioned analysis are, as we have
said, aimed at refuting more specific relationships that are commonly conceived
to describe the relationship between the self and psycho-physical organism. The
first of the specific relationships considered is that of "being the collection". The
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl, speaking for the Vaibhashikas, gives this
definition (6.134ab): "[When wel say 'psycho-physical organism' [we mean] the
collection of the psycho-physical constituents, not the [individual] constituents
of the psycho-physical organism." The term "collection" is a translation of
"tshogs". Other equivalents are: set, group, class, composite, assemblage. The
term in this context signifies the collection of parts rather than the parts
themselves.
75
It is not concerned with the arrangements of parts within some
collection, just with the collection itself. The concept of a set is, in fact,
particularly apposite here for the membership of sets is unordered. That is to
say the arrangement or placement of elements within a set does not affect the
identity criteria for sets. Hence different orderings of the same membership
constitute the same set. Hence, here the collection which corresponds to the
notion of a set rather than its membership (Le. the elements which make it up), is
distinguished from the concepts of 'shape' or arrangement (Le. order of the
parts) which is analysed later.
The Vaibhashikas' definition, then, is that the collection is the psycho-
physical organism as a unit rather than each component individually. The
Madhyamikas' response is (6.134cd) that the collection is not the lord, discipliner
or witness and as it is not these, the collection of them is also not the self. The
argument given in the Commentary [MABh: 256-257] is that Buddha said that the
self is the lord, discipliner, etc. of the self, yet this cannot be said of the collection
of psycho-physical constituents.
In other words, with respect to the self one can understand and make sense
of the notions that it protects its interests, achieves its goals, witnesses its actions,
68 REASONING JNTO REALITY
etc. Such sense cannot be made for the parts or constituents of the self.
Therefore, as they are not bearers of the selfs qualities they cannot be the self.
The Madhyamikas continue (6.135):
When a carriage becomes the collection of its parts, the carriage
would be equivalent to the self. The sutras say [the self is
designated] in dependence on the psycho-physical organism.
Therefore, the mere assembly of the psycho-physical constituents is
not the self.
This verse introduces the substitution of a carriage and its collected parts for
the self and psycho-physical organism respectively. A definition is introduced
that the carriage becomes a carriage when the parts of the carriage collect in
place. This does not imply a collection in spatial terms, for the Commentary
[MABh: 258] indicates that the designation (prajnaptl) "carriage" can only be
made when the parts of the carriage are considered as a collection. Prior to that
one does not have a "carriage" for the individual parts are uncollected and so
cannot be parts of the one carriage. That is to say, the separate or diversified
parts, e.g. wheels, etc. are not carriage parts but rather just wheels, etc. Hence
the only suitable base on which to designate "carriage" is the collection of
carriage parts. Likewise, the only suitable base for receiving the designation
"self" is the collection of the psycho-physical constituents, for prior to their being
collected one has form, feelings, etc. but not parts or constituents suitable for the
singular designation "self". That is to say, as individual parts one could not
unify them as all parts of the one self, for all being parts of one thing implies one
haver of the parts. But, the Madhyamikas object (MABh: 258-259), if the
designation is the collection, e.g. the carriage the collection of carriage parts and
the self the psycho-physical constituents, then the collections can have no parts,
e.g. the carriage no wheels, ,etc. and the self no form, feelings, etc. for the carriage
and self are unit concepts. That is to say, the composites like the designations
would be singular notions and so not partake of divisions. A consequence of
this view is that each and every part of the collection would be the collection.
This occurs because one places all emphasis on tke unifying role of the concept
of a "collection" to the point where one is just talking about one thing. The
wheels of a carriage would each be the carriage and each of the psycho-physical
constituents would be the self.
At this point, the refutation that the self is not the collection of psycho-
physical constituents is recognisably reduced to the consequences inhering in the
earlier view that the self is the psycho-physical organism. Namely, that the
psycho-physical organism and the self are one, then as the self is one so is the
psycho-physical organism and hence it is not a composite of constituents for it
cannot be divided into parts.
Verse 6.136 makes a point with respect to the refutation of the self being the
shape of the physical organism.
76
Verse 6.137, which we have quoted earlier,77
THE PROFOUND VIEW
69
is introduced as a refutation of "the self as the same as a composite of the
psycho-physical constituents". It resolves the analysis into the earlier one of
simple identity between the self and psycho-physical organism, drawing the
conclusions that one has a dissolution of the concepts of agency and action, etc.
Verse 6.152a-c also considers singular designations as the collection.of their
components. The verse reads:
If the carriage was simply the collection [of the parts], one would
have carriage qua carriage, [when the carriage was] in the
disassembled [parts]. And, further, when there is no bearer of
parts, there can be no parts.
This verse takes a different tack from the previous refutation.
78
Where the
earlier refutation (6.136) resolves the notion of "collection" into the "notion" of a
unit concept, so placing it on a par with singular designations, this verse resolves
the term "collection" in the opposite direction. Where, in the earlier verse the
concept of a "collection" was abandoned for want of losing its membership, here
the "collection" is construed as a "collection of parts" on the grounds that without
parts there is no collection. As a collection of parts, a collection partakes of the
nature and properties of parts. That is, the properties of parts are necessary
properties of a collection. As the notion "parts" is necessarily a plural notion (to
talk of one part implies there is at least one other) the collection also will be
plural. If the collection of parts is multiple then the carriage is also multiple.
There will in fact be as many collections as there are parts and so the term
"collection" is abandoned again, this time for want of a possessor or collector of
the parts. Thus, if one reckons that in one collection the wheels constitute four
parts, the axles two parts, and the body one part then one has seven carriages.
In both analyses (at 6.135 and 6.152a-c) the distinctions between agents and
action, etc. are analytically dissolved. In both cases one is left with in vacuo
concepts. In the first case of "designata" and in the second of "designatum".
In summary, the analysis of the relationship of "being the collection of the
psycho-physical constituents" is accomplished through clarification of the
concept of a "collection". The concept is serially resolved in favour of two
possible interpretations, i.e. one in which the characteristic of "being a collector"
is prime, the other in which the concept of "containing parts" is prime. In other
words "collection" is reduced to its qualities as a "designata" and "designaturn".
The qualities inhering in these are mutually excluding, e.g. one and many.
Hence a clarification in terms of either one is at the expense of forfeiting the
qualities of the other. Consequently the three notions of a "designation",
"collection" and "part" are mutually incompatible. More precisely, "collection" is
a mobile term in this analysis, resolved into the mutually contradicting notions
of "singular designation" and "members or parts". Hence when "collection" is
reduced to "designation" it is consistent with "designation" and inconsistent with
"members". When it is reduced to "members" it is consistent with "members"
70 REASONING INTO REALITY
and inconsistent with "designation". Nor can it be a genuinely third term with a
different meaning, for then it would relate to neither "designation" nor
"members".
The conclusion to this section of the analysis is that the self cannot
coherently be the collection of the psycho-physical components.
5.7 THE SELF IS NOT IN THE PSYCHO-PHYSICAL ORGANISM AND
VICE VERSA
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 6.142] says:
The self is not within the psycho-physical organism, nor is the
psycho-physical organism within the self because they could only
be conceived as [one within the other] if they were different. They
are not different and so they should be conceived [as has been
explained].
The relationship in question in these two sections of the analysis is one of
containment, basis or support (rten). The Commentary [MABh: 265] gives a
readily discernible example of curd in a plate. The refutation refutes the
containment of the self in the psycho-physical organism, and the psycho-
physical organism in the self simultaneously. The analysis is straightforwardly
reductive. Chandrakirti (MABh: 265) reasons that the properties of containing
(rten) and being a container (brten pa) are possible only where otherness or
difference prevails between these two. Just as all relata and relationships
collapse in the refutation of the relation of "otherness" so do notions of the self
being based on or contained within the psycho-physical organism and vice versa.
5.8 THE SELF DOES NOT HAVE THE PSYCHO-PHYSICAL ORGANISM
The sixth relationship refuted is that of having or possession, and in a
stronger sense ownership. The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 6.143] says:
It cannot be maintained that the self [intrinsically] possesses the
physical body (rupa) since the self does not exist [as either
identified with or different from the physical component of the.
psycho-physical organism]. As such, the notion of 'possessing'
cannot be applied [to the relationship between the self and the
physical component]. Further, since [the self's] possession of form
is not like possessing [something different like] cattle or something
not different [like one's body], the self doesn't exist as either
identical or different from the physical body.
"THE PROFOUND VIEW
71
In Tibetan the relationship is given by the postpositive former "ldan"79. The
analysis here is reductive. The first point is that the self is a mere designation
and so cannot be said to have possessions, such as form, etc. The second point is
philological. In the Commentary [MABh: 265-266] Chandrakirti notes a dual
usage of the term "having" (ldan). On the one hand it is used in constructions
such as "Devadatta has a form (lhas byin gzugs dan Idan)" which indicate that
Devadatta is a form or body. In other words, Devadatta is identified with his
body. On the other hand it is also used in constructions like "X has a cow (ba Ian
dan Idan)" in which a differentiation between possessor and possession is
implied. This dual usage indicates that the self is ambivalent and ambiguous
vis-a-vis its relation to form and so cannot be said to possess form.
Though Chandrakirti's analysis stops at this grammatical analysis the same
conclusion can be drawn via a consequential analysis by noting that possession
cannot obtain between things that are inherently other. On the other hand, if the
things are the same the notion of possession collapses for there is no possessor
distinguished from a possession. SO
5.9
THE SELF IS NOT THE SHAPE OF THE PSYCHO-PHYSICAL
ORGANISM'
Finally the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] considers a modal definition
of the self; namely that it is its shape (samsthana). The common-sense meaning of
the term, as the spatial displacement assumed by material form, is analysed as a
suitable base for designations. With respect to "parts" the shape is their
.arrangement. In the case of the self and psycho-physical organism, the shape
necessarily means the form (rupa) aggregate as all others are formless.
The first and obvious point that Chandrakirti makes is that if the self were
the shape then all composities of the psycho-physical organism other than form,
i.e. feelings, perceptions, etc. would not be the self. In response to a Vaibhashika
suggestion that the self is nothing but the shape Chandrakirti responds (MA:
6.136cd) straight forwardly that "the collection of mental constituents could not
be [a part of the self] because these have no shape."
The consequential analysis of "shape" is introduced at the completion of
verse 6.152. Chandrakirti writes (6.152d-153):
It is illogical that [the carriage] is simply the shape [or
configuration of the partsl. For you, just as each part has a shape
prior [to their assembly as a carriage], so [their disassembled state]
also contains the carriage. Just as when they are disassembled,
there is also no carriage [likewise when they are assembled, there
would be no carriage].
72 REASONING INTO REALITY
There are two alternative ways in which the carriage may be the shape. It
may be the shape of the parts (yan lag) or the shape of the composite (tshog) of
the parts. This verse considers and refutes the first alternative. The
Madhyamika objection (MABh: 274) is that if the carriage is imputed to the
disassembled parts, these are not the carriage but just a wheel, etc. here and
there, and so the assembled parts are not a carriage either. The basis of the
objection is that when shape is the only criterion for the determination of a
carriage then the arrangement of the parts is immaterial to their being a carriage.
Hence if one agrees that the unassembled parts are not a carriage then
necessarily, the assembled parts are not a carriage for assembly is an immaterial
factor.
Alternatively one may regard the shape of the assembled parts to be a
carriage. That is, when the parts are arranged in the shape of a carriage they
become a carriage. The Madhyamikas object also to this view, stating (6.154)
that:
If when the carriage [is assembled] the axel and so on had a
different shape [from their disassembled state] it would be
apprehended, but it is not. Therefore, the carriage is not the mere
shape [of the carriage parts].
The argument, which is unpacked in the Commentary [MABh: 274] is that if
the carriage is viewed strictly in terms of its shape without regard for the
collection or aggregation of parts, i.e. sub-shapes, then the carriage shape would
be perceivable independently of their being collected or uncollected. In which
case the carriage at the time of its being assembled is visually identical with its
shape at an earlier time when it is unassembled. Hence, if the carriage is its
assembled shape, assembly drops out and the unassembled shape is still the
same shape as the assembled shape. The unassembled parts of the carriage
therefore assume the shape of the carriage. This is not the case, though, so the
carriage is not the shape when collected.
Verse 6.155 makes the point that the collection as a suitable basis for the
identification of the "I" is already refuted and so "shape" must necessarily be
understood here as having nothing to do with the collection of members. But
without a notion of collection the concept of shape is undetermined and cannot
by itself provide a basis for the designation of a carriage or self in the case of the
shape of the physical constituent of the psycho-physical organism.
The assumption in these verses is that "shape" is a different concept from
"collection". Hence matters of assemblage are immaterial when considering
whether things have the same shape. The consequences accrue because
depending on where one begins (with unassembled shapes that are not carriages
or assembled shapes that are), one can argue that redistributions or
rearrangements of the shapes makes no difference to their status as carriages or
non-carriages.
'i'BEPROFOUND VIEW
73
The establishment of a self as identified with shape and collection is also
theoretically subject to a consequential analysis, and like the analysis of "birth
from both" would conjoin two analyses, one refuting the notion of shape as a
basis, the other the collection. If the basis for identification were a mixture of
two, a consequential analysis would resolve it into one or the other, or both, and
refute them separately.
A series of closing verses (6.15S-62) concludes the establishment of the non-
self of the person via the refutations through seven sections. These concluding
verses reiterate a recurring theme in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] that
consequential analysis does not preclude the nominal existence of entities and
processes and that selves, carriages and other worldly conventions should not be
abandoned.
6 CRITIQUE OF BUDDHIST PHENOMENALISM (VIJNANA VADA)
In the context of refuting the position of "birth from other" - one of the four
possibilities within the diamond grains (vajrakana) analysis which we discussed
earlier - the Introduction [MA] enters into disputation with (6.45-77), and an
assessment of (6.7S-97) the Buddhist Vijnanavadas or Phenomenalists.S
1
At this
point we are concerned just with the disputation.
S2
. The placement of the critique in the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA]
analysis of "birth from other" indicates that the Phenomenalist view- point is
based on what has proved to be an errant view and signifies also that the
Madhyamikas' refutation invokes logical consequences issuing from that view.
The refutation though, is aimed at specific tenets within the Phenomenalist
philosophy, and with their denial rather than their inapplicability, in the sense of
failure to refer to reality (tattva). Hence the refutations are implicitly affirming
and so represent the "characterised Madhyamikas" as defined in the first chapter.
That is to say they make a selective and partial application of consequences
(prasanga) and so establish as valid the doctrinal opposites of what they refute.
That is to say, they use affirming (paryudasa) negations.
The critique is illuminating for its clarification of the Madhyamikas'
emptiness as contrasted with the Phenomenalist's conception of the same, and in
clarifying the relations between mind, perception, and phenomena as envisaged
in Chandrakirti's developments of the Madhyarnikas as a system that embodies
a theory of sense-perception. I am reconstructing the arguments here and
metaphysics of the Phenomenalists and Madhyamikas that underpin them, for
their intrinsic interest and also to draw on these later when raising the issue of
the sense and content of so-called interpretative teachings (neyartha).
The basis of the dispute is the Phenomenalist conception of reality. The
central issue in the critique is their thesis that dependent (paratantra) phenomena
(really) exist. The Phenomenalists support that thesis with the doctrines of the
(r:eal) existence of consciousness, the non-externality of sense-objects, the
74 REASONING INTO REALITy
heuristic device of potentials (sakti) as the cause of sense-experience, and a self-
reflexive consciousness (svasamvedana). It is these doctrines that Chandrakirti
criticises.
According to the Phenomenalists all objects of knowledge vneya) have three
natures: an imaginary (parikalpita), dependent (paratantra), and perfected or fully
established (parinispanna) nature.
83
The imaginary nature arises through the
force of mental imputation, the principal one being a mental construction which
bifurcates subjects from objects. People are thought to fabricate a division
between themselves and the world such that the two appear to be really distinct.
In the case of sense-perceptions, a process of extrojection takes place wherein
phenomena appear to exist externally to the consciousness perceiving them.
This extra-mental quality to sense-data is thought to occur habitually and
unconsciously, presumably in much the same way that Berkeley held that the
judgments of externality and distance were acquired perceptions based on a
rapid and unconscious inference.
84
By this, one mistakes what is actually a
mental conception or imaginary construct for a mode of perceptual
representation.
As mere imputations, the Phenomenalists hold that the imaginary or
dualistic nature of experience is quite unreal. Dependent natures form the basis
on which or within which the bifurcation of experience occurs. They are defined
intensionally as those things which arises in dependence on others, i.e. literally
"other-powered (paratantra)". The absence of bifurcation or duality in experience
is the perfected nature of phenomena. According to the Phenomenalists, yogins
achieve liberation by ceasing to impute imaginary qualities, especially that of
duality.8S In so doing they realise that the perceiver and its object of perception
are not different entities or substances (dravya). In this realisation one knows the
perfected nature. Hence, emptiness for the Phenomenalists means empty of
being dual (gnyis stong) rather than an absence of intrinsic existence as it does for
the Madhyamikas. Some semantic equivalents they use for the perfected nature
are ultimate truth, suchness (tathata) and the sphere of truth (dharma-dhatu). As
such the concept of perfected nature, is in the context of metaphysical systems, a
counterpart to the Madhyamikas emptiness.
As a corollary to this conception of reality the Phenomenalist maintain that
objects of perception are esentially mental and so uphold a doctrine of
idealism.
86
Hence the other names by which the school goes, the Cittamatra and
Vijnaptimatra.
87
The adjectival qualifier -matra, tib. tsam (du) denotes exclusion
and so the only- or merely-mind school. There is some recent controversy as to
whether or not Buddhist Phenomenalism or Vijnanavada is a genuine idealism,
phenomenalism or even a representational theory of perception.
88
It is clear,
though, that Chandrakirti interprets the Vijnanavada as "idealism" in that they
hold all causes for the arising of perception to be located within consciousness.
To do otherwise - i.e. permit the externality and extra-mental existence of
perceivables as final or real- would on their tenets, preclude a realisation of their
TBE PROFOUND VIEW
75
own emptiness as so bar yogins from liberation, To handle the explanation for
the interiority of causes the Phenomenalists posit a source consciousness (alaya-
vijnana).89 .
According to the Phenomenalists, dependent arid perfected natures have a
true existence (satya-siddha), the latter because they are known independently of
mental constructions and hence veridically, and the former because they both
arise dependently and form the basis for perfected natures. They is to say,
dependent natures are what may be known either dualistically or non-
dualistically. As the basis of perception their non-existence would preclude the
possibility of the existence of perfected natures. For Madhyamikas, on the other
hand, the (intrinsic) existence of dependent natures precludes the possibility of
liberation as it runs counter to their idea of emptiness (sunyata) in which all
phenomena lack an intrinsic existence (svabhava). The Phenomenalist then, is
concerned to establish the existence of dependent phenomena where the
Madhyamikas wish to refute their true existence.
In refuting Phenomenalism Chandrakirti sees himself as rectifying a realist
tendency on behalf of the Phenomenalists: as breaking down a reified view in
which the characteristic of dependency is mistakenly taken as a sign that things
exist independently of their being imputed.
90
Such a realist reification of
consciousness and final reality would, for Chandrakirti, present barriers to
yogins' progress and so Chandrakirti attempts to move the Phenomenalists to a
higher point of view. The Phenomenalists themselves, on the other hand, feel
that only they specify the middle path for the Madhyarnikas fall to the extreme
of nihilism with their negation of intrinsic existence and Vaibhashikas succumb
to realism by their maintenance of those habits which project the externality of
objects and their substantial separation from consciousness.
The critique, as we have said, is based on refuting the doctrines that
undergird true existence. The procedure in the Introduction [MA] is to serially
refute the non-externality of sense-objects, the explanatory device of seeds or
potentials of experience, and self-reflexive consciousness.
6.1 REFUTING THE NON-EXTERNALITY OF SENSE-OBJECTS
The Introduction [MA] begins its critique with a summary statement (6.45-7)
of the Phenomenalist's world-view according to which the bodhisattva who has
attained insight (prajna) perceives all of reality to be nothing but consciousness
(vijnana) and sees that the subject (graha) and object (grahya) are in substance the
same for the object is non-material. Dependent phenomena are cited as the
cause (hetu) for the perception of imaginaries such as the externality of
appearance yet are defined by three qualities; namely, that they (6.47cd) "arise
without there being an external object, they exist; and have the nature of not
being an object of conceptual elaboration (prapanca)". That is to say, (MABh: 139-
140) they exist independently of mental imputation and are strictly ineffable.
76 REASONING INTO REALITy
The source consciousness is introduced (6.46) as a repository containing the
seeds from which arise consciousness and appearances in much the same way
that the movement of wind (the seeds or potentials) on the ocean (the mind base)
gives rise to waves (consciousness and its appearances).
The Madhyamikas begin their critique (6.48) by asking the Phenomenalists
for supporting evidence. They undercut a Phenomenalist response though by
raising the case of dreams themselves, and then pointing out unwanted
consequences. The Phenomenalists held that dreams evidence the true existence
of consciousness and the merely apparent externality of objects in the so-called
waking state.
Taking the first point, they argue that consciousness truly exists because it
can produce dream images, thoughts, etc. and hold them for subsequent recall in
the waking state. The capacities for production, containment, and continuity
through time would not be possible, they argue, if consciousness did not truly
exist. The Madhyamika object (6.49) that if their criterion of existence is the
phenomenon of recall or memory, then external objects are likewise real for they
also are perceived and subsequently recalled in the waking state. This, though,
runs counter to the Phenomenalist thesis that external phenomena are merely
imaginary.
The Phenomenalists then change tack (6.50) and proffer what is a standard
idealist argument for the non-externality of objects based on phenomenological
similarities between the dream and waking states. They point out especially that
dream objects produce affective responses in just the same way that external
objects do.
The phenomenological similarities between the two states leads them to
conclude that waking objects likewise have no external reality. The
Madhyamikas in response (6.51-3) offer a physiological basis for discriminating
between the two states. Their Buddhist explanation is that during veridical
waking perception all six consciousnesses (i.e. mental and sensory ones) and
their corresponding faculties (indriya) function and make contact (sparsa) with
their respect objects (viseya) whereas in dreams only the mind-consciousness
(manovijnana) operates and the sense-organs and other consciousnesses are
inactive.
Changing tack again the Phenomenalists leave the example of dreams and
introduce (6.54) the situation in which a consciousness receives its visual
impressions through an eye organ stricken by a disease (timira), such as
opthalmia, which causes hair-lines to appear in front of the eyes. They reason
that the perceived reality of the hairs and consciousness of them by the person
afflicted with the disease evidences the real existence of consciousness. If it were
not real, the appearance of hair-lines, and hallucinations generally could not be
presented to consciousness. Hence the example shows the real existence of
consciousness and the fictitious or apparitional nature of sense-objects. In
responding to this example the Madhyamikas point to a consequence of
'nre PROFOUND VIEW
77
consciousness being real in the realist sense of being intrinsically existent.
Chandrakirti writes (6.55):
If a cognition exists without there being objects of cognition vneya),
then an object where hair-lines [were seen] would influence the
. eye. Thus, someone without opthalmia would also cognise h a i r ~
lines there [where the person With opthalmia saw hair-lines]'
However, this is not the case, and thus there is no [intrinsically]
existent [cognition].
The argument here is that if a mind perceiving objects that have no external
referents truly or intrinsically exists then those apparitional objects will also
appear to all other minds. Hence in the case above, hair-lines would appear to a
healthy visual sense faculty just as they do to the diseased one. The reason
stated in the argument is that a consciousness perceiving hair-lines must have
hair-lines present for it to be a real consciousness of hair-lines. If the hair-lines
are not present there is no real "consciousness of hair-lines". But, the
Madhyamikas reason, if the consciousness is real in your sense, the hair-lines are
necessarily and intrinsically related to the consciousness, in which case
j:onditions such as the mere presence or absence of a visual defect is irrelevant
and so the hair-lines would appear to any consciousnesses having the same
focus as the one to which hair-lines appear. In other words, all consciousness
looking in the same direction, or at the same object would perceive the visual
distortion.
91
6.2 THE FAILURE OF MENTAL POTENTIALS TO ACCOUNT FOR
SENSORY EXPERIENCE
In order to give a causal account for sense experience and its vicissitudes
and variations, and to avoid consequences such as the foregoing one pointed out
by the Madhyamikas, the Phenomenalists introduce the explanatory device of
mental potentials (mati-sakti) located in a source consciousness (alaya-vijnana) .
. AS the potentials within a source consciousness ripen serially they give rise to a
continuum of consciousness and the appearance of sense objects to
consciousness. The potentials account fully for the arising of sense-experience
and so there is no need to posit external objects as a cause or necessary
condition. Instanciating a visual consciousness Chandrakirti states the
Phenomenalist thesis (6.62-3) thus:
The production of a visual cognition (caksurdhi) arises entirely from
its own potential and immediately [after the ripening of] that
[potential]. [Ordinary people erroneously] understand the basis of
the [visual] consciousness to be 'the physical organ, the eye'
instead of the potential [in the source consciousness]. Here,
78 REASONING Il'ITO REALITY
ordinary people accept that the mind apprehends external objects
because they do not realise the cognitions that arise through a
sense-faculty - of a blue sense-datum, for example - arise from their
own seeds (bija) [ripening in the source consciousness], and not
through apprehending something external.
The differences between the experience of individuals is explained in terms
of continua of source consciousnesses containing different sets and orderings of
potentials. When potentials ripen they produce differences in experience that
are qualitatively commensurate with the differences between potentials.
The preceding dilemma is thus resolved (6.5Sac) by saying that the
individual who has the sensation of hair-lines in front of his or her eyes has
potentials within his or her source consciousness that fructify as the appearance
of hair-lines whereas the individual without diseased eyes has no such
potentials. (The very concept of diseased and healthy organs is likewise just a
matter of different patterns of consistency within sets of potentials.)
The Madhyamikas are unhappy with this notion of potentials, at least when
proffered as the sole cause of sensory experience. Their refutation notes firstly
(6.56d) that instincts, on the Phenomenalists' account, are in need of some proof
and then proceeds (6.57-61) to refute their real existence. The refutation is based
on rejecting the existence of potentials as causes of past (6.59-61), present (6.S7a)
or future (6.S7b-S8) consciousnesses.
92
The analysis itself follows essentially the
same structure that Chandrakirti employs (MA: 6.18d-19)93 in repudiating "birth
from other" in the past, present or future. The arguments - explicit and implied
- are these:
1. A potential cannot be a cause for a presently existing consciousness
because causes must precede their effects. If the two were simultaneous,
cause and effect would be indistinguishable from each other and hence
the same, in which case potentials would not be potentials for they could
not act as the cause of consciousness. Hence present potentials are non-
existent and consciousness must be self-born.
2. The potential for a future consciousness is non-existent because the
potential as a cause must make contact with its effect, the consciousness.
If there is no contact the two cannot function as cause and effect. The
future consciousness, though, is non-existent and therefore the potential
also. (If the potential were existing then contact with its effect would
require that tne consciousness also existed, in which case it would be a
present rather than a future consciousness). Moreover (6.S7cd), a future
consciousness cannot exist because distinguishables (visesana) (Le. a
future consciousness) exist in dependence on their having characteristics
or distinctions (visesya) and a future consciousness is as yet
uncharacterised. Hence, the positing of potentials for an unchq.racterised
consciousness is on a par with talking about the children of a barren
woman. A final point made by Chandrakirti (6.S8cd) is that the
Phenomenalists have their reasonmg with respect to true or intrinsic
PROFOUND VIEW
79
existence quite inverted. For the Phenomenalists dependent
. phenomena truly exist, whereas the Madhyamikas hold that things
established through dependence on each other (pan tshun don la brten pa)
such as potentials and consciousness are (ultimately) non-existent.
Hence, from the same data, they draw a conclusion that is diametrically
opposite.
Finally, a consciousness cannot arise as the fructifying potential of a
potency already ceased for this view produces the conseguences
mhering in the situation of "birth from other". The Commentary LMABh:
152-153J explains that the continuum of production (from a potential to a
consciousness) within a mind-stream would be discontinuous and so
incapable of acting as causes and effects. In other words, the
contmuums' parts would be displaced from each other and SO fail to be
parts within the one continuum. As different moments (ksana) within
the stream they would be intrinsically different from each other and
therefore unrelated. Because they are unrelated they could not be said to
be members of the one continuum (samtana). Chandrakirti gives the
example (6.61) of two consciousness' qualities, love and aggression,
which if intrinsically individuated from each other, cannot be part of one
continuum. The consequences are that all would seemingly give rise to
all. (A potential within any "one" continuum, for example, would be no
more liKely to ripen in the continuum as in any others).
The conclusion for Chandrakirti is that these three temporal analyses
the Phenomenalists thesis that potentials are the sole cause of sense
consciousnesses.
1;.3 COUNTER-EXAMPLES
, After a restatement of the Phenomenalists theses (6.62-4) about potentials
and the non-externality of sense-objects (quoted in part earlier) Chandrakirti
resumes his refutation by supplying two counter-examples to their view. The
Madhyamikas contend (6.65) that if the Phenomenalists are right, that objects
appear to a mind-consciousness just as in a dream where there is no active sense-
organ, then blind people should see sense-objects when they are awake just as
.they do while asleep and dreaming for in both cases (MABh: 157) nothing more
is required than the ripening of instinctual traces (bag chag). The Phenomenalists
are not in a position to object (6.66ab), saying that blind people are unaware of
sense-objects while awake because the mind consciousness is deactivated in the
waking state, for on their own grounds, potentials not sense-organs are
responsible for sense-perception. As such there is no necessary connection
between sense-organs and a mental consciousness (nor even the need of organs
for mental perceptions of objects) and the activation or deactivation of the sense-
organs (if there is such a process) is quite irrelevant to the functioning of a
consciousness.
80 REASONING INTO REALITY
Consequently, the activity or inactivity of a mind cons.ousness is quite
independent of whether a person is asleep and dreaming or awake. H the mind-
consciousness of a blind person were to become inactive once he or she Was
perceived to wake, and similarly become active once he or she went to sleep, it
would be nothing more than a coincidence. On the Phenomenalists' thesis then,
there is nothing to stop blind people having sensory experiences, qualitatively
comparable to those had while dreaming, when they are awake. Chandrakirti
concludes (6.68) that the Phenomenalists typically fail to respond to the
Madhyamikas' analyses, being content to merely uncritically restate their theses.
In other words, they forsake an analytical mentality.
The second counter-example is intended to refute the true existence of
consciousness and is based on a yogic phenomenon known to the
Phenomenalists (6.69) in which yogins achieve a mental integration (samadhz) or
concentration on a visualised image of skeletons. The purpose of the meditation
(6.70b) is to develop a mind of aversion (asubha) to worldly affairs. For the
Phenomenalists, the efficacy of such a meditation in producing a detached
consciousness is evidence for the true existence of consciousness. The
Madhyamikas' objection is the same as that raised in the earlier examples of
hair-lines appearing to a distorted visual consciousness. H the yogins'
consciousness of skeletons truly exists it is quite independent of causes and
conditions, such as instructions from a guru, the development of concentration,
etc. and so will appear to any mind directed (bID gtad) to where the yogin is
facing. This is fallacious though, and so the mind does not really exist.
This series of verses concludes (6.71ab) with the Madhyamikas
acknowledging what is the idealists' "argument of variability". Where Berkeley
used the example of a coin being perceived from various angles, Chandrakirti
uses a somewhat dramatic mythological image and talks of spirits (preta)
perceiving water as though it were pus where humans see the same as water,
According to the Phenomenalists the fact that a variety of different perceptions
can be had evidences the mental-nature of sense-objects and the fact that the
perceptions can satiate their respective subjects evidences the true existence of
the consciousnesses produced. In reply the Madhyamikas note the likeness of
this example to that of diseased sense-faculties and return the Phenomenalists to
their earlier refutation. A summary point (6.71cd) is that knowables are not truly
existent and therefore the mind which they produce is likewise unreal.
6.4 REFUTATION OF A SELF-REFLEXIVE CONSCIOUSNESS
(SVASAMVEDANA) 94
In concluding his critique Chandrakirti (6.72) questions the very knowability
and hence existence (sat) of dependent things (paratantra-bhava) by arguing that
the subject-object distinction (and hence cogniser-cognised also) is dissolved
IfBE PROFOUND VIEW
81
the Phenomenalists empty (stong pa) the two of being separate (and
of different substances).
To obviate such a difficulty in their tenets the Phenomenalists propose
f6?3ab) that consciousness can experience (anubhava) itself and cite the
(phenomenon of memory (smrti) as evidence. They say that all. sense-
are accompanied by a function or capacity of consciousness that
perceives not the sense-object but the sensory consciousness itself. In its own
:;:ight it is neither a mind (citta) nor mental event (caitta). It is not an additional
'tonsciousness to the eight reckoned on by the Phenomenalists but a cognitive
more particularly a mode of perception (pratyaksa).95 Nor is it just a
(kalpana) recognition or perception. 'Without such an apperceptive
the Phenomenalists reason (MABh: 167) that memory or recall would be
for consciousness must be non-referentially aware of itself - in other
:Words, aware of itself independently of referents - in .order to have memories
;When the referents are past and finished. If it were aware of itself only
ieferentially then the sense-consciousnesses generated could not be recalled in
;the absence of their referents (Le. sense-data or objects).
,I,.!", If it is right that the Madhyamikas' foremost concern is the rectification of
and nihilist viewpoints then the issue here is not so much a bifurcation of
Econsciousness or its functions but the use of such bifurcations to support the true
of consciousness. Hence in this context as elsewhere the Madhyamikas
iinust be seen in its self-assigned role of clarifying what are otherwise opaque
rand/or ambiguous concepts and distinctions. The Madhyamikas, it would
are concerned not so much with the bifurcation of the functions of
ftonsciousness as with the invoking of properties to establish its true existence.
f,'0!here the source consciousness could likewise be viewed as an ontologically
]p.eutral or uncommitted explanatory devise, the objection is specially to its
,supporting the thesis of true existence. In the case here, Phenomenalists assert
1fuit consciousness and its objects are of the same substance (dravya), and there
no external objects. It seems they could utilise, as phenomenalists do, a
such as sense-data, so maintaining perceived objects as distinct from a
perceiver, and thus avoid the Madhyamikas objection (6.72) that they collapse
,fP.e subject-object distinction. The point for Madhyamikas is that the notion of
l'being a common substance" is unclear. They resolve the notion into one of a
genuine identity and note the logical consequences. If it is resolved as a genuine
pifference between consciousness and objects of consciousness then the
fhenomenalists would forsake their thesis of the non-externality of sense-
objects.
t. ,The Madhyarnikas reject the notion of self-reflexive consciousness
and claim that recall is quite explicable on the basis of a non-self-
alone. They argue (6.7Sab) that the experience of
Rbjects (visaya) itself is a sufficient cause for a recollection. They note (6.75d) that
lhis also accords with the common-sense view of recollection.
82 REASONll\JG INTO REALITY
The Madhyamikas' critique is two-pronged. Their first point (6.74) is that a
self-reflexive consciousness cannot be considered a cause or necessary condition
for the arising of memory as both of these, according to the Phenomenalists, are
truly existent and so unable" to be causally related in the one continuum.
Moreover (6.74d) in basing their thesis on real "birth from another" they remove
('zoms) the distinctions between raw experience and memories of it. The second
consequence (6.76) is the contradiction that in an instance of self-reflexive
awareness the subject, object, and perception become one and so fail in fact to be
subject, object, etc. In other words, if consciousness is the object of cognition it is
undistinguished from the cognising consciousness, and so not an object of
cognition. (Conversely, if consciousness does know or perceive it must know an
object as distinct from itself, and so cannot know itself.)96 In the Commentary
[MABh: 172] Chandrakirti gives the analogical examples of a sword blade's
inability to cut itself, and the finger's ability to touch itself. Hence a self-
conscious cognition is unknown and so non-existent. Consequently, the
purported validation of the existence of a dependent (paratantra) consciousness
via a self-reflexive cognition is ungrounded.
The various refutations involved in Chandrakirti's critique of the
Phenomenalists coalesce in the common conclusion (6.77) that their naturally
dependent phenomena do not exist. They thereby (6.78) destroy all worldly
notions and are (6.79cd) imperfect with respect to the two levels of truth,97 and
so do not obtain liberation.
7 SOME META-LOGICAL OBSERVATIONS98
At the conclusion of the analytical and dialogical sections of chapter six
Chandrakirti considers (6.171-177) two meta-analytical queries that are raised by
the Sarvastivada. One problem concerns the consistency of the Madhyamika
arguing from a positionless (phyogs med pa) philosophy and the second concerns
the efficacy of the Madhyamika arguments in the light of their refutation of
causation. The queries are both meta-analytical in the sense that they raise
problems about the status of the Madhyamika analytic and its consistency within
the broader theory of emptiness that the Madhyamikas expound. The queries
and the Madhyamika responses are in the same genre as Nagarjuna's Averting
the Arguments [VV]99 and the sixteenth chapter of Aryadeva's Four Hundred [CS].
Chandrakirti is clearly recalling those texts and he quotes from the Four Hundred
[CS].
Chandrakirti has just refuted (6.169) the Sarvastivada theory of intrinsic
causal relationships in the two cases where there is an interface or connection
between a cause and effect and where there is not. Briefly recalling those
arguments, Chandrakirti claims that (1) if a cause and effect actually meet each
other then at the point of their contact they would be a single potential (nus pa
THE PROFOUND VIEW 83
gcig) and hence would be un differentiable from each other, and (2) if they do not
meet each other then the cause cannot be distinquished from non-causes.
In the light of this refutation of real or intrinsic production the Sarvastivada
realist is quick off the mark in questioning the ability of the Madhyamika
dialectic to establish emptiness via refuting intrinsic existence. What the
Sarvastivada does is to reroute the same problematical consequences that the
Madhyamika has exposed in the tenability of intrinsic causation by pointing out
a: deemed internal consistency in the Madhyamikas' own claim for the efficacy of
their arguments. The purported implications for the Madhyamika analytic are
stated in verses 6.171-172 and the Commentary [MABh: 292-293]. Verses 6.171-2b
say:
In your refutation, you refute the objects being repudiated [Le. the
cause and effect] if they contact, yet if [one says] 'they do not
contact', this is also a fallacy. Doesn't [the fallacy] apply to you as
well? When you say these things, you only demolish your own
position. And then your refutation is unable to refute [our thesis].
You illogically disparage the existence of everything with your
deviant arguments (jati) the consequences (prasanga) of which
[apply] equally to your own words.
In other words, the realist claims that there is a precisely parallel situation in
,the Madhyamika analytic with regard to the Madhyamika assumption that their
refutations are able, through their force of reason, to refute what is to be refuted;
.namely, intrinsically existent entities.
. The question can be posed thus: is the Madhyamika refutation effected by
contacting or not making contact with the object to be refuted (dusya)? The
implications - though they are not spelled out in the Commentary [MABh] - are
that if the Madhyamika refutation refutes by meeting the object to be refuted then
.tllere is a union between these two, in which case the Madhyamika refutation
must be intrinsically existent for the object of refutation, as the intrinsic existence
or intrinsic identifiability of things, clearly is. (The causal analogue that the
Madhyamika had pointed out was [6.169] that at the point at which the cause
~ n d effect meet they are a single potential, and hence undifferentiable from each
?ther.) If this is so the Madhyamika contradicts his thesis that all things (and this
obyiously includes logical refutations) are non-intrinsically existent.
'.. On the other hand, if the refutation does not make contact with the object to
lJe refuted, then clearly no refutation can be claimed. Even if the object of
refutation is refuted the refutation can claim no part in this for causes cannot be
distinquished from non-causes. Thus, whether the refutation meets or does not
lIleet the object of refutation, the realists thesis of the intrinsic existence of
.entities stands immune and safe from the Madhyamika polemics.
'The realist also objects (6.172) that it is inconsistent to proffer refutations
when one has no position of one's own, and he reproaches the Madhyamika for
84 REASONING INTO REALITy
his sophistry and polemics in advancing deviant arguments Jhat are themselves
open to the very consequences they purport to expose in the theses of their
opponents. These are the two major objections.
The Madhyamika responds through verses 6.173-178 (and Commentary
[MABh: 294-301]). Chandrakirti writes (6.173) that the faults involved in the
meeting or separation of the refutation and object of refutation only accrue to
those who have a definite position (nges par phyogs yod). The Madhyarnika does
not have a definite position and so the consequences of the problematic do not
apply to him. The Commentary [MABh: 294-295] furthers the reply by explaining
that the Madhyamikas' own words and own position avoids the consequences
pointed out by the realist because the ability for their refutation to refute the
object of refutation is not contingent upon the refutation and the object of
refutation either meeting or not meeting. And the reason for this is that both the
refutation and the object of refutation are not intrinsically existent.100 The
Commentary [MABh: 296] continues, that although the object of refutation and
the refutation cannot (ultimately) be said to contact each other, still
conventionally the refutation does refute the object of refutation.
The first significant point to note in this explanation is that Chandrakirti is
not saying that the Madhyamika has no position, rather he has qualified the
Madhyamika as having no definite position, and by this he means that its
arguments are not intrinsically existent. Secondly, and in response to the other
major criticism, he claims (1) that the efficacy of the Madhyamika refutations
derives from the nominal and non-intrinsic nature of their refutations, and (2)
that the refutations function at a conventional level. Earlier (6.170 and MABh:
292) Chandrakirti explains that the question of "making contact or not making
contact" is a point of analysis only for those who posit that a product and a
producer have a self-defined identity (rang gi mtshan nyid). For the
Madhyamikas, though, who consider that all entities are like an illusion, in
virtue of their arising through an erroneous conception, the question of a real
contact or separation between cause and effect doesn't arise. The Madhyamika
doesn't buy into the argument for its consequences only apply to those who
uphold the self-identifiability and intrinsic existence of entities.
Chandrakirti (6.174-175 and MABh: 296-297) then proceeds to liken the
Madhyamika refutation to a reflection such as a mirror image which although it
doesn't have even the slightest existence Ccung zoo kyang yod pa rna yin pa) is
functional and servicable for utilitarian concerns such as cleansing one's face.
The Madhyamika refutation is servicable in this same way for refuting the theses
of others even though it doesn't have an intrinsic existence. In other words, one
can establish a valid proof via a reason that lacks an intrinsic existence. And
further, because the consequences of such a merely nominal refutation do not
necessitate a commitment to bifurcated positions (Le. either/or pairs of theses
and contrapositive theses) it is not possible for the realist to reflexively apply the
Madhyamikas' own consequences to the Madhyamikas own refutations. The
PROFOUND VIEW

85
,implication is that through positing merely designatory existence the
:Madhyamika avoids the traps of dualistic theorising in the sense that the
Madhyamika consequences apply only to the polarised positions (such as
'j!Xistence and .and contact and separation) that are necessitated by
;:affirming real or mtrmsIc eXIstence. .
Thus (6.177) the Madhyamikas say they are easily able to induce the
of the emptiness of things, whereas proponents of intrinsic existence
,necessarily find it difficult to appreciate this.
: Near the end of the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 12.3-4], Chandrakirti
.bnefly considers another meta-epistemological qualm. The query is raised (12.2)
that the purported cognition of objects by buddhas - such as is assumed in the
aaim for their knowledge of all perspectives on reality - is invalid as reality is
)lot an object but rather merely a state of serenity (santi). In this case reality
cannot be cognitively known, and concommitantly the mind cannot be the
:subject of knowledge for it fails to entertain objects of knowledge. Hence there is
:no cognitive act and it is contradictory for Madhyamikas to talk of buddhas
knowing anything.
: The Madhyamikas respond (12.4) that though both reality and what cognises
it are (ultimately) unborn; i.e. not intrinsically existent, the mind can
be said to contact aspects and so know reality. Hence talk of a
cognitive act and buddhas as cognisers of all aspects of reality is possible,
aependent on conventions in the world, and (MABh: 358) although knowledge is
:i.mborn still it is not impossible that reality can be taught for the benefit of the
world.
8 THE MIDDLE PATH AND RELATIONAL ORIGINATION
The Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl interpretation of the middle path
(madhyama-pratipat) and relational origination (pratitya-samutpada) does not differ
trom Nagarjuna's understanding. As Nagarjuna'a interpretation is
documented101 only a few summary words are needed here. Chandrakirti
quotes the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way's [MK] well known verse,24.18
102
in which relational origination and the middle path are equated with emptiness.
On this interpretation both the middle path and relational origination are
essentially ontological doctrines. The middle path refers to a perspective which
views reality as neither something nor nothing. Doctrinally it avoids the
positions of nihilism (uccheda) on the one hand and eternalism or realism
(sasvata) on the other.103 The understanding of relational origination relates to,
and in fact specifies the middle path since things do arise or originate and hence
are not non-entities, yet do so in dependence on other things and so are not
permanent. So Chandrakirti (6.114) says: "Because things (bhava) are not
produced without a cause (hetu), from a creator God (isvara), from themselves,
'another or both, they are always produced in dependence [on conditions] .. "
86 REASONING INTO REALITY
The exh'eme conceptions refer (6.114) to four views with respect to birth.
The harmful views which relational origination eradicates are nihilism and
realism or eternalism. The rejection of nihilism is singled out in 6.113.
The interpretation of relat;i:onal origination is synchronic in this context, as it
says that "things" qua "things" exist in dependence on their being related to other
things.1
04
This makes all things other-defined rather than self-defined and so
the doctrine specifies the interidentifiability of phenomena. When so defined
they are nominal rather than substantial in the technical sense of self-existent
and this specifies the middle view (madhyamadrsti). This middle view, in which
phenomena are merely nominal entities, is elaborated in three verses (6.34 and
37-38).
9 THE PROFOUND PATH STRUCTURE
With respect to the path structure that is said to be traversed by yogins in
their analytical meditations on emptiness, the Introduction to the Middle Way
[MA] makes some observations. We will draw these together by way Of
concluding our presentation of the profound content.
The path structure delineated by the Introduction [MA] begins, as we have
said, at a point where yogins have their first unadulterated cognition of
emptiness. This occurs at the so-called path of intuition (darsana-marga) when
(MABh: 16) they have an intuition of reality105 and signifies that yogins have
reached the first rung of the ten bodhisattva levels and entered the saints' (arya)
path. Prior to this arya path (MABh: 229.18-20) they do not see reality. At this
point also they become truly deserving of the name "bodhisattva" in virtue of
this intuition of reality. The Mirror of Complete Clarification [RSM] (f. 4a1) calls
this first level bodhisattva the ultimate bodhisattva because they have gained the
ultimate arising mind Le. the insight into emptiness. Prior to this they are
understood to have completed two earlier paths, the paths of accumulation
(sambhara) and connecting (prayoga) 106 during which they gain the non-
analytical cessations or equipoises which fruit from their meditations on
serenity. Their meditations on emptiness have also begun during the path of
reaching and first fruit at the completion of that path as their first analytical or
investigational cessation.107. This gives them their first real taste of nirvana.
Having become saints at the path of intuition the bodhisattvas go on to
traverse a path of meditation (bhavana) which lasts all the while that they
develop through the ten levels. On this path they remove emotional ,afflictions
(kIesa) and the traces (vasana) of these. At the completion of the path of
meditation they have gained the realisations appropriate to all of the ten
bodhisattva levels and become buddhas. This is a point at which there is no
more knOWledge to be gained and is signified by a fifth path (which in fact is just
a terminus, it having no duration) called the path of completion (asaiksa).108
'J11E PROFOUND VIEW
87
" From their initial insight into emptiness at the first level the saints cultivate
their meditation (bhavana) up to the tenth level. They consolidate their insight
into emptiness which is completed at the end of the seventh level. At this point
'they have fully perfected the profound path and in this respect become the equal
of the disciples and self-evolved arhats. In the Commentary [MABh: .18-19]
chandrakirti likens the first level bodhisattva to a newly born prince who by
virtue of his caste has an authority invested in him that will sublate the authority
',of his ministers, a sublation which is achieved (MABh:19) by the bodhisattva
. situated at the seventh level who surpasses all the actions of the arhats due to the
,greatness of the object he knows. Verse 6.225 likewise says that the (seventh
level) bodhisattvas sublate (pam par byed) by their intellect or (MABh: 342.1)
insight the two types of individual vehicle arhats. At this point, also, their
'cessation is continuous. Hence from the completion of the seventh level,
,bodhisattvas are liberated with the subsequent levels (eight to ten) being known
:as pure levels because of this. These seventh level bodhisattvas are said in fact to
surpass the two types of arhats for not only do they have their insight but have
compassion as well. MA, 1.8 says that even the first level bodhisattva can be
'called greater than the arhats on account of this subsequent attainment of
enlightenment rather than a mere self-liberation.109
.' ' The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] specifies two stages of irreversability
'(anivartana-carya) in the bodhisattvas' path. These stages correspond to the
'preceeding two levels, the first and seventh. These stages of irreversability are
points on the bodhisattvas' path at which the bodhisattvas' attainments become
'guaranteed in the sense that they can never again regress below certain levels on
the path. That is to say, they cannot backslide to earlier stages. The thresholds
to their possible regression are obtained by reaching certain levels of insight, and
through collecting meritorious actions.
The first stage of irreversability occurs at the first level. When that level is
entered (MA: 1.7) life as an ordinary person, i.e. non-saint (arya) has been
exhausted and from that point we are told that "all the paths that go to
unfortunate [states] will cease". The unfortunate states refers to all sub-human
modes of existence, and the understanding is that yogins have freed themselves
from such faults or defects that would lead them to lower realms. In other
words, they have abandoned all karmic propensities and emotional reactions
that cause a return to the lower states of existence. They become so-called
stream-winners (srotaapanna). The second specified level of irreversability (8.2)
occurs when bodhisattvas enter the eighth level, called immovability (acala). On
reaching this level all (8.3) the emotional reactions are exhausted, and as the
name of the level implies, the bodhisattvas can never again be embroiled in
suffering (8.4) for samsara comes to a halt.
. There is to my mind some unclarity in the Introduction to the Middle Way
[MA] as to whether the bodhisttva is thought to achieve liberation at the
completion of the sixth or seventh level. Verses 8.2-4 lead one <unequivocally) to
88 REASONll\JG WTO REALITY
the view that liberation is gained at the completion of the sev,enth level whereas
the gaining of perfect insight (prajna-paramita), if it is meant to imply a full and
continuous cognition of emptiness, would lead to the view that the bodhisattva
at the end of the sixth level (the prajna-bhumi) is liberated, given the definition of
insight into emptiness as constituting liberation. The Commentary [MABh: 74]
says, for example, that the perception of relational origination (pratitya-
samutpada), which is equivalent to the view of reality, is had by bodhisattvas of
the sixth level onwards but not by earlier ones. Though in the Commentary
[MABh: 76] Chandrakirti goes on to concede that there is a point of textual
interpretation of the Mahayana sutras as to whether the bodhisattva who has
reached the perfection of insight has the perception of the reality of relational
origination or not. Chandrakirti sides with the Principal Stanzas on the Middle
Way's [MK] interpretation: that the bodhisattva who gains perfect insight does
(MABh: 76.2) see the essence of things (chos rnams kyi bdag nyid), defined as
(MABh: 76.5) the absence of intrinsic existence.
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] also eludes to a procedure implicit
in the yogins' meditations on emptiness. Chandrakirti writes (6.82):
If [hypothetically, the conventional sense-world] did not exist for,
the common [person], in the same way that it does not exist for
arhats who have abandoned the psycho-physical organism
(skandha) and entered into serenity, then we would not state that it
also exists from a conventional [view-point], in just the same way
[that we would be compelled to deny its existence for the arhat].
And (6.91):
For those who reside in the common-sense view of reality the five
primary constituents of the psycho-physical organism (skandha)
exist through common consensus. But for the yogin who yearns
for the dawning knowledge of reality, these five [psycho-physical
constituents] do not arise.
Though the first verse has as its main point an analogical reason for the
applicability of non-intrinsic existence on both levels of reality, the conventional
and ultimate,110 the relevance of the verse here is in its reference to the
experience of a non-residual emptiness. According to Madhyamikas there are
two modes wherein emptiness can be cognised. That referred to here is an
experience of emptiness in which there is no sense-experience present. Verse
6.91 states this more explicitly. The other mode of cognition is one in which the
presence of sen,se-experience may accompany the cognition of emptiness.
Though it is not mentioned in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl, these two
modes correspond to a distinction made in the context of meditations on
emptiness between space (akasa) and illusion-like (mayopama) meditations on
:[BE PROFOUND VIEW
89
'emptiness. The former occurs in a yogin's meditations during which they
concentrate on emptfuess itself to the point where they become non-cognisant of
'what their emptiness' is an emptiness of (Le., the conventional basis of their
emptiness). This is the medi.tation on while in (mnan gi
skabs su). The latter occurs m the yogms' ante- and post-meditative expenence
during which they are cognisant of appearances and view them in terms of the
SImilitudes of emptiness mentioned before. III The realisation gained here is the
,emptiness obtained after [meditation] (stong pa nyid rjes su thob pa).
" 'Within this post-meditative practice Chandrakirti appears to advise that the
distinction between it and the results accruing from analytical contemplation
should be carefully maintained when he writes (6.35): "If one analyses things in
detail [in terms of being self- or other produced] one cannot locate within them
anything except their essential reality. Therefore, one should not make a
detailed analysis of the worldly social reality (laukika-vyavahara-satya).
The bodhisattvas practice of these two types of meditation on emptiness
should apparantly also be balanced and spread evenly save their falling ,either to
the 'extreme of realism (in the mayopama practice) or nihilism (in the akasa
meditation) for the Commentary [MABh: 344-345] records that even eighth level
can become preoccupied with a cessation (nirodha), (RSM. f.43b)
such that would make them lapse into the nihilistic extreme, and for this reason
the buddhasmake them rise from their meditation.
; NOTES
Hence, for example, the term prati-moksa (tib. 50 sor thar pal as applied to the sets of
monastic vows that monks receive. The term prati-moksa means literally individual
liberation or freedom and indicates that these monastic vows assist in the monks' own
quest for salvation.
For a comparison of Buddhist and western "cognitive theories of the emotions" see P.
Fenner "A Therapeutic Contexualisation of lluddhist Consequential Analysis" in
Religions and Comparative Thought - Essays in Honour of the Late Dr. Ian Kesarcodl-Watson
(Eds. P. Bilirnoria and P. Fenner), Delhi: Sri Satguru Publication, 1988, pp. 319-352.
See BCA, 9.152-156, that not seeing things as empty is the cause of all the pain and evil of
sarnsara. And vs. 9.56, that emptiness is the antiaote for the emotional problems (ldesa).
De nyid, skt. lattva, means literally thatness and hence signifies the being of things. It is
commonly translated as ultimate reality. The Commentary is sometimes more
uneCjuivocally explicit using de kho na nyid and dGe 'dun grub liKewise glosses de nyid as
de kJio na nid whenever reality per se is meant.
:5. This is one of four species of perception that are delineated in Dignaga and
Dharmakirti's epistemology. Three of these are accepted by Madhyarnikas willi a self-
reflexive consciousness bemg rejected.
6. . The translation of this term poses a problem here and throughout. It is traditionally
translated as body, a rendering that is approEriate for the two formed bases that
buddhas are said to produce; namely the marufest body (nirmana-kaya, sprul sku) and
90 REASONING INTO REALITy
utility body (sambhoga- kaya, longs sku). It is inappropriate, though for the two mental
bases (nama-kaya) as these are not formed, that is, they nave no shape or colour. Basis or
mode is relatively non-anthropocentric and at least less implidtive of possessing fonn
(rup'a). For a useful discussion of Chinese equivalents and English meanings see Nagao
Gadjin, "On the theory of the Buddha-Body (Buddha-kaya)", Eastern BuddhISt, (N.S.) 6.1
(May 1973), 31, n.8. See also H.v. Guenther's "The expenence of Being: The Trikaya Idea
in Its Tibetan Interpretation", in Roy C. Amore (ed.), Developments In Budtihist Thought.
Canadian ContributIOns to Buddhist Studies (Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press'
1979), Pl" 38-58. This essay is interesting for the sharp break it makes f r o ~
anthropomorehic eguivalents. According to Guenther kaya represents embodiments of
value that are best described as existential patterns.
7. Cf. BCA, 9.2, that paramartha is not an object of the intellect. Also, PPS, p. 410 and p. 646
that the inexpressible realm exists by way of the ultimate reality. '
8. E.g. MABh, 111 for a set of bi-negations similar to the dedicatory verse of MK, and p. 308
that paramartha is neither a thing nor a non-thing.
9. For example, MK, 5.7, 18.8, 25.3 (wrt. nirvana); RA, 1.36 (wrt. phenomena), 1.57.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Bi-negative disjunctions are also used by Phenomenalists such as Maitreya-Asanga in
texts like the Ornament for the Universal Vehicle Sutras [MSAj. Their use in these texts is
quite different from that of Madhyamikas, for the terms on either side of the disjuctions
are not the same. The context in which they are employed is in an elaboration of the
three natures (trisvabhava); viz. imaginary (parikalpita, kun btags), dependent (paratantra
gzhan dbang), and perfected (parimspanna, yongs grub) phenomena. Thus, when t h ~
Phenomenalists says that X is neither empty nor non-empty the qualification "empty" is
predicated of the dependent and perfected natures while being "not empty" is predicated
of the imaginary nature. For the Phenomenalists "empty" typically means empty of
duality. As one does not have the same nature appearing on either side of the
disjunction these are not genuine bi-negative disjunctions. For a discussion see
D. Seyfort Ruegg, uThe Uses of the Four Positions of the Catuskoti and the Problem of the
Description of Reality in Mahayana Buddhism", JIP, 5 (1977), 25-32.
Bi-negations are also used in Hinduism, for example, in the Bhagavad Gita (13.12b) where
brahman is characterised as "not being nor is it not-being, RC.Zaehner, The Bhagavad-
Gita (London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1969), I' 337. Also, Sanl<ara's ontolOgical specification
of maya - the Hindu equivalent of the Buddhist samvrti - as neither being nor non-being.
The bi-negation is also included in the four cornered (negation) (catuskolt) where it is the
fourth corner. The interpretation and use of this device is varied. As Mervyn Sl?rung
has correctly observed, its importance in the expression of emptiness and its role In the
Madhyamika generally is less crucial than that of the bi-negation in isolation. See M.
Sprung, Lucid Exposition of the Middle Way The Essential Chapters from the Prasannapada of
Chandrakirti (Boulder: Prajna Press, 1979) 1'.7. For a very thorough discussion of the four
corners see D. Seyfort Ruegg, op. cit.
Cf. also the dedicatory verse of the MK which specifies eight negations. Interestingly
some of these (like the final "evenness") are bi-negations and so from that level deny
some of the foregoing ascriptions. MK 18.9 ascribes to reality (tattva) the characteristics
of, "notcaused oy something else", "peaceful", "not elaborated by discursive thought",
"indeterminate", and "undifferentiated". Streng, Emptiness, p. 204.
Cf. PPS, Pl'. 38, 91, 130, 140, 179, et passim.
See Charles Crittenden, "Everyday Reality as Fiction - A Madhyamika Interpretation,
"JIP, 9 (1981), 323-332 for a philosophical treatment of the Madhyamika theory of the
fictional character of phenomenal reality.
THE PROFOUND VIEW
91
14.
1.5.
16.
",17.
18.
19.
20.
24.
:25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
31.
32.
33.
34.
The dharma-nairatmya is affinned, for example, 'in the MN, L 228, p. 281, which says that
all phenomena (dhamma) are without self (anatia).
PPS, pp. 144-148, .
See MN, ill. 111-112, pp. 154-155 and MN, 2 and 3. And Robert Chalmer's (ed.)
Majjhima-nikaya, (London: Pali Text Society, 1977, vol. ill, p. 112. The PPS (p. 144) says
, the internal emptiness refers to the emptiness of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and
mind and the external emptiness to fonns, sounds, smells, tastes, touch objects, and
mind objects.
In the Yogacarabhumi the great emptiness apF'arently refers to the pudgala- and dharma-
nairatmya. See Isshi Yamada, "Premises' ana Implications of Interdependence," in S.
Balasooriya, et al (eds.), Buddhist Studies in Honour of Walpola Rahula (London: Gordon
Fraser, 1980), p. 290, n. 61.
These are referred to later, infra, p
PPS, pp.183-184.
Oral communication from Geshe T. Loden.
E. Conze, Thirtv Years of Buddhist Studies (Oxford: Bruno Cassirer 1967), p. 158 gives a
date of "about A.D. 800".
See E. Obermiller, "A Study of the Twenty Aspects", pp. 172-187. The PPS does not give
this explanation.
As the PPS says (p. 185), emptiness isn't multiple.
Streng, Emptiness, p. 199. Here and elsewhere lines have been run together with
appropriate orthographical changes. For the Tibetan see MABh, 305.
J.W. de Jong, "The Problem of the Absolute .. " op.cit., p.3.
See, for example, John Hick, Arguments for the Existence of God (London: Macmillan,
1970), p. 86.
This is to say that a lack, or absence of intrinsic existence does not imply the affirmation
of something else.
PSS, p. 462.
The dual usage is fully e ~ o s e d in Willian L. Ames, "The Notion of Svabhava in the
Thought of Chandrakirti", J11', 10 (1982), 161-177. For this latter use see MABh, 305-8.
Leibniz, The Monadology and Other Philosophical Writings (tr, with intro. and notes by
Robert Latta) (London:-Oxford University Press, 1925, 2nd ed.), Monadology 31, p 235.
See BCA, 9.117-149 for Shantideva's analysis of dharmanairatmya.
See ME, 131-150 for Hopkins' account of this analysis.
SeeLMS,60.
See PP, 36-37 and 42-43 for the analysis.
92
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
REASONING INTO REAUTY
For Buddhapalita's arguments see ME, 441-443 and 455-498.
See ME, 321-326 for a summary of Samkhya tenets.
St. Thomas Aquinas reasons" likewise when he writes: "Now the same thing cannot at the
same time be Doth actually x and potentially x, though it can be actually x and potentially
y: the actually hot cannot at the same time be potentially hot, though it can be
potentially cold. Consequently a thing in process of change cannot itself cause that same
change; it cannot change itself;" Summa Tlieoloqiae (ed. and tr. with Latin text by Timothy
McDermott) (London: Blackfriars, 1964), vol. 2. Q1, Art. 3, p. 13.
"Birth from self" also involves the contradiction of a thing existing (as a product) prior to
its being born, i.e. prior to its existing, for as Aquinas observes: "In the observable world
causes are found to be ordered in series; we never observe, nor ever could, something
causing itself, for this would mean it preceded itself, and this is not possible." T.
AqUinas. op. cit., p. 15.
For Nyaya-Vaisheshikas this is the theory of a new beginning (arambhavada), that when
the cause (upadana) produces an effect then the latter results in the creation of an utterly
and uniquely new product.
Cf. MK's analysis of "going to", chpt. 2. The MA is technically unclear on the conSistency
of positing the non-exIstence of a product once it is transformed for it accepts the future
eXIstence of destroyed phenomena (zig pal. Presumably at future times oilly destroyed
and not actual phenomena exist and so the analysis as given is sound. The MK in chpt. 2
does not display this ambiguity and so is quite consistent.
Elsewhere (MABh, 293-294;) it is said that the realists l'osition is that a cause and effect do
not need to meet for the cause to produce an effect. The realists cite the examples of a
m a ~ e t ' s influence on a metallic object and the phenomenon of visual perception in
which the eye sees appropriate objects of sight without the eye touching those objects.
See ME, 327-330 for a summary of Charvaka tenets.
On causeless production, cf. BCA, 9.118-119 and 142.
In the above alternatives it is not necessary thaf one producer produce only one l'roduct.
It is possible that more than one producer may produce one product and that one
producer may produce more than one product. In these cases of production of one from
many and many from one the analyses may be applied the required number of times to
exhaust the number of elements in the relations, and contradictions be produced for each
analysis and conjoined.
The same is repeated in the PP (1979: 169) at MK 18.2a.
See, for example, AK, 1.9 that rupa includes external sense-objects (artha).
See ME, pp. 678-681 and pp.888-890 and n.739 for the Tibetan dGe lugs debate on the
pervasiveness of "mine".
Shantideva's also refutes the Samkhya purusha (BCA, 9.61-68) in its characteristic role as
an eternal consciousness that witnesses prakrti.
Cf. BCA, 9.69ff for Shantideva's refutation of the Vaisheshika atrnan on the grounds that
such a self would be non-consciousness and unable to perform its designated role.
The characteristics of purusha and division of phenomena or nature (prakrti, rang bzhin)
are defined at length MABh; 235-239.
hIE PROFOUND VIEW
93
50.
.51.
'52.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
See LSNP, p. 297.
See Tsong kha pa in LSNP (p. 302) that the eradication of the non-Buddhist self does
nothing to reduce the afflictions such as desire.
RSM, f.32b2 adds to this the view of the self as lacking its own power (rang dbang) and
glosses that such selves provide a basis for fabricating innate (lFian skye) graspings to a
. self. The MABh does not ascribe this view to anyone particular Buddhist school,
though from the context it is presumably meant to be the view of all or some
Vaibnashikas.
The PPS, p. 264 calls the doctrine of impermanence, (along with the teaching that all is ill,
not-self, and repulsive) a counterfeit perfection of insight. The non-counterfeit perfection
of insight does not describe forms, etc. as permanent or impermanent.
For a detailed account of the San\mitiya's pudgala thesis see N. Dutt, Buddhist Sects in
India (Calcutta: Firma K.L. Mukhopadhyay, 1970), pp. 194-223.
The AK-vyakhya chapter 9 uses a simile of the relationship between fuel and fire in
describing the pudga1avada view of relationship between tne self and psycho-physical
organism.
See ME, 48-51 and 178-193 for Hopkins' account of this analysis.
See verses 10.14 and 22.1
The MABh, 267 quotes vs. 22.1 following 6.144.
See Leslie Kawamura, Golden Zephyr (tr. of Suhrllekha with a Tibetan comm. by Mi pharn)
(Emeryville: Calif.: Dharma Publishing, 1975), p. 46, n. 58.
The MK instantiates its analyses with fire and wood (chpt. 10) and the Tathagata (chpt.
22). And like the MA, the MK (10.15) indicates that substitutions of the self (atma) and Its
acquiring (upadana - a functional equivalent of the psycho-physical organism) are to be
made for fire and wood. F.J. Streng, Emptiness, 195-196.
J. Hopkins writes (ME, 179) that the analysis is "applied to an example ('chariot') which
is familiar in world, since an example is easier to understand than the actual thesis. It is
not that the emptiness of a chariot is to be realized before realizing the emptiness of a
person, but it is important first to see how the mode of analysis works through an
example which is easier than the actual subject."
See e.g. SN, 1.135 where a human person is said to be like a 'carriage' in that it comes to
be wlien the parts are assembled.
T.R.V. Murti, The Central Philosophy of Buddhism (London: George Allen and Unwin,
1960), p.39.
Cf. RA; 1.33 Moreover, as Nagarjuna points out (MK, 18.1b), if the self is completely
different from the psycho-yhYSlcal organism it would be impossible for the self to have
any of the characteristics 0 the psycho-physical person. A person, for example, could not
be young, old, happy, sad, etc. because an phySical and mental attributes would apply
only to tlle psycho-physical organism and never to the self.
See ME, 337-343 for a summary of Vaibhashika tenets.
H.G. Alexander (ed.), The Leibniz-Clark Correspondence (New York: Manchester Univ.
Press, 1956) (letter 4, para. 4), p. 37. Another statement is: ''There is no such thing as two
94
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
REASONING INTO REALITY
individuals indiscernible from each." (Alexander, p.36), also see pp. 61-63. In The
Monadology the principle is stated thus: "In nature there are never two beings which are
perfectly alike and in which it is not possible to find an internal difference, or at least a
difference founded upon an intrinsic quality (denomination)." In Leibniz The Monadolo
gy
and Other Philosophica1 Writings op. cit., p. 222.
L. Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (London: Routledge & Kegan' Paul, 1961),
p.l05.
The six consciousnesses asserted in the Vaibhashika Abhidharma and with which the
Madhyamika agree are: eye (caksur), ear (srotra), nose (ghrana), tongue Ijihva), body
(kaya), and mind (manas) consciousness (vijnana). They make up the consciousness
constituent (vijnanaskandha). See AK, 1.16-7.
This verse (6.128) is quoted in the PP but again without being explained.
See PP: 247-248 for the orthodox definitions of the residual (sopadhisesa) and non-
residual (nirupadhisesa) nirvanas.
This verse, in fact, is stated as a conse'l.uence of the self being the collection of the
!,sycho-physical constituents. "If the self IS just but the collection (tshogs) of form etc., at
that time the agent and action would become one." At MABh, 259, Chandrakirti gives
the example of a potter and pot becoming indistinguishable.
In the case of karmic continuity between lives, if the self and psycho-physical organism
are one, then the psycho-physical organism alone would come into existence at birth and
cease at death. Though new psycho-physical organisms would arise subsequent to the
destruction of old ones there would be no means for locating ante- and post-mortem
psycho-physical organisms as belonging to the same continuum, for want of having
something related to but different from the psycho-physical organisms themselves, viz, a
self.
The brunt of that refutation is that continua do not exist instrisically (as both the
Vaibhashika and Phenomenalists claim) and that were they to, causal nexi would be
completely reified such that causal relation- ships between and within continua would
be impossible.
A third point that could be mentioned is the fact that these verses make apparent a
seeming inconsistency in the Madhyamika philosophy. The inconsistency rises here
because emptiness and intrinsic existence though opposite, in fact purportedly mutually
excluding notions, are both finally beyond designation. How then can they be different?
The analytical solution, and one to be expected just because these notions are mutually
defining, is that emptiness and intrinSIC existence are finally neither the same nor
different, the difference is nominal and not real. This mutual definition of mutually
excluding terms is the basis for the construal elsewhere in the MABh, of svabhava as a
synonym of sunyata.
The refutation that the self is not the parts of the psycho-physical organism was made in
the context of refuting that the self and psycho-pnysical constituents are identical. The
refutation in that case was that the se1f cannot be the individual parts, i.e. the
constituents, for then there would be many selves.
Here and 6.152 Chandrakirti analyses the relations of "shape" and "collection" cross-
referentially. Particularly he draws on conclusions produced in the analysis of the
collection when analysing shape.
Supra. p
',THE PROFOUND VIEW
95
78.
79.
80.
81. ..
82.
83.
84.
85.
8 ~ .
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
In an effort to separate this analysis from that of the subsequent analysis of "shape", the
following commentary does not always follow Chandrakirti.
Cf. MK's analyses of "having". The corresponding locutions are: "tathagatah skandhavan
(22.1)" and "nagnir indhanavan (10.14)" See K. Tnada, Nagarjuna: A Translation of his
MulamadhyamaKakarika (Tokyo: The Hokuseido Press, 1970), pp. 132 and 84. .
In summarising the conclusions of the last three sections verse 6.144 proliferates these
four misconceived relationships into "twenty [wrong] views of the self". The twenty are
arrived at by applying the four misconceived relationships to each of the five psycho-
physical constituents.
See BCA, 9.15-32 for a later and analogous critique of Buddhist Phenomenalism.
For Hopkins' analysis of the critique see ME, 374-397.
See, for example, Madhyantavibhaga, 1.5, and ME,388-392.
See J.S. Mill, "Berkeley's Life and Writings" in Essays on Philosophy and the Classics, vol. 11
of the Collected WorKs of John Stuart Mill (Toronto and London: University of Toronto
Press and Routledge & KeganPaul, 1978), pp. 451-452, quote, p. 459
The perception of duality is the most pervasive and entrenched imputation. Others are
phenomena like the off-spring of barren women and horns of a rabbIt. All these are non-
existent imaginaries. Phenomena like space, numbers, and notions of generality and
particulars are also imaginaries as they exist through mental imputation but can be
established through valid epistemics (pramana) and are so categorised as existent
imaginaries. .
See LSNP, pp. 273-277 for the Vijnanavadas sources for the mind-onIy thesis.
The term preferred by Tibetan commentators and used throughout the RSM's glosses is
Cittamatra, tib. Sems tsam pa.
The issues have been recently discussed by Alex Wayman, "Yogacara an.d the Buddhist
Logicians", JIABS, 2.1 (1979), 65-78; and Janice Dean Willis, On Knowing Reality: The
Tattvartha Chapter of Asanga's Bodhisattvabhumi (New York: Columbia University Press,
1979); both of whom side with a phenomenalist interyretation of the Vijnanavada theory
of perception. Such interpretations are selective, think, and also present just one
perspective on the Vijnanavada for many Vijnanavada works, especialIy Vasubandhu's
treatises, seem clearly idealistic in tone.
This device is not much used by Vijnanavadas who rely on logic (rig pa), such as
Dharmakirti. What are sometimes called the Vijnanavada-Sautrantika .. They, like others,
limit the number of consciousnesses to six. The MA's rebuttals are directed towards the
Vijnanavadas who follow scripture (agama, lung), and posit eight conscious- nesses: the
usual six, plus the alaya, and klista-manas which is responsible for the imputing of duality
and externality. The logical Vijnanavadas also reject a self reflexive consciousness
(svasamvedana) which is accepted by the Vijnanavadas here to be refuted by Chandrakirti.
See MABh, 139-140 that dependent phenomena cannot be known as objects of the
intellect as they exist independently of mental and verbal (RSM, f.19a4) elaboration.
The fully ramified consequences of this assumption, not mentioned in the MA, would be
that consciousnesses share all or none of their experiences. If they partake of no common
aspects, i.e. are quite unrelated, the position would be solopsistic with respect to each
consciousness; If they share all their experiences the individuations between
96
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101.
102.
103.
REASONING INTO REALITY
consciousnesses would disappear and one would have just one rather than a multitude
of consciousnesses.
For more on the Madhyamika thesis of the externality of sense-phenomena see LSNP,
pp.270-271.
This breakdown into the three times foIlows RSM, f. 30bl-32a5.
Supra, pp. 112-13. Also MK, chpt.2.
See LSNP, pp. 317-321 for Tsong kha pa's comments on this critique.
See Th. Stcherbatsky, Buddhist Logic, vol.1 (New York: Dover Publications (reprint 1962)),
pp. 163-169.
BCA, 9.18-19.
Also MA, 6.92-3
Supra.
Cf. VV for a similar debate between the Madhyamikas and Hindu Naiyayikas. The issue
in question. is the same, viz., the consistency and efficacy of the Madhyamika
propositions and logic, though the arguments are not exactly paraIlel, as the VV does not
focus its critique on the question of an interface between refutation and what is refuted.
The objections in the VV (1-4) are that (vs.1) if the Madhyamikas are consistent then their
propositions have no self-existence, in which case those propositions are powerless to
rerute self-existence. On the 'Other hand (vs.2), if the propositions do bave a self-
existence the Madhyamikas are inconsistent with their assertion that all things are
empty. The Madhyqmikas' reply (vss. 21-99) is that they are consistent as their
prol'ositions do not have a self- nature. Their efficacy is in their being causally
conaitioned .. For a reconstruction an.d appraisal of the arguments in the VV see Mark
Siderits, "The Madhyamaka Critique of Eplstomology 11, "JIP, 9 (1981), 121-160. Cf. also
BCA, 112-113 that there can be no relation between a cognition and its object of
comprehension for one who upholds the intrinsic existence of these.
These arguments for the non-intrinsic existence of inference parallel ones made for
perceptual knowledge. In the perceptual situation, perceptions are possible only if
conSCIOusness, organs, and sense olJjects do not mtrinsicaIly exist. If they did
intrinsically exist they would be unrelated, hence would not meet and there would be no
perceptions. For the parallel analyses see MK, chpt. 1, esp. 1.8; chpt. 3; BCA, 9.93-9, 104-
0, 113-5; and VV whicb denies the reality of all Nyaya sources of knowledge (pramanl).
See, for example, F.J. Streng, "The Significance of Pratityasamutpada for Understanding
the Relationsnip between Samvrti and Paramarthasatya in Nagarjuna", in M. Sprung
(ed), Two TruthS in Buddhism and Vedanta (Dordrecht-HoIland: D. Reidel Pub. Co., 1973),
I'p. 27-39; D. Seyfort Ruegg, op. cit., pp. 10-13; and David J. Kalupahana, Causality: The
Lentral Philosopliy of BuddFusm (Honolulu: The University Press of Hawaii, 1975), pp. 156-
62. .
MABh,228.
Cf. RA, 1.42, 46ff.; 2.11-13.
This sense of the middle-path can also be found in the MN, r. 8, p. 11, with respect to the
self, where the Buddha enumerates (and rejects) six wrong views about the self, of which
two are that 'There is for me a self (the externalist extreme)' and 'There is not for me a
self' (the nihilist extreme). It may be, though, that the same self is not implicated in both
:.THE PROFOUND VIEW
97
104;
i05.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
views (as with the Vijnanavada bi-negations), for example, the continuum of
.consciousness in one and a permanent entity in the other.
The non-Madhyamika interpretation is diachronic in character rather than synchronic,
and is e ~ r e s s e d in the variously numbered (twelve being the most famous) links (anga)
in what IS a sequential process of dependent origination that purports to describe kannic
perpetuation.
For a full account of the Pali interpretations see Mahathera Nyanatiloka, Guide Through
the Abhidhammapitaka (Kandy: Buddhist Pub. Soc., 1971), Appendix, 1'1'.153-173.
A. Wayman, in "Buddhist dependent Origination", History of Religions, 10.3 (Feb., 1971),
185-203 gives tantric interpretations of the doctrine.
See MSA, 15.28-36 for the 'path of intuition' as gaining a non-dualistic perception.
Presumably for Chandrakirti all adversaries (Hindus and Buddhists alike) are on the
path of accumulation, for they would be engaged in yogic exercises such as ethics,
concentration, etc. yet would not be using specia1 insight (vipasyana) techniques in their
meditations. Geshe Trinlay tells me that Madhyamika Buddhists mainly hear about
emptiness on the path of accumulation, and think and meditate on it on the path of
reaching. .
These are different from the AI< (1.6) nirodhas.
The I'ath structures and path structure literatures in Buddhism are many and complex,
and deserve a study in t!i.eir own right. Besides different structures being given for the
paths traversed by arhats, pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas, variations occur between
the various philosophical schools. Both Madhyamika schools, the Svatantrika and
Prasangika, describe different paths for all three yanas. They are agreed though on the
significance of the path of seemg as the yogin's first genuine knowledge of emptiness
and the traversing of ten levels prior to the buddha-level. The Svatantrika path structure
for all three yanas is the subject matter of the Abhisamayalamkara. For studies see E.
Bastian, op. cit., PI' ,and E. Obermiller, "The Doctrine of Prajna-paramita ... ". See H.V.
Guenther, Philosophy and Psychology in the Abhidhanna (Berkeley: Shambhala, 1974), chpt.
5 for description of the Theravada,Vaibhashika, and Vijnanavada paths.
The stage at which bodhisattvas achieve liberation (nirvana) is a significant point of
difference between the Svatantrika and Prasangika path structures. Where Prasangikas
assert that liberation occurs at the completion of the seventh level, Svatantikas hold that
the profound and extensive paths are co-terminal and hence that liberation is achieved at
the completion of the tenth level.
The analogical arQUment is that the yogin who has become an arhat and then abandoned
the psycho-physIcal body has a cognition of emptiness wherein there are no
appearances. This non-existence of appearances is then likened to the status of objects on
t!i.e conventional (samvrti) level. The argument or at least analogy seems weak if not
misplaced for it confounds a distinction upheld elsewhere in t!i.e MA between non-
existence and non-intrinsic existence. Appearances for the arhat in a non-residual
nirvana are utterly non-present, yet appearances for the world are just non-intrinsically
existent. If one was given to interpreting the analogy more strictly one would be right in
assuming that appearances do not arise for the worfd either.
The concept of a non-residual nirvana is interpreted differently by Madhyamika and
other Buddhist schools. Non-madhyamika schools interpret it as referring to the
experience of arhats when they have died and so abandoned the psycho-physical
organism. Madhyamikas do not interpret it as being necessarily a post-mortem
experience, but rather as the experience of emptiness had while meditating. In this case
a residual nirvana is a cognition of emptiness that is had while outside of a meditative
98 REASONING INTO REALITY
context. Madhyamikas further say that the first cognition of emptiness had by yogins is
always a non residual one. .
111. Chandrakirti (MABh: 108) also talks of saints who are and are not cOgnisant of
appearances (snang ha) which the RSM f.16a5-6 takes as a reference to the meditative
versus post-attainment state (ryes thob).
A. Gangadean in his parer "Formal ontology and the dialectical transformation of
consciousness," PEW, 2:9. (Jan. 1979) has some interesting observations that seem to
accord with the dynamic that might be implied by this distinction. He says that the
student of the Madhyamika analysis is taken to the point where the "world beg!ns to
collapse and dissolve and static consciousness begins to be dislodged" ... "WIth the
collapse of predicate structure, the world becomes an unintelligible flux." "Discourse
rationality, and judgment become silenced." (p. 39). This would seem to be what i ~
meant by the space-like attainment of emptiness. Gangadean continues that
subsequently the world is regained by reconstituting the predicative structure. He
writes that: "At this state of instinction the utterances of natural language are seen to be
figurative and metaphoric rather than literal, univocal, statis." (p. 39). This perhaps is
what is meant by the post-attainment state.
CHAPTER THREE
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT
Chapter two reconstructed the theory of emptiness (sunyavada), and some
related arguments and doctrines, as these are exposed in the Introduction [MAl.
It argues that it is true to Chandrakirti to suggest that the analytical content of
the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl is integrally tied to the arising of insight
and to that extent, that analysis represents an essential religious activity of
Madhyamika philosophers.
This chapter investigates the- relationship between analysis (vicara) and the
insight into emptiness. More specifically it presents Chandrakirti's view - which
in this respect is characteristic and typical of Madhyarnika thought generally -
that analysis is meant to be a direct and efficient cause for producing the insight
into emptiness. In the course of supporting this interpretation I will develop a
structural model of Madhyamika analysis by way of proffering a reasoned
explanation for why Madhyarnikas thought it appropriate to use analysis as a
tool for gaining insight.
The chapter will be divided into three main sections. The first set of sections
will attempt to specify an elementary logical structure to the analyses used in the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl and Madhyamika texts generally. The
structure outlined is common to all consequential (prasanga) analyses and
elementary in that all analyses hinge on a common basic structure and can be
converted or resolved into that structure. In turn it will be argued that that same
elementary structure provides a framework for Madhyarnikas believing in the
salvific efficacy of analysis.
The second half of the chapter takes the elementary structure of
consequential analysis and relates this to the Introduction to the Middle Way's
[MAl analyses. The sections attempt to show that the Introduction's [MAl
analyses do conform to certain cognitive and logical structures within which
Chandrakirti can claim - with a degree of internal consistency - that
consequential analysis has the effect of slowing and ultimately putting a halt to
conceptual elaboration. These latter sections also point out some technical
features of the logic of the Introduction's [MAl analyses and make some brief
observations about the relationship between logical and experiential
100 REASONING INTO REALITy
consequences, and briefly address the question of whether the.re is a contingent
or necessary relation between analysis and insight.
1 WESTERN INTERPRETATIONS OF THE PROBLEM
The position of western interpreters of the Madhyamika on the general
question of the relationship between analysis and insight, and the more specific
issue of whether or not consequential analysis structures thought in such a way
that gives rise to insight is unresolved: if a variety of divergent views is
indicative of such.
The problem at issue is essentially one of the strength of the relationship
between analysis and insight, for it is difficult not to infer - given the prominent
and extensive utilisation of analysis in Madhyamika texts and their placement of
this in a genuine religious tradition - that analysis must have some bearing on at
least some aspects of the Madhyamikas' quest for spiritual liberation. Hence, the
opinions being expressed by Madhyamika scholars vary in terms of the
centrality that is accorded to analysis within the soteriological concerns of
Madhyamikas.
As I see the leading contemporary interpreters, K.K. Inada holds to the
weakest interpretation of the relationship. He writes that "the Buddhist truth, if
forthcoming at all, is not the result of logic or dialectics."l J.W. de Jong similarly
views the relationship as fairly weak or rather indirect for he feels that the
negative dialectic can act only as a preparatory exercise for true insight.2 T.R.V.
Murti (along with S. Schayer) is judged by F.J. Streng
3
as similarly holding that
the dialectic is just a preparatory exercise, though I think one can also read a
stronger and effective interpretation of the relationship into MurtiA Streng's own
views are interesting for, on the one hand, he supports a very strong and efficient
relationship, yet on the other he says that insight can arise quite independently
of any analytical activity.5 Though he doesn't explicitly say so, it is clear from
M. Sprung's discernment of the function of Madhyamika logic and its place in
the removal of views, that he holds a strong interpretation of the relationship.
Ashok Gangadean holds the same, writing convincingly of the "radical
transformation [from ordinary to sunya consciousness that] is effected through
analytical meditation."6 And of the "transformational dialectic" which "purports
to move consciousness beyond any and all conceptual structures"'? The current
generation of Madhyamika scholars such as Jeffrey Hopkins and Robert
Thurman understand that logical analysis is an essential technique in the
practice of discernment meditation and that it gives rise to the insight of
emptiness.
This study continues a general chronological trend towards seeing the
relationship between analysis and insight as strong. This trend is due in my
opinion to an increasing appreciation of the structure of Madhyamika analysis.
Hence, if the current interpretations are informed it is significant of coming to
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT
101
understand the causes, conditions, parameters, etc. that determine, bear on, and
are brought into play in the relationship. The earlier and weaker interpretations
of the relationship stem, I believe, from two causes. One, a pan-Indic judgement,
perhaps coming from the situation obtaining in rational yet non-consequential
(prasanga) religio-mystical traditions, such as Advaita Vedanta in which rational
analysis is acknowledged to give out some time before religious intuition, and,
twO, a belief that all conceptual activity is elaborative, or more strictly leads to
further conceptual elaboration.
2 CHANDRAKIRTI'S STATEMENT ON THE RELATIONSHIP
Chandrakirti's own position on the relationship is most clearly stated in a set
of four verses at the conclusion of his analysis of phenomena and prior to taking
up the analysis of the person. The first verse (6.116) says:
When things are [conceived to intrinsically] exist, then
conceptuality (kalpana) is produced. But a thorough analysis shows
how things are [in fact] not [intrinsically] existent. [When it is
realised that] there are no [intrinsically] existent things, the
conceptualisations do not arise, just as for example, there is no fire
without fuel.
rTog (pa) is translating kalpana for the Sanskrit verse is cited in the
Subhasitasamgraha.
9
I am translating kalpana as conceptuality. Other terms that
are used in a similar context re indicating "what is removed" in the Madhyamika
soteriology are vikalpa and prapanca.1
0
The three terms kalpana, vikalpa, and
prapanca are different though and as we will indicate shortly seem to represent a
genesis of ideational proliferation or degrees of elaboration.
This verse is quite unequivocal and clear: that conceptuality arises on the
basis of perceiving things to be real and that when such false perception is
eradicated, conceptuality ceases also. The rationale behind the cognition of the
emptiness of entities and the cessation of conceptualisation is that when the
referents to thought are not presented to consciousness, thought or
conceptualisation itself has no basis, nothing to rest on and work with (Le. is
unfueled) and so ceases also.
11
Shantideva in the Introduction to the Evolved
Lifestyle [BCA: 9.34-35] writes:
When one asserts that nothing exists [and there is] no perception of
the things that are the object of investigation, then how can
existence, being separate from a basis, stay before the intellect?
When neither things nor non-things are placed before the intellect,
then there is no other route, it lacks any support [and achieves] the
supernatural peace.1
2
102 REASONING INTO REALITy
We will return again to this verse of Shantideva for it states a central
assumption for Madhyamika analysis.
The Commentary [MABh: 229-230J to this verse does not add significantly to
the dynamic that is impIied, but says that saintly yogins gain the realisation of
reality due to analysing things with the logic (that all four theses re production
are fallacious). It also instances that (latent) impulses ('du byed, samskara) to the
conceptions such as virtue, non-virtue, things, non-things, and (with respect to)
form and feelings are removed.
The points that the Commentary [MABh] makes are that the disappearance of
conceptuality comes as a direct result of analysis, and such dissipation of
conceptuality is concomitant with the onset of the insight into reality (tattva).
This last point accords also with the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAJ path-
structure where for example, (11.6) the bodhisattvas at the acala-bhumi (Le. eighth
level) - the point at which henceforward they cognise emptiness uninterruptedly
- are free from conceptuality (rnam rtog, vikalpana). Likewise the buddhas' minds
are non-conceptualising (rnam mi rtog) and (12.9) their serene form (zhi sku) is
free from mental elaboration (spros). Very likely the absence of conceptuality
that is talked about here should not be taken at face value as the removal of all
thought and ideation for example, but as the eradication of some cognitive
substratum that is responsible for ontologising types of conceptions.13
The purported efficacy of analysis in the quiescence of conceptuality
becomes clearer still in the next verse (6.117) which says: "Ordinary people are
bound by their concepts, but non-conceptualising yogins [who realise the nature
of things (dharmata)] become liberated. The learned have said that the result of
analysis (vicara) is the reversal of conceptualisation." In this context log pa has
the sense of involution or inversion. The Commentary [MABh: 230] on this cites
Nagarjuna also as explaining that the exclusion itself (bkag pa nyid) of all
conceptions is the fruit of full analysis. The Mirror of Complete Clarification [RSM]
(f. 38bl) glosses the conceptions as those that grasp at the extremes (mthar 'dzin).
Hence, all extreme conceptions become involuted via conceptual analysis.1
4
Shantideva in his Introduction to the Evolved Lifestyle [BCA] likewise claims a
soteriological import for the Madhyamika analysis. In reply to a query that
analysis may get bogged down\in an infinite regress with no natural terminus he
writes (9.111) that: "Once the object of investigation has been investigated, there
is no basis for investigation. Since there is no basis [further analysis] does not
arise, and that is called nirvana."15
Vicara is a technical term in all the schools of Buddhism. In the Collection on
Phenomenology [AK:2.33] it ranks as one of the variable or indeterminant mental
factors and functions in pair with vitarka. The Collection on Phenomenology'S [AK]
definition of vicara is the same as in the Pali where it means a sustained
application of a mind towards an object, possessing a degree of scrutiny that is
lacking in vitakka (skt. vitarka). Where vitarka is best rendered as mental
notification or the initial or cursory attention to an entity, vicara signifies a close
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 103
scrutiny examination, investigation, inspection "Or analysis of some meditative
entity.1
6
In the Madhyamika "vicara" carries this same sense of investigation except
that it specifically means a rational or ratiocinative investigation, a conceptual
analysis (rtog par dpyod) as opposed to say to a perceptual examination of some
entity that may result in an increased attention to its behaviour and detail. The
rational flavour of the Madhyamika usage is captured best by "analysis" rather
than examination or investigation. Nor does the term vicara in the foregoing
verses mean all types and varieties of rational analysis for Chandrakirti links it
to reversing conceptuality. Hence it is a type of analysis that tends not to
proliferate and perpetuate itself, but rather which does the converse and
ameliorates and is meant finally to result in a complete attrition of conceptuality.
Such an attrition of conceptuality is coterminum with the insight of emptiness
and so the analysis meant in this context is rational investigation that aims at
inducing the insight of emptiness by exposing in some existential sense the
insubstantiality or non-intrinsic existence of entities.
This interpretation is more far-reaching than many estimates of the
Madhyamika dialectic for it credits the dialectic with more than an intellectual
establishment of the sunyavada. Rather, analysis induces the very realisations
which are understood to free yogins from the bonds of samsara. The procedure
is one of searching for intrinsically existent entities and failing to find them.
Though Madhyamika texts do not specifically mark this sort of analysis off from
the rational analysis that characterises the philosophical investigations of non-
Madhyamika philosophers we can introduce a term ultimacy analysis
(paramartha-vicara), what Gangadean calls the transformational dialect. Such
analysis would be distinguished from conventional analysis (samvrti-vicara)
(Ganga dean's categorial analysis) such as would characterise (among other sorts
of analyses) the Abhidharma vicara which is concerned to investigate the details
and characteristics of entities, their properties, relationships, etc. The difference
here is that between a genuine ontological inquiry in the case of ultimacy
analysis: where entities are said to be neutrally and presuppositionlessly
investigated with a view to determining their ontic status (whatever that may
be) and with a logical- phenomenological mode of investigation in the case of
conventional analysis: where entities are either (1) non- neutrally examined with
a view to confirming or defending a presupposed ontic status (generally that they
exist or nonexist) or (2) with accurately discerning the appearance of entities,
events, etc.
Though there is probably a graduated continuum between conventional and
ultimacy analysis in the Introduction [MAl and conceivably in the meditative
context also, ultimacy analysis in its pure form involves scrutinising theses for a
logical consistency. The theses that the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl
examines in this way are those which support the intrinsic existence of the
personality and phenomena. The analyses made by Chandrakirti {and
104 REASONING INTO REALITY
Nagarjuna) are conducted in the material mode, and though the logical axioms
around which theses are tested are not stated as formal axioms in Madhyamika
texts, they are stated nonetheless and it is clear that the "laws of thought" i.e. the
laws of identity, contradiction, and excluded middle, are included within their
axioms as basic to ultimacy analyses.
Analysis employs the prasanga, tib. thaI 'gyur, form of argumentation, a
purportedly deductive form of argument that exposes absurd consequences by
drawing out logical contradictions (rigs pai 'gal pa) that are thought to naturally
and necessarily inhere in all theses.
The rationale for exposing logical contradictions is that what is real cannot
be self-contradictory, or conversely, what is self-contradictory cannot be real.
From the viewpoint of Madhyamikas, all theses are self refuting if they are
examined with sufficient thoroughness, and the Madhyamikas act not as a
protagonist with their own position but as a catalyst and prompt for the
analytical exercise, Le. they invoke an analysing mentality in themselves and
others. One is reminded here of Wittgenstein when he writes that the aim of his
investigations is "to teach you to pass from a piece of disguised nonsense to
something that is patent nonsense."17 In the case where theses manipulate non-
self-existent entities, the arguments, though still formally valid would be viewed
as inconsequential for the entities occurring in such theses would be mere
designations (prajnapti-matra) and so unrestricted with respect to their criteria of
identification. That is to say, the entities in such theses would not be self-
marked and so able to freely change their designation.
The remaining two verses (6.118-119) of the set we started with claim
genuineness and an absence of sophistry on behalf of Madhyamika analysts.
Chandrakirti assures his readers that soteriology is the sole consideration in the
deployment of analysis and that when the analysis is applied to the theses of
others with a concern only for their spiritual welfare, that this is a valid and
genuine use of analysis.
In summary, Chandrakirti claims that the Madhyamika analysis is an actual
epistemology in that it comprises a method for comprehending reality. Given
Chandrakirti's assertion that analysis is a causal agent for the salvific insight,
and an apparently necessary cause also, how are we to interpret and understand
those claims in light of the seeming distance between conceptual analysis and a
purportedly non-conceptual insight?18 Ashok Gangadean19 has gone some way
towards a solution by showing the structural foundations that underpin
Madhyarnika analysis, and to him some of the ideas in the first few sections are
indebted. Still, his explanation does not adequately account for the analyses that
Madhyamika's put forward in their texts, and nor does it extend the explanation
into a diachronic framework that attempts to relate 'analytical activity' to the
progressive insights that are said to be gained by saints on a spiritual path.
Hence it is these lacunae to a holistic explanation and one that dovetails into the
Madhyamika literature that we will be trying to cover here.
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 105
3 THE STRUCTURAL FOUNDATIONS OF ANALYSIS
How are we to explain the purported soteriological significance of
conceptual analysis? Can we legitimately read into it more than the mere logical
refutation of philosophical theses? Clearly, if analysis is a technique for
reversing the flow of thought, or at least excluding certain types of thought, its
structural foundations must be involved with the principles (assuming there are
such) governing the very formation of conceptuality (ktllpana) and its elaboration
(prapanca), and hence the maintenance and dissolution of these too.
3.1 ENTITY DISCRIMINATION (SAM]NA) AND PREDICATION
According to Gangadean, Nagarjuna's dialectic is best understood in terms
of the classical (i.e. Aristotelian) model of intensional-categorial predication.
20
Mutatis mutandis the same is true of Chandrakirti's analyses. On the classical
model, predication is the key to thought formation because thought arises in
dependence on entity identification, and entity identification depends on the
ascription of predicate(s) to an entity, such that define it, in the sense of giving it
boundaries that mark it off from other entities. In the absence of predication
there are no entities, at least for thought, and hence no basis for mental
elaboration.
Such a view accords entirely with Buddhist theory: that recognition or
discrimination (samjna, du shes) is predicative in form. According to the
Collection on Phenomenology [AK: 1.14b], samjna is apprehending the features
(nimitta, mtshan ma) and this is echoed exactly by Chandrakirti in the Introduction
to the Middle Way [MA: 6.202]' Under this definition entity recognition depends
on a conceptual (pre-verbal and perhaps frequently unconscious) location and
ascription of features to an entity (vastu) that leads to class inclusion. As Paul
Williams writes: "The samjna "x (is) blue" ... verbalises the membership of this blue
patch in the class of blue. The nimitta is thereby a sign of class membership and
the articulation of a perception is only possible on the basis of class inclusion."21
Thus entities are abstracted from the field of experience in dependence on their
perceived possession of predicates appropriate to entities comprising different
. classes of entities. This structure of recognition is thus propositional and
predicative for it depends on the linking of features (predicates) to entities
(subjects).
There are some complications to this account, intrinsic not just to Buddhist
theory but to the genesis of entity identification. For example, though entity
identification via predication (i.e. the ascription of features to entities) is
necessary in order to conceive of and think about experience it 'is not clear
whether it is necessary for the having of experience as such. The experience of
infants one thinks would tell against it being necessary. According to the
Collection on Phenomenology [AK: 1.44] consciousness (vijnana) apprehends just
106 REASONING INTO REALITY
the bare object (vastumatra) while recognition (samjna) takes t h ~ process further
by apprehending the features. On this count it seems that an entity can become
an object of experience prior to the recognition of its features and hence that raw
perception (vijnana) does not depend on the mental recognition of entities. On
the other hand, Nagarjuna says in the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK:
S.2a], "In no case has anything existed without a defining characteristic."22 And
Chandrakirti (MA: 6.S7cd) that distinguishables (visesana) exist in dependence on
their having distinctions (visesya), i.e. features. These statements would lead to
the view that perception itself, insofar as it is aware of things, is dependent on
recognition. The problems here are reminiscent of those intrinsic to the Kantian
thesis of the categorial nature of experience. The complication for Buddhist
theory is that samjna tends to functionally bridge and lexically float on a
continuum between sense-recognition at one pole (evidenced by the use of
English language equivalents such as sensation, perception and impressions)
and cognitive or conceptual recognition at the other (emphasised by those using
equivalents like ideas, concepts, and constructive thought). The real question is:
can sense-discriminations be had independently of discriminations in thought,
and if not then how and to what extent are sense-discriminations dependent on
conceptual or thought distinctions.
Related to this is a further problem as to the relationship in terms of
dependency between concept formation and entity discrimination both
structurally and in terms of whether they form serially, and in which order, or
synchronically with both being dependent on each other. The textual ground
work for these problems has been done in an exemplary fashion by Paul
Williams and we will return to them at the end of this chapter.
The significant and uncontentious point in our explanation at this stage is
that the conceptual pole of discrimination at least depends on predication, i.e.,
on things being defined through their possession of qualities or characteristics
(nimitta, (sva- )laksana, dharma, akara, visesya, etc.).
When entities are undefined, i.e. unpredicated, they are inconceivable, i.e.
cannot be thought about, and hence are unable to provide a basis for conceptual
discernment and thought construction. Hence, discrimination creates entities
through a categorial abstraction. Once there is a conceptual discernment of
entities, conceptuality (kalpana) is established and from this the full gamut of
elaboration (prapanca) takes off, weaving a dense and complex web of beliefs,
judgements, inferences, etc. some of which may be verbalised.23 Consciousness
ceases to be strictly phenomenological in its activity but engages in ontologising
and evaluative activities that lead to proliferation. As Williams writes:
""Prapanca" ... designates the tendency and activity of the mind, weakly anchored
to a (falsely constructed) perceptual situation, to proliferate conceptualisation
beyond its experiential basis and therefore further and further removed from the
foundation which could lead to a correct perception via imperrnanence."24 In
other words, once entities have been distinguished by the process of predicate
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT
107
ascription, conceptuality complexifies and becomes progressively more removed
from itS perceptual basis.
Still, at root, conceptual proliferation and elaboration depends on and is
subsequent to discriminations (samjna) which can be analysed in terms of
subject-predicate propositions.
25
The soteriological significance of this is that
nirvana is the reversal of elaboration accomplished by a ceasing of
discriminations.
26
3.2 THE PRINCIPLE OF DEFINITION THROUGH LOGICAL
OPPOSITES
Given that concepts and hence thought formation depend on predication,
the next question in tracing the logic evolution and involution of conceptuality
is: On what does predication depend? The insight of the Madhyarnikas, among
others (for example, the Taoists, Saussure, Levi Strauss, P. Winch, G.A. Kelly,
Gangadean) is that predication arises out of an oppositional structure.
27
This
insight, which has its weak and strong formulations, says in its general form that
predicates "arise in and through a formal oppositional relation."28 Or as
Williams writes, "the referent of a vikalpa exists only as the negative of what it is
not and vice versa. "29 This means that all terms are necessarily defined (and hence
gain their meaning) with reference to what they are logically not (Le. their logical
opposite). Likewise the logical opposite is defined only on the basis of the
affirmed term. A logical opposite in this context, and contra Gangadean,30 may
be either a non categorial (I.e. category unrestricted) negation or categorial (I.e.
category restricted) negation. In both cases A and -A are logically and reciprocally
dependent on each other. Each is defined, and so comes into being, in mutual
dependence (parasparapeksa) on the other. Entity- characteristics are thus "other-
defined" and not "self-defined". This is a principle of definition via logical
opposites: that concepts are formed in the context of pairs of logical opposites.
The concept of A is formed if and only if the concept of -A is formed and vice
versa. In its predicative form this is that an entity A is defined and hence
identified by some predicate P, where P is defined in relation to -Po Gangadean
calls the pair P and -P an "absolute term or category".31 This then is the
Madhyamika's pratityasamutpada, namely the insight that all entities depend
ontologically on their logical opposites, I.e. all that comprises the class of what
they are not. Hence the Commentary [MABh: 228] definition of pratityasamutpada
that "this arises from dependence on this ('di la brten nas 'di 'byung ngo)" the two
demonstratives must be referring to logical opposites, for example, (MABh: 227)
permanence and impermanence, things and non-things.
33
Though, in its weak interpretation, there is nothing particularly contentious
in this we can go into it a little more by way of supporting its facticity. (Its
strong interpretation, the rationale for which I will give soon, is more
contentious.) Logical contrariety says that any entity A can only be defined in
108 REASONING INTO REALITY
terms of its logical opposite -A. Let us suppose that this is not: the case. If it is
not, there seem to be two possible ways in which entities may come to be
defined. (1) A might be defined with reference just to itself,33 or (2) A may be
defined with reference to some other entity(s) B, C, etc.
We will take the second option first. This is in essence an apoha or exclusion
theory of definition: that A is known, i.e. identified, in terms of being -B, -C, etc.
The problem here is that entity A can only be so identified by such a procedure if
all things other than A are included, for .if they are not, A may be the very
thing(s) that are not included. Yet, if by definition all things other than A must be
included, we have returned to a principle of definition via logical contrariety.
As to the first option: that A may be self-defined. The presupposition here,
speaking figuratively, is that a boundary of A (i.e., that which delimits it and so
gives it an identity) can be found without reference to anything other than or
outside of A. In other words, that A may be defined recursively.
For Madhyamikas, though, an entity A can only be defined in virtue of
having some boundary (de-jinire). Were an entity to be without boundaries yet
of the one constituency or medium (as would be required by it being genuinely .
one rather than several things) it would, I think, be uncharacterisable, according
to Madhyamikas. For Madhyamikas, a boundary, as is required for something
to be defined, could not be found within an entity, for by definition that would
be internal to its boundary. A boundary or point where an entity A ceases to be
A could only be located where and when A encounters (i.e. comes to possess
properties or predicates intrinsic to) some non-A. Hence its definition requires a
reference to something other than itself.
The idea that one can define A, not actually by encountering (or directly
referring to) some -A, but rather by defining a limit or boundary from some
point internal to A fares no better. An entity capable of being self-defined would
have a svabhava, under the Madhyamika definition of svabhava, and its definition
would be a definition of its svabhava. The point is, though, that for a single entity
its svabhava, which would be its defining property (svalaksana), would be uniform
within or across the entity. If the svabhava, i.e. what made the entity itself, were
not uniform, if it naturally partook of divisions or internal modification,
Madhyamikas reason that one would have two or several entities depending on
the number of divisions.
34
The point of this in relationship to the possibility of
an entity being defmed by itself is that there would be no mark internal to a
svabhava (given its uniform nature) that could provide a reference point from
which one could define a boundary (i.e. a place where A would cease to be A).
All points, facets, aspects, etc. of a single svabhava, or we may prefer, the svabhava
of a single entity, wowd be identical vis-a-vis their defining the svabhava and
hence could not provide a grid.or texture, as it were, on or within which to
discern one aspect of the svabhava as being spatially and/or qualitatively closer
to the boundary of that svabhava. The only information that could provide a
datum, as it were, as to where A would cease to be A would be where it
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 109
encountered something other than itself, where it ceased to have properties or
predicates deemed intrinsic to A. Hence recursive definitions do, always,
include specified limits in order to obtain a category restriction.
3.3 DICHOTOMISATION
The creation of terms or concepts - and hence entity. identification - comes
about, as we have noted, via a bifurcating or vikalpa-type of conceptuality. As
Williams writes, the prefix "vi-" in vikalpa emphasises "the creation of a referent
through the ability of language to partition and create opposition, to divide a
domain into mutually exclusive and contradictory categories."35 That is to say,
entities gain their identity only within an act of dichotomisation in which the
defining characteristics of an entity are located in terms of not being their logical
opposite, i.e. not being logically other than what they are. Though predicates
arise in the context of and in dependence on their logical opposites the two
mutually defining predicates that constitute the pair, P and -P, become
bifurcated in the act of ascribing one predicate to an entity. The two contrary
predicates which naturally arise together, in a relationship of reciprocity, are
pared apart in order to gain a degree of predicative consistency such as is
necessary if there is to be discourse and thought about experience. There is a
progressive distancing of the two contrary predicates that is artificially
maintained at the expense of psychological effort (and pain) and Madhyamikas
would say logical deception also. The reciprocal dependency or relational
origination (pratityasamutpada) of predicates is lost sight of, P and -P come to
function independently of each other, as though they were self defined, and their
referents take on an independent existence of their own, i.e. appear to have a
svabhava. In contemporary terminology P and -P come to be conceived as
externally rather than internally related.
In summary, where predicates first arise in the context of two mutually
defining contraries -
~
P-P
-7
-the dichotomising faculty (vikalpa) bifurcates the two predicates and latches
onto one of them in an effort to gain an entity that is serviceable as a conceptual
referent.
P ~ - P
Entity identification is hence forward dogmatically rather than logically
based.
Such bifurcation and creation of seemingly independently defined referents
is drawn out and reinforced by elaboration (prapanca) in the sense that the
110 REASONING INTO REALITy
dynamic of elaborative thought feeds on an input of concepts which become
embedded in a conceptual framework by the functional role they continue to
play. Hence vikalpa provides the concepts that can be conceptually synthesised
and woven by parikalpa into a self- perpetuating stream of elaboration via the
addition, attrition, modification, deepening, etc. of the relationships between
concepts. Here then is the realloeus for the creation of samsara: dichotomisation
providing the referents for elaboration and in turn elaboration feeding back to
provide the concepts that are necessary for the creation of "absolute categories"
in the first place. This spiral of mutual reinforcement between dichotomisation
and elaboration being broken for Madhyamikas by the tool of logical analysis.
This concludes the explanation of the genesis of conceptuality to the level of
elaboration (prapanca). To summarise the etiology involved. (1) Conceptuality
depends on entity recognition which in turn (2) is dependent on the ascription of
predicates to entities such that define them. Such predicates are (3) created in
dependence on their logical opposities and (4) predicative consistency (such as is
necessary for recognition) is gained by hypostatising two contrary predicates so
that they can be definitionally separated and made autonomous from each other,
thus conceptually isolated, this making each serviceable as predicates for
different things.
The fact that concepts arise through logical contrariety would go unnoticed
for a pre-analytical consciousness and the act of dichotomisation wherein the
predicates which make up a pair of concepts are latched onto and reified would
occur at a subliminal level. Only the fruition state in this process would be
discerned, where concepts had gained an autonomous identity, i.e. at a point
where concepts have been reified and able to enter into the flux of elaboration at
the level of naming and verbalisation. The subliminal or unconscious nature of
concept formation would contribute to the innate (sahaja) quality of delusion as
would the habitual way in which concepts are reified. A whole network of
concepts would seem to be maintained in their hypostatised state, representing a
continuous under-current of fixation that would be relatively uniform in nature
given the quantity of concepts that are entertained by people and the complexity
of the relationships between concepts. Any changes and vicissitudes in thought
would appear as relatively minor and superficial when compared to a dense
background of conceptuality. Hence the claimed trenchancy and deep-
seatedness of ignorance.
Within the above etiological account of conceptuality (kalpana) and mental
elaboration one can explain why Madhyamikas thought it appropriate to utilise
logical analysis in the soteriological task of attenuating conceptuality. Hence this
explanation or a variant of it likely represents a general schema of assumptions
that were tacitly assumed to be true by Madhyamikas.
There are some problems in this account which I will mention and though
they may be telling I do not want to dwell on them. If the problems are telling
it's because a structural description of the Madhyamika analysis is open to both
.\:ANAL YSIS AND INSIGHT
111
analytical critiques (for example, cognitive-psychological and logico-
philosophical critiques) and meta-analytical critiques based on the Madhyamika
analysis itself. The latter are a real problem, I think, for any account of how the
Madhyamika analysis is meant to work can be critiqued in terms of the
.Madhyamika analysis. And if the Madhyamika analysis does work,. it can
expose contradictions in any structural examination of the analysis. The best that
can be looked for in this case is not logical infallibility but a structural account
that has an overall semblance of coherency and explanatory worth.
The first problem is that if concepts are created in reciprocal dependence on
their logical opposites, i.e. are not self-defined, then how can the two terms or
classes that define a pair of logical opposites, Gangadean's "absolute category",
be pared apart and become (seemingly and apparently) self-defined? The
problem is another way of asking the highly trenchant and problematic question
of how a svabhava can arise even as a fiction if in fact there is not a trace of
svabhava to be really had anywhere? To invoke a creation ex nihilo is obviously
non-Madhyamic for at the samvrti level Madhyamikas give credence just to
"birth from other." This problem has an analogue in the Advaita Vedanta with
the origination of maya. A problem related to this is the sense in which concept
formation (and maintenance) is necessarily dependent on an oppositional
structure if and when concepts are maintained as though they were independent.
In other words, how do entities retain their identity after their bifurcation given
that identity is said to be dependent on reciprocity?
A second problem is that of how an absolute or paired term comes to be
created in the first place. That is to say, given that two logical opposites arise in
dependence on each other from what do the two arise? Certainly not from
prapanca (even though we have said vikalpa and prapanca are mutually
dependent) for elaboration requires the very terms that arise in an oppositional
structure. And presumably not from nothing.
The answer to these questions and hence to the foundations of samsara will
be in explaining the structures that maintain and support the seeming self-
definition and independence of entities and allow the formation of even utterly
false designations (prajnapti). Such problems as these are of course tolerable to
some degree by Madhyamikas as unavoidable in any samvrtic account of reality,
and perhaps we must content ourselves also with at least some degree of
tolerance to those problems.
3.4 THE PARADOXICAL STRUCTURE OF PREDICATION
The contention of the Madhyamika philosophers, and assumption on which
the consequential (prasanga) analysis hinges is that predication is logically
paradoxical in virtue of being embedded within a structure of logical opposites.
The notion of identifiability via predication is inconsistent and without any
sanction in logical thought because the reciprocal dependence of terms on their
112 REASONING INTO REALITY
logical opposites means that the two terms that make up, any oppositional
structure must both be present in order for either one to be present. This is a
strong interpretation of the principle of logical opposites in which reciprocal
dependence means 'that one cannot have single terms, in isolation with respect to
their opposites: either both or neither are present. The paradox of predication
then, is that in any instance of predication there must be a simultaneous
ascription of logically contradictory predicates to the one entity. Hence, in the
very act of gaining their identity entities lose it as the presence of any attribute
entails its absence. The affirmation of any predicate logically entails the
affirmation of its negation (and vice versa). Wittgenstein seems to be making this
last point from one angle when he speaks of a feeling "as if the negation of a
proposition had to make it true in a certain sense in order to negate it. "36 And
conversely, an affirmation is simultaneously a negation, meaning that an entity
must be cognised as not what it is in order for it to be known as what it is. Thus
contrary to its aims, entity identification is lost at the expense of predications,
rather than gained. (On this interpretation the insight of pratityasamutpada as the
dependency of terms on their logical opposites serves to negate the intrinsic
identifiability of entities and in this explains the Madhyarnika equivalence that is
drawn between emptiness and pratityasamutpada.
37
)
The obvious query to this, assuming that terms are in fact defined in an
oppositional structure, is that it is not necessary that predicates be coaligned, i.e.
both placed or located on the same entity, it being sufficient that the two terms
comprising any pair of logical opposites be at different cognitive loci. This is the
weak interpretation of the principle. (We should remember that we are talking
here about concepts and not the premediated features of objects, if such can be
talked about, and hence that it is not a question here of assigning mutually
contradicatory features to entities themselves.) The reason for the Madhyarnikas'
stipulation of the copresence of two mutually negating predicates is an
adherence to the letter of the principle of definition via logical opposites: that
the concept -P has to be present whenever and wherever the concept of P is present
for otherwise P could not be sustained and vice versa. If they did not occupy a
cornmon spatio-temporal locus the two opposing terms would be separate from
each other and so unable to define each other. In other words, P can only be
defined where -P is defined (and vice versa). The Madhyarnika philosophers
presumably felt that the copresence of opposites is logically entailed by the
reciprocity of concepts involved in definition.
The aim of analysis is to clarify and expose the formally paradoxical
structure of predication. In the pre-analysis situation conceptual bifurcation
(vikalpa) is operative, Madhyarnikas would probably say rampant. It is a state
where entities are identified through a process of attribute fixation. That is to
say, the features of entities are fixed and assume a seemingly autonomous
existence, and there is no knowledge or recognition of the principle that
predicates imply their opposites. If there is an awareness of predicates and their
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 113
'negations, these are resident at different cognitive loci, at different levels of
awareness and accessibility. This way predicates are isolated from their
opposites and consistency of predication is maintained. Or alternatively it may
be that the paradoxical structure of predication surfaces as an unconscious (or
even conscious) toleration of a certain degree of predicative ambigui.ty that
manifests as an equivocation at different points in time and/or with respect to
different aspects of an entity as to its defining features. Such an ambiguity is
perceived, for example, in Chandrakirti's estimation of the Sammitiya
conception of a sele the Samkhya notion of self-birth, and the Vijnanavada
construal of the relationship between consciousness and its percepts as being
different, by way of being divisible into a subject and objects of cognition, yet
substantially the same.
Analysis is intended to demonstrate a paradox of predication that is opaque
for a non-analytical intellect. If the structure of the subject-predicate relation is
basic to analysis, it seems that any opinion, viewpoint or cognitive perspective
(drstl) can become an object of analysis once such a viewpoint reaches a
,sufficient degree of articulation and formed precision, i.e. once it becomes a
thesis (pratijna). Presumably, also, it is expected that some commitment to a
thesis is required of whoever holds it. Constructed theses are fairly formal from
the outset. Natural viewpoints, by which I mean, innate cognitive and effective
responses, presumably require a fair degree of investigation before they can be
formalised with sufficient precision to make analysis appropriate. Various sorts
of theses are able to be accommodated within the subject-predicate arrangement.
The basic structure would accommodate simple theses - where single or multiple
conjunctively joined predicates are attributed is a subject. It also accommodates
substantive theses involving nominative or substantial identifications or
differentiations between entities and complex theses involving descriptions of the
behavioural characteristics of entities.
In any instance the paradoxical structure of views is said to be clarified and
made transparent by deriving a contrapositive thesis from any thesis that is
being advanced. (The notions of thesis and contrapositive thesis here, are, of
course, entirely relative, and the proposition that negates a predicate with
respect to some subject may be advanced as a thesis, in which case
Madhyarnikas would claim to derive an affirmative or positive rather than a
negative contrapositive thesis.) The presumed paradox is that a thesis can be
only affirmed at the expense of affirming the contrapositive thesis. In terms of
the subject-predicate structure consequential analysis claims, then, to generate
antilogisms, i.e. the simultaneous affirmation of Pa and -Pa.
The basis for deriving contrapositive theses from any thesis, and so
generating logical contradictions, rests on the fact that the copula itself, such as
figures in any stated thesis taking the form of A is P or A is not P, is embedded in
an oppositional structure of is/is not. The two existential or ontological
qualifiers mutually define each other and hence for Madhyamikas also mutually
114 REASONING INTO REALITy
negate each other. Any affirmation such as is captured by the copula "is" (in
either nominative or adjectival constructions) in linking predicates to a SUbject,
derives its affirmative import in opposition to the denial "is not". And likewise a
denial of the form "A is not P" derives its import from the thesis "A is P". Hence
the existential category: "is and is not", is comprised of terms that. must be .
mutually present for either one to be present. And on this basis Madhyamikas
draw out contrapositive theses that they could claim are logically entailed in the
affirmation of any theses.
In Madhyamika texts the logical contradictions typically turn on a paradox
thought to inhere in the function that the copula plays as relating the subject and
predicate(s). The copula serves to identify some predicate substantively (as in the .
self-psycho-physical organism analysis) or attributively (as in the things (bhava)
re their mode of production analysis) with a subject. (Given these substantive
and attributive uses of "is" we may prefer to think of the relationship generically
as one of joining rather than identifying which has a substantive ring to it.) The
negation of the copula, on the other hand, serves to differentiate (or we may
prefer, divide) either substantively or attributively some predicate(s) with
respect to a subject. Hence the copula and its negation function reiationally to
identify and differentiate respectively. But Madhyamikas claim that identity and
differential relationships mutually imply each other, and hence as logical
opposites mutually contradict (pun tshun 'gal ba) each other, and thus that the
whole notion of a relationship is nonsensica1.
38
A relationship of difference
logically implies a relationship of identity or sameness, at least under the
definition of svabhava in which intrinsically or genuinely different things are
necessarily unrelated, in that different things have no characteristics that are in
common, and hence have no provision of a basis for any interrelationships at all,
including that of difference. On this line of reasoning it is only where there is a
similarity in the strongest sense of an identity that there can be a difference.
Otherwise there is no point of commonality, and hence no basis for a comparison
whereby things can be judged to be different. Hence Madhyamikas have argued
that whenever and wherever a relationship of difference is affirmed so a
relationship of identity must be affirmed, as the notion of a difference implies a
point of commonality where relata must be the same. Conversely,
Madhyamikas have also argued that a relationship of identity implies a
differential relation, as relationships exist, by definition, in dependence on relata
that are differentiable, i.e. that are different. Hence wherever there is a
relationship there must be a difference. In the case where relata are the same
they cease to function as relata and so there is no relationship. In summary then,
for Madhyamikas relata are the same where and to the extent that they are
different and vice versa. Any relationship is paradoxical as it simultaneously
affirms an identity and difference between the relata. Hence, in the context of
their analyses the relation within a subject-predicate structure that is governed
AND INSIGHT ' 115
the copula its relationship, and on this it is considered
,that a contraposltive thesIs can always be denved from any theSIS.
,.5 THE DESTRUCTURING OF CONCEPTUALITY
"4::',
'l: The simultaneous affirmation of a thesis and its negation is the logical fruit
"bf the Madhyamika analysis and it is here that the destructuring of conceptuality
will be thought to occur.
',. The process of consequential analysis, where theses and their contrapositives
;mutually entail each other, can be thought of figuratively as a series of logical
teps that serve to cause or induce logical opposites, theses and contrapositives
;(i.e. a predicate(s) and its negation with respect to the same entity) to coalesce at a
tommon spatio-temporal locus. As Ichimura writes: "the predicament created
'by this dialectic is due to the unexpected contradiction which our convention
'Jiriplies, and this feature is suddenly disclosed by the particular context in which
two contrary entities are juxtaposed over the same sphere and moment of
lliumination."39 '
A thesis and its contrapositive, which have previously become reified in
relationship to each other and achieved an artificial autonomy, collapse into each
tither (as the affirmation of either is seen to imply the other) and mutually negate
other (as they are logical opposites).
P
On this interpretation the bifurcating activity (vikalpa) of the intellect would be
'opposed or countered by analysis, in the sense that analysis would act to show
. that the separation of logical opposites is constructed and artificial and that
Jntrinsic- as opposed to inter- identifiability is a reification that is mentally
pnposed on experience.
:. Intrinsic identification would be negated because the only point at which
.'there could be a real or analytically credibie entity identification would be at an
interface between P and -P but at an interface they would also mutually negate
other, (on the Madhyamika assumption that P and -P, in order to define
!!ach other, are logical opposites). The real cutting edge of analysis, then, occurs
:at the cognitive interface between P and -P, at a coincidentia oppositorum where P
-P negate each other .
' The interface where P and -P meet and negate each other is also the point
where the two truths (dravya-satya) meet and divide, for there are two ways of
interpreting the bi-negation that describes the state-of-affairs at the interface
where P and -]=> mutually negate other (i.e. where there is neither P nor -P). If the
bi-negation is viewed as a consistent description then its referent is an emptiness
for it is not describing any thing. It expresses that which is indefinable and hence
,refers to emptiness. From this angle the bi-negation expresses an ultimate truth
116 REASONING INTO REALITY
(paramartha-satya). On the other hand, if it is viewed as referring to something, it
is expressing a conventional truth for things (Le. the bases of emptinesses) which
can be designated are conventions, and yet can be designated in the final
analysis only at the expense of expressing a logically contradiction. Hence, the
bi-negation that expresses the impossibility of a mutual affirmation and negation
of a predicate represents the linguistic junction between the two truths. If it is
taken as a consistent expression it refers to emptiness, if viewed as inconsistent it
refers to that which is empty, and shows that conventional designations are
contradictory.
Madhyamikas, one could guess, would say that though effort and
application is required in order for an analyst to counteract the bifurcating
tendency, in fact bifurcation, being an artificial condition, is maintained only at
the continual investment of effort and that when such effort is relaxed that
conceptuality would tend to naturally fold in on itself and dissipate. This at
least would make some sense of the notion that emptiness is a natural, effortless,
and primordial condition of consciousness and that samsara if not simply the
need to expend effort at least is characterised by an expenditure of effort.
This explanation for the destructuring of conceptuality by the Madhyamika
analysis assumes as we have said that terms arise in dependence on their logical
opposites: the principle of terminological reciprocity. The explanation also
assumes that the structure, formation, and development of conceptuality in the
analytical context conforms to the three aristotelian principles of thought, viz.
contradiction, identity, and the excluded middle, or in their predicative form -
Contradiction (x)-(Fx & -Fx),
Identity (x)(Fx = Fx), and
Excluded middle (x)(Fx v -Fx).
These principles are implicated by the Madhyamikas not simply as logical
axioms but also it seems as principles of thought that are descriptive of the
thought activity encountered in analysis. That is, they describe certain structures
that govern the train and development of an analyst's thought at the time of
debate and meditation, and so are psychological principles as well as formal
axioms. And insofar as analysis is thought to have a liberative effect, they are
also prescriptive principles, in that they represent an advocated structural basis
for guiding the course of conceptuality. Madhyamikas presumably felt that the
structure of thought could be made to approximate to these principles in varying
degrees and that it was in the pure form of their analysis that thought was
guided by them. As these principles were approached in a process of intellectual
development that culminated in their critical analysis it would also stand to
reason that conceptuality would come to be governed by the principles at least
in the sense that thought would become law-like in its development. I will return
":ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 117
to this point when I raise the question of contingency and necessity in analysis a
little later.
It is useful to examine how these three principles function in the analytical
context as logical axioms that are modelled or replicated within the conceptual
development of an analyst, and how they constitute conditions for the formation of
thought and, when infused with the principle of terminological reciprocity, a
condition for its dissolution.
The principle of noncontradiction states that for any subject A, any given
predicate P cannot be both affirmed and denied at the same time and in the same
respect. The principle is stated formally40 and used materially41 by Nagarjuna
on a number' of occasions, and is axiomatic for consequential analysis.
Chandrakirti in the Commentary [MABh: 100] quotes the Principal Stanzas on the
Middle Way [MK: 25.14 and 8.7] where Nagarjuna states and uses the principle ~
and says himself that something that partakes of the dual nature (gnyis kyi dngos
po) of existence and non-existence cannot exist.
In the context of consequential analysis the principle of noncontradiction is
used as a structure for dichotomising the possible positions that can be assumed
with respect to any matter into two contradictory and mutually excluding theses,
Le. A is P and A is not P, and in doing this the principle is structurally identical
with the principle of definition via logical opposites except for the crucial fact
that the principle of non-<:ontradiction holds that A cannot be P and -P, where
the principle of definition via logical opposites holds that A must be P and -Po
The principle of non-contradiction is utilised in the analytical context as
serving to commit someone to a thesis at the expense and in terms of rejecting its
logical opposite. In other words, a commitment to the truth of some thesis is
gained in parallel fashion to the identification of entities, by assigning a false
truth-value to a contrapositive thesis. And vice versa, the assignment of a false
truth-value to a contrapositive thesis is possible only on affirming the truth of a
thesis. The principle of non-contradiction is thus a precondition for the formation
of theses and in a pre-analytical situation serves to (seemingly) provide a basis for
theory validation. .
In the analytical context, on the other hand, the principle of non-
contradiction comes to fruition in conjunction with the principle of definition via
logical opposites in its strong interpretation by the Madhyamikas. This latter
principle functions as a condition for analysis rather than as a precondition,
though the principle of non-contradiction rightly acts as a condition for analysis
also. The difference is that the principle of non-contradiction is at work in the
non-analytical state-of-affairs in the sense that it is a tacit (and in logic a formal)
assumption where the principle of definition via logical opposites is not.
Together these two principles account for the destructuring of conceptuality.
These two principles force a dilemma upon the mind of an analyst. On the
one hand, the principle of definition via logical opposites structures
conceptuality in the direction of simultaneously affirming a thesis and its negation
118 REASONING INTO REALITY
(Le. simultaneously affirming the presence and absence of predicate(s) with
respect to the one entity: that A is and is not P). And, on the other hand, the
principle of noncontradiction structures conceptuality in a way that formally and
prescriptively (and perhaps also psychologically) precludes consciousness from
simultaneously affirming a thesis and its negation (Le. it disallows that
predicate(s) can simultaneously be affirmed and denied of the same entity in the
same respect: that a is not both P and not P).
When conceptuality is formed by both these principles its structure is forced
in the direction of assuming two mutually contradicting and excluding states to
which there would seem to be two possible avenues of resolution. One, a non-
analytical (and for Madhyamikas regressive) resolution which is to retain the
structure formed by one principle at the expense of revoking the other principle,
or alternatively, an analytical (and soteriologically progressive) solution that
adopts neither structure (given an analyst's commitment to the validity of both
principles). The resultant effect of this last solution would be to introduce a
stasis within a stream of conceptuality. In other words, the tension between the
two principles can be relieved either by an analyst backtracking as it were to a
non-critical standpoint where one or other of the principles lapses from its role
as a structural former of conceptual development (one guesses that the principle
of definition via logical opposites would be discarded) or by a dissolution of
conceptuality. This last solution would take place, as we have said, at an
interface between two mutually contradictory conceptual structures where
conceptuality would cease as the only logically forthright response to the
dilemma of having to simultaneously identify and differentiate P and -P. The
attempt to resolve these two opposed structures can perhaps be metaphorically
likened to forcing a material into the apex of a conical tube with the difference
that matter cannot destructure.
The principle of non-contradiction is revoked in this interpretation, on the
insight that two logical opposites are not contradictories of which one is true at
the expense of the falsity of the other, but rather are logical contraries in which
both are false. In other words, the pre-analytical assumption that P and -P are
contradictories is analytically rejected on the discernment - propelled by a strong
interpretation of the principle of definition via logical opposites - that the two
opposites mutually negate each other.
Though any central-state materialist assumptions and implications would be
abhorrent to Madhyamikas it is interesting to note in passing that the
mathematician Ludvik Bass has hypothesised that the reductio ad absurdum
method of proof may have "a radically distinct structure at the neurallevel"42
when compared with constructive methods of proof. Where with the latter,
neural modes may be characterised as achieving a point of stabilisation or a lack
of conflict, in the case of reductio arguments he suggests that the conflict between
premises may have a neural analogue as a "persisting conflict between
modes".43 If the conflict between premises is mirrored at the neural level we
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 119
could further speculate that this would involve a tendency for one neural
structure to be formed or activated into two mutually excluding states, a
tendency which could be responded to by assuming one state and relinquishing
the other (this would be the Madhyamikas regressive option, and would be
exhibited as a failure to conclude a proof) or by a destructuring of the. neural
state due to its being formed into an impossible condition (this would manifest
as a conclusion to a proof). '
The significance of conceptuality becoming unstructured is that it cannot be
identified with a concept in either its positive or negative formulation and so
becomes vacuous with respect to that concept. The dissolution of conceptuality
that such a vacuity of reference amounts to I would interpret as an insight into
the emptiness of the concepts being analysised and so to their putative referents
also. In other words the confluence of logical opposites and its resultant
conceptual stasis would be the insight of emptiness. The notion of identifiability
is inconsistent, and when it is seen that entities lack an intrinsic identity
conceptuality dissipates. The doctrinal distinction made by Tibetans between
certified and inferential cognitions of emptiness I will raise later.
An assumption in this explanation is that the logical falsity in
simultaneously affirming a thesis and its negation also reflects a psychological
impossibility, such that two logically contradictory concepts cannot be held
within a unity of consciousness. David Armstrong44 (among others) has
questioned the impossibility of the cotemporal entertaining of contradictory
beliefs and it is worthwhile briefly considering what he says as it helps to
highlight the Madhyamika's position.
Armstrong's first observation en route to his final position is that a person
can hold contradictory beliefs but fail to discern the contradiction. He writes: "It
[the mind] is a large and untidy place, and we may believe 'p' and '-p'
simultaneously but fail to bring the two beliefs together, perhaps for emotional
reasons."45 The Madhyamikas would agree with this as a description of a non-
analytical intellect, where in order to maintain predicative consistency, perhaps
so as support cathexis towards some object, any indication of a possible
predicative inconsistency would be unconsciously or consciously repressed. An
individual may decide that the emotional attachment (or aversion) to be lost (or
gained) or at least attenuated, on realising an inconsistency is not worth
forsaking and so prefer to remain oblivious of any inconsistency, save such an
awareness destabilising and undermining an affective response. A difference,
on this point, between Armstrong and the Madhyamikas is that Madhyamikas
would say that all rather than just some beliefs may be contradicted within an
individuals fabric of beliefs.
Armstrong goes on to suggest that "it seems possible to become aware that
we hold incompatible beliefs."46 The (apparently) contentious part of
Armstrong's claim (it seems) is that such an awareness need not result in any
structural or categorial change to the belief situation. (He agrees that in some
120 REASONING INTO REALITY
cases it would result in some modification in the situation, sucl\ as the revoking
of one belief.) The point for Armstrong, though, is that the logically
incompatible beliefs represent two different states, and hence the copresence of
beliefs in the one mind is not their coalignment. Hence, there is no real conflict in
his account with what Madhyamikas would say. He is not proffer:ing the
"confusing situation" where two states are actually coaligned, but rather has
described two or three situations of contradictory beliefs that Madhyamikas
would see as stages either prior to analysis or at some point within an analysing
context but prior to the coalignment (and concomitant destructuring) of
contradictory structures. There is still to explain the roles that the principles of
identity and the excluded middle play in consequential analysis.
A principle of identity is presupposed in the other two aristotelian principles
and in the principle of definition via logical opposites. The principle figures as a
precondition for analysis, and serves to guarantee predicative consistency with
regard to an entity being analysed. Though it is not formally stated in
Madhyamika texts as a precondition the notion of a svabhava itself as the "object
to be negated" in an analysis states a tacit if not formal assention to the principle
of identity, as ex hypothesi whatever has a svabhava cannot change its identity, i.e.
cannot become something else without losing its svabhava. In the meditative
manuals of the Tibetans that outline stylised procedures for the private
contemplation of emptiness (as opposed to analysis through the medium of
debate) an initial procedure is "ascertaining the mode of appearance of what is
negated"47 which in part amounts to an analyst committing him or herself to the
identity criteria for an entity being investigated, for example, that a certain
configuration of forms, percepts, affections, etc. is a self and regarding that
configuration to be just that self. It is reasonable also to suppose that
dialecticians in the course of their debates would likewise try to irrevocably
commit an opponent at the very outset to specific identity criteria for the
entity(s) figuring in an investigation. The rationale behind this extraction of
identity criteria is clearly an attempt on behalf of an analyst to guarantee a fruitful
result to an analysis by ensuring that there is no equivocation on what is being
analysed at some point during an analysis, and to forestall the invoking of
changed identity criteria, either of which would act to dilute an analysis to the
qualitative extent of any changes in identity criteria (given the stability of other
conditions for analysis). In other words, were the identity of an entity that is
being analyzed to be revoked in any degree subsequent to being established as an
object to be refuted but prior to it being refuted, a conclusion would fail to bear
on the changed entity with its revised identity criteria to whatever extent it was a
new entity. So we see Chandrakirti, for example, being uncompromising with
his opponents who proffer potentially ambiguous identity criteria or introduce
mobile concepts, the definitions of which vacillate, and so undermine the full
force of a Madhyamika's analysis.
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 121
The principle of the excluded middle was upheld by Madhyamikas, it seems,
in order to account for the complete dissolution of conceptuality and so
substantiate the possibility of a thoroughly pure or unalloyed nirvana. The
principle says that any entity A, is either predicated by P or not predicated by Pi
that there is no other, third alternative. The principle is very clearly stated by
Nagarjuna (for example, MK: 2.8b48 and 2.21). Chandrakirti says Commentary
[MABh: 100.16-17] that "through the pervasion [by existence and non-existence]
there will not be even the slightest particularisation
49
[remaining] (bkag pas cung
zad kyang khyad par du mi 'gyur ro)50". He also invokes the principle at various
points, for example (MABh: 85.17-20) in the analysis of birth from other, the two
views that a product and producer are identical or other are the only possibilities
and likewise (MA: 6.169d), when the two possibilities of meeting and not
meeting between a cause and affect are relinquished there is nothing else to
consider. Shantideva writes in the Introduction to the Evolved Lifestyle [BCA: 9.351
that "When neither things nor non-things are placed before the intellect then
there is no other route 51 [for the mind to take], it lacks any support [and so
achieves1 the supernal peace." In the Tibetan meditative manuals52 the principle
is included as a second essential step (after the commitment to the predicative
configuration and consistency of any entity that is to be analysed). It is called
"ascertaining invariable concomitance" and is a commitment to the principle that
outside of two mutually contradictory modes of existence there is no third modei
or what is the same thing, two logical opposites pervade all modes of
predication.
The principle, as Shantideva clearly shows above, is utilised to rule out the
possibility that a residuum of conceptuality remains after the dissolution of two
logically opposed concepts. Were, for example, there to be a third conceptual
position outside of a concept's positive and negative formulations then that third
position would still be retained after the positive and negative forms were
analytically dissolved. It would mean that some remnants of conceptuality
would fall outside the compass of consequential analysis in the sense that they
could not be analytically removed. Hence, the ascription of contradictory
attributes to the one entity jointly exhausts all possible modes of predication
with respect to that attribute. Thus when the paradox of predication is exposed
an entity is unpredicated (positively or negatively) with respect to that predicate.
It may be useful briefly to summarise what has been a fairly elaborate
explanation up to this point. I have attempted to (1) isolate certain assumptions
that seem to be intrinsic to Madhyamika analysis, and (2) describe an
infrastructure to their form of analysis within which the Madhyarnikas can (in
terms of its assumptions) claim with some measure of internal coherency that
logical analysis is a technique appropriate to their practical endeavours of
gaining a religious insight.
The assumptions that undergird the Madhyamika analysis are these: (1)
That conceptuality depends on the consistent ascription of predicates to an entity.
122 REASONING INTO REALITY
(2) That predicates arise in the context of their logical opposites, which in its
strong interpretation, as is required by the Madhyamikas, means that the
presence of a predicate implies its absence (and vice versa). This principle
assumes a status equal to the aristotelian principles and its significance is that
analysis is effective to the extent that this principle is structurally formative (in its
strong interpretation) for conceptuality. (3) The logical validity and formative
influence and role of the three aristotelian principles of thought in structuring
the development of conceptuality.
Given these assumptions, consequential analysis can be viewed as a
technique for taking a stream of conceptuality that is (artificially) structured by a
principle of non-contradiction (and loosely also by the principles of identity and
the excluded middle) and introducing within that an awareness of a purported
paradox inhering in conceptuality (on the assumption that concept formation is
paradoxical). A stream of conceptuality, in other words, is redirected by
consequential analysis into becoming aware of an inherent paradox in
predication that, by its tendency to compel consciousness to assume the
psychologically impossible (or at least structurally unstable) condition of
forming two mutually contradictory structures, results in a failure in the ability
to predicate, and in consequence a destructuring and dissolution of
conceptuality that can be interpreted as the insight into emptiness.
4 PATTERNS OF ANALYSIS IN THE INTRODUCTION TO THE
MIDDLE WAY [MAl
The above explanation, when considered alongside the Introduction to the
Middle Way's [MA] analyses, gives weight to its claim to accuracy as a structural
description of consequential analysis. This explanation provides a sound basis
for some speculative extensions that I am presently working on that link the role
of analysis into the notion of a progressive liberation that accords roughly with
the Madhyamika path-structure.
4.1 THE INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY'S [MAl PROOFS AND
CATEGORIES OF ANALYSIS
Let us begin by schematising the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA]
analyses. The Introduction's [MA] schema of analysis, as we said in the last
chapter, does not exhaust all entities (existents and non-existents) that make up
the universe. Persons (pudga/a) and phenomena (dharma) comprise the universal
set, whatever is not a person is a phenomenon and whatever is nota
phenomenon is a person.53 Chandrakirti analyses persons and [functional]
things (bhava), which are a subclass within the class of phenomena. He doesn't
analyse non-products (asamskrta).54 These, though, are analysed by Nagarjuna,
from whom we can pick out an analytical format so as to gain a full coverage of
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT
123
analyses here. (Person-conceptions, as I'll explain, can be both products and
non-products.) .
In the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl the two basic classes of persons
and things are respectively analysed by the seven-section proof based on the
theses of a substantive identity or difference between the self (=person) and
psycho-physical organism, and the four theses that proffer four modes of
production; namely, from self, other, both, or neither.
Leaving aside the structure of the proofs (upapatti, gtan tshigs) for the
moment, these categories within which Chandrakirti analyses entities are clearly
rubrics from the stock and trade of the ancient Indian philosophical traditions.
The person-phenomena distinction is part of the earliest Buddhist abhidharma,
as is that between products and non-products. The distinction between the self
as one with or different from the aggregation captures the differences between
the Buddhist versus Hindu Sarnkhya and Vaisheshika selves and between innate
versus intellectual conceptions of the person. Likewise, "birth from self" serves
to characteristically distinguish the Samkhya causal thesis; "birth from other",
the Buddhist and Nyaya-Vaisheshika theory of causation; "birth from both" the
Jaina view, and "birth from no cause" that of the Charvakas.
Hence, though these categories, as I'll show, serve certain crucial analytical
requirements by exhausting fields of discourse and conforming to the analytical
structures outlined earlier (requirements that are quite independent of any
specific categories), they are also conditioned by and speak to the Indian
philosophical tradition in its own Buddhist and Hindu categories.
55
It seems
that Chandrakirti (and Nagarjuna before him) settled on their categories with
both these reasons in mind, and thus that the categories reflect certain logical
necessities and a historical conditioning. Our interest now, though, is with the
logical reasons behind these category choices and with the proofs utilised to
demonstrate the emptiness of these categories and their class members.
At this point we can usefully introduce a figure (3.1) that encapsulates these
various categories and correlates them with the formats of analysis used with
each category in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl (and in extension from
other sources).
The information above the horizontal broken line summarises the
Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl analyses, i.e. its categories and modes of
proof. Though the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl doesn't analyse non-
products (asamskrta) we can fill in below that line, though not without a little
uncertainty. For Chandrakirti (and here he follows the abhidharma
categories
56
) there are three types of non-produced phenomena, space (akasa),
and two types of stases or cessations, a so-called noninvestigational stasis
(apratisamkhya-nirodha) and an investigational stasis (pratisamkhya-nirodha) which
is the same thing as nirvana. It is a little unclear whether there is one mode of
proof that Madhyamikas consider can be utilised with all three types of non-
products or whether each, or at least space and the two stases are thought to
124
A is/is not
a person
(pudgala)
REASONING INTO REALITy
is a person
is the psycho-
{
physical organism (skandha)
is not the psycho-
physical organism
is not a
p e r ~ o n
(= IS a
phenomenon
(dharma)
is not a product
(asamskrfa)
is a product
(samskrta)
l
is self-produced
is not self-
produced
(= is other-
produced)
is space {
is not space
(= is tlie two
stases)
is one
is not one
~
~ f r ~ prior
definition
doesn't exist
prior to its
aefinition
Fig 3.1 A flow diagram of the Introduction's [MAl analyses
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT
125
require different types of proofs. In the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK:
7.33] Nagarjuna gives, as it were, one generic proof that applies to the entire
class of non- products. He reasons that the refutation of products (samskrta)
implicitly refutes non-products for "if a composite product is not proved, how
can a non-composite product (asamskrta) be proved?"57 This is what I call a
substantive proof rather than a modal proof for it doesn't analyse an entity in
terms of its predicates. Instead it draws directly and nonconsequentially on a
principle of the interpenetration or transference of characteristics between logical
opposites and in this it differs from all of the Introduction to the Middle Way's
[MA] and many of the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way's [MK] other analyses.
Also, it doesn't follow the structure I've outlined. I will elaborate more in this
type of proof a little later.
Whether the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way's [MK] analysis of nirvana
(chpt. 25) can be taken as paradigmatic for analysing all the non-products,
specifically space, is unclear. Further, the proof itself is rather loosely structured
and relies on incompatibilities between certain definitions rather than on
consequences issuing from the more stylised proofs that we are accustomed to in
other Madhyamika analyses. 58 As such, this proof doesn't accord with the
analytical infrastructure I have abstracted.
Chapter five of the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK] analyses space
as one of the five base elements (dhatu). The analysis is consequential in form
and temporal in structure. Space exists in dependence on a defining property
(laksana). There are two possibilities, either space exists before its defining
property, or the defining property exists prior to that which it defines. (This last
posulate is logically equivalent to space coming into existence after the existence
of its defining property.) The first posulate leads to the contradiction (5.1b) that
space would be uncharacterised as space and hence would not be space, and the
second posulate leads to the contradiction that space would exist before it
existed as (5.4b) there cannot be a defining property where there is no subject of
characterisation (laksya). Though this analysis is (PP: 103) only stated to be
paradigmatic for the other base elements of earth, water, fire, air, and
consciousness it could certainly be applied to the two stases.
Finally we can mention that bsTan pai nyi rna (who like Chandrakirti works
with the three primary classes of persons, products, and non-products) takes
space as an example of a non-product and suggests that it be analysed in terms
of whether it be one with or different from its parts, Le. directions.
59
It is unclear to me how the two stases could be analysed in terms of their identity
or differences with their parts for the notion of a stasis, such as nirvana, doesn't
readily lend itself to the idea that it may partake of being conceptually divisible,
and so perhaps this method of analysing space is not meant to be a paradigm for
the other non-products.
126 REASONING INTO REALITY
In summary, there is a lack of clarity and consensus in how,non-products are
analysed, and for that reason the figure with respect to those details is only
tentative,' .
Returning to the figure, we should note that there is no logical compulsion
behind the correlations or alignments of modes of proof and the entities that
they analyse. There are some logical restrictions, of course, for example, a
production based analysis could not be used with a conception of the person that
is characterised as being uncompounded or un-produced (i.e. most if not all
transcendental conception of the person), nor, of course, with any other non-
products.
Outside of these restrictions, though, when one goes beyond the Introduction
to the Middle Way [MAl and considers other Madhyamika works, there is a
considerable degree of variability as to how entities are analyzed and which
proofs are aligned with which categories. The analysis based on refuting the
theses of a substantial identity and difference between an entity and its
constituent parts, for example, (as underpins the Introduction to the Middle Way's
[MAl analysis of the person) is also applied to phenomena (dharma). For
example, the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK: chpt. lOl uses a five-
sectioned analysis in examining the fuel-fire relationship, and bsTan pai nyi rna
advocates its use in analysing both products and non-products, Shantideva
(BCA: 9.80-83) analyses the body (kaya) around these postulates, and
Chandrakirti witnesses its use also in the investigation of phenomena by his
heuristic instantiation of a carriage when describing the personality analysis. On
the other hand, the analysis via the four theses of production that Chandrakirti
and Nagarjuna (MK: chpt. 1) both use with things (bhava) is used in the Precious
Jewel [RA: 1.37l for analysing the person (presumably a non- transcendental
conception of the person, i.e. one in which the person is putatively a product).
Besides a flexible utilisation of the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl analyses
there are also many alternative analytical formats exemplified in the Principal
Stanzas on the Middle Way [MKl, for example the temporal analysis with which
Nagarjuna investigates, among other things, (chpt. 7) produced phenomena.60
Perhaps these textual variations represent an element of individual
preference and a degree of flexibility on the part of Indian and Tibetan
Madhyamika analysts with regard to which proofs were matched to which
classes of entities. Nor can we rule out that the correlations in Introduction to the
Middle Way [MAl, which appear as fairly standardised, represent a natural
alignment between entities and proofs that became apparent to Madhyamikas in
the course of several centuries of analytical meditation and debate.
61
It is not
impossible, for example, that the alignments in the Introduction to the Middle Way
[MAl represent a pairing of proofs and entities that Madhyamikas came to
believe were analytically efficient and expeditious.
A final point to note with respect to the figure is that the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MAl takes the person-phenomena distinction to be the initial way of
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT
127
dividing up the universal set of concepts through choice and not necessity. In
theory a primary distinction needs only to exhaust the universal set and would
also be satisfied by the products versus non-products distinction. In the instance
of the products and non-products distinction being the initial bifurcation,
concepts of the self or person would have to be divided into produced and non-
produced person conceptions and analysed with the different analyses
appropriate to each. This is possible for as we just noted the Precious Jewel [RA]
analyses produced self-conceptions with the tetralemma proof. Chandrakirti,
though, decided for some reason not to do this, but to analyse all self conceptions
with the seven-sections. There is no way of telling whether he decided first to
bifurcate the universe of discourse around the person-phenomena distinction,
and from this to align the seven-sections with all self- conceptions, or whether he
had in mind that the seven- section should be applied to self-conceptions
(perhaps because of the neatness and simplicity in using one method of
refutation for all self-conceptions) and draw the person-phenomena distinction
in dependence on his wish to utilise the seven-sections with self-conceptions.
4.2 THE INTRODUCTION'S [MAl ANALYSES AND THE CORE
STRUCTURE
The first point to observe in aligning the structural model with the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] is that the first two theses in both the seven-
section analysis of the person and the tetralemma for analysing things represent
a thesis and its logical negation. Thus the contrasting relationship in the
personality analysis is between a substantive identity between the self and the
psycho-physical organism and a logical negation of that identity. In other
words, to say that the self is other than the psycho-physical organism is logically
equivalent to saying that the self is not identical with the psycho-physical
organism. And likewise, the second thesis in the tetralemma that structures the
analysis of things is a logical negation of the first thesis: "that a thing is born
from itself", for the thesis that "a thing is born from another" is logically equivalent
to "it not being born from itself'. Thus the adjectival terms "other (than)", "(from)
another", "different (from)", tib. gzhan, skt. anya, para, vyatirikta, signify a
difference or contrast that is between logical opposites.
62
When we interpret the term "gzhan" thus, we see that the first two theses in
the analyses of the person and things embody the oppositional structure of
contrasting a thesis and its contrapositive. At the linguistic level these two pairs
of theses embody the "is/is not" structure, whereby a predicate is affirmed and
denied with respect to an entity. In other words in the case of persons (pudgala)
they are or are not the psycho-physical organism, and in the case of things (bhava)
they are or are not produced from themselves.
The analysis in terms of an entity being one thing or many things, likewise,
embodies the same structure for "being many" is logically equivalent to "not
128 REASONING INTO REALITY
being one". The same holds, for the more general patterns of analysis, (on which
the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl analysis of the person is based), that an
entity is either the same as or different from its parts, for "being different form its
parts" is equivalent to "being nofthe same as its parts".
The function of the term "gzhan" in marking off a logical opposite also
guarantees that these pairs of theses exhaust a universal or appropriate category
domain. (1 will comment on the differences between categorial and non-
categorial analyses shortly.) The analytical requirements that conceptuality is
structured by the principles of contradiction and the excluded middle is thus
fulfilled through the creation of two logically opposed theses that exhaust a
universe or category.
The second significant observation in reducing the Introduction to the Middle
Way's [MA] analyses to a core analytical structure is that the five final sections to
the seven-section analysis of the person and the two final theses to the
tetralemma proof of things rely on the first two sections of each analysis, and
more significantly, that the analyses of the selflessness of persons and things can
be completed within the first two theses of each of these sets of theses.
In the case of the seven-section analysis the last five relationships are
structurally dependent for their refutation on the first two theses positing a
sameness or difference (tattvanyatva-paksa) between the self and the psycho-
physical organism. That is to say, the refutation of these additional relations
hinges on the earlier refutations of the relations of identity and difference. As
we explained earlier, the five additional relations are thought to be common
ways in which the self and the psycho-physical organism may be related. The
theses that the self is the collection or shape are analysed in parallel fashion to
the identity of the self and psycho-physical organism, and refuted on similar
grounds, namely that the collection (6.135) doesn't partake of the unitary
characteristics of a self, nor (6.152a-c) the self of the plural character of a
collection. Likewise the self is not the shape (Le. form constituent) due to similar
contradictions based on the incommensurability between unitary and plural
concepts. The two relations of containment and the relation of possession, on the
other hand, are refuted on the basis that the relation of otherness ~ s refutable.
This is stated explicitly (6.142) for the two containment relations, and the
relationship of possession is clearly dependent on the self and the psycho-
physical organism being different.
In summary, if the self and psycho-physical organism are the same then the
psycho-physical organism cannot be in the self, nor the self in the psycho-
physical organism. Likewise, if the self and the psycho-physical organism are
not the same then the self cannot be the collection or shape of the psycho-
physical constituents. Hence, when the first two theses are refuted, ipso facto the
other five theses lapse also (and any others specifying a relationship between the
self and psycho-physical organism that could be conceived of).
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 129
The presuppositional role of the relationship of identity and difference, and
derivative or subsidiary nature of the others is acknowledged by Chandrakirti in
the Clear Words [PP: 194] where containment and possession are reduced to their
presupposing a relation of difference, and is exemplified in the Principal Stanzas
on the Middle Way [MK: 18.1] where the self is analyzed in terms of the two
alternatives of identity and difference, according to Chandrakirti (PP: 166) for
the sake of brevity. bsTan pai nyi rna in his meditative contextualisation of
Tsong kha pa's Three Principal Aspects of the Path (Lam gyi gtso bo rnam pa gsum)
likewise ascertains the personal selflessness through a procedure based just on
the first two of Chandrakirti's seven sections.
63
Hence, the logical consequences
required for precluding possible views about the mode of being of the person,
and thus the demonstration of its emptiness, are completed within the first two
theses.
Likewise the analysis of things (bhava) through the logic of the four can be
completed - in the sense of gaining a full consequential proof for the emptiness
of things - by refuting just the first two theses, that things are produced from
themselves or others. This requires a little explanation. The third thesis in the
tetralemma is that things are produced from a combination of self and other. In
the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] (6.98) this thesis is refuted by referring
back to the earlier separate refutations of production from self and other. The
assumption is that any mixture can be conceptually resolved into its constituents
which are then refuted individually. In some instances this seems obvious, for
example, in the case where production form self and other occurs serially, such
as a sprout first being born from itself and then later from another. Or, where
one thing is actually composed of two developmental continua (perhaps
developing in unison), where one continuum is born from itself and the other
from another. What does seem problematic, though, is the instance of one thing
being produced from self and other simultaneously and with respect to identical
aspects of the object. This last requirement is simply the definition of an object
being singular, i.e. having just one defining facet. Madhyamikas obviously do
not find this last case problematic and in so doing must be saying that there are
no real mixtures, i.e. no compound processes that exist as a new mode of
production outside of production from self and other. The problem is
ameliorated, though, for in Madhyamika philosophy the notion of production is
mental imputation (as in Humean causation) and hence it is enough that any
mixture can be conceptually resolved into the two modes of self- and other-
production. Another way of seeing the Madhyamika's position on this (and this
applies to the next thesis of production without a cause as well) is that self- and
other-production jointly exhaust the possible modes of production and so
production from both (or from no cause) as novel modes are excluded on this
count.
The fourth thesis, that things can arise from no cause is excluded not only on
the grounds of a joint pervasion by the first two but through a category error. As
130 REASONING INTO REALITY
I've explained, the class of things (bhava) is identical with the class of products
(samslcrti-dharma), and so this last thesis in fact falls outside theses that explain
the arising of things. That is to say it does not provide an alternative at all, for it
denies that very concept of a thing=product that it purports to explain. Hence,
this final thesis is improperly included. The third thesis, then, is resolved into
the first two, and the fourth is wrongly included in the first place.
Thus, with respect to the logical requirements of analysis (though apparently
not for the psychological requirements) the five additional theses in the seven-
section analysis are strictly unnecessary as are the two final lemmas of the
tetralemma proof.
Given that we can discover the structure of two logically opposed theses as
basic to the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA) analyses it is informative to
recapsulate from the last chapter on how the consequences (prasanga), or
exposure of contradictions are created in these two analyses for they show the
reliance on the deployment of the principle of definition via logically opposed
theses. This principle states, we recall, that a thesis can be affirmed only at the
expense of its denial (Le. at the expense of affirming a contrapositive thesis). The
principle accounts for the Madhyamika generation of logical contradictions.
The logical contradictions sought in consequential analysis involve a
simultaneous affirmation of two mutually opposed theses. From an analyst's
viewpoint it is necessary that a contrapositive thesis is seen to be entailed by a
thesis. With respect to the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA) analyses this
means that the first two theses in each of the sets of theses making up the
analyses of persons and things, the first thesis of each set must be seen to imply
the second and vice versa, the second thesis of each set must imply the first. In
other words, an affirmation of either of the first two theses of each set must
imply the negation of those thesis.
4.3 THE INTRODUCTION'S [MAl CONTRADICTIONS
This pattern, whereby theses and contrapositive theses mutually affirm each
other is to be found in the key analyses of the Introduction to the Middle Way
[MA).
In the analysis of things through their possible modes of production the two
essential and jointly exhaustive modes are production from self and other. In
the case of production or birth from self the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA)
raises two jointly exhaustive alternatives as to how there could be birth from self.
These are that the product retains the nature of a producer or adopts a new
nature. If (MA: 6.11 and MABh: 85) the product doesn't assume a nature
different from that of the producer (which is viewable as either the product
being the same as the producer, or vice versa) then as there are no perceivable
differences between the producer and product, one doesn't have an instance of
production or birth, for ex hypothesi this requires a product that can be discerned
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 131
from a producer. Thus, here there is no birth or production qua production and
so no production from self. The other option is (MA: 6.10cd and MABh: 84-85)
that the product does "lose its former nature thus fulfilling the requirement that
products are different from their producers. But here the product ceases to be
identical with itself as a producer and hence is an "other" with respect. to the
producer. As such, production from self (insofar as one is talking about
production) requires that products and producers differ and so all production is
production from another, including production from self if one wishes to
confirm the presence of a productive process. The first option, then, ensures that
the notion of production is retained in the thesis of birth from other by rwing out
the case that the product and producer are the same, on the grounds that it
forfeits the notion of production. The second option draws the consequence
(prasanga) that production from self implies production from another. Thus. the
thesis demonstrably implies the contrapositive thesis.
The analysis of the thesis of birth from other proceeds likewise by raising
two mutually exclusive and jointly exhaustive possibilitiesi namely, that a
producer or cause is separate or not separate from a product or effect. The
Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl analysis is not as crisp here as with the
thesis of birth from self. The connection is taken in two ways, in a temporal
sense and in terms of an interface between a producer and product within the
continuum of a productive process. In the temporal sense the options are
between whether a producer decays and product arises (or more simply, a cause
and effect occur), simultaneously (tib. dus mnam, dus gcig, gcig tshe, cig car du, skt.
samakala, ekakala) or non- simultaneously. In the s e n ~ e of an interface it is a
question of whether or not a cause and effect or producer and product meet
(phrad, milana) or fail to meet. The arguments are these. The first arguments
reject the option that causes and effects or producers and products can be
separate from each other, on the grounds that such an option forfeits the notion
of production or causation. The claim (6.169cd) is that if the two are separate
then the producer or cause cannot be distinguished from non-causes, in which
case they cease to be causes or producers. The idea is that the notion of
"otherness" doesn't partake of degrees or graduations, things are either the same
or different. If they are different they are equally different, as it were. This
makes nonsense out of the notion of production as (6.14) any "other" could be
posited with equal reason as the cause of anything else. There would be no
restriction on what can cause what, outside of the requirement that causes and
their effects be different. If there is birth from another then (MABh: 90.1-12)
everything would cause everything. Thus, from this angle the notion of
production or causation wowd be unspecified in the extreme and for this reason
effectively forfeited. This conclusion can be obtained from another angle.
Production, if it is to be at all meaningful has to be a specified relationship in the
sense that some "others" have to be precluded from being causes or effects in
instances of causation or production. For example in the production of a sprout
132 REASONING INTO REALITy
only seeds can be causes not elephants though both are "other" or different than
sprouts, and for Madhyamikas, other to the same degree. When the
Madhyamikas work with an assumption that things are either the same or
different, and that there is no basis in conceptuality for the notions that things
may be more or less different from each other, it is bogus to call on the fact of
"otherness" as a means for precluding some others from being producers and
products with respect to each other. In other words, the productive relationship
cannot be delimited and so gain some specification by calling on the "otherness"
between things, for if some "others" are precluded from being causally related on
the grounds of their "otherness" then all "others" should be precluded, including
producers and products that one would normally see as being related in a
productive or causal continuum, such as rice seeds and rice sprouts. Hence a
difference between producers and products renders the productive relationship
meaningless. So far there is no consequence (prasanga), rather one option has
been excluded on the grounds that it forfeits the notion of production qua
production, and hence of production from another.
As there is no production in the first case, the only viable position for
production from another would be where the producer and product are non-
separate. The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] considers a lack of separation
between the producer and product in terms of their simultaneity and their
meeting. The refutation of a simultaneity between the two (6.20) argues that the
notions' of producers and products requires that the two do not exist
simultaneously, for if they did, a producer could not give rise to a product, in that
for as long as a producer has existed so one would have a product. In other
words, the product that exists 'contemporaneously with and for the duration of
its producer could not be distinguished from its producer, for when they are
simultaneous there would be no duality between a product as opposed to a
producer (given that products by definition arise from, and so subsequently to,
their producers). Hence (MABh: 98) it is impossible for there to be a duality
within a productive continuum or process of birth. A product could not be
different from its producer and hence if there is said to be a process of birth at all
then in the case of a simultaneity between a producer and product the process
would be one of birth from self.
The argument seems clearer when considering the characteristics of an
interface between causes and their effects. If there is to be a genuine meeting
between causes and their effects, then at the point where they meet one must
merge with the other. Were they not to be so connected, one could not become
the other. In other words, at the point where the producer is becoming the
product (the seed the sprout) the two must be one. As Chandrakirti writes
(6.169ab): "If the cause [that you posit] produces an effect due to [th!'ir being] a
contact [between the two], then at the time [and place that they are in contact
with each other] they would be a single potential (sakyatra), and therefore the
producer would not be different from the effect." And because the producer and
ANALYSIS AND lNSIGHT 133
product are identical in this case one has an instance of "birth from self". Hence,
the thesis of "birth from another" is claimed to imply its negation.
In both of these cases of refuting birth from self and birth from another, one
alternative is rejected on the grounds that it forfeits the notion of production,
and hence could not be what is meant by birth or production from self or other. A
consequence is then drawn out on the assumption that the only viable
alternative (Le. the one that retains a meaningful notion of birth or production) is
correct. If it is affirmed it is claimed that it negates itself and so establishes its
opposite.
The analysis of persons proceeds in much the same way. The first
alternative from among the two that are essential to the analysis is that the self is
different from the psycho-physical organism or what is the same thing, is not the
psycho-physical organism. Two possibilities are adduced in this case. Such a
self can be known or not known. If it is not known it cannot be known as an
"other" with respect to the psycho-physical organism, so this option drops out
straight away. The other option, and one from which the consequence is
derived, is that a self that is different from the psycho-physical organism can be
known. Madhyamikas argue though, that if that self is known, which it must be
in order for it to be known as "different from the psycho-physical organism, it
must be the psycho-physical organism for the psycho-physical organism defines
the limits of knowledge in the sense that what ever can be experienced is
experienced in terms of the psycho-physical organism, specifically feelings,
discriminations and consciousness. An assumption (6.124 and MABh: 242) is
that if the self is not included in (rna gtogs) the psycho-physical organism then it
can be known, located, and described, etc. independently of and without
reference to the psycho-physical organism, and that if this is not possible then
the self is included within, and so is not different from the psycho-physical
organism. If the self is different it is unrelated to the psycho-physical organism
and hence cannot be known through the psycho-physical apparatus. Given,
though, that the psycho-physical organism takes compass of all cognition
through the sense and mental consciousnesses and all cognisables through the
physical constituent (rupa-skandha), a self outside of the psycho-physical
organism cannot be known and hence a self cannot be different from it. Thus the
thesis that the self and psycho-physical organism are different is seen to imply
its negation.
The second basic alternative, that exhausts the modes in which the self could
exist, is that the self is the same as the psycho-physical organism. This is a
negation of the foregoing thesis. The refutation of this thesis hinges on whether
the self and the psycho-physical organism are individually discernable in the
instance of their being the same thing. They either are both discernable or they
both aren't.
If they are not discernable, one from each other, as the thesis seems to imply,
then one could not say that the self is the same as the psycho-physical organism
134 REASONING INTO REALITy
for this supposes that there are two things which are one. There could be a self or
a psycho-physical organism, but if both of them are in fact just one thing then
there can't be the two of them. This thesis collapses because for Madhyamikas
there is no such things as a genuine identity relationship; for relationships
require at least two discernable relata. Thus, this interpretation of the thesis is
not consistently formulated, and in fact describes a logical impossibility.
Hence, the thesis must be taken to mean that though the referent of the term
"self" and referent of the term "psycho-physical organism" are the same, the
referents can be distinguished from each other. On this interpretation, though,
the identity relationship is forsaken for if things can be genuinely distinguished
from each other by having different properties (such as being divisible in the
case of the psycho-physical organism and indivisible into parts in the case of the
self) then they are different. Thus, when a relationship is retained rather than
forsaken as in the first interpretation, the thesis that the self and the psycho-
physical organism are the same, implies that they are different.
Thus, in the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl key analyses of the person
and things we find pairs of consequential arguments that purport to logically
derive a negation of a thesis from its affirmation. This works for both the thesis
and its negation and so the first two theses from each of the two sets mutually
negate each other.
Though I'll not trace it now, a similar pattern is operative in the temporal
analyses in the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MKl and the generic analysis
based on an entity's unity or separation from its parts, of which the Introduction
to the Middle Way's [MAl person analysis is an example.
4.4 CATEGORY RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED ANALYSES
One small point worth noting - as a correction to Gangadean's account of the
dialectical logic - is that analyses can proceed (and do in the Principal Stanzas on
the Middle Way [MKl and Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl) through both
restricted and unrestricted categories of analysis. According to Gangadean,64 a
critical formal condition of the transformational dialectic is that the opposites
involved are logical contraries, by which Gangadean means intentional
opposites as opposed to logical complements (which by implication are
extensional opposites). The difference here is that logical contraries exhaust a
well-defined category within the universal set of categories whereas logical
complements exhaust the universal set of categories.
In the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl it is standard (if anything more so)
to analyse through logical complements and it is only when analysing things
Cbhava) that Chandrakirti analyses through logical contraries as Gangadean
understands that term. The internal structures of the analyses are different
depending on whether the categories of analysis are restricted or unrestricted.
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 135
In the case of category restricted analyses it is necessary that the predicate in
terms of which a concept is analysed is its defining predicate or property
(svalaksana). Thus, for example, in analysing things (bhava), Nagarjuna and
Chandrakirti analyse their defining characteristic of "being produced" and
adduce two primary possibilities that are opposites and which exhaust only the
ways in which things can be produced, viz. from themselves or others. In the
case of non-category analyses, on the other hand, the actual predicate(s) within
which an entity is analysed are immaterial, though it is necessary that the
predicate exhaust the entire field of discourse. Thus, the analysis of the person
could, hypothetically, be carried out not only in terms of its identity or difference
with respect to the psycho-physical organism, but for any predicate at all. The five-
fold division of the psycho-physical organism (skandha) is obviously chosen as it
is a stock rubric for Buddhism. Theoretically, though, any predicate would
suffice to prove the non-predicability of the person, so long as it is affirmed and
denied of the person, and that the denial or negation of the predicate
extensionally includes everything else in the universe. In other words, any P is
suitable, so long as P and -P comprise the universal set.
4.5 ABSTRACT AND INSTANTIATED ANALYSES
The procedure for analysis is again different depending on whether an
analysis investigates a member of one of the basic categories or the class
circumscribed by the category itself. This is the difference between an
instantiated analysis that, for example, investigates the status of a sprout,
carriage, purusha, etc. and an abstract analysis that investigates a class of
concepts such as things (bhava), person-conceptions, etc. The former analyses
purport to demonstrate the emptiness of the concept or instance in question, and
the latter claim to prove the emptiness of an entire class, Le. show that the class is
void of any members.
The analysis proceeds a little differently in both cases due to the structural
differences that we noted between category-restricted and category unrestricted
analyses. In the case of analysing a class of concepts it is sufficient that an
analysis is confined to the two theses that make up a pair of logically opposed
theses, even when they exhaust the modal characteristics of just one category,
such as in the analysis of things (bhava). Using this example, if the object of
refutation is the class of bhavas then a refutation of the svalaksana of "being
produced" serves to prove that the class of bhavas is empty of any members
because there are no produced things. And the analysis is complete with no
other category option needing to be considered for the object of analysis was the
class of bhavas. On the other hand, if an instance of a produced thing, such as a
sprout, chair, etc. were being analysed it would be analytically incomplete to
merely refute its failure to have been produced from itself or other, for though
"being produced" is the svalaksana of the class of bhavas it is not the svalaksana of
136 REASONING INTO REALITY
any instance of a bhava. For any individual bhava "being produced" is one among
many characteristics. Its svalaksana is whatever makes the individual bhava that
particular bhava and clearly, "being produced" doesn't demarcate it from other
produced things. Thus, if an analysis takes as its object of negation an individual
that is proffered as a bhava, an analysis that refutes the characteristic of "being
produced" serves only to show that the object is not a bhava. It doesn't negate the
individual as such for "being produced" is not its svalaksana. At most, such a
restricted analysis shows that it is empty of being a product. To show that the
individual in question is empty of any real existence the logical opposite to its
being a bhava would have to be considered.65 Once it was shown to be neither a
product nor non-product its emptiness would be ascertained. Hence, in
instantiated analyses it seems necessary that the theses within which a concept is
analysed exhaust all the categories, Le. that they are extensional opposites.
Whereas with an abstract analysis that takes a svalaksana as the predicate in a
thesis, an analysis can be completed, Le. show a class to be empty, just by
analysing within category restricted opposites, or what Gangadean has called
logical contraries. In conclusion, as a complete analysis, the category restricted
analyses are applicable, in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] at least, only
to the class of products.
4.6 INTERPRETATION OF DIAGRAM 3.1 AS A FLOW-CHART
As hinted at in the diagram heading of the Introduction to the Middle Way's
[MA] schema of analysis, the schema I've presented can be construed as a flow-
diagram that traces the procedures or routes that it seems are meant to be
followed by an analyst both in the course of his own private contemplations
where he analytically processes his conceptual structures, and in the case of his
acting as an analyst for some analysand, such as a non-Buddhist Samkhya or
Vaisheshika philosopher, or Buddhist Vijnanavada, Sammitiyas, Svatantrika
Madhyamika etc. or any philosopher displaying these philosophical mentalities.
Perhaps Madhyamikas also acted in the roles of analysts and analysands within
their own Madhyamika fraternity. This is what happens in contemporary
Tibetan colleges where Madhyamika philosophers feign a commitment in debate
to non-Madhyamika tenets, presumably to facilitate their comprehension of
those tenets, and perhaps with a view to eradicating traces of those tenets from
their own philosophical viewpoint.
Interpreting the diagram in this way it reads from leftto right. As an analyst
works through, or directs his analysand to work through the procedure, he is
confronted with a series of alternative categories that are logical opposites and
which exhaust a universe of conceptuality or some well defined category
structure within that (if the principle of the excluded middle is a structural
former of conceptuality). He is confronted, as it were, with a series of Y
intersections, at which he decides which route to take in dependence upon the
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 137
definition of the concept being analysed and the Introduction to the Middle Way's
[MAl categories. One route or another is traced out which leads to a terminus
which is a Madhyamika method of proof that is appropriate to the concept being
analysed, for example the seven-sections or tetralemma (or strictly the first two
theses within these.) The proof, which consists of refuting a thesis and its
negation that purport to define the concept in question, is applied to the concept
and theoretically it is shown to be void of any intrinsic or self-referential
identity. In other words, each route leads finally to a consequential proof for the
emptiness of the concepts in question. All branches for all concepts that
comprise the universe of discourse are in theory closed by the Madhyamika
analysis. The differentroutes serve to locate the thesis within which the intrinsic
existence of a concept will be refuted.
If an analyst were analytically processing his own conceptual make-up the
procedure would theoretically be fairly straight forward. If he knew well the
definitions of the conceptual categories that are used in Madhyamika texts and
thought in those same categories himself, then any concept would be allocated to
its appropriate category and analyzed in terms of the analytical structure
appropriate to that category. If the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl schema
were used as a guide then concepts would be allocated as person-conceptions or
phenomenal-conceptions, etc. and analysed with the designated method of
refutation. Thus, rather than working through a route on the flow diagram from
its very beginning at the person-phenomena distinction until locating the
appropriate category and its method of refutation the knowledgeable
Madhyamika would be able to go directly to the appropriate category and
refutation.
On the other hand, in the case where the Madhyamika was unclear about the
alignment of some concept within the Madhyamika categories of analysis he
would begin at the start of the schema with the person- phenomena distinction
or at some subsequent distinction where he was sure, or able to easily ascertain,
which category his concept was included within.
In fact the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl schema here, is probably
misleading in its simplicity for two reasons.
(1) Analysts would probably have at their disposal the Principal Stanzas on
the Middle Way's [MKl battery of analyses, this giving them a significantly more
extensive array of both categories and methods of consequential analysis than
the Introduction's [MA]. We have indicated just a few of the analytical additions
and alternatives from the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MKl before. The
Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way's [MKl categories are more elaborate than the
Introduction to the Middle Way's [MAl and come mainly from the Sarvastivada
abhidharma, and I guess its most significant difference from the Introduction
[MAl is that it analyses processes such as movement (chpt. 2), action (chaps. 8 and
17), time (chpt. 19), and the twelve linked relational origination (chpt. 20).
Perhaps analysts devised their own hybrid schemas that drew on both the
138 REASONING INTO REALITY
Introduction [MA] and Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK] -and also used
proofs culled from other texts such as the Seventy on Emptiness (Sunyatasaptati),
Sixty on Logic (Yuktisastika), Precious Jewel [RA] and Four Hundred reS].
(2) If, as we have suggested, the twenty emptinesses represent categories
that were analysed in their own right in order to empty en bloc the entire
membership of a particular class, or were categories within which instances of
concepts were analysed, for example, a particular phenomenon (dharma) as a
thing (bhava), non-thing (abhava), external (bahirdha) entity, etc. then an
additional complexity would be introduced into the routines employed by an
analyst. (In the cases of unit categories that have just one member, such as
great=space, and perhaps the ultimate=nirvana, etc. the abstract category and its
instantiation are the same.)
Two procedures are possible with these twenty emptinesses. They could be
allocated to one or other of the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA] three
primary categories of persons, products, and non-products, and analysed with
the analyses suggested for these in the Introduction [MAl (and Principal Stanzas
on the Middle Way [MK] for non- products). Or, alternatively, they could be
analysed with anyone of the many analyses to be found in the many
Madhyamika texts that are suitable for the category in question. If the former
course were followed the allocations seem to be these. The category of person is
roughly coextensive with 1. the internal (adhyatma). The category of produced
phenomena (samskrta-dharma) or things (bhava) would seem to include 7.
products, 11. non-rejection (anavakara), 14. defining properties (svalaksana), 17.
things (bhava), 19. own nature (svabhava), 20. the other thing (parabhava). The
category of non-products (asamskrta) would seem to include 4. emptinesses, 6.
the ultimate (paramartha), 8. non-products, 9. what has surpassed boundaries
(atyanta), 10. what is temporal (anavaragra), 12. the (unmade) nature (prakrti), 15.
the unobservable (anupalambha), 16. non-things (abhava), 18. non-things (abhava).
These allocations are fairly straightforward. There are some complications,
though, with several of the bases for they bridge more than one of the
Introduction's [MA] three basic categories. For example, 2. the external (bahirdha)
and 13. all phenomena (sarva-dharma) bridge products and non-products, and 3.
the internal and external bridges all of the Introduction's [MA] three categories.
At least in the case of these dual-natured categories one can hazardaguess that
the problems involved in making abstract analyses (though probably not
instantiated ones) of those categories means that they were not slotted into the
Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA] schema, for this would require a
simultaneous application of different patterns of analysis, and perhaps means
that these categories were not even used as classes to be analysed in the context
of debate and contemplation, their memberships being analytically captured by
using two or more of the simpler categories.
In summary, is seems likely that Madhyamika analysts would not have used
the Introduction [MA] schema alone. They may either have used the
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 139
Introduction's [MAl infrastructure as a basic guide which was modified and
expanded to accommodate other Buddhist categories such as the abhidharma
and bases to the twenty emptinesses, or have used it just as a supplement to
some other schema, perhaps based on the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way
[MKl.
Even if the twenty emptinesses, abhidharma categories, etc. were used by
Madhyamikas in their private practice and in debate with their contemporaries
in something like the way I've suggested, the procedure would necessarily be
quite different when a Madhyamika was trying to engage in an analysis an
opponent who held a different set of theses (siddhanta). The most significant
difference is that the analyses could not presuppose the Madhyamikas'
categories. At the start of an analysis, at least, they must assume the
phenomenological details of the opponent's categories. That is to say, the
Madhyamika would have to agree (if there were to be any point to an analysis at
all) that what was being committed in an analysis were the entities defined by
the theses of their opponents. Thus, for example, if they are refuting.a mind-
only (citta-matra) thesis or a self-reflexive consciousness (svasamvedana), in the
first instance at least, the Madhyamikas are refuting these as they are understood
by their opponent, here the Phenomenalists.
In terms of the distinction between abstract and instantiated analyses, the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl for the most part takes the theses of other
philosophical schools to be instantiations of its own primary categories. Thus,
for example, the Sarnkhya concept of purusha and the Vaisheshika atrnan are
taken to be instances of the transcendental theories of the person, and so are
allocated to the category of transcendental self-conceptions for analysis. The
Vijnanavada theses of phenomenalism or mind-only and apperception
exemplify 'birth from self' presuppositions and so are allocated to that generic
thesis of the Madhyamika. Likewise, the Sarvastivada thesis against the efficacy
of the Madhyamika analysis is viewed as being based on the assumption of 'real
or inherent birth from another'. It seems that the abstract analyses in the
Introduction [MAl of non-Madhyamika philosophical viewpoints already
correspond to the Introduction's [MAl basic categories, for example, the Samkhya
theory or 'birth from self' and the Jaina theory of 'birth from both self and other'.
I am not sure whether the thesis that entities substantially exist (dravya- sat) is an
abstract category. Where it is purportedly refuted in the Introduction [MAl it is
specific concepts whose referent is claimed to substantially exist, namely the self
for the Sammitiyas and consciousness (vijnana) for the Phenomenalists.
The of the Madhyamika generally is that any thesis establishing
any concept, be it referring to an entity or process, can be allocated to one or
other of a pair of categories that exhaust the universe or a well defined domain
of concepts. The pervasion of all possibilities by a pair of concepts, such as the
self and phenomena, self-born and otherborn, etc. ensures that no concept of an
opponent can fall outside the Madhyamika's categories, and means that all
140 REASONING INTO REALITY
theses are accommodated within the Introduction's [MA] schema., It is not really
clear from the Introduction [MA] who actually assigns an opponent's thesis to
one or other of the Madhyamikas' generic theses, In theory at least, there is no
need for the Madhyamikas themselves to assign an opponent's thesis to one of
its own generic formulations. It is valid for an opponent to make an assignment
himself (and one would think most skilful for the Madhyamika to do it this way,
for then there is presumably no question of coersion on the part of the
Madhyamika), In theory, also, this allocation to one of the Madhyamika's
categories is an innocuous exercise for an opponent as it doesn't require any
modification at all in the identity criteria for a concept.
If the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] reflects the real climate and action
of Indian inter-religious philosophical debate
66
it seems (and is quite to be
expected) that there were real problems when it came to the practice of analysis
between Madhyamikas and holders of other Buddhist and Hindu philosophies.
The Madhyarnika analyses demand (and require) a rigid designation of
whatever concepts are analysed. Madhyamikas speak in blacks and whites, of
things existing or not existing, being one or many, etc. for the reasons I
mentioned earlier when detailing the role of the principle of identity. The
analyses also demand a rigour of logical development.
The impression one gains from the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] is
that an opponent to the Madhyamikas' analysis may not wish to be directed
through the various decisions that need to be made en route to a final
consequential refutation of a thesis. At the least he may hesitate at the various
intersections on the flow-chart or at worst, from the Madhyamikas' viewpoint,
may refuse to proceed. He may resist in various ways the Madhyamikas' efforts
to analytically process his theses. For example, by moves such as failing to
commit himself to a sufficiently rigorous and syntactically precise elaboration of
his thesis, i.e. by obscuring his philosophical commitments, as it were, and by
refusing to clarify opaque concepts when asked to by the Madhyamikas. Finally,
an opponent may change the definitions or identity criteria of the concepts being
analysed part way through an analysis (presumably when he feels that he is
getting on tenuous ground with respect to the integrity of his concept(s. Any
of these moves serves to avoid the Madhyamika logic.
We see these efforts to avoid the Madhyamika logic and the Madhyamika's
own treatment of such moves in Chandrakirti's treatment of the Samkhya's 'self-
birth' thesis and Phenomenalist thesis of the substantial existence (dravya-sat) of
consciousness (vijnana). In the first case Chandrakirti makes short shrift of "the
Samkhya view that the effect exists in an unmanifest form at the time of the
cause. In this case Chandrakirti requires the Samkhya to commit itself to a
genuine identification of causes and effects rather than to speak in terms of a non-
manifest existence. The implication for Chandrakirti is that if they don't mean a
genuine identification then they must mean a genuine difference, as this is the
only option left. And if this is not what they mean then the Madhyamikas have
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 141
every right to classify their thesis as implying a genuine identification (even if
this is not what the Samkhyas mean) for this is the only option left once they
have rejected the interpretation that they mean a genuine difference between
causes and effects.
Chandrakirti repeats his seemingly harsh treatment of an opponent's views,
and alignment of an opponent's categories with his own, in his treatment of the
Phenomenalist's concept of the substantial existence of consciousness.
Consciousness either exists or it doesn't. If it doesn't exist the Phenomenalists
violate their tenet of the existence of consciousness. If it exists in anyway other
than as a nominality it exists under the Madhyamika definition of intrinsic
existence (svabhava). Here we see Chandrakirti construing a substantial existent
(dravya-sat) to be functionally the same as an intrinsic existence even though the
Phenomenalists could hardly agree with that alignment. That is to say,
Chandrakirti ascribes the same properties to substantial existence as he does to
intrinsic existence, for example, that things so characterised are unable to enter
into causal (hetu) or conditional (pratyaya) relationships with other entities, and
refutes their thesis on the basis of those properties (for example, that a
consciousness so characterised could not be modified by factors such as the
quality of sense-organs) even though the Phenomenalists themselves ascribe
contrary properties to their notion of substantial existence, for example, that it is
dependent on other things. The rationale behind Chandrakirti's distortion here
is of course highly questionable, and must be that a functional distinction
between substantial and intrinsic existence must be bogus for in the analytical
context at least there is only existence and non-existence.
67
In summary, then, the schema as presented in the figure applies to analysis
conducted within the Madhyamikas' own school and also guides the dialogical
exchanges between the Madhyamikas and other philosophers, as these are
reported in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAJ. For Madhyamika
philosophers, who would have been religiously committed to the worth and
validity of consequential analysis, the procedures were presumably followed in
a step-wise and fairly methodical fashion. For non-Madhyamikas the
assumptions and logic underlying consequential analysis would have been at
variance with their own epistemologies with the tension between the two
meaning that analysis would naturally be laboured, and from a Madhyamika
perspective perhaps oftentimes incomplete, i.e. inconsequential.
4.7 MODAL ANALYSIS AND SUBSTANTIVE BI-NEGATIVE
CONCLUSIONS
Before turning to the final section of this chapter it is useful to make some
brief remarks about the ontological ramifications of analysis and look at the
question of implicative (paryudasa) versus non-affirming negations (prasajya-
pratisedha) .
142 REASONING INTO REALITY
The two key analyses in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] (and
temporal and "one versus many" analyses also) are modal in structure for they
analyse an entity in terms of its modalities or characteristics. That is to say, the
consequences refute theses that establish an entity as having certain modal
properties such as being born from themselves, different from some other entity,
etc. In doing so they reflect the predicative structure of conceptuality. Though
the analyses are modal in structure their conclusions have a substantive import.
That is to say, though the analyses directly take up the question of the presence or
absence of the characteristics or properties of entities the conclusions made with
respect to their properties bear on the ontological status of the entities
themselves. This is because for Madhyamikas there is an ontologically
reciprocal dependence (parasparapeksa) between the status of the subject of
properties (laksya) and properties (laksana) themselves. The dependency at work
in the case of claiming a substantive import to these analyses is that the existence
of entities depends on the ascription of defining characteristics to them.
68
Thus,
the event of a modality being simultaneously neither affirmed nor denied of an
entity takes it outside the realm of predication (with respect to the modalities in
question) and so beyond findability or knowability in the samvrtic sense.
The important point to see is that non-predicability is different from a
negative predication. Where as the absence of a predicate tells one something
about an entity (it gives information that can help in the identification of an
entity), non-predicability, as expressed in the logical syntax of the bi-negative
disjunction, doesn't help in the identification of an entity. In other words, it
doesn't give one any information that could help in ascertaining whether or not
an entity exists. Thus the bi-negation leaves the ontic status of a concept
undetermined.
The substantive conclusion is derived differently depending on whether an
analysis is category restricted or unrestricted. In the case of a category restricted
analyses the predicate or modality chosen to be analysed is the defining property
(svalaksana) of some entity. The conclusion to a category restricted analysis is
that the defining property of some entity is neither present with nor absent from
the entity in question. The substantive import of this conclusion derives from
the fact that if the defining property is not present the entity cannot be affirmed
to exist. If the defining characteristic is present the entity must be affirmed to
exist. Thus, if the defining property is neither present nor not present the entity
which is identified by the property neither exists nor doesn't exist. This amounts
to saying that the entity is empty of an intrinsic identity.
In non-category restricted analyses an entity is shown to be empty rather
than non-existent through the exclusion of all possible predicates as being
inapplicable to an entity. The entity A is neither a P nor not a P where P and not
P exhaust the universal set of modalities. The nihilistic conclusion that A doesn't
exist would be errantly drawn from the modal conclusion for the non-existence
of something presupposes the applicability of predicates to an entity which are
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 143
in actuality absent. In other words, in order to determine that A is non- existent
one would have to know what A is, such that one could know that it didn't exist .
. If A goes uncharacterised because all predicates are inapplicable to it, its
existence or non- existence is unascertainable as the entity itself would be
unidentifiable. In other words, A couldn't be a non-existent entity. for it
wouldn't be an entity at all.-
The bi-negative conclusion is also arrived at more directly, it seems, by
reflecting directly on the dependency of concepts on their logical opposites.
Thus, when it is ascertained that there is no existence, no non-existence is also
ascertained for in the absence of existence there is nothing to be negated. Thus,
the negation of existence in Madhyamika logic implies the negation of non-
existence.
Reflecting directly in this way, from a negation of existence (or an existent)
to the bi-negative conclusion that there is neither eXistence nor non-existence, (or
neither an existent nor a non-existent) is what I would call a substantive analysis
for it goes directly to the bi-negative conclusion without analysing the modality
involved in analytically ascertaining the lack of non-existence. (It relies on the fact
that the concept of non-existence logically implies "existence" insofar as a
negative implies the concept that is negated.) A substantive conclusion is tacked
onto one prong of a consequential (or partitive) analysis69 that establishes non-
existence qua existence, or the non-existence of the proffered existent.
Nagarjuna analyses directly to the bi-negative conclusion from one half of,an
ultimacy analysis on several occasion in the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way
[MK].70 Perhaps this method of analysis represents an insider's technique for it
presupposes a commitment to an awareness of the principles of the reciprocal
dependence of concepts and their logical opposites and the transference of'
characteristics or properties between logical opposites. Thus, when existence is
negated so is non-existence. On the other hand, a modal analysis (which is
genuinely consequential in structure) doesn't presuppose an appreciation of
these two principles even though they are integral to the consequential method
of proof.
4.8 IMPLICATIVE AND NON-AFFIRMING NEGATIONS
As we are reading certain practical aspects of the Madhyamika logic into the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl it is appropriate to make some basic
observations about the applicability of the distinction between implicative
(parudasa) and non-affirming negations (prasajya- pratisedha) in the context of
Madhyarnika praxis.
The distinction between these two types of negations in Madhyamika logic is
well defined. An implicative negation implies the affirmation of a contrapositive
thesis by the negation of a thesis. A non-afflrming negation negates a thesis
without implying the affirmation of a contrapositive thesis. In other words, it is
144
REASONING INTO REALITY .
a pure and simple negation that doesn't establish anything posJtive. It may be
difficult at first to see how the negation of a thesis can fail but to affirm the
negative of the thesis. The idea of a non-affirming negation, though, is that it
removes the thesis but does nbt affirm the contrapositive thesis. This is
purportedly achieved because in the non-affirming negation both the thesis and
contrapositive thesis are affirmed in the conclusion, to which an appreciation of
the principle of contradiction and mutual dependency between thesis and
contrapositive thesis negates both, whereas in an implicative negation the
contrapositive thesis is affirmed at the expense of forsaking the thesis (and in
this the mutual dependency between the thesis and its opposite is lost sight of).
A non-affirming negation of either a thesis or contrapositive thesis would
establish the middle-view in that it avoided affirming either the thesis or
contrapositive thesis. In other words, the non-affirming negation states a mere
absence or vacuity of a thesis formulation.
The doctrinal position of the Prasangika- madhyamika is that its own
negations are non-affirming. Chandrakirti states this quite clearly in the Clear
Words [pp]71 as a point that distinguishes him from the Svatantrika philosophy
of Bhavaviveka.
72
The point is also made in the Commentary [MABh: 81] where
Chandrakirti characterises the negations (ma yin) involved in the refutation of all
four theses of the tetralemma comprising the productive analysis as having no
affirmative import because they mean a prohibition or exclusion (dgag pa).73
This means, for example, that when Chandrakirti negates the thesis of "birth
from self' he does not mean to imply that the negation affirms that things are
born from another. Although Chandrakirti specifies only that the negations in
the analysis of things (bhava) are non-affirming we can assume with consistency
that the negations in the analysis of the person are likewise non-affirming and
that from the viewpoint of Madhyamika theory the refutation that the self is
identical with the psycho-physical organism doesn't entail that it is different
from the psycho-physical organism and vice versa.
The most significant observation that can be glossed from the Introduction to
the Middle Way [MA] - where theses and contrapositive thesis are serially refuted
- is that the theoretical position of Chandrakirti: that his negations are non-
affirming, is unlikely to always have been borne out in the context of practice.
There seem to be two reasons for a serial refutation. By a serial refutation I mean
the connected refutation of a thesis and its negation, not the occurrence of refuting
one thesis and then a subsequent but unrelated refutation of its negation as seems .
to be the case when, for example, Chandrakirti refutes the Samkhya conception
of self-birth and then the Buddhist conception of other-birth. Firstly we can note
that Chandrakirtl uses two consequential arguments refuting both a thesis and
its negation in his refutation of the Sammitiya's conception of the self. In this
case Chandrakirti needn't be deviating from his claimed theoretical stance of
furnishing only non-affirming negations. To refute the Sammitiya conception of
a self Chandrakirti must refute both a thesis: that the self is the psycho-physical
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 145
organism, and its negation: that the two are different, even where both
refutations are non-affirming, for if only one of the positions is refuted a
residuum to the 5amrnitiya's self would remain. The meditative
contextualisation of consequential analysis where both theses: that the self is the
same and different are refuted, can be interpreted like this also. Thus the one
meditator (even in the one meditation) may refute both theses because his
natural and hence relevant conception of the self is formalised as a combination
of the two theses, much as the Samrnitiyas describe it.
Even so, from the viewpoint of praxis it seems that the Madhyamikas'
negations may not always be non-affirming, and that the non-affirming aspect of
their negation is a statement of intention and not something intrinsic to their style
of logic.7
4
From this perspective, the mere intention by Madhyamikas that their
refutation of a thesis doesn't affirm a contrapositive thesis need not pre-empt the
possibility (even likelihood!) that an opponent may, subsequent to a convincing
refutation of his thesis, slide in his viewpoint so as to affirm, however moderately
or tentatively, the negation of his initial thesis. And in such a case the
Madhyarnikas - realising that an opponent may slide in his viewpoint, and
wishing also to bring him to the point of rejecting all viewpoints - would have to
frame refutations to a thesis and its negation. Hence, another interpretation of
the serial refutation of theses and contrapositive theses in both the Introduction to
the Middle Way [MA] and in the meditative contextualisation is that
Madhyamikas were wise to a tendency among their adversaries (and perhaps
within their own thought also) to construe their negations as implicative.
75
Hence when Chandrakirti caps his refutations with an affirmation of a negation
he may be meaning to vocalise and bring to consciousness what he believes to be
a conclusion in the thought of his analysand.
Disregarding a case such as the Samrnitiya's amalgamed self-conception,
these two different types of negation, the implicative and non-affirming,
respectively make for a conjunctive and disjunctive use of consequences. If
negations are affirming then both a thesis and its negation must be refuted in
order to exclude the possible views that can be adopted. If the negations. are
intended and more importantly are taken as non-affirmingthen the middle-view
that precludes all viewpoints can be gained by the refutation of a single thesis in
isolation from the refutation of its contrapositive thesis, for in forsaking a thesis a
philosopher does not take up the contra positive thesis.
With respect to the confluting or coincidence of opposites that we talked
about earlier, the conflution would seem to take place naturally and as integral
to analysis in the case of non-implicative negations, as the basis for refuting a
thesis is by the derivation of its negation or opposite. On the other hand, the
:onflution would seem artificial, and a separate exercise to analysis itself in the
:ase of affirming negations as two contradictory conclusions are generated
;erially within a mind-stream and would have to be temporally aligned as an act
146 REASONING INTO REALITY
separate and subsequent to the derivation of those two appropriiJ.tely juxtaposed
consequences.
5 LOGICAL AND EXPERIENTIAL CONSEQUENCES
If analysis was thought to have a liberative result, as has been argued, it is
clear that the procedures of analysis must have been thought to produce not
only a logical conclusion, or conclusion in reason, such as are expressed in the bi-
negative disjunctions that summarise the conclusion to consequential analyses,
but also to have produced an experiential conclusion, or, we may prefer, a
factual conclusion (following the Leibnisian distinction).
How is it then that the analytical processing of conceptuality could affect
something more than a mere change in thought? How could conceptual analysis
ultimately have been thought to introduce a radical and liberative
transformation of a saint's entire experience and world-view. The
transformative effects of analysis can be explained by speculating on the
meditative utilisation of analysis. There, it seems, experiential effects can be
accounted for through two related factors. Namely, (1) through a perception of
the ramifications of a concept on and within affective reactions, and (2) via a
discernment of the depth levels and structures of the concepts that are analysed.
The first factor would involve a recognition of the structural role that any
particular concept being analysed played in the arising and constellation of
emotional reactions (klesa) to cognitions. We expect that saints, when they were
establishing the concept to be analysed, Le. ascertaining the object of negation
(dgag bya), in the first step of their analytical contemplations, would survey their
affective mental states and tendencies with a view to ascertaining which
emotions were dependent on the concept under analysis. They would be
concerned with the functional dependencies between concepts and different sets
of affections and would explore the nexus in which concepts were placed with
respect to other concepts. They would become conscious of structural
dependencies wherein affections were dependent on misconceptions, and in so
doing they would involve those affections in an analysis and bind, in a sense,
those affections to the outcome of an analysis. Thus, when the misconceptions
were reversed this would also serve to undermine the structural basis of the
affective responses. So, although it is only a concept that is being analysed, its
influence within the entire psyche of a saint would be investigated prior to, or
rather as the first step in any analysis so as to ensure that an analysis did have
some effect in attenuating and countering affective responses such as hatred,
aggression, desire, lust, pride, etc. More specifically, as the conceptual bases to
the afflictive emotions were destructured, this would have an impact on the
afflictive emotions that corresponded in degree to the dependencies that were
ascertained at the beginning of any analysis. These dependencies, one pres.umes,
would become apparent to saints only through deep contemplation and how
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 147
much of a saint's psyche was invested in an analysis would depend on the
thoroughness with which the dependencies were seen. In this way, for example,
analysis of the view of individuality (satkaya-drstz) would involve not only an
ascertainment of the concept of a real self but also an appreciation of its influence
on the formation of the personality and particularly on neuroses and stultifying
emotions that develop on the basis of that view. These investigations of affective
responses and their correlation with false modes of conceptuality might have
been facilitated by the abhidharmas and, for Tibetan philosophers, the mental
typologies (blo rigs) literature.
76
The second and partially overlayered way of explaining the purported
experiential effects of analysis is to consider that the concepts themselves that
are analysed, exist and can be ascertained, according to Madhyamikas, at
varying degrees of depth and subtlety. This view is affirmed in the distinction
that has been mentioned earlier between intellectual (parikalpita) and innate
(sahaja) concepts, where the intellectual conceptualisations are more superficial
and less deeply ingrained and entrenched than innate ones.
It seems that while the surface aspects or components of conceptuality exist
at the level of conscious experience, (in fact, presumably they are identified with
conscious thought) the depth aspects exist at an unconscious level, at least for
ordinary folk. Indeed, concepts must be so constituted for the Madhyamika.
This is apparent if we take the self-concept as an example, for were the self-
concept merely the conscious thought of 'I' or 'me' it would mean that whenever
the thought of 'I' or 'me' was absent within a stream of thought one would be
realising selflessness. We, for a great (and probably greater) part of our waking,
and all or our deep sleep, experience, would be realising the selflessness that
only the saints realise. So clearly the concept of a self is established by a mode of
conceiving that operates at a subconscious level. And Madhyamikas would say
this applies to other concepts as well. These subconscious, and hence,
unmanifest modes of conceiving were probably thought to be more stable and
continuous than the ever changing perturbations of conscious conceptuality. In
the meditative context we can suppose that when saints were ascertaining the
object to be negated, they were concerned with fathoming the deeper, more
subtle and more entrenched modes of conceptuality; modes that could only be
penetrated through deep and quiet meditation. And, given that there are deeper
and structurally more significant modes of conceiving than conscious thought,
and that a saint could plum these and in fact take these as the concepts to be
analysed, then by realising the emptiness of these structurally and affectively
more significant aspects of conceptuality they could reasonably have been
thought to gain experiences that likewise had deeper effects that the mere
manipulation of conscious thought. It seems, in fact, that the emptiness of a
concept could only be realised in dependence on a saint knowing precisely and
in detail what it was that he was analysing. Thus, for example, the more fully
and deeply that the errant view of a self, as permanent, intrinsically existent, etc.,
148 REASONING INTO REALITY
could be ascertained, the fuller (and more freeing also) w o u l ~ be the insight
gained in realising that that deeper and more entrenched self was empty.
Tibetan philosophers quote a line from Shantideva's Introduction to the Evolved
Lifestyle [BCA: 9.140a] in this regard which says that "Without contacting the
thing that is imagined there is no ascertainment of its non-existence."77 The
import of this line is that the saint must know the false cognition, the falsely
established status of things, in order to be able to refute and negate it.
By realising the pervasive structure of conceptuality and its role in
supporting the emotional reactions (klesa) and through locating and analysing
the deeper flows and features of conceptuality, saints could have expected to
gain profound and existentially far-reaching results from their analyses. Exactly
how experientially profound a logical consequence might be expected to be
would be dependent on how thoroughly the connections and dynamic
dependencies between concepts and affects were ascertained and to what extent
the deeper levels of conceptuality were penetrated. These psychological
explorations and ascertainments conducted in the context of meditation
presumably also made for a difference that Madhyamikas would no doubt have
highlighted between the scholar and the practitioner of the Madhyamika, for
while the former might have a sympathy and intellectual appreciation of
consequential logic, i.e. gain an understanding at the level of thought,
presumably only the disciplined meditator was thought to be able to realise any
soteriologically significant effects.
6 CONTINGENCY AND NECESSITY IN CONSEQUENTIAL
ANALYSIS
In concluding this chapter it may be of interest to briefly address the
question of whether insight is contingently or necessarily related to analysis, or
represented in a more sharply focused form: is the realisation of a logical
conclusion to a consequential analysis necessarily productive of some measure
of insight into emptiness? Answering these questions involves determining the
extent to which consequential analysis models deductive forms of reasoning, for
if it could be shown that indeed the Madhyamika logic is deductively valid then
there are some grounds for thinking that insightful conclusions necessarily
follow if analyses do conform to sound deductive thought-processes. The
problem is complicated, though, for the logic of the Madhyamika is not a pen-
and-paper logic but a logic embedded in the experience of Madhyamika
philosophers - as has just been shown. Hence, while logical necessities might
function at a formal level in Madhyamika analysis, the empirical contextualisation
of Madhyamika logic weighs against the necessity of insight arising from
analysis. That is to say, the grounding- of Madhyamika analysis in the
experience of saints introduces contingencies into the relationship between
analysis and insight. And the introduction of contingencies would mean that it
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 149
wouldn't be imperative that insight arose from analysis. If they are contingently
related; any logical compulsion is ameliorated and insight mayor may not arise
at the completion of any analysis.
Firstly I'll talk about the types of contingencies that might exist in
Madhyamika analysis and then show that the procedures of Madhyamika
analysis seem to (perhaps are designed to) preclude the entry of contingencies'
into the relationship between analysis and insight and in so doing point to an
ideal form and structure of analysis in which insight necessarily follows from
analysis.
The first contingency, though one may not really wish to call it such, is that
an analysis fails to be followed to its logical completion and so stops at a non-
conclusive and hence non-insightful terminus. Even given that a conclusion is
realised, other genuine contingencies would act to ameliorate the quality and
strength of any insight gained. Two significant factors would be changes to the
identity criteria of the concept being analysed and a failure to perceive the need
for refuting both thesis and contrapositive thesis in order to exclude all views. As
I'll explain in more detail soon, these two factors revoke the first and second
steps respectively of the meditative contextualisation of analysis into four steps,
that has been referred to earlier. Contingencies such as the above could occur
for any number of reasons, for example, being interrupted or being ignorant of,
or forgetting, analytical procedures. The most interesting case - and one that
throws light on the dynamic between analytical and non-analytical mentalities
within a single continuum - is where the concept as originally specified, is
modified in the course of an analysis so that it is not implicated in a conclusion.
A likely occurrence in such a case - and this relates to the previous section also -
would be a diminution in what constituted the concept, this being caused by a
relinquishing of the deep and subtle aspects of a concept and/or a failure to
retain the emotional reactions that were originally implicated in an analysis.
That is to say, the concept would be narrowed down through a spilling out of
the deeper more entrenched levels of the concept so that only the more
superficial aspects were retained within the conclusion. A more obvious
revoking of identity criteria would occur where the identifying characteristics of
a concept were changed part way through an analysis.
Even though various contingencies can and obviously would enter into a
saints' analytical contemplations, the procedures and guidelines used in
directing analytical contemplations appear to be designed to reduce the
occurrence and strength and influence of contingent factors. The procedures do this
by (1) ensuring predicative coherence and consistency, (2) by acknowledging the
principles of contradiction and joint exhaustion of a class or universal domain by
logical opposites and (3) by pre-empting a slide to an opposing viewpoint.
Although some of these features of the Madhyamika analysis have been
mentioned before the context of discussion is different here.
150 REASONING INTO REALITY
The first step in the meditative contextualisation of analysis appears to
require not only a location of errant conceptions but their specification via a
coherent and consistent predicate. Thus, the concept that is analyzed is rigidly
designated in an effort to remove' all referential opacity. The saint presumably
gains a clear and distinct perception (clara et distincta perceptio) of the concept to
be analyzed, and attempts to ensure that the very same concept is implicated in
the conclusion. This structurally models and forms thought in terms of the
principle of identity and ensures (1) that the same concept is analysed
throughout a contemplation and (2) that the same concept is affirmed and
denied in the conclusion. The first step is thus a commitment to the identity of a
concept though predicating it coherently and consistently.
The second step, as explained earlier, psychologically commits a saint to two
jointly exhaustive and mutually exclusive possibilities that serve to prescribe
two alternative and well defined sequences of thought. This aligns his/her
thought with the principle's of the excluded middle and contradiction.
As argued earlier, consequential analysis aims, via reductio ad absurdum
arguments, to bring a thesis and a contrapositive thesis into a cospatial and
cotemporal alignment which necessitates the destructuring of a concept. A
psychological necessity flows from the fact of the logical impossibility of such a
co alignment. The cospatial and cotemporal alignment of logical opposites
constitutes the sufficient and a necessary condition for the destructuring of a
concept and hence, on the interpretation given earlier, for an insight into the
emptiness of the concept. With respect to the third and fourth steps in the four
step format of meditation, these last two steps each follow up an argument that
in essence constitutes a sequence of thoughts. When the negation implied in an
analysis is implicative or affirmative (parudasa) the third and fourth steps together
pre-empt a slide in viewpoint and hence off-set the establishment of a
convention (for example, that there is a transcendental or non-transcendently
self) rather than an emptiness. The structure of non-affirming negations seems
to guarantee a cotemporal affirmation of thesis and contrapositive thesis through
either of the last two steps. In this case the two options contained in the third and
fourth steps serve to bridge the heuristic contingency that saints may be inclined
to different views of the self and other concepts.
Thus, it seems that there are certain structural features to the techniques of
Madhyamika analysis that serve to remove the entry of contingent factors into
analysis and so increasingly ensure that appropriately insightful conclusions do
follow from analysis. It seems that Madhyamikas would consciously and
gradually have honed down and refined their analyses so that their conceptual
trajectories as specified by the analytical procedures became integrated,
controlled, specific, firm, focused and stable. In this way it seems that they could
feel that they meditations were more likely to be fruitful.
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 151
In conclusion to this chapter, it seems that a cogent case can be developed
that Madhyamikas believed that consequential analysis was integrally related to
their search for insight.
NOTES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
K.K. Inada, Nagarjuno., p. 18. He also writes with more caution (p. 34, n. 23) that
"whether prasanga is really a method for educing truth or only a method of criticism is a
moot question."
T.W. de Tong, "Emptiness," p. 14 writes that the "negative dialect does not lead to the
understanding of the Ultimate Truth but prepares the ground for the true insight to be
gained througn concentration." De Tong's observation tllat concentration is thought to be
necessary ana integral to insight is obviously correct, witness the doctrine of samatha-
vipasyana- yugano.ddha. On tills see Geshe Sopa, "Samathavipasyanayuganaddha" in
Minoru Kiyota (ed.), Mahll)fano. Buddhist Meditation: Theory and Practice (Honolulu: The
University Press of HawaIi, 1978), pp. 46-65. De Jong seems to imply that dialectical
analysis is a necessary condition for insight.
F.T. Streng, Emptiness, p. 76.
See T.R.V. Murti, The Central Philosophy of Buddhism, for example pp. 160 and 219.
He writes, for examr,'le, Emptiness, p. 148, that "the dialectic is itself a means of knowing"
and (p.149) that in 'Naga1"Juna's negative dialectic the power of reason is an efficient
force tor realizing Ultimate Truth." Yet (p. 94) that the ultimate truth (paramarthata) may
"manifest itself through 1019cal reasoning as well as intuition." Streng has confirmed this
view with me in conversation.
Ashok Gangadean, ''Formal ontology and the dialectical transformation of
consciousness", 37.
Ibid., p. 22.
Both kalpano. and vikalpa were translated by Tibetan translators as rto gpa, though vikalpa
often as rno.m par rtog pa as well.
See VPTd. p. 280.
MK 25.24 speaks of nirvana being gained by the halting of prapanca (Inada, Nagarjuno., p.
159) and the MSA, 10.44a of vikalpa oeing reversed (paravrtta) (Bagchi, p. 44).
SeePP onMK 18.7 (Sprung. p.179.)
Sanskrit and Tibetan in V. Bhattacharya (ed.) ... p. 194. The Tibetan verses here are out of
step by one line. M.T. Sweet's translation Santideva and the Madhyamika: The
Prajnaparamita- panccheda of the Bodhicaryavatara, p. 82.
Of the PP, Sprung, in the introduction to Lucid Exposition .. , p.20, writes that "Beatitude -
nirvana - is understood in terms of two criteria: (1) the coming to rest of all ways of
taking things (or of all ways of perceiving things); (2) the commg to rest of all named
things [prapancal (or of language as a naming activity). These two criteria are in
Chandrakirti's application virtually one, though the second is the preferred formulation."
A more elaborate account of what ceases (at PP 25.24) are (Sprung, p.20) "(1) assertive
152
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
REASONING INTO REALITY
verbal statements, (2) discursive thought, (3) the basic afflictions, (4) innate modes of
thought (vasana), (5) objects of knowledge, (6) knowing". '
MA (6.160a-c) likewise relates that reality is easily entered by the seven-sectioned
analysis of the person due to its showing that the person is unfindable.
M.J. Sweet, op. cit., p. 129. For the Sanskrit see V. Bhattacharya, p. 214.
See Milinda Panha, T.W. Rhys Davids (tr.), The Questions of King Milinda (New York:
(Dover reprint), 1980), Pt. 1, pp. 95-96.
L. Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations (tr. G.E.M. Anscombe) (Oxford: Basil
Blackwell, 1974), p. 133.
The extent to which analysis is an integral meditative technique in Buddhist traditions
other than the Madhyamika is a complex question. Certainly all Buddhist traditions use
vipasyana meditations but only the Prasangika-madhyamikas say that consequential
analysis is a necessary condition for liberation. According to Hopkms, Prasangikas hold
that they and individual vehicle Buddhists alike cognise emptiness through the use of
consequences with the only difference being that universal vehicle Buddhists have a
larger variety of logical approaches at their disposal, for example, the many
establishments in the MK. See J. Hopkins, Meditation on Emptiness, p. 488. Though at
first sight Ch'an and Zen Buddhists would not appear to use consequences - they have a
reputation for the repudiation of all logical and rational thought - their employment of
paradox and non sequitur may indicate otherwise. See Shohei Ichimura, "Buddhist
dialectical methods and their structural identity", unpub., n.d., mimeograph. Richard
Chi also has some comments on the logical content and procedures in Ch'an in "Topic on
being and logical reasoning", PEW, 24.3 (July 1974) 29E-99. It is possible that tlley do
analyse, but only privately and in the advanced and closing stages of their meditations.
If so they would oy-pass dialectical debate. Also see the inter alia comments by Dale S.
Wright in "The significance of paradoxical language in Hua-yen Buddhism," PEW, 32.3
(July 1982), 325-338.
Ashok Gangadean, op. cit.
Ibid., p. 25.
Paul Williams, "Some Aspects of Language and Construction in the Madhyamika," ]IP,
8 (1980), 16.
Streng, Emptiness. p.188.
The term prapanca is often used to mean I'ust verbal elaboration Or even to denote
elaboration, as in an exposition, yet clear y it must refer to mental Or conceptual
elaboration as well. The RSM, f. 19a4, for example, glosses spros pa as sgra rtog gi spros pa.
Also were it just verbal elaboration then people would absurdly gain nirvana whenever
they were silent.
Williams, op. cit., p. 32.
See Gangadean, op. cit., p. 24 that "any well formed or significant thought may be
analyzed-into a relation between a logical subject and predicate."
Williams,op. cit., p. 24-25.
The principle is recognised by Nagarjuna, for example, MK, 23.10-11 and Chandrakirti,
PP,220.
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 153
In Taoism it is the deeply rooted principle of terminological reciprocity. See for example,
chapter two of the Tao te ching. Their existence suggests nonexistence, beauty-ugliness,
goodness- evil, short-long, etc.
See Antonio S. Cua, "Opposites as complements: Reflections on the significance of Tao,"
PEW, 31.2 (April 1981), 123-140. .
There is an interesting book by Paul Roubiczek called Thinking in OviJosites - an
investigation of the nature of man as revealed by the nature of thinking (London: 'Routledge &
Kegan Paul Ltd., 1952) that treats oppositional definitions lightly and in a non-rigorous
way. Basically Roubiczek reduces various scientific, pfiilosophical, and religious
conceF'ts to their existence in virtue of being defined through their conceptual opposites.
Thoughts, percepts, and feelings, he shows, all arise through their oF'posites; e.g. good
and bad (-good), light and dark (-light), inner and outer (-Inner), pride and humilIty (-
pride), pleasure and pain (-pleasure), etc. He also (pp. 170-171) indicates a spiritual
efficacy in the practice of what he calls "interconnected opposites".
28. Gangadean, op. cit., p. 24.
29. Williams, op. cit., p. 28.
30. See infra, p.
I prefer to use the term logical opposites rather than logical contraries, as Gangadean
does, for the later is usually to be contrasted with logical contradiction, irrespective of
whether the opposites involved are category restricted or not. Gangadean's contrasting
of contraries and complements is borrOWIng on logical and set theoretic definitions
respectively.
31. Gangadean, op. cit., p. 29.
32. Tsang kha pa in the LSNP confirms such an interpretation of the notion of
pratilyasamutpada where he defines the logic of relatively (i.e. reasoning by way of being
relationally originated as 286 and n. 65 the perception of the contradictory opposite (' g01
zla dmigs pal.
33. This is, for example, G.E. Moore's non-naturalist position on the concept of "good" which
cannot be analysed in terms of properties, relationships, etc. Rather "good" just is what is
"good" and cannot be defined or analysed any further.
34. See MK, 14.3 that one entity cannot have two selfcharacterizing natures.
35. Williams, ap. cit., p. 27.
36. L. Wittgenstein, Philosaphical Investigations, op. cit., p. 131. He elaborates that: "If I say I
did nat dream last night, still I must know where to look for a dream; that is, the
proposition 'I dreamt'; applied to this actual situation, may be false, but mustn't be
senseless." - Does that mean, then, that you did after all feel something, as it were the
hint of a dream, which made you aware of the place which a dream would have
occupied?
"The mind of Wigner's friend," Hermathena, 112 (1971), p. 65.
43. Idem.
Bass himself has noted the sateriological imF,ort of absurdities in Nicholas Cusanus and
made the interesting suggestion (p. 65) that 'a persisting conflict of neural modes might
itself exert an evolutionary pressure" and that it may be actually modified by mystics.
154
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
REASONING INTO REALITY
D.M. Armstrong, Belief Truth and Knowledge (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1973), pp. 104-106.
Ibid., p. 104.
Ibid., p. 105.
For example, see bsTan pai nyi rna's (fourth Panchen Lama) gSung rab kun gyi snying po
lam gyi gtso bo rnam pa gsum gyi khrid yig gzhan phan snying po translated as Instructions on
the Three Principle Aspects of tne Path by Geshe 1. Sopa and Jeffrey Hopkins in Practice and
Theory of Tibetan Buddhism (London: Rider and Company, 1976), pp. 38-39.
This verse (Streng, Emptiness, p. 185) says: "What third [possibility] goes other than the
"goer" and "non-goer"?
'(PTd, "ne donne aucune determinination." p. 298
Chandrakirti also says (MABh: 100.12) that "there isn't an existent separate from the two
(gnyis ka dang bral ba yod pa ... ma yin) [of existence and non-existence]."
Tibetan has rnam pa, i.e. no other mode. For the Tibetan and and Sanskrit or the verse
see n. 12, p. .
See G. Sopa and J. Hopkins, op. cit., p. 39.
The origin for the two-fold division as a basic analytical schema seems to be with
Chandrakirti, though the division has been made earlier in Asanga's Bodhisattvabhumi
and Yogacarabhumi. See Isshi Yamada, "Premises and Implications of Interdependence,"
in S. Balasooriya, et al. (eds.), Buddhist Studies in Honour of Walpola Rahula. London:
Gordon Fraser, 1980, p. 290, nn. 60 and 61.
This requires a little explanation. For Chandrakirti (and all Buddhists except for the
Vaibhashikas) the class of bhavas is coextensive with the class of produced plienomena
(samskrta-dharma). (For Vaibhashikas, space (akasa) which is a non- product is a bhava for
it can perform a function such as failing to obstruct and thereby alrow the movement of
obstructibles. See the gloss by Geshe Sopa and Jeffrey Hopkins, op. cit., p. 71.) The MA
brings this out implicitly. Bhizvas are only defined extensionally in the MA (6.219) as the
five aggregates. (They are implicitly defined, though, through being analyzed in the MA
in terms of the characteristic of b e i n ~ born. (jatiJ or produced (utpada).) Non-things
(dngos pa med pa, abhava), though, which are the 10gicaI opposite of things, are defined
(6.220) as unproduced phenomena ('dus ma bya chos, asamskrta-dharma). Products
(samskrta) are defined (6.191) as what arises from conditions (rkyen, pratyaya) and non-
products are unborn (skye med, ajati). Therefore, by deduction, bhavas are samskrta-
iiharmas and a defining characteristic (svalaksana) of both classes is that their members are
produced (slate, jati) from conditions. The equivalences are stated explicitly in the MK
where (26.5) Nagarjuna says that if nirvana is a bhava then it is a samskrta and that bhavas
are never asamslCrta. These equivalences mean, incidentally, that there is a certain degree
of overlap and duplication in the typology of twenty emptinesses. Hence, as bhavas and
samskrtas are identical, then, Chandrakirti has analytically accounted for all classes of
entities except unproduced phenomena (asamskrta-dliarma).
Cf. the MABh (120.17) quote (of the Catuhsataka? VPTd. p. 344, n.2) that at the level of
samvrti one talks the language of ones opponents, which for Madhyamikas includes
refuting opponents within theIr own categones.
See, for example, AK, 1.5. The MABh (339) mentions just space (nam mkha', akasa) and
nirvana as unproduced phenomena.
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 155
57. Streng, Emptiness, p. 192.
58. The argument is framed around a tetralemma (catusiaJti) that refutes the theses that
nirvana is a thing, a non-thing, both or neither.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
(1) Nirvana is not a thing (26.4-6)as this would make it a product and things are never
non-products. Also, if nirvana where existent it couldn't be indepencfent. These
arguments are definitional in character.
(2) The argument that nirvana is not a non-thing (26.7-9) draws on the transference of
characteristics between logical opposites. If nirvana is not a thing (as just proved) then
neither is it a non-thing. Additionally it couldn't be characterised as independent (or
anything else) if it were a non-thing.
(3) Nirvana is not both a thing and non-thing (26.11-14) for being both would contradict
its nature as an asamskrta. Also, and this is the first genuine consequence, it could not
have two mutually opposed natures. (4) Nor is nirvana neither a thiiig nor non-thing for
if it can't be both (as Just proved) it cannot not be both. This, like the proof at 2. is based
on the transference of characteristics.
G. Sopa and J. Hopkins, op. cit., p. 42.
The MK's second chapter analysis of motion is the paradigmatic temporal analysis.
Hopkins in Meditation on Emptiness, writes (p. 490) that "the two sets of reasonings [as
found in the MAl are divided not because they exclusively prove either the person or
other phenomena to be selfless but because the various Madhyamika teaches have mainly
used them this way."
MK, 4.6 (Streng, p. 188) supports this interpretation saying that it doesn't obtain that the
product is the same as the cause or is not ilie same as the cause.
G. Sopa and J. Hopkins op. cit., pp. 39-41.
Gangadean, op. cit., pp. 28-29
This is perhaps the only theoretical requirement, for one can hazard a guess that for
Buddhists anything other than the three types of asamskrta- dharmas would in all
likelihood not even been considered as unproduced. It would go without saying (and
without analysis) that a sprout, chair, etc. were not non-products and thus when the
postulate of their being a product was ruled out the universe of discourse may be
thought for practical purposes to have been exhausted.
The MA is not clear as to whether these are theoretical exchanges, i.e. hypothetical
fabrications created by Madhyamikas, or reports of typical interChanges that actually
took place. Although it is to be expected that the MA would report the exchanges with
an unquestioned bIas to the superiority of their own system, it is my feelmg that
Chandrakirti is reporting exchanges that were historical. Several reasons lead one to this
conclusion. (1) Debate was a very 'central business in the Indian philosophical arena as
evidenced by the manuals on debatingJrocedures, and a serious matter also if we are to
believe at least the sentiments expresse in the numerous hagiographical reports of inter-
religious debates and loss of face and even religious adherence on the part of losers in
debate. (2) We have no reason to believe that all the philosophers in the large viharas
were of the same philosophical commitment. The histories report that the seminal
thinkers of many and varied Buddhist schools were influential and active in the large
viharas. (3) Perhaps the most telling sign is the very devices that the MA uses in relaying
its philosophy sucb as interjection (e.g. 6.129) ad hominem arguments (e.g. 6.141) and the
156
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
REASONING INTO REALITY
distortion of opponents theses. These various devices were spawned in and
mirror the spint of interpersonal debate.
In such analyses as these the Madhyamikas do not seem willing to bifurcate an
opponent's thesis into a combination of two theses, as one sees, for example, in the third
tetralemma of the productive proof. Such would be another way of trying to allocate an
opponent thesis within the Madhyamika's categories. In the case of an abstract analysis
for example, the opponent's categories, rather than being envisaged as a subclass
one Madhyarnika class would bridge two categories and be analysed in a two pronged
refutation. Prima facie this might seem to be a more honest way for the Madhyamika to
accommodate certain theses of their opponents, though it is questionable (and unlikely)
that a thesis of "self and other birth" would be acceptable to the Samkhya or a thesis of
the "existence yet non-existence" of consciousness" to the Phenomenalist.
Cf. MK, 5.4a (Streng, p. 188) that there is no object of characterisation (laksya) in the
absence of any functional characteristic.
A partitive analysis is non-conseguential and involves ascertaining the non-existence of
an entity through a failure to find It in and among its parts.
In the case of a 'partitive analysis of the self' a self is searched for within the psycho-
physical organism dividing the constituents of the latter into coarse and then finer parts.
Such forms of analysis establish that the self is not the latter but fail to exclude the
possibility that the self is separate from the aggregation. Ther thus establish the non-
phenomenality of the self but not its emptiness. See BCA, 9.58f and RA, 2.2 for this type
of analysis.
For example, MK, 5.6: that if something is not at all of what will there be non-existence.
Also 15.5 and 25.7. And BCA, 9.34.
See Sprung, Lucid Exposition, p.36: that "this negation [of birth from self] is not intended
to imply an affirmation."
Bhavaviveka proffers a thesis at the close of a consequence by way of drawing a
conclusion. He claims that it is an analytical necessity that the Madhyarnika arguments
expose and affirm the negations of a thesis rather than merely exposing an a15surdity,
wruch Prasangika claims is sufficient. In fact Bhavaviveka takes !he Prasangika
Buddhapalita to task for asserting the opposite as a conclusion to his consequences and
that Buddhapalita therefore goes against the Prasangika proclamation that ilie negations
issuing from their consequences are non-affirming. The point, though, for Prasangikas is
that Buddhapalita is not at fault for'when he asserts the opposite of the thesis being
analyzed this is not in the context of the consequential argument itself but rather is a
summary statement of the thesis being refuted. See Hopkins, Meditation on Emptiness, p.
156. As Chandrakirti sometimes affirms his conclusions the same rationale is applicable
to him.
VPTd. p. 279. "purement negatif."
Even so, perhaps the non-affirming character of Prasangika-madhyamika negations is a
formal condition for their logic as it would seem that a logically generated non-affirming
negation could only be derived through a consequence or reductIO ad absurdum where the
logical affirmation of the negation of a thesis could be derived through a syllogistic
inference or what I've called a partitive analysis. Where both a thesis and contrapositive
thesis are negated and their opposites affinned through these affirming negations it is
feasible that a coincidence of opposites, and hence demonstration of emptiness, could be
gained through non-consequential analyses, which would go against Prasangika tenets.
These are just some thoughts and I'm not sure whether there is a genuine distinction to
be made here between the affinning character of consequential and partitive analyses.
ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT 157
75.
76.
77.
Perhaps there is a greater propensity to slide to an ojJposite viewpoint in the case of a
self-conception given the janus-like nature of the self. ill the case though of refuting say
"birth from another" it seems that such a negation would in practice (as well as theory)
be non-affirmin
p
for it is unlikely that its refutation would result in theadoption of the
"birth from self' thesis. This is born out by Jam dbyangs bzhad pa who says that of the
four alternatives re production only the second need by refuted, presumably because all
other are so unreasonable as not to be ascribed to in wactice. (Communication from
Jeffrey Hopkins.) On the other hand, a slide couldn t be ruled out in the case of a
refutation of the "birth from self' thesis, given the common-sense plausibility of the
thesis of ''birth from another".
An example in translation is H.V. Guenther and L.S. Kawamura's Mind in Buddhist
Psychology (a trs. of Ye shes rgyal mtshan's Sems dang sems byung gi tshul gsal par ston pa
bo gsal mgul rgyan), Emeryvilfe, Calif.: Dharma Publishing, 1975.
Bhattacharya, p. 221. Sweet's translation, op. cit. p.144.
CHAPTER FOUR
INSIGHT AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS
The final chapter of this study investigates the ways in which the insight into
emptiness, or what is called the profound view (gambhira-drsti), is related to
various doctrinal structures that are included within the rubric of the extensive
deeds (udara-gocara). In particular it examines the relationship between insight
and the universal vehicle concept of full evolution (bodhi) that the Introduction to
the Middle Way [MAl subscribes to.
The first half of the chapter reconstructs the Introduction to the Middle Way's
[MAl exposition of the extensive content and briefly details the schemas it uses
for organising and describing this content. The reconstruction shows how many
facets of the extensive practices directly relate to the concept of the buddhas' full
evolution. For Chandrakirti, in fact, all phenomena and processes are in one
way or another related - through the concept of a single vehicle (eka-yana) - either
to the gaining of full evolution or to its expression. The second half of the
chapter investigates the interrelationships between insight and various aspects
and features of the extensive content.
The extensive deeds and extensive doctrines (dharma), as explained in the
first chapter, include all the practices and doctrines that Chandrakirti expounds
that are not concerned, in the most direct sense, with the insight into emptiness.
Some notions that are functionally cognate or at least similar to the extensive,
though not necessarily equivalent, in meaning or domain, are conventional truth
(samvrti-satya), inter-personal or social truth (vyavahara-satya), interpretative
subject matter (neyartha), appearance (khyati), therapeutic techniques (upaya), and
therapeutic skill (upaya-kausalya). As the extensive content envisaged by
Chandrakirti is, for the most part, just that assented to by universal vehicle
Buddhism, this treatment can be fairly summary in details and afford to locate
that content which is pertinent to this study. With the exception of its
interpretation and distribution of the interpretative-definitive distinction, the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl is effectively a precis of the Perfect Insight
(Prajna-paramita) literature and the Asanga
1
corpus of texts, even though it does
not refer to them. It parallels the presentations given in the Ornament for the
Realisations (Abhisamayalamkara), Ornament for the Universal Vehicle Sutras [MSA],
160 REASONING INTO REALITY
and Levels of Yoga Practice (Yogacara-bhumi) when these texts hav-e been culled of
their Phenomenalist content and/or had that content Madhyamically rectified.
There are three areas in which the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl
specifies extensive These are, (1) conventionalities as they apply
to ordinary people, (2) the world-views, practices, and attainments of yogins and
bodhisattvas, and (3) the attainments and expressions of buddhas. These are
natural divisions and they correspond, of course, to conventions and
conventional truths arid falsities as they apply prior to, while on, and at a
terminus to the bodhisattvas' path. The terminus is the state of full evolution
and the bodhisattvas' path is in essence the gradual development to that state.
We will discuss the extensive content following the above divisions and
sequence.
1 COMMON-SENSE WORLD-VIEW
From the viewpoint of buddhas (6.230) all the cognitions of ordinary people
are fictitious (mitya) as they fail to see the real - i.e. non-intrinsic - nature of
things. Analogically these cognitions are like those of children. Even so they are
categorised as conventional or, more literally, obscured truths (samvrti-satya).
Explaining the definition Chandrakirti writes (6.28): "Delusion (moha) is
conventional (samvrfl) because its nature is to cover. Whatever appears
conventionally is as if an artificial truth, and the Sage has called this a
'conventional reality (samvrti-satya)'. The things that are artificialities are
conventionalities (samvrti)." The sutra source for the doctrine of the two realities
(dvaya-satya) is the Introduction to the Two Realities Sutra (Aryasatyadvayavatara-
sutra) - which was quoted from the Commentary [MABh] earlier
2
- and the
Meeting of the Father and Son Sutra (Pitaputrasamagama-sutra) - also quoted on the
two realities in the Commentary [MABh: 70].
The cognition of such conventions by ordinary people are false because they
are underscored by the fabrication of intrinsic existence. Even so, the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl introduces criteria for distinguishing
between veridical and illusory world-views. The criteria for such a distinction is
made from three different foci, which correspond to the three components of the
cognitive act; namely, cognition, and its subject and objects. Hence the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MA], in an ad hoc manner, stipulates valid and
invalid instruments of cognition (pramana), conditions inhering in the cogniser
(pramata) which bear on the veracity of cognitions, and certified and uncertified
objects of cognition (prameya).
1.1 INSTRUMENTS OF VALID CONVENTIONAL COGNITION
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl certifies, implicitly or explicitly, four
instruments capable of furnishing veridical knowledge of a worldly or mundane
INSIGHT AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 161
nature. These are perception (pratyaksa), inference (amunana), authoritative
tradition (agama), and analogy (upamana).3
According to Madhyarnikas
4
- and here they follow the higher sciences
(adhidharma) - perceptions of sense-objects arise in dependence on four
conditions (pratyaya). These are: (1) an object support (alambana), or presence of
an object of cognition, (2) an immediately preceding (anantara), condition which
is a prior moment of consciousness, (3) a dominant (adhipati), condition which is
the various sensory organs, and (4) a cause (hetu) which is the efficient energy for
having a percept. Cognitions can arise only when all four are present and
contact (sparsa) occurs between an object, organ, and consciousness. Anomalies
in the sense-objects and malfunctions in sensory faculties cause sense-
perceptions to be non-veridical. Hence, in the case of perceptions veracity is
defined in terms of the qualities of sense-organs. Chandrakirti writes (6.24-25):
Further, we assert that deceptive perceptions have two modes: one
having a clear sense-faculty [the other] a defective sense-faculty.
We assert that knowledge from defective sense-faculties is wrong
(mithya) compared with knowledge derived from good sense
faculties. From a conventional standpoint anything which is
apprehended through the six undamaged sense-faculties is - for the
world - reality (satya). Everything else is deemed to be wrong from
a conventional standpoint.
A clear organ is defined in the Commentary [Introduction to the Middle Way
[MABh: 104] as one free from a defect, damage, or injury such as ophthalmia,
jaundice, or modification caused by the ingestion of drugs. All of these produce
false perceptions of external objects. A consciousness that arises in dependence
on these faculties is likewise veridical or fallacious dependent on the qualities of
the organ. The external causes for sensory defects are cited in the Commentary
[MABh: 104] as reflections, echos, sounds from caves, atmospheric anomalies
such as mirages, and illusions produced by magicians and the effects of
medicines.
5
At verse 6.25 mention is made of fallacious inferences (anumana-abhasa), so
we can assume that there are also non-fallacious inferences acceptable to the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MA].6 They are presumably the inferential
patterns based on the syllogistic forms explicated in the Dignaga tradition of
Buddhist logic.
7
We can reasonably guess that the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] also
certifies both authoritative tradition and analogy as instruments of knowledge,
for the Clear Words [pp]8 formally does. Certainly Chandrakirti uses these very
extensively in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA], with authority in this
context being the citation of sutras of the Buddha and the commentarial
traditions. Usually, in fact, these last two criteria - authority and analogy -
162 REASONING INTO REALITY
inform not on the cornman-sense world but on phenomena that are reputedly
perceivable by buddhas, but outside of the scope of ordinary peoples' cognition.
1.2 SUBJECTIVE DETERMINANTS OF COGNITION
Subjective determinants are those located in the subject, Le. the cogniser, this
being the consciousness having or receiving objects of cognition. This
consciousness is the mental consciousness or the immediately preceding
condition from among the above four conditions for perception.
9
As with the
other conditions the presence of a mental consciousness, actually the subsiding
of a prior moment of a mental consciousness, is a condition sine quibus non for
perception, and like with the sense-faculties the qualities, characteristics, or
concomitants of the mental consciousness bear on the accurancy and hence
veracity of cognitions. The particularities of a mental consciousness differ,
though, for they affect both sensory and conceptual or constructed cognitions
where sense-faculties can modify only sensory cognitions.
According to Chandrakirti (6.25), the mental concomitants which damage
cognitions by the mind (manas) are the systems or tenets (siddhanta), devised by
others, that are not real (Le. fail to describe conventions), and fallacious
inferences. By false systems of philosophy and description, Chandrakirti has in
mind (6.26) the non-Buddhist philosophers. Whatever tl1ey imagine, such as the
notion of a transcendental self, or [MABh: 105] the three qualities (guna) of the
Samkhyas are invalid from the perspective of worldly conventions and so, like
illusions and mirages, are non-existent.
IO
(The damage to sense-organs and
environmental anomalies mentioned before are also regarded as indirect causes
for mental defects insofar as the mental consciousness cognises whatever is
reported or given to it by the other consciousnesses.)
The conceptual concomitants are presumably manifestations of the
distorting and contaminating mental events (caitta); the emotional reactions and
unwholesome (akusala) concomitants detailed in the higher sciences
(adhidharma).ll
1.3 THE COMMON-SENSE WORLD
A world-view cannot be described extensionally and so the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MA] must be satisfied to give just some examples from the inventory
which it sees as making up the list of things and relations in the world. For the
most part the world consists of whatever is asserted to exist by common people.
Working with an ostensive definition Chandrakirti writes, (6.166) for example
that: "Anything - vases, blankets, tents, armies, forests, garlands, trees, houses,
small carriages, hostels, and so on, should be understood as people describe
them, since the mighty Lord [Buddha] has no quarrel with the world."12 As
Shantideva says in the Introduction to the Evolved Lifestyle [BCA: 9.26]: it is not the
INSIGHT AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 163
ways in which things are seen, heard, and known in the world that is rejected by
Madhyamikas, but only the conception of them as real (sat).
Object discernment is specified through labels being imputed to ojects (6.158,
159d) in dependence on their parts. That is to say, a collection of parts provides
a suitable basis for asserting the conventional existence of a part's possessor.13
The central and crucial notion of a'self is hence correlated with the composite of
,. the psycho-physical constituents, i.e. to individuated psycho-physical
collections. As Chandrakirti writes (6.162):
Likewise, worldly consensus also maintains that [there is] a self
[designated] in dependence,on the psycho-physical organism, the
basic constituents (dhatu) and the six sense-bases (ayatana), and that
it also is an acquirer. [There is a presentation in our system that
says:] acquisition is thus, action is thus, and the agent is thus.
The last line here also designates the self in dependence on its functions as
an agent. Chandrakirti explains it like this (6.159a-c).
Thus [the carriage] has parts and pieces and so the carriage can be
called an 'agent'. For ordinary people, this proves that there is an
acquirer (updatar).
This designation in terms of function is important for the Madhyamika and
Buddhism generally as it embodies the idea that ontological claims must take
into account the ability of objects to enter into casual relationships appropriate to
the objects. That is to say, objects must be able to perform their designated
functions and activities via placement in causal nexi if they are to be designated
as valid worldly conventions (loka-samvrtl). Hence a carriage must be capable of
carrying people, etc. and a self be able to achieve ends such as intending action,
etc.
This sanctioning by the Madhyamika of an empiricalrationalist epistemology
and the everyday reality it cuts out is indicative ofa Lockean approach to
knowledge in which action or more specifically proper conduct is tied to the
concept of knowledge.14 By establishing notiones communes the Madhyamika
ensures the efficient and successful expedition of worldly concerns and affairs,
and in this sense is advocating something like the Confucian "reification of
names".15
Besides these strictly utilitarian and pedestrian reasons, the Madhyamika's
epistemological sanctioning of . the common-sense world and continued
assention to it bybuddhas and yogins serves to provide a communicative medium
between the enlightened and ordinary folk. By refraining from debating with
the world and ensuring that what they say conforms with the terms, locutions,
etc. of the community of speakers, a lingua franca is created for the buddhas to
communicate in the only language that the masse parlante understands.16
164 REASONING INTO REALITY
Presumably the location of common-sense notions also serves to locate and
demarcate the phenomena and processes that yoghi.s subsequently learn to
recognise as the causes of their suffering, and in the context of their meditations
on emptiness, the prior establiShment of conventionalities would ensure their
retainment as nominally existent subsequent the insight that they are empty. It
counters their blanket negation such as is warned against repeatedly in the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MA].1
7
2 THE YOGIN'S PRACTICES
Transitional between the world-views of ordinary people - which are strictly
mundane and lacking any religio-philosophical content - and the perspectives
and perceptions of saints (arya), are base-line religions and philosophical
practices and doctrines. These would be world-views encountered on the
accumulation (sambhara) and connecting (prayoga) paths. Some of the concepts
introduced at these levels of the yogins' practice are pan-Buddhistic and
sometimes pan-Indic. They are the concepts of cyclic existence (samsara), moral
action (karma), meditative practices, liberation, and in this context emptiness,
two realities, four truths, etc. The Instruction on Mental into Reality
Sutra (Tattvanirdesasamadhi-sutra) (quoted at MABh: 175-177) includes all the
standard doctrines about different realms of existence, types of human existence,
and other abhidharma cosmologies within the conventional reality. The world-
views located by the non-Madhyamika Buddhist schools, with their doctrines of
intrinsic existence, a source consciousness, etc.
18
and the subsequent
Madhyamika negation of these must also be located at this post-mundane but
pre-saintly stage, for they represent a pre-intuition (darsana) understanding
within the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA] path structure.
The doctrine of karma, which is referred to in the Introduction to the Middle
Way [MA: 6.38-42] but not explicated, says that actions bear on' subsequent
experiences and goes on to specify the relations or action paths (karma-patha) that
obtain between particular action patterns and ensuing experiences. Moral
precepts are essentially a codification of actions which are conducive to creating
karmas that produce freeing experiences.
Such doctrines asthe above and the meditative practices of tranquillity and
mental integration are not uniquely related to the bodhisttvas' path and the
gaining of full evolution, for though the bodhisattvas must surely be understood
to complete these practices, evolve through the non-Madhyamika systems of
philosophy, and work with the psycho-cosmological doctrines of samsara,
karma, etc. these are just as much a part of the disciple and self-evolver vehicles
that are said to be impelled largely by a self-interested motivation towards the
(alternative) goal of liberation or nirvana.19
INSIGHT AND THE EXTENSNE DEEDS 165
3 THE BODHISATTVAS' PATH
The bodhisattvas', path differs from the disciple and self-evolver vehicles in
that it has full evolution (bodhi) as its goal rather than a non-residual nirvana or
what Chandrakirti also calls (12.41 and 42) a thorough peace,20 The difference
in these goals comes about as a result of a difference in the spiritual motivations
or intentions of the bodhisattvas of the universal vehicle and the saints of the
two individual vehicles, the latter being concerned primarily just with benefits
for themselves (rang phan) while the former are intent more than anything else
with bringing benefits to others Cgzhan phan). This difference in their spiritual
ideal is thought to account for the individual vehicle saints conceiving of a
private or solitary liberation as the highest religious goal, and universal vehicle
saints conceiving of an activated and expressive liberation in which the concern
for others' welfare and the ability to help them was thought to be brought to a
maximum. The fully evolved mind is thus inimical to the disciples' and self-
evolver mentalities
21
and the Perfect Insight in Twenty-five thousand Stanzas [PPS]
tells that the bodhisattvas are wary of the demonic forces (mara), in the guise of
the disciples and self-evolved saints, dissuading them from training in the
knowledge of all perspectives, and encouraging them to seek after the arhats
self-satisfying nirvana.22
In the universal vehicle this conception of an altruistic evolution is taken to
its logical limit in the fully fledged ideal of the bodhisattva who is the exemplar
of the altruistic motivation and in the buddhas who are the supreme worldly
and spiritual therapists, able to bring relief, comfort, and guidance to
innumerable creatures.
According to the doctrine of a single vehicle (eka-yana) - which actually
doesn't mean one vehicle, but rather that there is ultimately only the one
spiritual goal of the buddhas' full evolution, that all creatures will finally gain -
the individual vehicle saints, even though they may gain a solitary nirvana, will,
at some point in their career, necessarily enter the bodhisattva vehicle and begin
their development to the goal of full evolution. The Madhyarnika of
Chandrakirti seems to advocate that saints entered the universal vehicle at the
very start of their spiritual careers, rather than first embarking on either of the
two individual vehicle careers, perhaps because it is thought that some efficency
and economy was to be gained by striking out for full awakening at the very
beginning of their spiritual career; so avoiding the need for making a change in
aspiration and course part way through their career. Perhaps more importantly,
though, if the saint were to enter the bodhisattva vehicle even as a fledgling, still
he would be able to bring some measure of comfort and ease to other creatures.
Thus, in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] it is assumed that the yogin
practises the perfections prior to gaining the first intuition of emptiness that
makes him a bodhisattva saint (arya).
It seems that for those first entering the path the Introduction to the Middle
Way [MA: 3.12] suggests that they practise the earlier perfections of giving, good
166 REASONING INTO REALITy
conduct, and endurance, the first of these (1.10-12) being especially fitting for
ordinary people. By practising those essentially physical perfections yogins are
said (3.12) to accrue merits (punya) that result in the attainment of a buddha's
form or body. The higher perfections of enthusiasm, meditation, and insight add
to the accumulation of intelligence
23
(matI) and produce the truth form (dharma-
kaya) or mental qualities of buddhas. Enthusiasm (virya) contributes to both
accumulations (4.1). Prior to entering the bodhisattva levels (1.16cd, 2.3ab, 9a-c,
3.106) these perfections are practised and cultivated by bodhisattvas, but with
attachment to the selfexistence of the triad involved in these actions; namely the
subject, action, and object of the action. As the perfections are not underscored
by an insight of their emptiness, they are not yet pure practices, and are termed
worldly perfections (laukika-paramita).
The six perfections are defined with sufficient brevity in the Introduction to
the Middle Way [MA: 6.205-6b] that we may quote:
[The defining properties of phenomena that occur while on the
path are these (6.205-209):] Perfect giving (dana) is [defined as]
giving away. The property of good conduct (sila) is not tormenting
[others]. The property of endurance (ksanti) is the absence of anger
and enthusiasm (virya) is the absence of negativity. Meditation
(dhyana) has the property of integration, and the property of insight
(prajna) is a lack of attachment.
The first five perfections are method or technique (upaya) practices that
culminate in the sixth, insight.
Once yogins cognise emptiness for the first time, they enter the bodhisattvas'
path and begin traversing the ten levels. They continue to practise the
perfections though as trans-worldly or supra-mundane (lokottara) disciplines.
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] is a little unclear as to whether the saint-
bodhisattvas' practices of the perfections are all supramundane. Verse 2.3cd says
that the bodhisattva "is always perfectly free of the vacillation of dualistic
thought regarding the three components." In other words she or he regards
them as separate from the notions of their existing or not existing. Verses 2.3ab
and 3.10 are constructed around conditionals, and so can be read as implying
that they mayor not practise the perfections as trans-worldly actions. Certainly
the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] implies that they are capable of
practising trans-worldly perfections and (MABh: 1) that non-saints cannot know
the trans-worldly practices. Even so, it seems one can query that the bodhisattva
saints are able to practise trans-worldly perfections for these are defined as the
perfections underscored by a discernment of their non-intrinsic existence, i.e.
their emptiness, and this is not obtained in the post-meditative or active context
until the completion of the sixth level. First they practise the six perfections in a
serial order. This takes them to the completion of the sixth level, when their
insight (prajna) is perfect. They then practice four more perfections: therapeutic
INSIGll AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 167
methods (upaya), the capacities (bala), resolution (pranidhana), and knowledge
(jnana). 'When these are completed they have become buddhas.
Herein we confrorit an ideational system the most striking features of which
are the increases envisaged in the cognitive capacities and volitional activities of
bodhisattvas as they reach from level to level.
3.1 THE BODHISATTVAS' COMPASSION
In contradistinction to the arhat, for whom it is sufficient to cultivate only
insight, the bodhisattva arises through the combination of (Introduction to the
Middle Way [MA: 1.lcd] a "compassionate mind (karuna-citta), a non-dualistic
intellect [Le., cognition of emptiness] and the fully evolved mind (bodhi-citta)."
Of these threeChandrakirti says in the Commentary [MABh: 7] that compassion
is the principle cause of the bodhisattva. The importance of compassion is
further highlighted by Chandrakirti at the very beginning of the Introduction to .
the Middle Way [MA: 1.2d] where he gives pralse to compassion rather than
following the usual practice of paying homage to the buddha or a tutelary deity,
and says (1.16) that although the disciples and self-evolvers are born from the
buddhas, the buddhas are born from the bodhisattva. By this he means that the
buddhas grow out of the continua of bodhisattvas that are propelled by
compassion.
24
In the Commentary [MABh: 8-9] Chandrakirti says that
compassion is essential in all the stages of the bodhisattvas' career. Like the
grain required for a crop, compassion is an absolute necessity at the beginning.
In the middle, like water as the nutrient for the growing crop, compassion
sustains the bodhisattva on the path. And finally, at the completion, compassion
is necessary for were there no compassion the buddhas wouldn't remain
bringing bounty and benefit to innumerable creatures, just as the ripened crop
brings enduring sustanence for a multitude of people. In the universal vehicle
compassion is viewed as a precondition, as a seed, for all the other qualities of
the buddhas.
In the Commentary [MABh: 9-10] Chandrakirti distinguishes three types of
compassion in dependence on their having different foci of attention.
The first type of compassion is called the compassion that focusses just on
sentient creatures (sems can tsam la dmigs pai snying rje). This is a compassion
that is attentive to the samsaric condition of creatures, who uncontrolably
experience all the sufferings to be had in samsara from the peaks of existence
(bhavagra) to the depths of the lowest hell just like (1.3d) the whirling of a
waterwheel. In describing the sufferings, Chandrakirti mentions the suffering of
suffering itself (sdug bsngal ba nyid gyi sdug bsngal) and the sufferings incurred
through having to undergo change ('gyur bai sdug gsngal). A third type of
suffering not mentioned in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] but usually
included alongside these two is the suffering of impulsion ('du byed kyi sdug
168 REASONING INTO REALITY
bsngal) which refers to' the fact that suffering is the intrinsic nature of sarnsaric
embodiment.
The second compassion is called the compassion that focuses on phenomena
(chos la dmigs pai snying rje). This is defined as the compassion that focusses on
the momentary impermanence (skad cig re re la mi rtag pa nyid) of sentient
creatures, seeing them (I Aa) like the moon stirred in moving water.
The third compassion is the compassion that focusses on focuslessness
(dmigs pa med pa la dmigs pai snying rje), which is defined (lAb) as the compassion
that perceives sentient creatures to be empty of an intrinsic existence. The
orthodox Tibetan interpretation of these different compassions is that they
represent a development of compassion graded in dependence on the depth of
insight of the bodhisattvas.
25
The first compassion can be practiced by those
who have realised neither impermanence nor emptiness, the second is practiced
by those bodhisattvas who have realised impermance and the last by those who
have gained the insight into emptiness.
Consonant with their altruism and role as beneficiaries for the world, the
bodhisattvas train in the four infinitudes (apramana). They generated (MA:
6.211c-212) great love (maha-maitri), which is concerned at benefitting creatures;
great compassion, concerned at alleviating and protecting creatures from
suffering; rejoicing (mudita) in their happiness; and equanimity or impartiality
(upeksa) which ensues that they care for all creatures equally, not holding some
as close and others as distant.
2
6
The altruistic attitude affected by the bodhisattvas' compassion transforms
their therapy (upaya) from being essentially self-centred to being increasingly
concerned with others' suffering, and ultimately with the suffering of all
creatures. Their therapy takes on a new significance as it becomes other-
orientated and changes to therapeutic techniques (upaya-kausalya) for the
liberation of others.
27
In order to actualise the aspiration to free all creatures the
bodhisattvas progressively acquire all sorts of truly siderial knowledges and
abilities to help them in their task.28 In the final analysis, as buddhas, they
achieve the knowledge of all perspectives [on reality] Csarva-akara-jnata). This is
not to say that the disciples and self-evolved arhats are completely lacking the
breadth of vision of the buddhas. Largely it seems that the arhats were thought
to have varying degrees of insight into the phenomenal world. According to the
universal vehicle, though"a complete knowledge of all perspectives on reality is
the perogative only of buddhas.
29
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 11] describes this inspirational
system with an exhuberance that is characteristic of the universal vehicle, with
the edifying image of the bodhisattvas developing all sorts of magical qualities.
These various attainments and abilities develop through the levels and are
formally described by a number of schemata. At the third level (3.11) the
bodhisattvas (begin to) acquire a new set of cognitive instruments, the higher
knowledges or super-sensitive cognitions (abhijna).30 At the fourth level they
INSIGHT AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 169
are receiving results from their practice of the thirty seven directions to full
evolution (bodhipaksa).31 At the eighth level (8.4) they have nearly developed the
ten capacities (dasa-bnla)32 and at the ninth level (9.1b) the bodhisattvas with
good intelligence (sadhumati) appropriately gain the individuating knowledges
(pratisamvid).33 .
The phenomenon of cognitive dilation (vistara) is explained by recourse to a
device that draws a distinction between emotional obstructions (klesa-avarana)
and cognitive-coverings Vneya-avarana).34 The emotional or afflictive
obstructions preclude a consciousness from becoming liberated, and hence when
the afflications (and karma) are removed nirvana is obtained. A knowledge of
all perspectives on reality on the other hand is precluded by cognitive coverings,
such that as these are eradicated a consciousness can cognise more features of
phenomena.
35
The Commentary [MABh: 393-394] explains the cognitive
coverings through the cognate concept of the traces of ignorance (ma rig pai bag
chags, avidya-vasana). The traces of ignorance, which exist as the potencies for
greed, etc. and also as the cause for manifesting these types of afflicted motor
and vocal actions, are said to be an obstruction to the thorough discrimination
(gcod pa) of knowables. And further, these traces are only elminiated by the
buddhas and whoever has gained all knowledge, and not by anyone else.36
Thus, a knowledge of all perspectives on reality is thought to be obtained when
all the cognitive coverings have been removed and we are told that (MABh: 30)
only the buddhas have abandoned both types of covering. Cognitive coverings
were regarded as much more subtle and difficult to remove than the emotional
obstructions as they are the impressions or traces (vasana) left behind after the
obstructions have been removed.37 Hence the comparative ease with which
nirvana was thought to be gained when in comparison with the effort required
for gaining full evolution. The mind so cleansed of all obstructions to knowing
all knowables is (MABh: 361) the form having the nature of knowledge (ye shes
kyi rang bzhin can gyi sku), i.e. the knowing truth form Vnanadharmakaya) which
sees everything.
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] is vague as to when the cognitive
coverings are removed. Verse 3.1ab says that: "Because light comes from the fire
that burns all the fuel [that obscures] what can be known, this third level is
[called] the illuminator." The reference here is presumably to cognitive
coverings though it is not entirely clear.38 In this case cognitive obscurations
begin to be removed at the third level, at the same time that the super-sensitive
cognitions (abhijna) are obtained. Verse 8.3 says that:
Their minds, being without greed (raga), do not remain at one with
the problems of existence (dosa) and therefore at the eighth level
both stains (mala) and their roots (mula) are thoroughly pacified.
The emotional reactions (klesa) are exhausted and although [these
bodhisattvas] have become spiritual masters (guru) to [creatures in]
170 REASONING INTO REALITy
the three ranges of existence they are not [yet] able to gain all the
buddhas' treasures, which are as limitless as space.
If the stains refers .to the coverings, and it is not clear that they
do, then at some time on the eIghth level the obscurations to a knowledge of all
perspectives on reality have become nearly eradicated. If the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MA] does mean to imply that cognitive coverings are removed from
the third level onwards (as would seem to make some sense given the fruition of
super-sensitive knowledges on the third level) then its position is at variance
with the usual Prasangika position and accords more closely with the path-
structure envisaged by the Svatantrika. According to Prasangikas, emotional
obstructions and cognitive coverings are removed serially. The emotional
obstructions are removed first, the cognitive coverings being removed only after
all emotional obstructions are eradicated. This, they say, occurs at the transition
between the seventh and eighth level (hence the achievement of liberation at that
point also). The cognitive coverings are removed from the eighth through to the
end of the tenth levels.39 Svatantrika Buddhists on the other hand are of the
opinion that the emotional obstructions and cognitive coverings are removed
simultaneously rather than consecutively. A consequence of this view is the
coterminus achievement of both liberation and awakening at the end of the tenth
level.
40
Their notion of a cognitive covering is also different.
One can see from this idea of the emotional reactions and their traces as
beirig mere obstructions or coverings (avarana) to consciousness, how universal
vehicle Buddhism can consider - in theories like the genes of a buddha (tathagata-
garbha) - that the potential for achieving full evolution resides in an embrionic
form in all creatures (something like Descarte's dictum that the "seeds of
knowledge are in us"), and that except for the contingent fact that creatures are
mentally defiled, all are by nature actually evolved.
4 THE BUDDHA-NATURE
The bodhisattvas' path reaches a terminus at the end of the tenth level. At
that point bodhisattvas enter the path of completion (asaiksa-marga) and are fully
evolved or buddhas. According to the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 8.3
and 12.32) the buddhas' qualities and breadth of action (gocara) are so vast and
unparalleled (12.1) as to be quite inconceivable, not only for ordinary people
(12.37) but even for bodhisattvas, who are precluded from knowing the real
buddha-nature through a doctrine of docta ignorantia. The Introduction to the
Middle Way [MA: 12.32] uses an image of bodhisattvas and disciples finding the
buddhas' qualities unplumbable in the way that birds return from flight, not
because they run out of space in which to fly but because they run out of
strength. Even (11.8a) the tenth level bodhisattvas' qualities are beyond being
objects bf verbal expression (ngag gi spyod yul).
INSIGm AND THE EXTENSNE DEEDS 171
Even so the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] describes the notion of
buddhahood. The accumulations of merit, or positive potentials, and knowledge
become complete artdthese collections respectively produce the buddha's
manifest or interactional characteristics and their cognitive qualities. Their
accumulation of knowledge produces the truth form (dharma-kaya) and the
accumulation of positive potentials in the cause for the two physical forms (rupa-
kaya) of enjoyment (sambhoga) and manifestation (nirmana). Chandrakirti says in
the Commentary [MABh: 362] that although the truth form is naturally quiescent
it undertakes the deeds appropriate to benefitting creatures, and that (362-363)
although it is completely non-conceptual it is said to be like a perpetually
fruiting tree or wish-granting jewel that give one all that one can desire.
Presumably the actions are via the formed-basis, for the truth form is formless.
(dGe 'dun grub [RSM: f. 47a3-6] glosses verses 12.8cd and 12.9 as referring to
manifest actions made by the enjoyment form.) .
In the context of the doctrine of the four forms of a buddha, all barring the
natural form (svabhavikakaya) are developed for the sake of other beings'
requirements. Hence in terms also of the five knowledges that buddhas are said
to acquire, all except for the pure sphere of truth (dharma-dhatu-visuddhll, which
is the buddhas' cognition of emptiness, are directly or indirectly for fulfilling the
needs of others.
41
In summary, it is only the natural form and the correlated
pure sphere of truth that fulfill, via the cognition of emptiness, the private or
self- liberative requirements of buddhas. The existence of the other bases or
forms is contingent upon the presence of creatures in samsara. This is like
Whitehead's conception of deity in which the "consequent" nature exists
contingently. The "primordial" nature, like the natural form (svabhavikakaya)
exists necessarily. In fact this general conception of bodhisattvas and buddhas is
strikingly similar to Hartshorne's notion of divine perfection as embodied in his
dipolar theism, in which love rather than aseity is the root aspect. On the one
hand Deity is immutable, impassible, etc. (the dharma-kaya), yet at the same time
is it supremely relative (the rupakaya, i.e. nirmana and sambhoga-kayas); able to
interact with the whole universe and having an "unsurpassable capacity to move
to creative and new expressions of its being".42
Not all the buddhas' activities are accessible to ordinary creatures and it is
part of the three or four form (kaya) doctrine that the different forms represent a
continuum of manifestations with the manifest form being the coursest and most
accessible, able to be perceived by ordinary people. On the other hand (MABh:
363) the body that is adorned with the characteristics of a hundred merits (the
sambhoga-kaya) appears as existent only for those who have gained the mirror of
the stainless insight. It doesn't appear for those who are fixed to mental
elabortation.
43
Thus the buddhas' great compassion leads them to forego a private nirvana
(12.40-2) and to work extensively and unceasingly for the temporal and spiritual
concerns of all creatures. Chandrakirti eulogises (12.40):
172 REASONING INTO REALITY
For as long as all the world has not gone to the most supreme
serenity and space has not decayed, you who were borne of the
mother of insight will act like a wet nurse [to all beings] through
your love. Therefore how [Can it be thought that you] have risen to
the thorough [or isolated] serenity [Le. a non-abiding nirvana].
Their functions or activities (karitra) require (12.9) no (pre-) conceptions (kalpana)
and (12.6-7) unfold effortlessly under the perpetual momentum of their earlier
exertions. Chandrakirti (12.6-7b) paints the image of the potter who has striven
long to put his wheel in motion, which, once done, continues under its own
(effortless) momentum while pots and so forth are produced.
44
Thus, their
speech and other activities are extemporaneous and continue for the world's
gain up to end of samsara. Their criteria for action and determination of valid
knowledge are purely altuistic and their skilful therapy has become fully
expressed. Therapeutic consideration (upaya) is their sole criterion of valid
knowledge as they are personally uncommitted to any world-view. Hence
whatever they assent to, and their decision to so assent, is based only on a
consideration for the welfare of others.
45
They act out the traditional twelve
deeds' (12.35) of buddhas,46 and convey the dharma (12.5) by various verbal,
non-verbal, and significatory means.
Their perfection of both insight and compassion makes them faultless in
regard to the help and assistance they give to creatures and guarantees that they
never cause any harm. Their knowledge of all perspectives on reality can be
seen as one guarantee of the efficacy of their therapeutic skills. Their psychic
abilities and powers ensure that any inabilities to help creatures issue solely
from the karmic impoverishment of those creatures, and not from any deficency
or limitation from their own side.47
In the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] these qualities are specified in the
standard schemas
48
for describing buddhas, viz. in terms of the (12.19-31) ten
capacities (balani),49 the (6.210cd) four certitudes (vaisaradya)),50 and (6.213)
eighteen unique buddha qualities (avenika-buddhaguna).51 The ten capacities
describe different aspects of buddhas' knowledge of all perspectives on reality,
the unique qualities do the same as well as specifying intentional, affective, and
volutional aspects to their cognition and action. The certitudes indicate the
buddhas' self-assessment of and confidence in their own attainment and
teaching. The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] (nor any other text that I am
aware of) does not go into the physiology, as it were, of buddhas' knowledge of
all perspectives of reality, i.e. the perception of all objects of knowledge in the
past, present, and future. Even though the Commentary [MABh: 362] says that
the objects of the buddhas' knowledge comprises all aspects of reality and thus
cannot be penetrated by the mind or mental events, it being posited as being
realised by way of the truth form, still the idea of knowledge of all perspectives
on reality and cognitive dilation (mentis dilatatio) in the bodhisattvas seems to be
based on a particular concept of the mind in which it is defined as being strictly
INSIGHT AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 173
non-material and having the capacity to know objects immediately. This notion
of mental perception permits the non-organic perception of objects, Le.
ummediated by physical organs. The more fantastic qualities to buddhas'
cognition, such as its synesthetic qualities, presumably become possible because
of this non-organic conception of perception also. The idea that the mind is non-
material somehow facilitates the notion that the spatial distance or proximity of
any object is immaterial to its being cognised, for the mind has no spatial
location and hence no spatial limitations, and in this respect is seems very like
Newton's concept of space as the divine sensorium of God.52 The only metaphor
used in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 6.224] is that the bodhisattvas
perceive all the three ranger of existence with just the same clarity of appearance
[with which they would see] a clean olive sitting in their own hand". The
doctrines of the non-obstruction of all phenomena, and a non-linear conception
of space, such as are described in the Hwa Yen doctrines of the interpenetration
and containment of all things in the sphere of truth (dharma-dhatu), are also
obviously related to the notion of the buddhas' knowledge of all perspectives on
reality.53
4.1 INTERPRETATIVE TEACHING
As peerless pedagogues the buddhas are said to teach from various
perspectives and viewpoints so as to accommodate the differences in aptitude
and comprehension among their disciples. This teaching of and/ or assention to
various world-views and philosophies is captured in the concept of two types of
discourse, the definitive (nitartha) and interpretative (neyartha). Definitive
discourse, we recall,54 has reality or emptiness rather than phenomena as its
subject-matter. It is all discourse, and perhaps non-verbal communication also,
that directly locates emptiness. The King of Mental Integrations Sutra
(Samadhiraja-sutra [cited MABh: 200-201]) says that the definitive sutras are those
about emptiness whereas those that teach about the self, beings, and all the
dharmas are interpretative.55 The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] and
hermeneutical literature such as Tsong kha pa's Essense of the Eloquent [LSNP] in
fact apply the distinction only to Buddha's discourses (sutra) but there is no
reason why it doesn't have utility as a hermeneutical device in the description of
non-sutric literature and even non-verbal systems of signification.
56
To the
extent that definitive discourse describes the emptiness of phenomena rather
than phenomena themselves, it is considered categorical, literal, incontravertable
and univocal, Le. referentially unambiguous.
The question of what is and is not directly about emptiness, and what
constitutes "locating or pointing directly to reality" is very problematic.
Questionably there is no definitive discourse as even the pithiest talk about
emptiness is subject to interpretation, and definitive truths are nothing other
than cognising emptiness non-conceptually. At least it is important to recognise
174
REASONING INTO REALITY
that the distinction between definitive and interpretative iE! an interpretable
teaching itself (for it is not just about emptiness) and so the point where the
distinction is drawn is mobile.
Interpretative discourse, on the other hand, describes phenomena and offers
putative descriptions of reality.57 Phenomena are described with a view to
regulating a religious life. The various phenomenalised descriptions of reality
represent a serial (krama)58 approach to the location of emptiness by specifying a
number of representative images. These have a provisional but not final
validity. In other words, some interpretative literature amounts to phenomeno_
logical description whereas other literature makes ontological claims. The
former is interpretative simply because it describes phenomena. The latter is
interpretative because it claims to describe reality when in fact it doesn't, or does
so only via some image, and so requires additional information to account for the
disparity. As heuristic devices (upaya), the provisional validity of an
interpretative teaching would depend on its value and relevancy in the religious
life and evolution of the buddhas' disciples.
59
Such a contextual determination
makes interpretative discourse conditional, contravertible, and equivocal, i.e.
comprehensible in more than one sense. Validity is local and contingent rather
than universal, and like in logical languages depends on locutions being
supplied with an interpretation within which they are true. In this context the
interpretation is a Sitz im Leben which would take cognisance of disciples'
predispositional characteristics, level of spiritual evolution, speech situation, and
environmental context.60 Hence, the buddhas' teaching, assention to, and
subsequent refutation of provisional philosophies (and replacement of them by
definitive ones) is thought to take place as an expression of their compassion and
kindness, and with a view to the spiritual well-being and development of their
students. The details of the context sensitivity of assertions, i.e. when, where, to
whom, how, and to what extent world-views are presented and subsequently
refuted, is not described in any detail save that it is incorporated within and
guaranteed by the buddhas' skilful techniques and knowledge of all perspectives
on reality.61
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl relegates a number of Buddhist
concepts and philosophical systems to the status of expressing a provisional or
interpretative topic. Chandrakirti considers them all to have been taught by the
Buddha, yet to be contraverted by Madhyamika analysis.
Common-sense notions are not only assented to 'but said to have been
actually taught by buddhas. Chandrakirti (6.44b-d) says they "teach [and uSe the
concepts ofl'Y and 'mine"', )llld the existence of things that in reality have no
intrinsic existence,62 all as an interpretative meaning. Likewise (6.43) for those
unable to comprehend the profound topics they teach the existence of a source of
all (alaya), the person, and simple (i.e. non-provisional) existence ('ba' zhig nyid
yod) of the psycho-physical organism. The Perfect Insight in Twenty-five Thousand
Stanzas [PPSl goes so far as to suggest that the buddhas are responsible for the
IN5IGHf AND THE EXTENSNE DEEDS 175
designations applied to phenomena. In the Perfect Insight in Twenty-five Thousand
the Lord explains that although all dharmas are the same, the
Tathagata "nevertheless brings about a distinctive determination of dharmas",
such as constitute and describe samsara, and nirvana, and buddhahood.63
'. 50, at one level of interaction - with those who have been accustomed to the
, non-Buddhist' views and so are unable to immediately penetrate the philosophy
,of emptiness - buddhas teach, assent to, and give an apparent sanction to the
'common-sense world and certain primitive philosophical concepts. The
rationale for doing so is that (6.31cd) if one denies worldly objects the world
'would contradict one. Hence, in order not to place prospective buddhist yogins
off-side from the very start, buddhas provisionally concur with a common-sense
world-view. Were they to do otherwise they would be refuted dogmatically, in
. other words, by a non-analytical intellect. The assention to realism and
"alignment with common- notions is, for Chandrakirti, a tenet that characterises
Madhyamika. At 6.12 Chandrakirti even uses worldly opinion as an
argumentative force, and at 6.83 actually uses it against the Phenomenalist
rejection of external objects. In any other circumstance the invoking of a worldly
'view-point to counter a Phenomenalist tenet would be unexpected and strange,
for the philosopher and yogin of any Buddhist school would be credited with a
more evolved world-view than that of the ordinary person. Here it shows just
. how firmly the characterised Madhyamika wishes to retain the naive notion of
'sense-perceptibles existing externally and independently of the perceiver. Such
a notion makes for coherence and continuity in the world, and so best serves the
interests of people.
Likewise the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] teaches that the Buddha
taught, refuted, and reinterpreted the Phenomenalist philosophy. The most
central Phenomenalist tenet is the thesis of "mind-only" and rejection of external
objects, and this according to Chandrakirti (MABh: 99) was taught for those of
meritorious actions who can easily enter the real teaching (chos nyid, dharmata).
Hence, for Chandrakirti, the Phenomenalist world-view is transitional between
the everyday conception of things and the Madhyamika philosophy.
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl explains the context, value, and
reinterpretation of the "mind-only" thesis in some detail. The context in which
the mind-only thesis was taught was for those exposed and receptive to the non-
Buddhist philosophies (6.85) and intended particularly (6.84) to counter and
offset the non-Buddhist philosophers conception of a permanent self or deity as
the creator of the manifest universe. So as to oppose those views, and (6.86) not
seeing any real referents to the conceptions of the non-Buddhist philosophers,
Buddha taught in sutras like the Descent into Lanka [LSl and Ten Levels [DSl that
the mind alone is the creator of the world.
Even so, (6.87) such is not the final sense or meaning of these sutras, for their
refutation of materiality is only apparent and stems from a relatively crude
interpretation of those sutras. Evidence for this, according to the Introduction to
176
REASONING INTO REALITY
the Middle Way [MA] (6.88) is that the Ten Levels [DS] (a purportedly "mind-only"
sutra) teaches, alongside its denial of material form, that the mind is born from
confusion and (contaminated) actions (karma). Hence, according to the
Madhyarnika, what is really meant by the "mind-only" thesis is (6.89) that action
and emotional reactions are causally responsible for the embodiment and extra-
dermal environment of all creatures. In this sense the world and its inhabitants
are projected ('god) by the mind through its creation of various sorts of karmas.
Hence "mind-only" does not mean that there are no extra-mental objects but
rather that the mind is foremost in the creation of karma, such as gives
particularity to experience. Such a view (6.90) rejects a creator god but does not
reject material form. The difference here, between the Phenomenalist and
Madhyamika account of corp orality and the world seems very problematic,
perhaps more so for the Madhyarnika who have to explain the presence of an
extra-mental and so material universe from an essentially mental cause. Their
view presumably is a sort of emergent physicalism, that matter emerges from
mental phenomena whenever the latter is karmically obscured.
Besides its helping Buddhist yogins steer clear of the
philosophies, the unrectified, i.e. Phenomenalist, interpretation of "mind-only" is
intended (6.94) to help counteract an attachment to forms. That is to say, a
changed status of percepts, from "externally existent" to "mental. projection"
serves to reduce a passionate attachment and grasping for them. The negation of
external objects (6.96) also facilitates the entry by yogins into the views of
selflessness and so is a stepping stone to the Madhyarnika philosophy. The
changed ontological status of objects helps yogins to cognise their selflessness
and this in turn eases their discernment of the emptiness of the cogniser "since, if
there are no objects of knowledge the establishment of consciousness [as real] is
hindered."
Other tenets of the Phenomenalist philosophy that the Introduction to the
Middle Way [MA] regards as interpretative are the existence of a source-
consciousness (alaya-vijnana), the status of the 'genes of a buddha' theory
(tathagata-garbha), the status and function of the three natures (tri-svabhava), and
teaching of vehicles (yana) to more than one final goaL
The rejection or at least explanatory superfluousness of the source-
consciousness is stated in the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA] general
critique of Buddhist phenomenalism. The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA]
does not say whether it has an interpretative value. If it does it is presumably
linked to the provisional validity of the "mind-only" thesis. The Commentary
[MABh: 131] reinterprets the source-consciousness, though, to mean emptiness.
The "genes of a buddha theory" is the notion of a naturally pure and eternal
matrix of buddhahood existing as a potential in all creatures, and which has
various qualities and attributes, such as the symbolic marks of a fully evolved
one. The Commentary [MABh: 195-196] quotes the Decent into Lanka Sutra [L5]
itself to the effect that the "genes of a buddha" really means emptiness yet it is
i,iNSIGHT AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS
\"
177
I;taught as a phenomenalised notion so that the spiritually immature might avoid
,fearing the more direct presentation of non-self .
. The three natures are reinterpreted in the Commentary [MABh: 201-202],
'seemingly like this. The imaginary (parikalpita) nature is no longer the duality of
subject and object but the conception of intrinsic existence superimposed on the
dependent (paratantra) nature. What is not imagined is the perfected
(parinispanna) nature. As imaginaries are the conception of intrinsic existence,
this means that the perfected nature is the emptiness of things. The bases of both
'of these natures is the dependent nature, and it can no longer be truly existent if
it is interpreted to refer to relationally originated things.
Though it upholds a doctrine of only one final spiritual goal itself, the
Introduction to the Middle Way [MA: 12.37-39] explains why Buddha taught a
number of distinct and final termini on the path to full evolution, such as the
liberative states obtained by disciples and self-evolved arhats. According to
Chandrakirti, though, there is only the one goal of full evolution (bodhi), lesser
goals were specified and taught as final goals in their own right for disciples of a
lesser calibre who, lacking the necessary discipline and stamina to strike out
directly for full evolution, needed, as it were, (12.38) an en route stopover
!Jproffered as the final destination) in order to remove their fatigue. Thus
: nirvana is a pseudo-terminus for Chandrakirti.
,. '. The relationship between the wholesale rejection of the constructs of non-
'.Madhyamika schools and the Madhyamika re-interpretation of these constructs
is not explained in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA]. Perhaps it is that re-
,interpreting a tenet so that it is no longer at variance with the notion of
emptiness is an intermediate step between an initial acceptance and what would
be a rejection once the Introduction to the Middle Way's [MA] viewpoint is
adopted. Hence Madhyamikas may first communicate the notion of emptiness
by embodying it within constructs familiar to the Phenomenalists, i.e., the
Phenomenalists own constructs. Then at some subsequent stage - when the
notion of emptiness has been infused into their constructs and in so doing
reduced the Phenomenalists' grasping at them - a new set of constructs, the
Madhyamikas', are argued for or even just offered on pragmatic grounds, in
their place.
. This brings us also to the point of where the characterised Madhyamika
stands in the schema of interpretative and definitive philosophy. The
characterised Madhyamika is that system explicitly stated in the Introduction to
the Middle Way [MA] or implicitly established by its rejection of specific tenets of
other schools. The Madhyamika that is so located accepts, for example, six
consciousnesses (vijnana) (it rejects the source-consciousness and afflicted mind
(klista-manas) of the Phenomenalists, three modes of perception (pratyaksa) (it
rejects a self-reflexive consciousness (svasamvedana)), the externality of forms,
four conditions (pratyaya) for perception, etc.
178 REASONING INTO REALITy
Though Chandrakirti does not label these constructs as interpretative
clearly they are, for they concern matters of convention rather than emptiness:
The tenets of the characterised Madhyamika are also interpretable for the reason
that they are contravertible by consequential analyses even though Chandrakirti
doesn't show this. Their potential refutation, or refutability in principle, by
consequential arguments demonstrates that the characterised Madhyamika's
theses are conventions, and insofar as consequential analysis is a thesis- or topic-
neutral form of argumentation, they are equally as vulnerable to being refuted as
the Phenomenalists tenets. As an example, had Chandrakirti wished to refute
realism in place of (or in addition to) idealism, he could have done so by
resolving realism into a thesis that radically bifurcates a subject from its objects
(save it being a monistic idealism) and then, by invoking the refutational
consequences that issue from the thesis of 'birth from other', concluded that the
cognition of extra-mental objects is impossible. In other words, instead of
resolving the Phenomenalists' idealism into a monism between subject and
object and refuting cognition between similars through the untenable thesis of
'birth from self, he could have gone an opposite tact and refuted realism. This is
implicitly what the Tibetan Total Fulfilment (rDzogs chen) philosophers do
when they reject in both the waking and dream state that sense-appearances have
their source independently or within the mind.64
In the Introduction to the Evolved Lifestyle [BCA: 9.97-99] Shantideva
recognises and raises the issue though doesn't really proceed with it when he
questions how there can be a penetration or real contact between a sense-organ
(indriya), object (viseya), or consciousness (vijnana) when these are characterised
by different natures. For example, consciousness is non-material where matter is
non-conscious. The reason for Chandrakirti's selectivity and decision not to
refute realism inheres not in limitations or biases inherent in ultimacy analyses,
but presumably in a pragmatic and utilitarian decision that realism is the more
suited of the two perceptual theories to the concerns of humans and the
cultivation and expression of emptiness. That his realism is nominal would also
be supported by the phantasmagorical nature of the bodhisattvas' world-view.
Hence, although no criteria are given for their interpretative validity we must
assume that Chandrakirti means them to represent another level of constructions
that have a provisional and particularly (perhaps more generalised) contextual
validity. Presumably, also, they are meant to be a more adequate interpretative
framework than that depicted by the Phenomenalists or other Buddhist schools.
If, as Chandrakirti appears to believe, the Buddha taught various world-
views and philosophies that were meant to be graded in a step-wise progression
leading from the mundane philosophies to the most evolved world-view as
expressed in the Madhyamika, one can query why the Buddha would teach
what seems to be a comparatively small number of world-views and systems of
tenets (three or four), rather than having filled in the gaps, as it were, with a
continually evolving world-view, considering that the last course would seem to
JNSIGll AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 179
be more attuned to the idea that the buddhas respond to the precise
.requirements of their disciples, taking note of a whole range of philosophical
predispositions. .
Leaving aside the historially conditioned fact that all the various Buddhist
philosophies that have developed seem to have become polarised around a quite
small number of fundamentally different systems of thought, one reason why
Chandrakirti, and the latter Madhyamika hermeneuticians who produced the
philosophical systems (siddhanta) literature, could have thought that the Buddha
satisfied himself with teaching only Vaibhashika, Phenomenalist, and the
Madhyamika philosophy (in the form of the Perfect Insight Sutras (Prajnaparamita-
sutras) is that a handful of discrete philosophies was considered to be more
expeditious to his disciples' spiritual development than a continuum of very
finely graded philosophies. Such a suggestion gains some sense and support
from an hypothesis of H.A. Simon, mentioned by E. Laszlo. Simon's suggests
that "complex systems evolve from simple systems much more rapidly if there
are stable intermediate forms than if there are not."65 The idea is that where
heirarchically evolving processes and structures are punctuated in their
development by structurally stable forms, those forms can disintegrate in part
without the total dismantling of a structure, and that even in the case where a
disruption to some structure brings about its wholesale dissolution, a regression
would take place only to the immediately preceding structure in the heirarchy.
Without any intermediate forms any change could result in a regression back to
the beginning of a developmental process. For a heirarchical ranking of
philosophical systems this would mean, for example, that by propounding we/l-
formed and even artifically exact philosophies a yogin could experiment with a
philosophy with the knowledge that even if its infrastructure was disputed
(refuted) there could be no wholesale disintergration of a world-view but at
most a reversion to an earlier philosophy. The yogin would always have some
solid conceptual ground-work to fall back on, as it were. It may be that the
systems (siddhanta) theorists had some such thinking in mind.
This completes our discussion of the extensive content.
5 THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PROFOUND AND EXTENSIVE
CONTENTS
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl has no sustained discussion or
formal doctrines about the relations between insight and the extensive paths and
goals. Even so, I will draw together what it does say and we can infer a certain
amount more based on its observations. I will use three main headings to
elucidate three basic relationships. All have emptiness as one of the two relata.
At the other pole of the relations we will look the epistemological category of
valid (tathya) conventions, a non-qualified notion of conventional appearances,
and the concept of the buddhas' full evolution.
180 REASONING INTO R E A L I T ~
5.1 EMPTINESS AND CONVENTIONS
The relation between emptiness and conventions, or appearances as such, is
partially specified by the doctrine of the inseparability of insight and means
(prajna-upaya). This asserts a bi-directional dependency between these two. The
dependency of insight on the means is such that the conventional or social truths
(vyavahara-satya) and particularly the doctrinal and practical infra-structures of
karma and the perfections (paramita) are necessary conditions for obtaining
(6.224) the meditative equipoises (samapattz) and (6.80) the final insight of the
ultimate truth. The Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] here just echoes
Nagarjuna's verse from the Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK: 24.lOa] that:
"The highest sense [of the truth] is not taught apart from practical behaviour."66
The rationale for this dependency is twofold. Firstly, insight is causally
dependent on the means for it arises as a product that sterns from a chain of
causes beginning with the yogins' motor modification in their practice of
conduct etc. followed by their mental discipline of tranquillity (samatha) and
finally with mental integration (samadhl) as a penultimate to insight.
Chandrakirti spells out some links in this chain. The,Commentary [MABh: 78-
79] explains that karmic fruits of pure conduct ensures that the bodhisattva can
listen continuously to the viewpoint of emptiness by creating the causes for
avoiding rebirth in the unfortunate states. By conduct and offering the
bodhisattvas are born into happy states and by the latter they gain the conditions
such as food, medicines, robes, etc., i.e. the necessities of life ('tso bai yo byad)
such as are required in order to be in a position to hear about emptiness.
Compassion is practised as buddhahood is approached only when the view of
emptiness is combined with compassion, and in no other way. Endurance or
patience is practised because anger is said to lead to the unfortunate states and to
an ugly appearance. Resolve or dedication serves to make the other qualities
causes for the gaining of buddha hood.
Secondly, insight cannot be presented, demonstrated, or directly referred to
as the ultimate truth is by definition not an object of cognition.
67
The
Commentary [MABh: 120 and 133] quotes Aryadeva to the effect that the
evolutionary philosophy (dharma) must be communicated in ones own tongue,
i.e. in terms of what one can comprehend. Hence the social truth - and
particularly the ontologies that give phenomenalised or imaginal versions of the
concept of emptiness, and the analytical formats and procedures for structuring
ultimacy meditations - are necessary from the point of leading and directing
yogins towards the realisation of emptiness.
68
The Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl is more informative - uniquely so
from among cognate texts - as to the dependency of the method perfections and
means generally on insight. In relation to the perfections Chandrakirti (6.2)
writes: "Just as one person with sight easily leads a group of blind people to the
place they desire, the intellect (mati) here has taken on the manner of eyes and
goes toward the victory." The intellect here refers (MABh: 74) to perfect insight.
,INSIGll AND THE EXTENSNE DEEDS 181
It takes the qualities of the other perfections because it has the nature of being
able to discern the correct path from the misleading ones. Presumably all nine
.. perfections are given their focus, control, and lead69 by insight. In other words,
without the insight of emptiness, the method perfections are fettered because
.. they themselves lack a guidance and directionality, without which they cannot
become fully perfected, and for which they depend on insight. As the Perfect
Insight in Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas [PPS] says: "without an eye the five
perfections are as if born blind, without the perfection of wisdom they are
unable to ascent the path to enlightenment, and still less can they enter into the
city of the knowledge of all modes."70
A dependence in this direction is also made explicit by the distinction we
have noted earlier between mundane or worldly (laukika) and supra-mundane or
transworldly (lokotara) perfections. The former are the perfections of giving, etc.
practised without an insight that the actions are empty of an intrinsic nature, and
they are presumably karma accumulating for that reason. The latter are the
same practices when underscored by the realisation of their emptiness. These
are perfect actions for they are unhindered by the conception of intrinsic
existence. This presumably makes them more powerful and expressive actions
as they are guided by insight, hence non-confused, and liberative as they do not
accrue karma.
This idea of mundane and supra-mundane perfections comes from the
Perfect Insight Sutras (Prajnaparamita-sutras). The Perfect Insight in Twentyt've
Thousand Stanzas [PPS] speaks of the three-fold purity (triksti-parisuddhi)7 of
giving in which the gift, giver, and receiver are not taken as a basis.72 The
bodhisattva gives without apprehending a self, a recipient, or a gift and also
with no reward for his giving.'73 Such giving causes the bodhisattvas to swerve
away from the world. On the other hand, worldly giving, which is "tied by three
ties" of the notions if self, other, and gift doesn't help the bodhisattva to pass
beyond the worId.74
Chandrakirti elaborates a little further saying (6.Scd) that "they should be
taught ultimate reality, for they will thereby receive the qualities." The qualities
are (6.6) conduct, giving, compassion, endurance, resolve, and devotion to the
perfect bodhisattvas, without whom the bodhisattvas would not be able to hear
about relational origination. The Commentary [MABh] doesn't really pick up on
how the means follow from insight except indicate that once the bodhisattvas
have heard about emptiness that they will practice the perfection to ensure that
they can continue to hear about it. In other words, there is an incentive added to
their practice once the bodhisattvas have tasted the doctrine of emptiness. The
implication, though, is that the insight into emptiness not only facilitates the
development of the means, but is a necessary condition for their complete
development. Theoretically it seems that the interdependencies between the two
become ever more necessary as yogins approach the perfection of either.
Ultimately, in fact, insight and the means become identical. As Chandrakirti
182 REASONING INTO REALITy
says in the annoyingly short "therapeutic methods" chapter (MABh: 343): "While
investigating reality it is called perfect insight but it is not different from the
perfection of therapeutic methods." ,
The interdependence between emptiness and the therapeutic techniques is
also implicitly recognised in the inclusion of the bodhisattvas' activities {6.205-7)
and various meditative achievements (6.207), such as the meditative trances
(dhyana), and infinitudes (apramana) thoughts, and in the detailed breakdown of
the emptiness of defining qualities (svalaksana-sunyata). If, as seems the case75,
these emptinesses are all objects of contemplation, then a part of the yogins'
meditative training is to recognise the emptiness of their own practices and
accomplishments. Besides ensuring that these phenomena were cognised as
empty, such a practice would also have an accelerating effect on the
development of the methods by freeing the practices from the reifying stricture
that they were substantia1.
76
Hence it could be thought to introduce an
economy of effort and a time-wise efficiency in the yogins' consolidation of the
insight of emptiness.
Chandrakirti perceives the relationship between emptiness and action
(karma) in the same light that he sees emptiness and the perfections. Firstly he
notes (6.39-40) that if an action were intrinsically existent it would be permanent,
and that the very efficacy of actions in producing results rests on their being
empty. These conclusions stem from the consequence that any functional
phenomena are necessarily empty for were they intrinsically existent, they could
not be affected by other things and hence would have no cause for change. More
pointedly he writes (6.42c) that: "One who cognises the nonHntrinsic} existence
of what is wholesome (kusala) and unwholesome will become liberated."77
Chandrakirti's commentary does not amplify this line. Even so there seem to be
three explanations which would give sense to it?8
Firstly there is a sense which seeing the emptiness of unwholesome and
wholesome actions would enable yogins to be unattached to their actions and
thereby gain a freedom to subsequently follow the behavioural prescriptions that
lead to positive paths of action.
Secondly, the reification of action and restriction on action potentials and
possibilities that is understood to come from the perception of intrinsic existence,
and reversal of it in the cognition of emptiness
79
would, theoretically, enable
yogins to modify the intensity or even type of results that their karma would
otherwise issue forth in. That is, the cognition of actions as empty could
facilitate a re-structuring of previously initiated karma path so that they produce
soteriologically advantageous fruitions (vipaka), either in the form of reducing
negative fruitions or amplifying positive ones.
Besides facilitating the transformation of subsequent actions and prior
karma that are yet to ripen, there is lastly a sense in which an insight into the
emptiness of actions may enable yogins to transcend rather than merely
transform the "workings of karma". Thus, it may be that when karma, and the
INSIGll AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 183
traces (vasana) that code its operation are perceived as insubstantial, they are
somehow naturally neutralised and made impotent with respect to their
necessarily fruiting in specific or even any resultant experiences. In other words
the cognition of emptiness may permit the de- and not only re-structuring of
action potentials. This would be the sense in which knowing emptiness freed
yogins from the bonds of karma.
80
5.2 THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO REALITIES
Even though the problems involved in the Madhyamika interpretation of the
relations between the two realites (satya-dvaya) have been teased out81 and to
. some extent resolved, notably by Streng
82
and Huntington
83
we cannot avoid
some reference to the problem as it crystallises the relation between emptiness
and appearances.
As we have introduced them, the two realities; the ultimate (paramartha) and
conventional (samvrtz), do present a problem for there is seeming tension
between the two vis-a-vis their autonomy and dependence on each other, and an
even more pronounced one in relation to their mutual identification or
differentiation.
The picture in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl follows Nagarjuna.
The conventional or inter-personal realm of reality is (6.80a) the means for
cognising the ultimate reality, on which count, the two are different and the
ultimate depends for its realisation (though perhaps not ontologically) on the
conventional realities. They are likewise distinguished on the grounds that
conventional truths or realities are predicative where the ultimate reality
(assuming the concurrence with the Introduction to the Two Realities Sutra
(Satyadvayavatara) and Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK] is non-
predicative and quite ineffable. Here too the ultimate is dependent on the
conventional for it can be monstrated.84 On the other hand the functionality of
conventions, i.e. sensory appearances, designations, etc. (included here is the
ability for conventional truths to monstrate the ultimate), depend on their
having an ultimate aspect, i.e. their being empty. In this case the dependency is
reversed and so the two are mutually interdependent. This is consistent with
Madhyamika principles which prohibit the positing of asymmetrical dependence
relations.
A tension arises when one considers the cognition of buddhas, and arhats
also, prior to their post-mortem nirvana, who, on realising an emptiness that is
synonymous with both treading the middle way and understanding the full
impact and ramifications of relational origination (pratityasamutpada), must in
some sense be fusing their cognitions of the two truths. As the Perfect Insight in
Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas [PPS] says: "Worldly convention is not one thing
and the ultimate truth another. What is the Suchness of worldly convention, is
that the Suchness of ultimate reality."8S In fact, analysis via the logic of
184
REASONING INTO REALITY
relational origination is designed just to establish "things as peing empty", i.e.
establish that there are things and an emptiness (of these), though the principle
228) that all. gain existence from the fact of being
conditioned (rkyen nyld dl pa tsam, ldam pratyaya-matra), and nothing more. That
is to say, the middle view (madhyama-drsti) or cognition of phenomena as
relationally originated is understood to give saints a unified insight wherein a
cognition of emptiness amounts to a cognition of appearances (i.e. of things
relation ally originated) and a cognition of appearances amounts to cognising an
emptiness. Hence, "the true reality is nothing else than the true nature of the
empirical reality."86 As Huntington writes, "the vision of the saint has no object
other than this very realm of ordinary existence, which is seen by a sort of "non-
seeing".87
The middle view fuses the two realities by both rejecting real existence (i.e.
establishing paramartha) and not rejecting non-existence (Le. establishing
samvrti). As Huntington writes, the things of the world "are unreal because they
lack any svabhava ("intrinsic being"); and yet ... they are real because it is their
svabhava ("intrinsic nature") to arise and cease in the world through the force of
dependent origination."88 In its practical dimension this means that
bodhisattvas tread a path not so much between as pervading the realities
defined by the two truths. They avoid at one extreme an in vacuo emptiness (or
tranquil liberation) and at the other extreme appearances alone (Le.
unaccompanied by a cognition of their emptiness) by extending their knowledge
to include the full reaches of both the ultimate (paramartha) (= nirvana) and the
conventional (samvrti) (= samsara). The potential for the conventional reality to
cause pain is cancelled by the insight of the ultimate reality.
Hence, at the level of full realisation the two realities, rather than retaining
some measure of individual autonomy, seem to reciprocally affirm and establish
each other.
8
9 In terms of the identity of or difference between the two realities,
for buddhas and arhats
90
they seem to be identified, whereas prior to this
attainment they are clearly different.
This equivocation about the precise relation between the two realities vis-a-
vis the strength of dependency and identity is not a doctinal inconsistency.
Rather it signifies a scope and freedom of expression gained by Madhyarnikas,
with their notion of emptiness, over and above strictly indeterminant (or
determinant) conceptions of reality. The negation of uniformity (oneness) and
non-uniformity (plurality) with respect to emptiness enables reality to be
interpreted or viewed as neutrally accommodating any variety of bifurcations
and relations, including that of the two realities and their identification and
differentation from different perspectives. This is to say that emptiness provides
a field or matrix which can support determinant (= samvrtz) and indeterminant
(= paramartha) interpretations because it is intrinsically neither determinant nor
indeterminant. This is a problem confronting metaphysics in which "the ground
of being" is one rather than "neither one nor many". Panentheism is a case in
INSIGHT AND THE EXTENSNE DEEDS 185

tpoint for lack of an overarching notion Within which to accommodate
;'polar Opposltes - such as, oneness and manyness, permanence and change,
fetemality and temporality etc. deity itself either becomes bifurcated into
;intrinsically different aspects (the result of which is polytheism) or the notion of
:deity finds itself to be an intrinsically contradictory one.
91

4X; Were emptiness intrinsically existent it could, on Madhyarnika principles, be
'%een and viewed in only the one way it existed. Likewise, were it intrinsically
f\lniforrn or non-uniform it would be blatantly false (and perhaps also
timpossible) to say it was plural or one, respectively, and a contradiction to say it
both. On this interpretation of the two truths - and here we are moving
the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl - the locus of meaning is
Femptiness (rather than the ultimate truth or reality) and both realities are
i"interpretations and hence relativisations of reality, qua reality, as is the
1,relationship between them. A consequence of this view is that ultimate reality is
(Indeterminate, higher, ineffable, etc. only in relation to the conventional reality.
other words, it is relatively unconditioned (asamskrta), and relatively non-
!objectifiable. Ultimately, though it is neither conditioned nor unconditioned.92
[Were it other than relatively nonobjectifiable it could not be monstrated or
fcpointed out by conventional designations nor cognised. This is in tension with
t;the Introduction to the Two Realities Sutra (Satyadvayavatara-sutra), the Principal
on the Middle Way [MK] and the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl, but
to be the Tibetan dGe lugs' interpretation also.93 As interpretations, the
ihvo realities and way(s) of relating them are determined by valuational criteria.
!Hence within a path context it is natural and tolerable that the relation between
{the two realities undergoes a transforrnation.
94
5.3 EMPTINESS AND VALID CONVENTIONS
,c, Though the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl does not describe if and how
the realisation of emptiness may bear on the acquisition of valid (tathya) as
opposed to mistaken (mithya) cognitions of appearances, it seems clear that they
are related. The relation is one of a measure of independence and dependence.
Were they completely independent each could be developed singly, without the
cultivation of the other. Also, there would be no point from a soteriological
perspective in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl delineating the criteria
(pramana) for valid cognition.
From the viewpoint of causes they share a commonality as the development
of emptiness and acquisition of valid conventional cognitions both depend on
the removal of reactions and unwholesome mental events (caitta)
and replacement of these by wholesome ones. The Perfect Insight in Twenty-five
Thousand Stanzas [PPSl says, a bodhisattva who courses in perfect insight cannot
produce wickednesses of body, speech, or mind because they have cleased away
such irnpurities.
95
This must mean its impo(isible for them to be afflicted by
186 REASONING INTO REALITY
unwholesome states of mind. To be more precise, the removal of afflications
appears to be one among several causes for the having of verdical cognitions of
appearances (the others are sound sense-organs, etc.), and a necessary condition
for the development of emptiness (its direct cause being analysis). Hence
though there need not be a causal interaction between the two they may
to arise concomitantly the san:e states of mind .serve as supporting
condItions for both of them. On thIs count It would be possIble to have veridial
perceptions and conceptions, as defined in the Introduction to the Middle Way
[MAl, yet without having the insight into emptiness. This, though, needs to be
qualified as cognitions of emptiness are asserted to arise in dependence on the
means or methods, a part of which is the acquisition of a valid world-view, in
which case a valid knowledge of conventions is a genuine condition for acquiring
insight. Likewise, cognitions of emptiness would appear to assist in the
certification of cognitions as valid as they are thought to purify the afflictions by
removing the conception of intrinsic-existence, which is the very basis for
attachment. On the other hand, were the insight into emptiness in and of itself
to ensure the veracity of conventional knowledge, one could again query the
necessity in the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl and other Buddhist literature
for independently specifying the means of valid conventions (tathya-samvrh),
sources of error, etc. Yet, that it does not, leaves open the possibility that mis-
conceived, mis-perceived and utterly non-existent things may be cognised as
empty. In conclusion, cognitions of emptiness would seem to rectify mistaken
cognitions of appearances and guarantee their accuracy to whatever extent the
afflications and wrong-views or fallacious tenet-systems falsify cognition.96
6 INSIGHT AND THE FULLY EVOLVED MIND
The foregoing relationships have been applicable to both the individual and
universal vehicles, i.e. to the realities thought to be encountered by saints on
both the arhat and bodhisattva paths, with the proviso that the methods or
techniques (upaya) that figure in the relationship between insight and the
methods consist mainly in the ethical and meditative practices that were thought
to be causally necessary for the arising of insight. The later perfections, i.e. final
four, are also classified as method perfections, but figure, with the first of giving
(dana), much more prominantly in the bodhisattva-vehicle. Giving, for example, is
said (MABh: 24) to be a cause for the knowledge of all perspectives on reality,
the perfection of techniques (upaya) signifies in the universal vehicle specifically
the perfection of the skills needed for helping others, powerful capacities (bala)
means (8.4) gaining the capacities needed to influence people, and knowledge
(jnana) refers to the buddhas' knowledge of all perspectives on reality.
ResoJution (pranidhana), the ninth perfection, although a neutral concept, is
crucially tied to the bodhisattvas' higher intentions (adhyasaya), as I'll explain.
INSIGm AND THE EXTENSNE DEEDS 187
Three defining features of the fully evolved mind (bodhi-citta), which is said
:'to be developed by the bodhisattvas and perfected in the buddhas, are its
compassionate attitude, its insight into emptiness, and its knowledge of all facets
'of the universe. Of these three, compassion and a knowledge of everything are
distinguishing features of the full evolved mind, for in the universal vehicle it is
:only the bodhlsattvas who develop compassion, or at least the great compassion
:(maha- karuna) that consistently places the welfare of other creatures above the
'bodhisattvas' own welfare, and only the buddhas who are omniscient. On the
'other hand, the insight of emptiness is a feature common to the minds generated
.by both the arhats and buddhas and is the defining characteristic of the former.
:Given the presence of these three key features in the definition of the fully
-evolved mind,97 and the doctrinal differences on this score between the arhats
and the buddhas, I now want to briefly look at the relationship between insight
and compassion and then at the relationship between insight, the state of full
-evolution (bodhz) and the knowledge of all perspectives on reality. (The
relationship between compassion and the knowledge of all perspectives on
reality has already been explained: the latter being seen as required by the
buddhas' activities (karitra) in working most skilfully for the liberation of all
other creatures.)
}i.l INSIGHT AND COMPASSION
The relationship between insight and compassion has received remarkably
little detailed attention
98
considering that the relationship betweenlhese two
crystalises for universal vehicle Buddhism the tensions between the narrow
vehicle ideal of the arhat and their own ideal represented by the figure of the
bodhisattva. Also, to the extent that the Madhyamika philosophy holds - as
'Chandrakirti does - that the individual vehicle saints (arya) and arhats have
gained the perfect insight, as that is defined and practiced according to
Madhyamika tenets, an investigation into the relationship between insight and
compassion additionally serves to illuminate the relationship, at the level of
doctrine and philosophy, between the Madhyamika and Mahayana Buddhism.
The Commentary [MABh: 79] says that buddhahood is approached only
through the associated practice of emptiness and compassion. And in
commentary to verse 6.225 which says that the sixth level bodhisattvas have
compassion and cessation (i.e. insight into emptiness) at the same time,
Chandrakirti says (341) that because the higher intention (adhyasaya) is included
(rtog pa) within nirvana their compassion increases for creatures. dGe'dun grub
~ a y s (RSM: f. 43a2-3) that although the bodhisattvas have entered a cessation
they do not forsake the thought of saving creatures. The question is: In what
way(s) are the practices associated?
Compassion, according to Chandrakirti (MABh: 7), is the root of both the
non-dualistic knowledge and the fully evolved mind, and for that reason it is
188 REASONING INTO REALITY
regarded as being principal. The relationship implied is causal and the linkage
is an indirect one. The sense in which the non-dualistic knowledge or insight
into emptiness arises from compassion is that it is only through the compassion
of the buddhas that the disciples, etc. come to hear the teachings, put them into
practice, and so gain their goal of liberation, which is equivalent to gaining the
non-dualistic insight.
99
In the Commentary [MABh: 2] Chandrakirti explains that
when the buddhas come they show the teachings on relational origination, and
from serially hearing, thinking, and meditating about them, immediately or at
some future time, saints are inspired to gain nirvana. Hence, the realisations of
the arhats into emptiness depends both on the buddhas having the compassion
to teach and on the buddhas own practice of compassion as one of the causes
from which buddhahood arises. The relationship is thus indirect for
Chandrakirti is not saying here that insight arises within the one mental
continuum on the basis of an earlier generation of compassion, but that the
compassion of the buddhas is a cooperative or conditioning cause in the vehicle
saints' acquisition of insight. It would be surprising if the relationship were
meant as being other than indirect, i.e. a relationship between mental continua
rather than as a series of mental states indicating a causal evolution within a
single continuum, for were it the latter it would mean that saints could only
become arhats if they had cultivated the bodhisattvas' compassion and this
would cut across the distinction between the individual and universal vehicles.
Still, it seems possible that the practices of the bodhisattvas in cultivating
compassion may in fact have had a direct bearing on their development of
insight. The case in point may be the Mahayana meditations aimed at producing
the fully evolved mind which have the universal vehicle practitioner
contemplate - in the course of making his or her mind equinimous toward all
creatures - that the notions of friends, strangers, and enemies are relative
notions: friends exist in dependence on enemies and vice versa, and further that
such concepts are mere designations for friends can become enemies, strangers
and so forth. Such contemplations as these seem closely linked to some
contemplations on emptiness and may be thought to to assist such
comtemplations or even to give rise to the view that the notions of closeness and
separation with respect to creatures are vacuous.
loo
We can reasonably expect that the relationship in the opposite direction, i.e.
of compassion on insight, is direct in the sense that the development of insight
would have been thought to be a causal precondition, functioning within each
saint, for the development of compassion. The reason for this is that a genuine
compassion that interacts with creatures would need to be protected and
insulated from the pains of samsara, and such an insulation would only be
guaranteed by an insight into the emptiness of samsara. Thus, although the
bodhisattvas vow to experience the pains of hell for the sake of liberating
creatures
10l
we must presume that this heroic resolve signifies their willingness
to experience the pains of samsara, but that in fact it would be inconsistent for
INSIcm AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 189
them to experience the sufferings of samsara. Sci as not to become anesthetised
... to the suffering of creatures or worse, burdened just by their own problems and
pain, the bodhisattvas cultivate the knowledge that creatures and their
sufferings are merely illusions that are insubstantial and unreaL As the Perfect
Insight in Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas [PPS] says, "a Bodhisattva does notmurse
. in the perception of difficulties. And why? Because one who has generated in
himself the notion of difficulties is unable to work the weal of countless
beings."102
This explanation can be furthered a little. One way of looking at the
liberative path that cultivates the insight into emptiness is to see it as a
stabilising process insofar as it is concerned with the saints developing full
autonomy over their being and in a sense an immunity from their environments.
Their insight into emptiness is meant to free them from being influenced by the
mundane world and insulate them from the problems of existence (dosa) in
samsara by developing an attitude of detachment to the world. Within the
development proposed on this path the saints would stabilise psychological
perturbations by affectively isolating themselves from the environment through
. developing in the insight of emptiness; this amounting to a valuational and
ontological neutrality with respect to all the things that they cognitively
encounter. Hence, they would theoretically become increasingly unmoved by
the transitory world and in the extreme case of a solitary peace or non-residual
nirvana would, according to doctrine, become literally separated from disturbing
factors. This type of process is what the systems theorists Ervin Laszlo calls a
self-stabilising or homeostatic system.
103
On the other hand, the development of the bodhisattvas' altruism is in
certain respects quite opposite to the development of insight for rather than
becoming increasingly isolated from their environments, the development of
altruism and its expression in the bodhisattvas' behaviour (carya) is a creative
response towards the woes of other creatures. Hence, with respect to their
development as bodhisattvas, the saints are not concerned with their own
autonomy and survival but with the welfare of others and in this they must, in
theory, try to become increasingly responsive and adaptive to their environment,
especially to the ignorance, and sufferings of the creatures in it. Hence, in order
to fulfil the needs of others, the bodhisattvas must be willing and able to
consciously modify and complexify their behaviour in order to respond more
meaningfully and effectively. They would learn to accommodate and
manipulate an increasing number of environmental factors. And in this they
would be acting in a way contrary to the liberative path in that they would be
aiming at an ever increasing involvement with their environment rather than
becoming isolated from it. Laszlo would call this an organising or evolving
system, where new information and influences are actively sort out rather than
resisted) 04
190 REASONING INTO REALITY
Now, with respect to relationship between the bodhisattvas' altrusitic
attitude and activities, and the gaining of insight it seems that the former
depends on the later. According to Laszlo, an adaptive process (such as
exemplified in the bodhisattvas' active compassion) is structurally unstable and
prone to disorganisation and even decay unless it is balanced by certain
stabilising factors.10
S
Thus, to the degree that the bodhisattvas seek out the
problems and confusions of others in their role as cosmic therapists, they would
have to develop insight for otherwise the confusions and sufferings of others
that they seek out and assimilate would act to introduce confusion in
themselves, and perhaps hinder or at least lessen their ability to help others.
Without such an insight, the sufferings of others may paralyze them, thus
restricting their abilities to help others, and perhaps also would make the final
result of the arhat's vehicle look more attractive than buddhahood. The insight
into emptiness would effectively nullify the potential for the problems of others
to personally affect and disturb the bodhisattvas and thus would fortify their
compassion as they would "not review an entity which could make them cowed
or despondent, frightened or terrified."106 That is to say, illusory creatures and
sufferings that were viewed as only fictitious would be powerless to adversely
affect them. Presumably the third of the three types of compassion mentioned
earlier; namely the compassion that focusses on focuslessness, defined as the
attention to the emptiness of creatures, is specifically designed to train the
bodhisattvas in seeing their disciples and patients as illusory. Thus, it seems that
a fully fledged compassion such as the bodhisattvas develop would necessarily
need to be underscored by an insight into emptiness.
Even though the cultivation of insight would seem to be a necessary
condition for the bodhisattvas to develop an active and fully functiOning
compassion, their greatest skill and achievement - greater even than their
gaining of the insight into emptiness and development of compassion - is their
ability to sustain both the realisations at the same time. I have earlier referred to
the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] as saying that the sixth level bodhisattva
is able to do this and presumably the bodhisattvas are thought to become more
skilled at fusing the two practices as they approach full evolution (sambodh!).
The difficulty presented to the bodhisattvas in having to supplement their
development of compassion with the view of insubstantiality is that the view of
the insubstantial and illusory nature of beings could very easily have the effect
of making the bodhisattvas turn their backs on creatures, were not their
compassion so great, natural, and automatic. How can compassion be
developed and substained in light of the knowledge that the bodhisattvas
themselves, those to whom they extend their compassion, and their compassion
also, have no substance to them and are nothing more than an illusion? As
Subhuti poignantly asks the Buddha in the Perfect Insight in Twenty-five Thousand
Stanzas [PPS], if the terms 'bodhisattva' and 'perfect insight' don't refer to
anything then who is he going to teach and about what?107 The difficulty here,
INSIGIIT AND TIlE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 191
of course, is a psychological one for there is nothing logically impossible about
extending love towards creatures of fiction. In mounting this psychological
hurdle the bodhisattva ideal reaches its highest point and most edifying image,
in which the bodhisattvas continue with an ever increasing vigour, dynamism,
and devotion to instruct and care for creatures with the utmost concern,
sensitivity, and sincerity when they know all the while that their labours and
efforts are directed to non-beings and non-events and in reality won't benefit
anyone. The Perfect Insight in Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas [PPS] likens the
bodhisattvas task in this respect to "a man who would wish to plant a tree in
space when space can give no ground for its support."IDS In other words, the
bodhisattvas cultivate and realise compassion when at the same time the very
raison d'etre for their compassion (the removal of the suffering of creatures) is
known to be nothing more than a verbal denotation. Knowing that ultimately no
one will benefit from their efforts and that no one suffers or achieves liberation,
still the bodhisattvas spend eons of tireless effort in becoming super-human
pedagogues and miracle workers, and act as though the sufferings of creatures
were every bit real. So easy it would be for them at any stage in their careers to
forsake creatures, knowing that in reality they wouldn't have forsaken anyone,
yet they labour on without interruption and with no regard for their own
welfare. As the Perfect Insight in Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas [PPS] says:
although they have known all dharmas as like a mock show or a
dream, the Bodhisattvas, the great beings have set out towards the
supreme enlightenment for the benefit and welfare of the world, so
that they can become a shelter for the world, a refuge, a place of
rest, the final relief, islands, torch bearers, caravan leaders and light
bringers, and leaders of the world.1D9
6.2 INSIGHT AND THE FULLY EVOLVED MIND (BODHICITTA)
This final section looks at the relationship between insight and the fully
evolved mind, with attention to the knowledge of all perspectives [on reality]
(sarvakara-jnata) that is said to be gained by the buddhas. The fully evolved
mind in its fruition state in buddhas is said to cognise's emptiness, be actively
compassionate, and to know everything. The question at this point is: how is
the buddhas' knowledge of all perspectives on reality related to the insight into
emptiness? Unfortunately the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] and other
Madhyamika literature has little to say about this relationship.
The first point is that emptiness cannot be equated or identified with
knowing all perspectives on reality, for to do so would remove the universal
vehicle distinction between arhats and buddhas. This is contrary to the case
with emptiness and appearances. As Karel Werner rightly points out, of the
192
REASONING INTO REALITY
higher knowledge only the knowledge of the destruction of m ~ n t a l defilements
(asavakkhayanana) can be a necessary condition for gaining nirvana. no The
reason for this is that the cognition of emptiness is the eradication of ignorance
so by definition all the defilements (asrava) would have to be destroyed (and
known to be such). Further, a knowledge of all perspectives cannot be .thought
to be a necessary condition for the saints gaining insight, as this would also
remove one of the key features that are said to distinguish the buddhas from
arhats.
111
What of the converse, is emptiness a necessary condition for
acquiring a knowledge of all perspectives on reality? We can only speculate that
it is thought to be. Firstly, the Introduction to the Middle Way [MA] includes
within the emptiness of defining qualities the various qualities of bodhisattvas
and buddhas, specifically including (6.214) their knowledge of all perspectives.
If as we have suggested, these are meditational subjects then bodhisattvas are
meant to meditate on the emptiness of their psychic-powers and subsequent the
knowledge of all perspectives on reality. The Introduction to the Evolved Lifestyle
[BCA: 9.55] says specifically that emptiness is required by those who desire a
knowledge of all perspectives, in virtue of its ability to remove the cognitive
obstructions. The Perfect Insight in Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas [PPS] repeatly
says the knowledge of all facets comes as a result of perfecting insight. More
specifically it says that the buddhas trained in insight in order to gain the
knowledge of all perspectives on reality112 and that one who courses in the
perfect insight "comes near to the knowledge of all modes."113 Even so, one has
to be cautionary in reading the Perfect Insight in Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas
[PPS] for on occasions it seems to use the notion of 'perfect insight' in a wider
sense than the single accomplishment of cognising emptiness. On occasions
emptiness even seems to be equated with the concept of full evolution (bodhi).114
As to this seeming necessity of cognising emptiness in order to achieve the
cognitive dilation said to end in knowing all perspectives or aspects of reality, it
seems that iniversal vehicle Buddhists could have thought that a recognition of
the cognitive triad (i.e. ego, cogito and cogitatum) as empty would free a
consciousness from a certain restrictiveness in terms of its cognitive capacity.
The only verse pointing to something like this is 12.2, which says that:
Just as a vessel can be divided [into parts] but the space [within it]
cannot be divided, no matter how things are artificially divided
[these divisions] do not exist. Thus, when you properly come to
know [that things] are of equal flavour, your noble omniscience is
instantly brought to know all knowables.
The Commentary [MABh: 356] does not add anything to this verse except directly
relate it to the knowledge that knows everything. dGe' dun grub (RSM, f. 46a4-
5) explains that space is divisionless for divisions can be made only where
something can be stopped by contacting an obstructible (thogs bcas). Presumably
the contact (reg pa, sparsa) meant here can be non-physical. What the verse seems
INSIGll AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 193
to be saying is that the cognition of reality as devoid of real demarcations or
divisions within and between phenomena produces an equanimity and
impartiality with respect to percepts and within that equality of experience,
consciousness cognises all knowables.
The Perfect Insight in Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas [PPS] allows further
. spectulation. The Sutra says that the non-appropriate and the non-Ietting-go of
forms, etc. promotes the knowledge of all perspectives. lIS And further that
forms are baseless, like space, in the sense that one cannot ultimately (in the
realisation of emptiness) find boundaries to forms.
1I6
From one angle, if form is
infinte in magnitude
1I7
and realised as such in the insight of emptiness, then
there is a sense in which form looses its constriction, its being bounded, with the
result that forms would merge endlessly into each other. The Perfect Insight in
Twenty-five Thousand Stanzas [PPS] says that the knowledge of all perspectives "is
not two nor divided, on account of all dharmas having conexistence (sic) for
their own-being."118 Thus, perhaps it is that the buddhas' the knowledge of all
perspectives on reality cognises all forms because forms are thought to be
literally insubstantial and so accessible to mental penetration. The said
inseparability of forms from emptiness and the fact that emptiness is thought to
be uniform and unformed may account for this insubstantiality and
unfindability of boundaries to forms.
11
9 A mind penetrating emptiness would
thus penetrate forms. Following this idealist turn, the Sutra in fact identifies the
fully evolved mind (bodhi-citta) with reality itself (dharmata).120 Thus, it seems
that when mind is shorn of thought and is without out internal modification or
discrimination its essential original nature as transparently luminous
(prabhasvara) is realised, and that the truly unconditioned mind pervades,
comprehends, and encompasses, in fact, is reality, the sphere of truth (dharma-
dhatu).121 One thing certain in this is that the notion of knowing all perspectives
on reality is not an anthropomophised doctrine based on a physiological model
of perception, but rather rests on an idealist model of perception where what is
cognised, the cogniser, and the cognition itself become inseparably related if not
actually identified. Even so, one must be careful about reading too close a
relationship between insight and knowing all perspectives on reality, for any
entailment from insight to the knowledge of all perspectives on reality obscures
the doctrinal distinction between the arhats and buddhas. Insight may be have
been thought to be a necessary condition for knowing all perspectives on reality
but can hardly be identified with it.
One final point worth raising concerns the concept of resolution (bsnos pa).
The concept of resolution adds an additional factor to the various causal
relationships and causal factors that we have been discussing in this chapter.
Resolution is the idea that the various practices of the saints, particularly their
practices of the perfections, must be resolved in order to bring about the fruit of
fully evolution. Thus, although the operations of karma bring about specific
results, (for example, giving and good conduct are said produce merits (punya)
194 REASONING INTO REAUTY
be a certain degree of indeterminacy and latitude that the saints can consolidate
and capitalise on by psychologically directing their practices towards the gaining
of buddhahood where, were they not to do this, the practices would presumably
result in a less elevated and altrUistic attainment. Chandrakirti explains this in
the Commentary [MABh: 17]. Conduct, he says, and the other qualities
mentioned at verse 6.6 such as giving, endurance, and compassion, that are not
fully resolved or dedicated for gaining the knowledge of all perspectives on
reality are a measureless or uncommitted fruit with respect to the gaining of
buddhahood. Such actions become causes for gaining buddhahood by resolving
or directing that the roots of the merits accruing from those actions go to the
gaining of full evolution for the sake of freeing creatures. Thus, whether the
bodhisattvas' actions are actually causes for their evolution depends on their
being mentally resolved with the intention of producing that result. This action
of the turning over or converting of merits and wholesome roots to the supreme
evolutionary state depends, according to the Perfect Insight in Twenty-five
Thousand Stanzas [PPS] on the dedication being underscored by insight.122 Such
a turning over of merits not only directs, but apparently also magnifies and
increases a meritorious accumulation. Chandrakirti is saying that it is
incumbent upon the bodhisattvas to resolve their merits to the buddhas' full
evolution.
NOTES
1.
2.
3.
There seems to be no clear reason why Chandrakirti doesn't refer to any of Asanga's
works. I mentioned this anomoly to Geshe Trinlay who said that perhaps it is because
Tibetans believe that the Vijnanavada is not Asanga's final position and that for
Chandrakirti to write as though it were would be to downgrade Asanga's own
"philosophy. This, though, doesn't explain Chandrakirti's failure to quote the non-
philosophical Le. religious-doctrinal features of Asanga's texts which are neutral vis-a-
vis the Madhyamika versus Vijnanavada.
Supra, p. 38.
Authoritative tradition and analogy are categorised as types of inference. See LMS,
pp.80-81.
Prasangika-madhyamikas are unique among Buddhist schools for construing valid
instruments (pramana) as inclusive of the subsequent cognitions of objects. Accoriiing to
Dharmakirti's system a valid cognition must be fresh or new (bsar du), Le., not known
[beforehand] (ma shes). This means that moments of re-cognition are not prdmana.
Hopkins, Meditation on Emptiness, p. 701 writes that "the Prasangikas do not etymologize
the syllable pra in pramana as meaning 'new', but as either 'main' (gtso bo) or 'correct'
(yang dag pa)." Whatever the reasons for this it does not concur with the worldly
conventions wherein cOgnitions are ongoing, and it may just be this concern for
perceptions to function simply as a means to valid conventional knowledge that has led
them to this view. For Santrantikas perce.l?tions are able to know the ultimate
(paramartha) reality, the svalaksana, as the cogrution of point instants. As a point instant
can be cognised only momentarily and as the object of veridical perception, the
Santrantikas may be forced to hold that only fresh cognitions can be valid.
lNSIGm AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 195
4.
5.
6.
7.
can be cognised only momentarily and as the object of veridical perception, the
Santrantikas may be forced to hold that only fresh cognitions can be valid.
See MK, Chpt. 1, and MABh, following 6.13. Also AI<, 2.61 b-64.
Cf. Nyayabindu, 1.5, which isclates four specific causes that falsify perceptions. N.
Gangopadhyaya (tr.) Vinitadeva's Nyayabmdu-tilal (Calcutta: Indian StudIes' Past &
Present, 1971), p. 100, n. 23.
See C.W. Huntington, Jr. "The system of the two truths in the Prasannapada and the
Madhyamalalvatara: A studr in Madhyamika Soteriology." JIP, 11 (1983), pp. 85-88 for
another detailed analysis 0 Chandrakirti's transactionafepistemology.
The fact that Chandrakirti mentions Dignaga only disparagingly (MABh: 407) does not
mean that he rejected the rules of inference propounded by Dignaga for these stand quite
separate from Dignaga's Vijnanavada theses.
Certainly the Tibetan Madhyamikas find their philosophy quite compatible with the
Dignaga-Dharmakirti theories of inference.
8. See Sprung, Lucid Exposition, p. 64 where Chandrakirti accepts the four Nyaya pramanas.
9. A compliation from the Tibetan oral tradition by Geshe Rabten, The Mind and Its
Functions (Switzerland: Tharpa Choeling, 1978), p. 109, n. 9 isclates a common dominant
condition (thun mong bai bdag rkyen) and an exclusive dominant condition (thun mong ma
yin pai bdag rkyen). The common dominant condition for a senseperception is the mental-
organ (yid kyi dbang po) or immediately preceding condition, called 'common' because it
is a dominant condition for all five sense modalities. The exclusive dominant condition
are the sense-organs. Hence, the sense-modality of mental cognitions is determined by
mediation through one of five sense-organs.
10. At MA, 6.85, Chandrakirti also refers to the non-Buddhists' mountain peak of wrong-
views that are rectified in the Lanlalvatara-sutra. D.T. Suzuki, Studies in the Lanlalvatara
Sutra (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1970 (1930 reprint), pp. 110-14 locates twelve
wrong discriminations (vilallpa), perhaps these being what Chandrakirti refers to. In the
D.R. Suzuki (tr.) The Lanlalvatara Sutra (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1973 (1932
reprint) see pp. 156-61.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Alsc the traditional sixty-two wrong-views (sometimes condensed into fourteen)
concerning metal?hysical speculation are presumably included here within the tenets of
non-Buddhist philosophers. See Bhikkhu "Bodhi (tr.) Discourse of the All-Embracing Net of
Views: The Brahmajala Sut/a and Its commentorial Exegeses (Kandy: Buddhist Publication
Society, 1978).
According to the AI< 2.25, a mental consciousness is distorted by the presence of any of
the six emotional reactions (klesa), two unwholesome (akusala) bases, and ten mmor
emotional reactions (parit/aklesa). From the viewpoint of the cogniser the veracity of the
cognitions become ensured by the removal of these mental impurities with
an ideal cogniser bemg a consciousness in which these distortions are absent.
Chandrakirti was aware of the AI< for he once quotes it in the MABh, 149, (index, p. 462).
Alsc MA, 6.37, 113, and 167.
The BCA, 9.84-85 says that the conventional imputation of a body is applied in
dependence on the parts having an appropriate shape.
This pragmatic and instrumental component to knowledge is clearer still in the
Sautrautika epistemology where a criterion of valid cognition is the power to (produce)
196
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
28.
REASONING INTO REALITY
pur.eoseful action (arthakriyasakti). The criterion amounts to a motor,and goal orientated
verification of cognitions. See Nyayabindu, 1.1 and PVT, 2.8.
See, ~ o r example, Arthur Waley (tr.) The Analects of Confucius (London: George Allen &
Unwm, 1938), pp.171-172. .
See PP (Sprung, p. 181) and MABh: 179.
For the establishment of conventions according to Tsong kRa pa, see ME, PP.539-547.
These non-Madhyamika Buddhist world-views are interpretatively valid for
Chandrakirti whereas the non-Buddhist tenets seemingly do not have that status. The
preliminary doctrines of bondage, liberation, and action, etc. form the religio-
)i'hilosophical infrastructure of IndIan thought generally, and so in that context tend to be
common notions" in their own right.
See Ramanan, up. cit., p. 288 for the differences between the sravakas and pratyekabuddhas.
In the universal vehicle Hinayana arhats attain the supadhisesa-niroana and the
nirupadhisesa-niroana. While the bodhisattva also attains a nirvana, in virtue of realising
the nature of reality, this is a non-abiding nirvana (apratisthita-niroana). According to
Nagao ("Returns to this World ... p.62) the apratisthita-nirvana, which has the sense of a
"non-dwelling" or "non-clinging" nirvana, "IS the sole nirvana to be acquired either by
Bodhisattras or by Tathagatas." The bodhisattvas do not, then, renounce nirvana, rather
they forego a limiting and restricted species of nirvana that would preclude their
involvement in the empirical world. As Nagao notes, the apratisthita-niroana involves a
two-fold process of gaining nirvana and leaving it. He writes (p.66) that the "two
activities of coming from nirvana and going to nirvana are to the understood to be
operating simultaneously in the term apratisthlta-niroana".
See PPS, pp. 75, 124-125, 127, 129, 132, 170, 172, et passim.
PPS, pp. 115,343,393,402.
More commonly the accumulation of knowledge (jnanasambhara, ye shes kyi tsOOgs).
Chandrakirti's cue for this idea may be the PPS, p. 525.
See Guy Newland Compassion: a Tibetan Analysis, A Buddhist Monastic Textbook. London:
Wisdom Publications, 1984 for an exposition and translation of a section of rJe btsun
Chos kyi rgyal mtshan's textbook exegeting Chandrakirti's opening stanzas in the MA.
For the three compassions see pp. 124-143.
Cf. PPS, pp. 133-134.27.The ideal here is similar to the Advaita doctrine of the liberation
of everyone (saroa-mukti) and the idea of select liberated sages (adhikarika mukta) whose
task is to help others in the quest for freedom. A difference, though, is that for the
Madhyamika all people will become buddhas and so have been bodhisattvas.
The MA says that a first level bodhisattva can (11.1) see a hundred buddhas and receive
their blessings, extend their lives up to a hundred eons, and perceive the past and future
for a similar duration. They also (11.2) develop the abilities to enter and rise from
collected states in an instant, product manifestations (rdzu 'phrul, rddhi) and travel to
Rure environs (zin-da). On tne first level (11.3) they also manifest bodhisattvas from
their bodies replete WIth their own retinues, both to the measure of one hundred. On the
second to seventh levels they increase these qualities at roughly the rate of 102 per level.
On entering the eighth level the qualities become pure, ana by the final tenth level the
qualities can no longer be described.
INSIGHT AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 197
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
See Karel Werner, "Bodhi and Arhattaphala. From early Buddhism to early Mahayana," JIABS,
4,.1 (1981), 78-84 for a thorough discussion of the development of the bodhi idea and (pp.
78-79) for discussion of the relative differences between the Buddha's knowledge and
that of arhats.
The higher knowledges (MABh, 56-60) are a psychic power producing manifestations
(rddht), divine audition (diuya-srota), knowing others' minds (para-citta-jnana), recall of
previous lives (purvanivasanusmrti), and divine sight (diuya-caksu). (Mvy, pp. 202-209,
adds a frequently cited sixth, the extinction of defifements (asrava-ksaya). Cf.1'PS, pp. 79-
82. Har Dayal, The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature (Delhi: Motilal
Bararsidass, 1975 reprint), pp. 134 and 227, says they are acquired on the third or eigth
bhumi. RA, 5.45 (prooably Chandrakirti's source) says the tlilid.
These super-sensitive cognitions are gradually developed for the EUrpose of cognising
ever more phenomena. TheX are direct mental cognitions. (Geshe ocfen says that some
Tibetan philosphers are of the opinion that divinesight and audition are meant to be
mediated by a subtle (suksma) organ while others say there is no sense-organ mediation.
In either case, though, there is no mediation by a normal sense-organ.) They arise
concomitantly (3.11) with the equipoises (samapatti) and immeasurables (apramana) and
in dependence on the four formless equipoises (arupasamapatti). According to Bastian,
op. cit., pp. 281-305, the first five are obtamable upon reaching any of the four dhyanas,
and the SIxth asrava- ksaya after realising the highest (rab mtha) dhyana. Presuma1::ily the
abhijnas presuppose certain levels of concentration and tranquihsation and a freedom
from afflications. Cf. also AK, 7.42ff and MSA, 15.15-58.
The MABh on 4.2 (65) says these bodhisattvas glow from their meditation on the thirty
seven directions. These are again mentioned at 6.208ab within the characteristics of the
liberated state where they are ascribed a causative role in certainly making liberation
arise. For the bodhipaksa see Har Dayal, op. cit. chpt. 4, pp. 80-164. Also PPS, pp. 290-293,
and ME, pp.205-206.32.
These are not the same as the ten capacities (dasa-bala) that figure in the description of
buddhas. The MABh, 347-48 enumerates them as the forces over life (tshe), mind (serns),
necessities (yo byad), action (las), birth (skye ba), resolution (smon lam), inclinations (mos
pal, manifestations (rdza 'phrul), knowledge (ye shes), and dharma (chos).
This concurs with the RA,5.47-48. They are (MABh, 348-49): (1) the knowledge of things
(chos, dharma), i.e. their characteristics or definitions (svalaksana), (AK, 7.37) specifically a
knowledge of linguistic atoms, units, and compounds (nama-pada- uyanJana), (2) of
meanings (artha) i.e., all the divisions of things (the nuances, conotations, and meanings
of terms), (3) of languages (nirukti), or the unmixed presentation of things (this refers to
bodhisattvas' knowlecfge of different languages and modes of speech), and (4)
inspirational and intelligible (speech) (pratibhana). Cf. also AK, 7.37-40 and MSA, 18-34-
37, and their mention at MA, 6.211.
Cf. MSA, 10.2, 3, 22; 14.5; 15.46; 21.44, 54, 58.
Thus the PPS (p. 519) explains that the sravakas and pratyekabuddhas are alike in
forsaking the defilements but only the tathagatas also forsake the residues.
The MABh could be read here (394.1-2: rnam pa thams cad mkhyen pa dang sangs rgyas) as
the all-knowers and buddhas or the buddhas having all knowledge. The former reading
makes for the idea that omniscience is not exclusive to the buddhas.
See LSNP, p.331 for Thurman's translation of the passage.
37. They are described analogically as the aroma of musk left in a bag after the musks'
removal.
198 REASONING INTO REALITY
38. VPTd, p. 294, n. 4 says it is a reference to jneya-avarana.
39. See ME, pp.l04-109 for the Prasangika path-structure and serial removal of the klesas and
jneyavarana. '
40. E. Lamotte, ''Passions and Impregnations of the Passions in Buddhism" in L. Cousins et
al. (ed.), Buddhist Studies in honour of LB. Horner (Dordrecht-Holland: D. Reidel Pub. Co.
1974) notes (p. 100) that the PPS seems to imply the sequential eradication. Also, n. 32. '
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
The Mahaprajnaparamita-sastra follows the Prasangika view also, saying that although the
klesas are extinguished in the seventh level the vasanas remain until their removal at
buddhahood. S-ee Ramanan, Nagarjuna's Philosophy ... , p. 309
Obermiller, "The Doctrine of the Prajna-paramita ... " p. 47, thus correlates the mirror
knowledge (adarsa-jnana) with the jnana-dharma-kaya or buddhas' omniscience, the
knowledge of discrimination (pratyaveksana) and equanimity (samata) with the sambhoga-
kaya, and the knowledge pursuing actions (krtya-anusthana) with the nirmana-kaya.
K. Ward, The concept of God (Oxford: Basil Blackwill, 1974), p. 156.
This passage continues in a way I don't really understand saying that: "It is also
appropriate [or fitting] that it arises from the dharmakaya or througn the power of the
rupalaiya. It is thus saId that whatever body is different from [the above ones], it has the
same cause, arises by the cause which is for taming sentient creatures. These also have
special capacities that are mentally inestimable."
Cf. BCA, 1.12 on the perpetual fruiting of the bodhicitta and PPS, p. 176, that the
bodhisattvas' concentration is a perpetual attainment due to karmas from good deeds of
the past.
See RA, 2.35. The epistemological criteria of inference and sense-perception would be
privately obsolete because of their omniscience.
I.e. leaving Tushita, taking rebirth, achieving enlightenment, etc. as described in the
LAlitavistara and Buddhacanta.
See BCA, 9.36: that the buddhas appear in dependence on a disciple's merit and the
bodhisattva's vow. And MA, 12.7: that the teaching remains in dependence on people's
virtues.
Har Dayal, op. cit., p. 23.
They are described in summary at 12.19-21 and in detail at 12.22-31. Also ME, pp. 108-
210.
SeeMABh,320; and MV, 131-133, p.l0.
These are extensively defined in the MABh, 322-323. Briefly ther are that buddhas are
free from (1) error (skhalita) and (2) rash speech (ravita), never (3 forgetful (smrti) or (4)
unconcentrated (asamahita), (5) have no discrimination of difference (nanatva-samjna), and
(6) no misguided equanimity (apratisamkhyayopeksa). Their (7) wish [to help] (chanda), (8)
enthusiasm (virya), (9) recalf or mindfulness (smrti), (10) mental integration (samadhi) (11)
insight (prajna), and (12) liberation (vimukti) never degenerate. All their (13) motor
(kaya), (14) vocal (vak) and (15) mental (manas) actions are preceded and followed by
knowledge (jnana); and their knowledge and perception (darsana) are unshackled
(asamga) and unhindered (apratihata) with respect to the (16) past (atita), (17) future
(anagata) and (18) present (pratyutpanna). See Mvy, 136-153, pp. 10-12.
INSIGm AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 199
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
See Garma c.c. Chang, The Buddhist Teaching of Totality (University Park: Pennsylvania
State University Press, 1971).
MA,6.97.
Also cited in the PP, Sprung, Lucid Exposition, p. 45. See LSNP, pp. 248-252 for the full
complement of the Madhyarnikas' sources fOr the distinction and pp. 253-259 for
Nagarjuna's position. For Tsong kha pa's assignment of statuses and interpretations to
the interpretative scripture see pp. 345-363.
On definitive and interpretative sutras see ME, pp. 422428.
This seems to be the meaning intended by a distinction between literal and non-literal
interpretative scriptures. See Tsong kha pa's Great Exposition of Secret Mantra (London:
George Allen and Unwin, 1977) (Hopkin's Supplement), pp. 186-187.
Cf. RA, 4.94-96; MABh, 199.
Definitive validity, on the other hand, is obtained without the consideration of
valuational criteria.
According to Tsong kha El. (see Jose Cabezon, "The concepts of Truth and Meaning in
the Buddhist Scripture", JIABS, 4.1 (1981), 15-16) a text of interpretative intent must
satisfy three criteria. It must have a basis of intention (dgongs-bzhi) - this is the
interpretative environment. It must be necessary (dgos pal - i.e. some reason whereby it
is incumbent for the buddha to teach a particular concept. Lastly it must contradict
reality if taken literally.
Nor could it be for the antecedent conditions, any of which could change (even radicaliy)
a frame of reference, are infinite.
Cf. BCA, 9.7 that real entities were taught by the Buddha so as to gradually lead the
world to the hlghest viewpoint.
PPS, p. 639.
See for example kLongichen pa in the Rang grol skor gsum.
Ervin Laszlo, Introduction to Systems Philosophy (New York: George Braziller, 1972), p. 48.
Verse 24.10a, Emptiness, p. 213. The MA quotes tills verse at 6.35 and 6.80.
See MABh, 109.
This is problematic depending on how one understands the objectifiability of emptiness.
PPS,p.62.
PPS, p. 284. Also, pp. 48, 51-52, 471473, and 477.
PPS, pp. 130 and 134-135.
PPS,p.50.
PPS, p. 199.
PPS, pp. 198-199. Also pp. 263 and 365.
200 REASONING INTO REALITy
74. PPS, pp. 198-199. Also pp. 263 and 365.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
The PPS also distinguishes (p. 200) between a mundane and supra-mundane insight'
which the MA doesn't. In mundane insight the bodhisattva develops emptiness but
always "basing himself on sQmething." r presume this means that he (tlie subject)
(to object), and his insight are tliought to be real things.
insIght, on the other hand, is underscored by "the nonapprehension of self, beings, all
dharmas and enlightenment." The clc1e of three in the case of insight is a little
It is not clear whether the ' objed' is those for whom the bodhIsattva abides
in inSIght (p. 263) or alternatively that which is known by insight.
The same device is used in the PPS. See Bastian, op.cit., pp. 136-138, et passim.
Bastian, op. cit., pp. 286-87 suggests the same in the case where bodhisattvas are enjoined
to realize the emptiness of theIr psychic powers as a way of accelerating their cognitive
expansion.
Cf. MK, 23.10-11 where purity and impurity are unreal because they are mutually
dependent on each other.
In the Siksa-samuccaya Shantideva quotes the Tathagatalwsa-sutra to the effect that one
who realizes the illusory nature of past evil deeds will not have to reep their miserable
results; and the Karmavaranasuddhi- sutra that one who (really) sees wliat is sin and no
sin, discipline and no discipline, etc. stops the effects of actions. See C. Bendall and
W.H.D. Rouse (trs.), Siksha- - a Compendium of Buddhist Doctrine of Santideua
(Delhi: Motilal Bamarsidass (1st IndIan ed.), 1971), p. 168.
See MK, 24.14 and VV, 70.
In the last line of verse 6.42 and the MABh Chandrakirti thereon adds that karma is
unfathomable by the mind, at least with respect to the relationship between specific
results and their causes, and so should not be taught or thought about save introducing
doubt as to the existence of karma.
See the essays by T.R.V. Murti, "Samvrti and Paramartha in Madhyamika and Advaita
Vedanta", and M. Sprung, "The Madhyamika Doctrine of Two Realities as a Metaphysic",
in Mervyn Sprung (ea.), Two Truths in Buddhism and Vedanta, Michael J. Sweet,
"Santideva and the Madhyamika: The Prainaparamita-pariccheda of the
Bodhicaryavatara". pp. 20-37, some of which appears In Michael Sweet, "Bodhicaryavatara
9:2 as a Focus for Tibetan Interpret- ations of the Two Truths in the Prasangika
Madhyamika", JIABS, 2.2 (1979), 79-89; Karl Potter, Presuppositions of India's Philosopnies
(New Delhi: Prentice-Hal! of India (Private) Ltd., 1965), pp. 237-40; <:hr. Lindner's textual
work in "Atisa's Introduction to the Two Truths, and its Sources," JIP, 9 (1981), 161-214;
op. cit. Also 1. Yamada, op. cit.
F. Streng, "The Significatnce of Pratiyasamutpada ... ", op. cit., and "The Buddhist Doctrine
of Two Truths as Religious Philosophy", JIP, 1.3 (1971), 262-71.
C.W. Huntington, Jr. op. cit.
Sprung's term.
PPS, p. 529.
F. Tola and C. Dragonetti, 'Nagarjuna's Conception of 'Voidness' (Sunyata)," JIP, 9
(1981),277.
C.W. Huntington, Jr. op. cit., p. 93.
INSIGHT AND THE EXTENSNE DEEDS 201
88. Ibid., pp. 93-94.
89. See rGyal tshab.Dar rna Rin chen's Spyod 'jug room rgyal sras 'jug ngogs translated in
Michael J. Sweet "Santideva and the Madhyamika ... " (p. 176) who writes that the Buddha
gnosis "which knows things as they really are also knows them conventionally, and by
Knowing them conventionally know them as they really are." Also see Obermiller,
"Doctrine of the Prajnaparamita ... ", p. 41. .
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
According to Madhyamikas (from Geshe Loden) the fusion is thought to take place
gradually, with a cognition of conventions and ultimate truths at first alternating. At the
time of discernment (vipasyaM) meditation ultimate truths are cognised to the exclusion
of conventions and vice versa in between meditation sessions. -In time these initially
disparite modes of cognition come to increasingly pervade each other.
A reciprocal establishment of the two truths seems to present a problem in the case of
apparently in vacuo realisations of emptiness, such as arhats in pari-nirvaM may be
to gain. An explanation (from Geshe Sopa) to account for the non-residual
emptiness (supra,. p. n. ) of Madhyamika bodhisattvas may circumvent this.
According to this a basis (Le., apfearance, perhaps one of the twenty bases that
differentiate the twenty emptinesses is necessarily present when yogins concentrate on
emptiness (for an emptiness depends on some thing being empty) but they direct their
attention just to the emptiness such that the basis, though present, lapses from their
cognition. I don't know what the basis for an arhat's post-mortem nirvana would be.
The only difference here between buddhas and arhats would be in terms of the
ext.ensiveness of their knowledge of phenomena.
See MK, 27.15-17 on the bifurication of deity.
Cf. PPS, p. 641.
See M.J. Sweets, "Santideva and the Madhyamika ... ", pp. 20-21 and 25-27. See also infra,
p. . Ukewise, any identifications and differences 15etween the two truths are relative
and not ultimate.
In practice this issue becomes doubly complex for chan
g
es in the relations would be
necessarily cognized from some position on the yogins path and likewise could be
presented (as a heuristic device) from any point of reference. Hence the transformation
undergone by the relation connecting tfie two truths in this course of a yogin's
development will itself change in dependence on a "path position". I do not know from
what frame of reference the above transformation is intended to be desCribed.
PPS,p.76.
There is still the factor of unsound sense-organs. If this is a problem, Madhyamikas may
feasibly have resolved it by positing some mternal quality to the manovijMna such that
whenever emptinesses are known tfie bases of the emptiness are cognised mentally. The
MA has nothfug to say about this, nor any indigenous 1iterature I know of.
Supra, p.
Two papers that have addressed the problem fail to make any significant discovery.
W.e. -Seane in "Buddhist Causality ana Compassion," Religious StuJies, 10 (19 ),41-56
reached an impasse with the conclusion (p. 456) "that the phenomena of Dharrnatika and
KaruM should no longer be regarded as co-inherent aspects of one philosophical world-
view". DW. Mitchell m"The Paradox of Buddhist Wisdom," PEW, 26.1 (Jan. 1976),55-68
reduces the problem of how (p. 55) the bodhisattva practices compassion on the one
hand and courses in wisdom (prajM) on the other, to its reconciliation in the two truths,
202
99.
100.
101.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
111.
REASONING INTO REALITY
which, while providing an ontological resolution to how the buddl)as can function in
sarosara, doesn't answer why they act for 0 ther creatures, nor the question of how insight
and compassion are related, except that they are compatible witfiin the Prajnapararnita
metaphysic. Robert Thurman in "The Emptiness that is Compassion," Religious
Tradltions,4.2 (Oct-Nov. 1981), 11-34 is much more insightful. He describes insight as a
dynamic condition that encompasses a supremely elevated conception of personhood
and personal agency. Peter Stater has also written a spirited essay titled "The Relevance
of tfie Bodhisattva Concert for Today", in The Bodhisattva Doctnne in Buddhism (ed. by
Leslie s. Kawamura Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1981, pp. 1-17, see esp.
rp. 10-12. An early paper by H.V. Guenther, ''The Buddhist Sunyata and Karuna"
Aryan Path, 22 (1951), 406410 briefly relates the doctrines of sunyata-karuna and prajnl.-
upaya.
See RSM, f. 265-266.
John Makransky brought this possibility to mind. In the Tibetan lineages of universal
vehicle Buddhism there are two methods for developing the fully, evolved mind (bodhi-
cilta), one called "the seven cause and effect instruction (rgyu bras man ngag bdun)"
which is said to have come from the Buddha to Maitreya -Bodhisattva and tbence t ~
Asanga. The other is called "equalising and exchanging oneself with others (bdag gzhan
mnyam brje)" and is said to have be transmitted from Buddha to Manjushri Bodhisattva
and thence to
Nagarjuna and Shantideva. Generating an attitude of equanimity or impartiality to all
creatures be they emotionally close or distant to one is incorporated within both those
methods of comtemplation and also within the meditations that cultivate the four
boundless or infinite (apramana) thoughts. See Geshe K. Gyatso, Meaningful to Behold;
View, Meditation and Action in MaHayana Buddhism (Cumbria, England: Wisdom
Publications, 1980), pp. 235-237.
PPS,p.124.
PPS,p.196.
E. Laszlo, Introduction to Systems Philosophy, pp.
Ibid.,
Ibid., pp. 43-44.
PPS,p.245.
PPS,p.99.
PPS,p.524.
PPS,p.367.
K. Werner, op. cit., p. 74. This is the tenth of the buddhas' powers, see MA, 12.21 and
definition at 12.31. The MA definition includes the traces (vasana) and so removes more
than is required for the arhatphala.
Ramanan, op. cit., p. 289 rep,orts that the arhats have an all-knowledl?e (sarva-jnata) but
that it is "rough and gross' whereas the buddhas' sarvakarajnata is the thorough and
detailed know1edge of everything." The PPS, p. 518 says that the all-knowledge of the
sravakas and pratyekabuddhas cognises everything there is ''both inner and outer
dharmas .... but not all the paths, and not in all respects." Even so, it must be logically
possible that saint could gain nirvana without this degree of knowledge. The Nlkayas
INSIGHT AND THE EXTENSIVE DEEDS 203
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
117.
118.
119.
120.
121.
122.
cite instances of arhats such as Sariputta and Kasyapa who don't appear to have super-
sensitive faculties, yet other such as M o ~ g a l l a n a and Panthaka who have magical powers
(iddhividha). See T. Rahula, "The Buddhist Arhant: Is his attainment of nirvana as perfect
as the Buddha's enlightenment," Religious Traditions, 1.1 (April 1978), 38-39.
PPS, pp. 112 and 231.
PPS, p. 103 (my italics). P. 46 says that "a great being who wants to know fully all
dharma in all their modes should stand in Perfect Wisdom." Also see pp. 47, 51-52 and
101.
For example, PPS, p. 531 where the two are synonyms.
PPS, p. 221.
PPS,p.190.
PPS, p. 218.
PPS, p. 105.
See PPS, p. 297.
PPS, pp. 96-97.
See Ramanan, op. cit., p. 263.
PPS, pp. 271-282, esp. pp. 275-278. The PPS, p. 243 says that insight can be dedicated to
all-knowledge and serve as a cause for this due to the non-duality, nonproduction, and
non-basis of the psycho-physical organism.
CONCLUSION
This study has attempted to investigate the relationship between reason,
insight and full evolution in the Madhyamika system. The relationships have
been exposed by focusing on the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl for it is a
text that combines the philosophical, transformational and religious features of
the Madhyamika. In reconstructing the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl I've
adopted a philosophical and psychological orientation as such a posture hasn't
been utilised to date with the Madhyamika system and yet is consonant with the
psycho-philosophical subject-matter of that system of thought, and is arguably
the-best orientation to assume when investigating the specific relationships in
question. The first two thirds of the thesis have concentrated on the
Madhyamika analytic and its relationship to the perfection of insight
(prajnaparamita). The final third has linked insight to several features in the
Introduction [MAl as a leadup to investigating the relationship between insight
and full evolution (bodhz). The inquiry has been moderately successful in some
areas (specificially with respect to the relationship between analysis and insight)
and tentative in its conclusions in other aspects (notably in the area of the
relationship between insight and valid cO,nventional knowledge and insight and
the buddhas' knowledge of all facets). It is useful to summarise the conclusions
that have been reached.
Firstly, a relatively cogent case has been presented that Chandrakirti
considered consequential analysis to be instrumental in the gaining of insight.
This has been achieved by firstly detailing Chandrakirti's expressed opinion and
then structually analysing the Introduction [MAl in an effort to ascertain why
Chandrakirti could have thought that analysis was a tool for gaining a liberative
insight. That investigation, in chapter three, reveals that the Introduction [MAl
assumes the logical and psychological validity of four logical principles: the
three aristotelian principles of thought and a principle of definition in which
designations are defined in terms of logical opposites. This is given a strong
interpretation where affirmations logically imply their negations and vice versa.
Within the context of these principles consequential analysis can be claimed to
reverse the flow of conceptuality and the Introduction's [MAl analyses of the
person and things can be read so that they conform to the logical structures
required for this reversal.
With respect to the relationship between insight and full evolution the
investigations are more tentative in their conclusions. Still, it is possible to point
out certain dynamic relationships and dependencies that seem to operate (1)
between the development on insight and the unfolding of full evolution and (2)
206 REASONING INTO REALITY
between insight and compassion, which is an essential feature of the awakened
mentality. More precisely, it seems that we can infer from the Introduction's [MAl
doctrinal structure that insight is a necessary condition for the bodhisattva to
develop an active compassion that responds to the ills of other creatures.
Further, it seems that compassion was probably thought to be an instrumental
cause, though perhaps not a necessary condition, for the buddhas' Supposed
knowledge of all facets of things, and that insight was probably thought to be a
guarantee of valid conventional knowledge and a requirement for the buddhas'
knowledge of all things. Looking at these relationships in the other direction it
seem doctrinally inconsistent to maintain that compassion was thought to be
necessary for the perfection of insight, and likewise inconsistent to maintain that
insight depended on the bodhisattvas' and buddhas' vast knowledge. Any
relationship between these two aspects of full evolution and insight in this
direction must be a contingent relationship. On the other hand, there seems to
be a closer relationship between conventionally valid perceptions and
conceptualisations and insight for the same mental facilities that were thought to
accompany valid conventional cognitions, viz. an intellect undistorted by the
afflictions, would also be a basic requirement for the development of insight,
although it is unlikely that insight was thought to just naturally arise given such
an intellect, for this would obviate the need for analysis.
These general conclusions have some interesting consequences for the
doctrinal distinction that the universal vehicle (mahayana) philosophies draw
between insight and full evolution (bodhi), for the dependency of the fully
evolved mind and compassion on insight would appear to make the acquisition
of insight a derivative goal for the broad vehicle saints. Thus it seems that in the
universal vehicle, insight is merely a means to an end - namely the goal of full
evolution and the altruistic actions entailed by that goal. From this perspective
and interpretation, insight and the personal liberation (moksa, nirvana) entailed
by it, is not viewed as a lesser goal than full evolution but rather is a necessary
condition that is required in order for bodhisattvas to gain full evolution and for
buddhas to maximise the breadth and effectiveness of their compassion. This
interpretation of insight and nirvana, as a condition rather than a goal in its right,
is testified to by the philosophy of a single vehicle that Chandrakirti subscribes
to. One can speculate for Chandrakirti, that were it not for the lact that insight
gave strength and direction . to the bodhisattvas' compassion, that the
bodhisattvas could hypothetically even forsake developing insight.
Although the links between the Mahayana and Madhyamika aren't spelled
out in detail in any of the traditional Buddhist literatures and the intersections
between these two systems of thought are few - indeed the Prajnaparamita-sutras
assume the validity of the Madhyamika sunyavada but do not detail the
discernment (vipasyana) theory and practice and the Introduction to the Middle
Way [MAl, Introduction to the Evolved Lifestyle [BCA], and so forth, though
expounding a Mahayana-Madhyamika, do little by way of relation the two - it
CONCLUSION 207
seems that certain independencies and dependencies obtain between the two
traditions.
With respect to the relationship between the Madhyamika philosophy and
the Mahayana ethical and religious doctrines, it seems that the Madhyamika
philosophy can stand on its own as an integral expression, for although the
doctrine of the single vehicle seems to imply, in fact necessitate, that the
Madhyamika insight will be fused with the Mahayana religious aspirations and
practices as some point, this is a temporal event and at least for a certain span of
time the sravaka and pratyekabuddha arhats can theoretically exist in isolation
from the Mahayana. (There is still the unanswered question of why the single
vehicle philosophies think that all arhats will necessarily become buddhas.)
In the case of the Mahayana it seems that the practices and goals that it
describes must be formally undergirded by a liberative philosophy for the
reason that the bodhisattvas' and buddhas' compassion and knowledge
structurally depend on the acquisition of insight. Thus, the Mahayana doctrines
need philosophical support in a sunyavada. Whether the liberative philosophy that
undergirds the Mahayana has to be Chandrakirti's Prasangika account of the
sunyavada would require an investigation beyond the limits of this study.
Certainly there are alternatives, though, for the Svatantrika-madhyamika and
Vijnanavada philosophies have also been married to the Mahayana. One may
find that an inquiry into this question reveals that each of these liberative
philosophies flavours the Mahayana religious doctrine in particular ways due to
their different assumptions and tenets.
APPENDIX ONE
A TRANSLATION OF THE MADHYAMAKA VA TARA
The following is a translation of the Madhyamakavatara karika of Chandrakirti
(ca. AD. 600-650). This is a versified text of 330 karikas to which Chandrakirti
wrote his own commentary, the Madhyamakavatara-bhasya or Madhyamakavatara-
vrtti. The original Sanskrit version of the text (karikas and bhasya) does not
survive. It does however, exist in Tibetan and Chinese translations. In the
Tibetan Tripitaka it is catalogued with the title dBu ma la 'jug pa zhes bya ba.
According to the Colophon (MABh: 409-410) the translation of the
Madhyamakavatara and Bhasya was completed during the time of King Aryadeva
('Phags pa lha), whose dates are unknown, at the Ratnagupta Vihara in
Anupama, Kashmir. The translation was made by the Indian abbott Tilaka-
kalasa (Thig Ie bum pa) and the Tibetan translator Nyi rna grags from a Kashmiri
manuscript and later improved on at Ra mo che monastery in Ra sa (Lhasa) by
the Indian abbott Kanakavarma and the earlier Tibetan translator using western
and eastern manuscripts.
The translation is from the text edited by Louis de la Vallee Poussin,
Madhyamakavatara par Candrakirti Traduction Tibetaine, Osnabruck: Biblio
Verlag, 1970 (first published in Bibliotheca Buddhica, IX, 1912). The sDe dge
edition is consulted in the sDe dge Tibetan Tripitaka, bsTan 'gyur - preserved at the
Faculty of Letters, University of Tokyo, edited by J. Takasaki, Z. Yamaguchi and
Y. Ejima, Tokyo: 1977-. The transliterated Tibetan text is not a critical edition. I
have included only those variants which are significant. For example,
orthographic and tense variants are not noted.
APPENDIX ONE
INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE WAY
(MADHYAMAKA VATARA)
CHAPTER ONE: GIVING (DANA)
1.1 nyan thos sangs rgyas 'bring rnams thub dbang skyes/
sangs rgyas byang chub serns dpa' las 'khrungs shmg /
snymg rjei sems dang gnyis su med blo dang 7
byang chub sems ni rgyal sras rnams kyi rgyu// [1]
211
Disciples (sravaka) and intermediate buddhas are born from the mighty sages.
Buddhas are born from bodhisattvas, and the causes of the victors' children (jina-
putra) are the compassionate mind a non-dualist intellect (advaya-
mati), and the fully evolved mind (bodhi-citta).
1.2 gang phyir brtse nyid rgyal bai 10 thog phun tshogs 'dii /
sa bon liang ni spel/a chu 'dra yun ring du/
longs spyod gnas la smin pa Ita bur' dod gJJurpa/
de phYIT bdag gis thog mar snying rje bstoa par bgyi// [7]
Real love (krpa) is like the seeds of the victors' sublime crop, like the water [that
is necessary] for their growth, and is like ripened [fruit] which remains ready for
use. Therefore, at the beginning [of this text], I praise compassion (karuna).
1.3 dang par nga zhes bdag la zhen gyur zhing /
bdag gi 'di zhes dngos 1a chags fiskyed pal
zo c71un 'phyan Itar rang dbang med pa yi/
'gro la snying rjer gyur gang de la 'dud7/ [9]
Firstly [people] yearn for the self (atma), the '1', and then develop attachment for
things, [the idea that] 'This is mine'. I bow to whoever has cultivated
compassion for creatures who, like the whirling of a water-mill, have no
freedom.
212
REASONING INTO REALITy
1.4 'gro ba g.yo bai chu yi nang gi zla ba Itar I
g.yo dang rang bzhin nyid kyis stong TJar mthong ba yi I
rgyal bm sras 1'0 'di yi sems gans 'gro ba rnams/
rnam par grol bar bya phyir snymg rjei dbang gJJur cing II [10-11]
Like the moon's [reflection] appearing in moving waters, creatures move yet are
perceived to be empty by their very nature (svabhavata). Whoever has the mind
of these victors' children generates the power of compassion so as to completely
liberate creatures. .
1.S kun tu bzang poi smon pas rab bsngos dga' ba la/
rab tu gnas pa de ni dang 1'0 zhes byao I
de nas ozung ste de ni de thob gyur pa yis I
byang chub sems dpa' zhes byai sgra nyid kyis bsnyad do/I [11-14]
By pure dedication with Samantabhadra's resolve, they fully remain in joy
(mudita): this [level] is called 'the first'. On gaining this [level] they are then
named by the actual term 'bodhisattva'.
1.6 'di ni de bzhin gshegs pa rnams kyi rigs su'ang skyes pa stel
, di yi kun tu sbyor ba gsum 1'0 thams cad spangs par yin [VP: gyur] /
byang chub serns dpa' de ni dga' ba mchog tu gyur 'chang zhing I
'Jig rten khams brgya kun nas g.yo bar nus par gyur pa' ang yin/ / [16]
These [bodhisattvas] are also born into the Tathagatas' family (kula) and they
abandon all three fetters (samyojana). These bodhisattvas hold supreme joy and
can even move around a hundred world-systems.
1.7 sa nas sar gnon byed cing gong mar rab tu ' gro bar' gyur /
de tshe ' di yi ngan ' groi lam rnams mtha' dag 'gag par' gyur I
de tshe ' di yi so so skyes boi sa rnams thams cad zad I
, di ni 'phags pa brgyad pa ji Ita de Itar nye bar bstan/ I [17]
Pressing on from level to level, they move higher. Already all paths to
unfortunate states are blocked and all levels as ordinary people (prthag-jana)
have been exhausted. It is taught they quite resemble the eighth [level] saint.
APPENDIX ONE
1.8 rdzogs pai byang chub sems Ita dang po la gnas kyang I
,thuo doang gsungskyes dangbcas rang sangs rgyas rnams nil
bsod nams aag gz dbang gis lVP: gil pFzam oyas rnam par 'phell
de ni ring du song bar blo yang lliag par 'gyurl I [17-19]
213
Even while abiding in this first viewing of the perfectly evolved mind
(sambodhicitta) [the bodhisattvas] - through the force of their positive potentials
(punya) - increase their preminance over those born from the mighty sage's
speech and over self-evolvers. [The bodhisattvas] have gone further [than these
others], and thus their minds are much purer.
1.9 de tse de la rdzogs sangs byang chub rgyul
dang 1'.0 sbyin pa nyU[ ni /hag par I gyur I
rang sha ster la' ang gus par byas pa yis I
snang du mi rung apog pai rgzJur yang 'gyur I I [23-24]
By now they are become uncommon (adhika) due to their generosity (dana),
which is the first cause for evolution to the perfect buddha. They act courteously
even when giving their own flesh and they are also courageous at performing
the seemingly unseemly.
1.10 skye bo 'di kun bde ba mngon 'dod cingl
mi rnams bde ba' ang longs spyod med min la I
longs spyod kyang ni sbyin las 'byung mkhyen nasi
thub pas dang por sbyin pai gtam mdZad do I I [24]
All the creatures long for manifest happiness and for humans there is no
happiness without [material] affluence (bhoga). Knowing that affluence also
comes from giving, the Sage spoke first of generosity.
1.11 snying rie dman zhing shin tu rtsub sems can I
rang don lhur len nyia du gyur ba gangl
de dag gi yang' dod pai longs spyod rnams I
sdug bsngal nyer zhii rgyur gyur sbyin las 'byung I I [25]
Those with poor compassion and very crude minds, who are obsessed by their
own concerns, have their suffering appeased by longed-for affluence, and this
comes from generosity.
214
1.12 di yang sbyin pai skabs kyis nam zhig tshel
'phags pai skye bo dang plirad myur au 'thobl
de nas srid rgyun yang dag bead byas tel
de yis rgyu can zhi par' gro bar ~ g y u r I I [26]
REASONING INTO REALITY
Also, by performing generosity, there will come a time when they will shortly
meet a saintly person and on achieving this they can then completely cut the
stream of [samsaric] existence. Thus, from this cause they will proceed to
serenity (santi).
1.13 'gro la phan par dam beas yid can rnams I
soyin pas ring par mi thogs dga' ba 'thob I
gang phyir brtse bdag brtse baag ma yin pal
IJ.e phyir sbyin pai gtam nyid gtso bo yinl I [27]
By thinking on the promise to benefit creatures [bodhisattvas, the Lords of
Love,] gain long lasting joy through giving. Because [it is the cause of goodness
for both] the Lords of Love and those who are not, the instruction about giving is
singularly important.
1.14 ji Itar byin zhig ees sgra thos bsams lasl
rgyal sras bde 'byung ae Itar thub rnams lal
zhi bar zhugs pas bde ba byed min nal
thams ead btang bas Ita ziiig smos ei dgosl I [28]
Such happiness (sukha) arises in victors' children from hearing and thinking the
word 'Give!', that not even the sages are made this happy by entering [nirvana's]
peace. Need I then explain [the bodhisattvas' happiness] of giving everything
away! .
1.15 Ius bead ster zhing bdag gi sdug bsngal gyisl
gzhan dag rnams fyi dmyal ba la sags pai I
sdug bsngal ran8 rig nyia du mthong nas de [D: nil I
de oead oya phYlr myur du brison' grus rtsoml I [29]
When they multilate and give their bodies, through this suffering they perceive
the suffering of others in the hells and so on. Thus, to sever [the miseries of
others] they perform [self mutilation] swiftly and with enthusiasm.
APPENDIX ONE
1.16 sbyin pa sbyin bya len po gtong pas stong I
'jig rten 'das pai pha rolphyin ihes b'jal
$,sum po dag la chags skfles gyur pas ael
jig rten pa yi pha rol phyin ~ z 1 z e s bstanl I [30-31]
215
They see that giving (dana), the gift and the receiver are empty: this is called a
transworldly perfection (lokottaraparamita). When attachment arises for these
three, it is taught to be'a worldly perfection (laukika-paramita)'.
1.17 de !tar rgyal bai sras kyi yid la rab g71as shing I
dam pai rten la 'ad chags mdzes pa rn'jed gyur pail
dga' ba 'di ni nor bu diu she! ji bzhin au!
mun pa stug po thams cad rnam par bsal nas rgyal/ I [31]
Hence the minds of these victors' children are highly placed and have achieved a
beauteous skein of light in dependence on their sanctity. Like a jewelled water
crystal, they dispel all opaque gloom and are victorious.
216 REASONING INTO REALITY
CHAPTER TWO: GOOD CONDUCT (SILA)
2.1 de tshul phun tshogs yon tan dag ldan phyir /
rmi lam du yang' chal khrims dri ma spangs /
Ius ngag yid kyl rgyu ba dag gyur pas I
dam paz las lam bcu char sogs par lD: car sog par] byed/ / [32-33]
Because their good conduct (sila) has the sublime qualities, they have abandoned
the stains of immortality even in dreams. Because the movements of their body,
speech, and mind have become pure they perform the ten excellent action paths
(dasa-karma-patha) all at once.
2.2 dge bai lam' di Ita zhi:s bcu char yang /
de la klags te shin tu aag par' gyur /
ston kai zla Itar rtag tu rnam aag ste/
zhi 'od chags par de dag gis rnam mdzes/ / [37]
They perform the ten parts of this virtuous path (kusala-patha) at a glance, and
they become most pure. Like an autumn moon, they are always completely pure
and their peaceful light rays lend them utter beauty.
2.3 gal te de ni khrims dag rang bzhin Ita/
ae phyir de ni tshul khrims dag mi 'gyur /
de phyir de ni rtag tu gsum char la' ang /
gnyis bioi rgyu ba yang dag bral bar 'gyur / / [37-38]
If this pure conduct were viewed as intrinsically existent (svabhava) it would
thereby not be pure conduct. Thus they are always perfectly free of the cause of
the vacillation of dualistic thought (advaya-mati) toward the three.
APPENDIX ONE 217
2.4 sbyin pas longs spyod dag ni 'gro ngan na' ang I
sKye bo tshul khrims rkang pa nyams la 'byung I
bskyed bcas dngos 'du yongs su zad pas nal
phyin chad de fa longs spyod 'byung mi 'gyur I I [39]
Affluence from giving may still result in unfortunate states and such befell
people if the prop of conduct had declined. If capital and income are quite used
up then, thereafter, no more affluence will come.
2.5 gang tshe rang dbang 'jug cing mthun gnas pas [D: pa] I
gal te 'di dag LVPV: odagJ 'dzm par mi byed nal
g.yang sar lhung bas gzhan dbang 'jug' gtJur bal
ae las phyi nas gang gis slong bar 'gyur/l [40]
If whenever one has the freedom and a favourable situation one does not seize
on these, then when one falls over the abyss and comes under another's sway [in
the lower realms], and who will later extricate one from there?
2.6 de phyir rgyal bas sbyin pai gtam mdzad nas I
tshul khrims rjes 'groi gtam nyid mdzad pa yinl
!/,on tan tshul khrims zhing du rnam 'phel nal
bras bu nyer spyod chad pa med par' gtJur I I [41]
Therefore the Victor, after instructing about giving, followed this with
instruction on conduct. If virtues develop in the field of conduct, the resulting
affluence will be uninterrupted.
2.7 so so skye bo rnams dang gsung skyes dangl
rang byang chub la bdag nyid nges rnams dang I
rgyal sras rnams kyi nges par legs pa dang I
mngon mthoi rgyu ni tshul khrims las gzhan medl I [41]
For ordinary people, those borne of speech [Le. sravakas], those certain to be self-
evolving [Le. pratyekabuddhas], and the victors' children, the cause of spiritual
ascendance (nihsreyasa), and final transcendence (abhyudaya) is nothing other
than good conduct.
218
2.8 ii Itar rgya mtsho ro dang Ihan cig dang I
bkra shls rna nag ma dang Ihan elg bzliinl
de Itar tshul khnms dbang byas bdag nyid ehel
de 'ehal ba dang Ihan cig gnas mi 'dod / I [44-45]
REASONING INTO REALITY
Just as corpses do not remain in the ocean, or good luck and mis-fortune are not
[found] together, so too with the conduct of these great beings: we assert it does
not coexist with immorality.
2.9 gang gis gang zhig gang la spong byed pal
$.sum du Ilmlgs pa yod na tshul khrims del
jig rten pa yl pha rol phyin zhes bshadl
gsum la chags pas stong de 'jig rten 'das/! [45]
Good conduct is said to be a 'worldly perfection' when directed towards three -
abstainer, abstinence, and the abstained. That which is empty of attachment to
the three is transworldly.
2.10 rgyal sras zla ba las byung srid min srid pa yi I
dpal gyur dri ma dang braf dri ma med 'dl yang I
stan kili dus kyi zla bai 'ad ni ji bzhin dul
'gro bai yid kYi gdung ba sel bar byed pa yin I I [45]
These victors' children, arisen from the moon, are not worldly, [yet] free from
stains they become the world's splendour. These stainless (vimala) ones are also
like the rays of the autumn moon in removing creatures' mental torment.
APPENDIX ONE
CHAPTER THREE: PATIENCE (KSANTn
3.1 shes byai bud shing ma Ius sreg pai mei [VP: me] I
'ad 'byung phyir na sa ni gsum pa 'dil
'ad byed pa ste bde gshegs sras po la I
se tshe nyi Itar zangs 'drai snang ba 'byung I I [46]
219
Because the [wisdom] fire that consumes all knowables as fuel produces light,
this third level is [called] the Illuminator. The Sugatas' children receive a
coppery vision like the sun.
3.2 gal te gnas min 'khrugs pa 'ga' yis deil
Ius las sha ni rus beas yun ring dul
srang re re nas bead ]Jar gyur kyang deil
bjod pa geod par byed la Ihag par skye I I [47]
Even if someone with a deranged psychosis carves from [a bodhisattva's] body
flesh and bone, taking their time and cutting ounce by ounce, yet vivid patience
arises in him or her for his or her butcher.
3.3 bdag med mthang bai byang chub sems dpa' lal
gang zhig gang gis gang tshe ji Itar geadl
gang phyir ehas Kun de yis [VP: ehas kyang de lIil gzugs brnyan Itar I
mthang ba des na de yis bzad par' gyur I I [48 J
For the bodhisattvas who perceive non-self (nairatmya) how, then, are they cut,
by whom, and when, because they see all things as reflections. Thus they are
patient.
3.4 gnod pa byas pas gal te der bkan nal
tie la bkan pas byas zin l d a ~ gam cil
de phyir dei bkan nges par dir don medl
'jig rten pha ral yang ni 'gal bar 'gyur I I [49]
If one has animosity with he who harms, could animosity stop that which is
already done? Thus this animosity is senseless here, and carries over in one's
next [rebirth to] the world.
220 REASONING INTO REALITY
3.5 sngon byas pa yi mi dgei las kyi 'bras bu gang/
zad par oyed par brjod par' dod pa de nyid ko I
gzhan la gnod pa dang ni khro bas sdug bsngal phrir /
sa bon nyid du ji Ita bur na khrid par byed/7 [49
Those who claim that all the fruits of non-virtuous actions (akusala karma) are
[now] spent will suffer because they have harmed others and have angered, and
these lead to [fruits] just as a seed.
3.6 gans phyir rgyal sras rnams la khro ba yis /
sbym dang k1irims byung dge ba bskal!a brgyar /
bsags pa skad cig gis 'joms de yi phyir
mi bzod las gzhan sdig pa yod ma yin/ / [50-51]
One moment of anger towards the victors' children destroys the virtues that
have arisen from giving and good conduct amassed over one hundred aeons.
Therefore there is no more negative fault (papa) than a lack of patience.
3.7 mi sdug gzugs su byed cing dam par min/ar bkri/
tshul tiimg tshul mm shes pai rnam dpyo 'phrog bred cing/
mi bzod pa yis myur du ngan 'gror sk)jur bar byed
bzod pas bshad zm dang' gal yon tan rnams byed doll [52]
It gives one an unattractive form, leads to what is corrupt and robs one of
knowing good from the unseemly. Lack of patience quickly casts one into the
unfortunate states. Patience creates qualities that are the opposite of the above.
3.8 bzod pas mdzes shing skye bo dam pa la/
phangs danj lugs dang lugs min shes!a la/
mkhtis par gyur zhing de yi 'og tu ni
lha mii skye-dang sdig pa zad par 'gyur / / [52]
Through patience one becomes beautiful, a holy being, knowledgeable about
what is to be abandoned and right and wrong ways, and a scholar. And later
one is born as a god or as a human and all one's negative faults will then
exhaust.
APPENDIX ONE 221
3.9 so soi skye bo dang ni rgyal sras kyis I
khriJ dang bzod pai skyon yon rig byas tel
mi bzod spangs nas.'phags pai skye bo yisl
bsngags pai bzod pa rtag tu myur bsten byal I [52]
Ordinary people and victors' children should know the defects (dosa) of anger
and virtues (guna) of patience. When abandoning impatience they should
always and soon rely on that praised by saintly persons (arya-pudgala), [Le.]
patience.
3.10 rdzogs rgyas chub phyir bsngos kyangl
gsum dmlgs yod de m jig rten pao /
amigs pa med pa de nyid sangs rgyas kyisl
- 'jig rten 'das pai pha rol phyin zFies bstanl I [53]
Though [patience] be devoted to [achieving] the awakening (bodhi) of the perfect
buddhas, if it is directed to the three, then it is worldly. The Buddha taught that
when not so directed, [patience] is a trans-worldly perfection.
3.11 sa der rgyal sras bsam gtan mngon shes dang I
'dod chags zhe sdang yongs su zad par I gyur /
des rtag tu 'j;g rten pa yi nil
'dod pai dod chags Joms par nus par 'gyurl I [53]
On this level the victors' children [possess] the meditations (dhyana) and super-
sensitive cognitions (abhijna) and have ended attachment (raga) and anger
(dvesa). They also can and forever do destroy the sensual attachments of worldly
folk.
3.12 sbyin sogs chos gsum de dag phal mo cheri
bde bar gshegs pas khyim pa rnams la bsnga:{s I
bsod nams zhes byai tshogs ktjang de dag nYldl
sangs rgyas gzugs kyi bdag nyid sku yi rgyul I [62]
Generally, the Sugata commended these three practices (dharma) of giving and
the rest to lay-people (grhastha). These are the collection known as positive
potentials (punya) [which are] the cause of a lordly buddha's form [Le. the
physical form, rupa-kaya].
222 REASONING INTO REALITY
3.13 rgyal bai sras po nyi ma la gnas ' od byed ' di /
rang gtogs mun rnams dan$ po yang dag gsal b'fjas nas /
'gro vai mun pa rnam par 'Joms par mngon par dod/
sa'dir shin tu rno bar gyur kyarig Jehro mi 'gyur / / [63]
These Light-Makers - the victors' children who dwell in the sun - first clear away
their own darkness and then desire to completely eradicate the darkness of
creatures. On this stage they become most sharp 'but do not become angry.
APPENDIX ONE
CHAPTER FOUR: ENTHUSIASM (VIRYA)
4.1 yon tan rna Ius brtson 'grus rjes '{flY zhingl
bsod nams blo gros tshogs ni gnyzd kyi rgyu I
brtson 'grus ~ a n g du 'bar bar gJJur pa yi/
sa de bzhi pa od ni 'phro baol / [64]
223
All the qualities follow enthusiasm (virya) and it is cause for two collections - of
positive potentials (punya) and intelligence (mati). The fourth level [bodhisattva],
whose enthusiasm blazes everywhere, is the Radiant (arcismati).
4.2 der ni bde gshegs sras Ia rdzogs pa yil
byang chub phyogs Ihag bsgoms l?a las sklJes pail
snang ba zang$ k)ji 'od pas 1hag byung zhing I
rang du Ita ba dang 'breI yongs su zarIll [64-68]
From their greater meditations on the [thirty seven] directions to the perfect
awakening (sambhodipaksa) a greater light than the coppery vision arises for these
Sugata children, and [wrong] views about the self are completely eradicated.
224 REASONING INTO REALITY
CHAPTER FIVE: MEDITATION (DHYANA)
5.1 bdag nyid che de bdud rnams kun gyis kyang /
sbyang dkai sa la pham par nus ma yin/
bsam gtan Ihag cing blo bzang bden rang bzhin/
zhib mo rtogs 1a' ang shin tu mkhas pa tFlOb / / [69]
On the level of 'Difficult to Conquer (sudurjaya)' even all the psychotic forces
(mara) cannot defeat these great beings. Pre-eminent in meditation (dhyana), they
have also gained great skill in detailed comprehension of the realities (satya) for
those of good intelligence.
APPENDIX ONE
CHAPTER SIX: INSIGHT (PRAfNA)
6.1 mngon du phyogs par mnyam gzhag sems gnas tel
rdzogs pai sangs r ~ a s ehos la mngon phyogs shing I
, di rten 'byung bm de nyid mthong ba des I
shes rab gnas pas' gog pa 'thob par' gyur I I [73]]
225
Abiding with a composed mind at [the 'level of] Manifesting (abhimukhi)' [the
bodhisattvas] manifest [some] qualities of perfected buddhas, and through the
perception of the reality of relational !Jrigination (pratityasamutpada), and by
dwelling in insight (prajna), they obtain cessations (nirodha).
6.2 ji Itar long bai tshogs lam bde blag tul
mig Idan sk1;es bu gcig gis' dod pa yi I
yul du khria pa de 11zFiin 'dir yang 1110s I
mig nyams yon tan blangs te rgyal nyid 'grol I [74]
Just as one person with sight easily leads a group of blind people to the place
they desire, the intellect (mati) here has taken on the manner of eyes and goes
toward the victory.
6.3 ji Itar de yis ehos zab ehos rtogs pal
lung dang gzhan yang rigs pas yin pas nal
de Itar 'phags pa klu sgrub gzhung lugs lasl
ji Itar gnas pm lugs bihin brjod par byal I [75]
Just as these [bodhisattvas] comprehend the highly profound teaching (gambhira-
dharma) through scriptures (agama) and through reason as well (yukti), so I will
explain from Saint Nagarjuna's texts precisely the mode of existence.
226 REASONING INTO REALITY
6.4 so so skye boi dus na' ang stong pa nyid thos nas I
nang du rab tu dga' ba yang dang yang du 'byung I
rab tu dga' ba las byung mchi mas mig brian zhing I
Ius kyi ba spu Idang bar gyur ba gang yin pal I [78]
For [some] ordinary people, even when just hearing about emptiness, great joy
wells up again and again, and due to their great joy, their eyes flood with tears
and the hair on their body stands erect.
6.5 de la rdzogs pai sangs rgyas blo yi sa bon yodl
de nyid nye bar bstan pai snod ni de yin tel
de la dam pai don J5Yi bden pa bstan par byal
de la de yi rjes su gro bai yon tan 'byung/ I [78]
They have the seed of the perfect buddha mind and are receptive students
(bhajana) for being taught reality. They should be taught ultimate reality
(para martha-satya), for they will thereby receive the qualities.
6.6-7a rtag tu tshul khrims yang dag blangs nas gnas par 'gtJur I
sbyin ba gtong par 'gyur zhmg snying rje bsten par byedl
bzod pa sgom byed de yi dge ba byang chub tul
'gro ba dgrol bar bya phyir yongs su bsngo byed ring I I
rClzogs pai byang chub sems dpa' rnams la gus par byedl [78-79]
They always adopt excellent conduct, they are generous and steadfastly practice
compassion. They meditate on patience (ksanti), fully resolve the virtues (subha)
of these [practices] to their awakening in order to liberate creatures, and pay
respects to the perfect bodhisattvas.
6.7c-d zab ring rgya chei tshulla mkhas pai skye bos nil
rim fJY.is rab tu dga' bai sa ni 'thob 'gtJur basi
de 111 don du gnyer bas lam' de mnyan par gyis I I [79-80]
People skilled in the profound and extensive ways will, by degrees, gain the
level of Great Joy (pramudita). Those who so yearn should listen to this path.
APPENDIX ONE
THE SELFLESSNESS OF PHENOMENA
6.S de nyid de las 'byung min gzhan dag las Ita ga la zhig I
gnyl ga las kvang ma yin rgyu med par ni ga la yodl
de nCde las 'byung na yon tan 'ga' yang yod ma yinl
skyes par gyur pa slar yang skye ba rigs pa' ang ma yin nyidll [82]
227
Nothing can arise from itself, yet how [can it arise] from another? It does not
[arise] from both [itself and another], nor could it be without a cause? There is
no point to a thing arising from itself. Moreover, it is wrong for that which is
already produced to be produced yet again.
6.9 skyes zin slar yang skye ba yongs su rtog par 'gyur na nil
myu gu la sogs rnams kyi skye ba 'dir rnyed mi 'gyur zhing I
sa bon srid mthar thug par rab tu sk.1Je ba nyid du 'gyur I
ji Itar de nyid kyis de rnam par' jig par byed par' gyur I I [83]
If you conceive that that which is already produced gives rise to further
production, then this does not admit of production of the shoots and the rest.
Seeds would produce [shoots] in profusion till the end of existence. How would
all these [shoots] disintegrate these [seeds]?
6.10 byed rgyu sa bon gyi las tha dad myu gui dbyibs dang nil
kha dog ro nus smin pai tha dad khyod la med par' gyur I
gal te snpar gyi bdag gi dngos po bsal nas de las gzhiml
ngo bor gyur na de tshe de yi de nyid je Itar 'gJJur I I [84]
For you [Samkhya philosophers] the distinctions of the sprout's shape, colour,
taste, capacity, and development would not be distinct from the seed's creative
cause. If after the removal of its former self, that thing, it becomes a different
entity, how could it be that thing at such a time?
6.11 gal te khyod kyi sa bon myu gu 'dir gzhan ma yin nal
sa bon bzhin du myu gu zhes bya de f j z u n ~ med pa'aml
yang na de dag gClg pas je Itar myu gu 'dl bzhin du I
lie yang bzung du yod 'gyur de phyir 'di ni khas mi blangsl I [85]
If for you the seed and sprout are not different then, like the seed, the so-called
'sprout' would not be apprehended either. Or again, because they are the same,
the [seed] would be apprehended when the sprout is. This you cannot assert.
228 REASONING INTO REALITY
6.12 gang phyir rgyu zhig na yang de yi 'bras bu mthong bai phyir I
de dag $cig pa yin zhes 'jig rten gyis kyang khas mi fenl
de phYlr dngos po bdag las 'byung zhes rab tu brtags pa 'dil
de nyid dang m 'jig rten du yang rigs pa ma yin no II [86]
Because the effect (phala) is seen only if the cause (hetu) is destroyed, not even by
conventional criteria are they the same. Therefore, to impute that 'things arise
from a self is incorrect, both in reality and conventionally.
6.13 bdag las skes bar 'dod na bskyed p,ar bya dang skyed byed dangl
las dang byed pa po yang gcig nyld 'gJJur na de dag nil
gcig nyid ma yin pas na baag las skye bar khas blang bar I
bya mm rgya cher bshad pai nyes par thai bar 'gyur phyir roll [86]
If self-production were to be asserted then product, producer, object and agent
alike would be identical. As they are not identical, do not assert self-production
because of the objectional consequences extensively explained [in Nagarjuna's
work].
6.14 gzhan la brten nas gal te gzhan zhig 'b!j,ung bar 'gyur na nil
'0 na me Ice las kyang mun pa 'thug po byung' gyur zhing I
thams cad las kyang thams cad skye bar' gyur te gang gi phyir I
skyed par byed pa ma yin ma Ius la yang gzhan nyid mtshungsll [89]
If something were to arise in dependence (etya) on something else, well then
thick darkness would arise even from flames. And moreover, everything would
be produced from everything. Why? Because all non-producers are equally
different [from the result].
6.15 rab tu bya bar nus pa de phyir 'bras bur n;ses brjod cing I
gang zhig de bskyed nus pa de ni gzhan na ang rgyu yin lal
rgyud gcig gtogs dang skyed par byed las skye ba de yi phyir I
sa lui myu gu nas la sogs las de Ita min zhe nail [90]
Qualm: Because [something] has been able to carry through an action, [its]
product can be stated with certainty. That which is able to produce [an effect] is
a cause, even though it is different [from the effect]. They belong to the one
continuum (samtana), [the effect] was produced from a producer and so it is not
the case that a rice sprout is [produced] from barley [seed] and so on.
APPENDIX ONE
6.16 ji Itar nas dang ge sar dang ni keng [VP: king] shu ka la sogsl
sa lui myu gu skyed par byid par 'aod min nus Idan mini
rgyud gcig khongs su gtogs min' dra ba rna yin nyid de bzhinl
sa lui sa bon yang ni ae yl min te gzhan nyid phyir I I [91-92]
229
[Madhyamika:] Just as barley, gesar and kinshuka flowers, and so on,-are not
judged to be producers of rice sprouts [since] they lack the ability [to produce
them], do not belong to a common continuum, and are qualitatively dissimilar.
Similarly, a rice seed is no [exception] because it is quite different [from a
sprout].
6.17 myu gu sa bon dang ni dus mnyam yod pa rna yin tel
gzlian nyid med par sa bon gzhan pa nyid du ga la 'gyur I
des na myu gu sa bon las skVe 'grub par [0: pas] 'gyur min lasl
gzhan las slCyes ba yin zhes bya vai phyogs 'di btang bar byosl I [92]
Seed and sprout do not exist simultaneously, and if they were not different how
could the seed become different? Therefore, you will not prove production of a
sprout from a seed. Instead relinquish the position that 'there is production
from another'.
6.18 ji Itar srang gi mda' gnyis mtho ba dang ni dma' ba dag I
dus mnyam rna yin par ni [D: na] min par mthong ba de bzhin dul
bskyed par b!fa dang sk;J,ed byed dag gi sktre 'gag 'gyur zhe nal
gal te gcig tshe yin na dir dus gcig med de yod [D: yang] mini I [94]
Qualm: Just as [the movements of] the two beams of a balance, when level, [Le.]
with one higher and the other lower, are seen to be simultaneous, so too the
production of a product and ceasation of the producer [are simultaneous].
[Madhyamika:] [The balance beams may] be simultaneous, but [producers and
their products] do not exist at the same time.
6.19 gal te skye bzhin pa de skye la phyogs pas yod min zhing I
'gag bzhin pa ni yod kyang 'jig la phyogs par' dod gyur pal
ae tshe 'di ni ji Ita bur na srang dang mtshun$s pa yinl
skye ba 'di ni byed po med par rigs pai ngo bo ang mini I [95]
You assert that during production, [the product] does not exist because the
production phase [is operating] and that during cessation [a product] exists
though the cessation phase [is operating]. How then could these instances be
equivalent to a balance? Such production has no agent and therefore is not a
viable process (bhava).
230 REASONING INTO REAUTY
6.20 gal te mig gi blo la rang ~ i skyed byed dus gcig pal .
mig la s o ~ s liang Ihan Clg byung ba ' du shes la sogs las I
gzhan nYld yod na yod la 'byung bas dgos pa ci zhig yodl
ci ste de med ce na di la nyes pa bshad zin tol I [98J
If the visual consciousness (caksurdhi) [1] [arose] simultaneously with its
producers - the eye, and so forth - and with its associated discriminations
(samjna), and so forth, or if [2] it was different from [these], then what need
would there be for it to come into existence? [Yet] the faults in saying
'[production] does not exist at all' have already been explained.
6.21 skved ,ar byed pa bskved bya gzhan bskyed pa de rgyu yin nal
yo! pa am 'on te med c:lang gnyi f$a gnyis bral zhiJ{ oskyed grang I
yod na skJI.ed byed ci dgos med la ang des ci zhig LD: des nz ci zhigJ byal
gnyis nyid la des ci bya gnyis dang bralla' ang lies ci byal I [99 J
If a producer is a cause (hetu) producing another, then the product is counted as
an existent (sat), or a non-existent, both, or neither. If [the product] exists, then
what need is there of a producer? Then, what has the [producer] done if [the
product] is non-existent? What was done if it is both or if it was neither?
6.22 gang gis rang Ita la gnas ' j i ~ rten tshad mar' dod pas nal
'dir ni rigs pa smras pa nYld kyis Ita go [VP: ko] ci zhip byal
gzhan las gzhan 'byung oa yang 'jig rten pa yis rtogs gyur tel
aes na gzJiim las sKye yod 'dir ni rigs pas ci zhig dgosl / [101]
[Qualm:] We maintain that worldly consensus is a valid instrument (pramana)
within the domain of its own viewpoint. Therefore, of what use are your
reasoned explanations in this [context]? Worldly consensus also understands
that something different arises from another, and thus that there is production
from another. What need of logic here?
THE SYSTEM OF TWO REALllES (DRA VYA-SATYA)
6.23 dngos kun yang dag rdzun ]Ja mthong pa yisl
dngos rnyetI ngo bo gnyis ni 'dzin par' gyur I
yang dag mthong yu1 gang de de nyid tiel
mthong 1Ja brdziin pa kun rdzob bden par gsungsl I [102]
[Madhyamika:] All things are seen with accurate (samyak) or deceptive (mrsa)
perception; anything can be taken to have a dual nature (bhava). Any object of a
correct perception is reality (tattva) while deceptive perceptions are declared to
be conventional reality (samvrti-satya).
APPENDIX ONE
6.24 mthong ba rdzun pa' ang rnam pa gnyis 'dod de!
dbang po gsal dang dbang po sk!Jon ldan no I
skyon Idan dbang can rnams kyi shes pa nil
dbang po legs gyur shes bltos log par dodl I [103]
231
Further, we assert that deceptive perceptions have two modes: one having a
clear sense-faculty [the other] a defective sense-faculty. We assert that
knowledge from defective sense-faculties is wrong (mithya) compared with
knowledge derived from good sense faculties.
6.25 gnod pa med pai dbang po drug rnams kyisl
bzung ba gang zhig 'jig rten gylS rtogs tel
'jig rten nyidlas bilen yin Ihag ma ml
jig rten nyid las log par rnam bar bzhag I I [104]
From a conventional standpoint anything which is apprehended through the six
undamaged sense-faculties is - for the world - reality (satya). Everything else is
deemed to be wrong from a conventional standpoint.
6.26 mi shes gnyid kyis rab bskyod mu stegs canl
rnams kylS bdag nyid ji bzhin brtags pa dangl
sgyu ma smig rgyu sogs la brtags pa dang I
aedag 'jig rten las kyang yod min nyidl/ [105]
The non-Buddhist philosophers (tirthika) who are much affected by the sleep of
ignorance, impute a self. Their imputations are illusions, mirages and the like,
since even from a worldly perspective these do not exist.
6.27 mig ni rab rib can gyis [VP: gyi] dmigs pa yisl
rab rib med shes la gnod min Ji Itar I
de bzhin dri med ye shes spangs pai blosl
drj med blo La gnod pa yod ma ym [VPV: yod pa yin]1 I [106]
As with eyes, the observations of a victim of opthalmia does not contra vert the
knowledge of one without opthalmia. Likewise, the intellect that forsakes
uncontaminated knowledge does not contravert the uncontaminated intellect
[vimala-jnana).
232
6.28 ~ i mug rang bzhin sgrib phyir kun rdzob stel
tIes gang beos ma bden par snang de nil
kun rdzob bden zhes thub pa des gsungs tel
beos mar gyur pai dngos ni kun rllzob tuol I [107]
REASONING INTO REALITY
Delusion (moha) is conventional (samvrti) because its nature is to cover.
Whatever appears conventionally is as if an artificial truth, and the Sage has
called this a 'conventional reality (samvrti-satya)'. The things that are
artificialities are conventionalities (samvrtz).
6.29-30 rab rib mthu yis skra shad la sogs pail
ngo bo log pa gang zhig mam brtags pal
de nyid baag nyitI gang du mig dag pas I
mthong de de nyia de bzhin 'mr sJies kyis I I
gal te 'jig rten tshad ma yin na nil
'jig rten de nyid mthong bas 'phags gzhan gyisl
ci Ilgos 'phags pai lam gyis ci zhig byal
blun po tshid mar rigs pa'angmaym nol I [109-112]
Delusive (mitya) entities [such as] hair-lines, and so on, are projected due to
opthalmia. One should know the reality (tattva) seen by anyone with pure sight
to be accurate reality, for, if worldly [cognition] was the measure of validity
(pramana), then worldly [cognition] would perceive reality (tattva). What need
then for others, the saints? What use of a saintly path (arya-marga)? Validity for
fools, though, is not correct.
6.31 mam kun 'jig rten tshad min de yi phyir I
de nyid skabs su 'jig rten gnod pa med /
'jig rten don ni 'jIg rten grags n}/id TaJisl
gal te sel na 'jig rten gyis gnod gyurl I [112-113]
Because every worldly aspect is invalid (apramana), [the saints'] perspective of
reality is not contraverted by the worldly perspective. If worldly matters could
be repudiated by worldly consensus, then the worldly is impugned.
6.32 gang phyir 'jig rten sa bon tsam btab nasi
baag gis bu 'dioskyed ees smra byed cingl
shing yang btsugs so snyam du rtog des nal
gzhan las skye ba 'jig rten las kyang medl I [114]
[Although] the commoner only impregnates the sperm, he declares: 'I have
created this child', but to those who understand 'This is just like planting a tree',
there is no production from another, [even] for the worldly.
APPENDIX ONE 233
6.33 gang phyir myu gu sa bon las gzhan min I .
de pJiyir myug tsJie sa bon zhig pa medl
gang phyir gcig nyid yod min de phyir yang I
myug tshe sa bon yod ces brjod mi byal I l114-115]
So, the sprout is not [intrinsically] different from the seed, and thus the seed is
not destroyed when there is a sprout. Hence, because they do not exist as one
thing, do not say there exists a seed when there is a sprout.
6.34 gal te rang gi mtshan n!l.id brten ' ~ J u r nal
de la skur bas dngos po 'Jig pai phylr I
stong nyid dngos po 'jig paz rgyur 'gyur nal
de m rigs min de phyir dngos yod mini I [117]
If [things] depended on their defining properties (svalaksana), then by denying
those [properties in the vision of emptiness one] would destroy things, and
emptiness would then become a cause for destroying things. But this is not
correct and therefore things do not [intrinsically] exist (sat).
6.35 gang phyir dngos po 'di dag rnam dpyad na I
de nyid baag can dngos las tshu rol tul
gnas rnyed ma yin ae phyir j' 'ig rten gyi I
tha snyad bden la rnam bar pyad mi byall [120]
If one analyses things in detail, other than their essential reality, they are
unlocatable. Therefore, do not make a detailed analysis in terms of worldly
interpersonal truth (laukika-vyavahara-satya).
6.36 de nyld skabs su rigs pa gang zhig gis I
bdag aang gzhan las skye 1Ja rigs min pail
rigs des tha snyad du yang rigs min pas I
kliyod kyi skye ba gang gis yin par 'gyur II [120]
From the perspective of reality, production from self or other is incorrect by any
standard of reason. For this reason it is also incorrect conventionally. Therefore,
how could your [view of] production be [correct]?
234
6.37-38 dnos po stong pa gzugs brnyan la sags pal
tshogs la bltos rnams ma grags pa yang mini
ji Itar der ni gzugs brnyan sags stong lasl
shes pa de yi rnam par skye 'gyur /tar I I
de bzhin dngos po thams cad stong na yang /
stong nyid dag las rab tu skye bar' grJur I
REASONING INTO REALITY
bden pa gnyia su' ang rang bzhin med pai phyir I
de dag rtag pa ma yin chall pa'ang mini I [123-124]
Empty things such as reflections, and so on, which depend on a nexus (samagri)
[of causes] are well established by consensus. And just as an empty reflection,
and so on, can give rise to a knowledge of its features, similarly, though all
things are empty, they can be entirely produced within pure emptiness. And
because neither of the two realities (dravya-satya) is intrinsically existent, they are
not permanent and nor are they nothingness.
6.39 gang phyir rang bzhin gyis de mi 'gags pal
de phyir kun gzFii med JeYang 'di nus phyir I
la lar las 'gags yun ring Ion las kyangl
'bras bu yang dag 'byung bar rig par gyisl I [126]
Because there is no intrinsic cessation (nirodha), [one should] know that it is
possible - even without [positing] a source consciousness (alaya) - for an action
(karma) that has long since ceased to give rise to a genuine effect.
6.40 rmi lam dmigs pai yul dag mthong nas nil
sad kvan blun la chags pa skye 'gyur bal
de bzhin gags shing rang bzhin yod min pail
las las kyang ni 'bras bu yod pa yinl I [127J
The fool generates attachment (raga) for sensual objects that are seen in a dream
or on awakening. Similarly, an action (karma) has ceased and had no intrinsic
existence, yet the action still has an effect (phala).
6.41 ji Itar yul ni yod nyid min mtshungs ktJang I
rab rib can gyis sgra shad rnam par nil
mthong gi dngos gzhan rnam par ma yin Itar I
de bzhm smin las slar smin min shes k.1jisl I [130]
With regard to the shape of the hair lines, that are seen by the opthalmic, though
the [seen] objects are as equally non-existent [as the horns of a rabbit, and so onJ
still the opthalmic sees these [hairs] and not the shapes of [these] other
[fictitious] objects. Similarly, one should know that the ripening of an action
(karma) is not arbitrary.
APPENDIX ONE 235
6.42 de phyir rnam smin mi dge nag poi lasl
rnam smin dge nyid dge las yin mthong zhing I
dge mi dge med blo ean thar 'gyy.r tel
las 'bras rnams la sems pa' ang dgag pa mdzad I I [130]
Thus, it can be seen that negative actions maturate in unwholesome (a7cusala)
[effects] while wholesome [effects] mature from virtuous actions. One who
cognises the non[-intrinsic] existence of what is wholesome and unwholesome
will become liberated; Still, [because the specific relationships between actions
and their results cannot be comprehended by ordinary people, the Buddha]
placed limits on thinking about [specific] actions and results.
6.43 kun gzhi }/,od cing gang zag nyid yod lal
phung po di dag 'ba' zliig nyid yoa ces I
bstan pa 'di ni de Itar ches zab aonl
rig par mi 'gyur gang yin de laol I [132]
The [Buddha's] teachings that 'a source (alaya) consciousness exists', 'a
personality (pudgala) exists', and 'the psycho-physical organism (skandha) exists
as only this' are meant [as a pedagogical tool (upaya)] for those who cannot
comprehend the most profound subject [i.e. emptiness].
6.44 'jig tshogs Ita dang bral yang sangs rf51Jas kyisl
ji Itar nga dang nga yi bstan pa ltar I
de bzhin dngos rnams rang bzhin med mod ~ i l
yod ces drang don nyid du bstan pa yinl I [132]
Although the buddhas are free from the view of individuality (satkayadrsti) they
still teach [and use the concepts of an] '1' and 'mine'. Similarly, though things
have no intrinsic existence, [the buddhas] have taught that they do exist, as a
topic for interpretation (neyartha).
236 REASONING INTO REALITY
CRITIQUE OF THE PHENOMENALIST SCHOOL (VIJNANAVADA)
6.45 bzung ba med pas [D: par] 'dzin pa ma mthong zhingl
srid gsum rnam shes tsam du rab rtogs pas I
shes rab la gnas byang chub sems dpa' desl
rnam shes tsam du de nyid rtogs par' 81Jur I I [135-136]
[Phenomenalist:] There is no [separate] subjective element (graha) for perception
because there is no object for apprehension (grahya), and the three ranges of
existence Ctribhava) are best conceived to be merely consciousness (vijnana). Thus
the [sixth level] bodhisattvas abiding in insight (prajna) conceive reality (tattva)
to be merely consciousness.
6.46 ji Ita rlung gis bskul bas rgya mtsho nil
che las chu dabs 'byung bade bzhin dul
kun gyi sa bon kun gzlii zhes bya lasl
rang gi nus pas rnam shes tsam zhig 'byungl I [137]
Just as the waves of the ocean become greater through the power of the wind,
similarly, a consciousness purely arises through [maturation of] potencies (sakt!)
within the source (alaya) [consciousness] - 'the [ground of the] seeds (bija) for
everything.
6.47 de phyir gzhan gyi dbang gi ngo bo gang I
dngos po otags par yod pai rgyur 'qyur zhing I
phyi rol gzung ba medrar 'l:iyung gIJur lal
yoil dang spros kun yu ming rang bzhin yodl I [138]
Therefore, all are dependent (paratantra) entities. There are causes for things to
be imputedly existent (prajnaptisat) and [things] occur without the existence of
external objects for apprehension. [Things] exist [imputedly] and have the
nature of being objects of conceptual elaboration (prapanca).
6.48 phyl rol med sems dper na [D: dpe nil gang du yodl
rmi lam ji bzhin zhe na de bsam oyal
gang tslie nga la rmi lam na yang semsl
yod min de tshe khyod kyi dpe yod mini I [140]
[Madhyamika:] But where is there an analogy of a mind (citta) with no external
[objects]? If you cite the example of a dream then let us consider it. [If] at such a
time, one thinks 'I am dreaming or if the mind does not exist, then your analogy
does not hold.
APPENDIX ONE
6.49 gal te sad tshe rmi lam dran las yidl
yod naphyi rol !f1!l,yang de bzhin 'gyurl
ji ltar lchyod ~ i s [ D ~ lji] ngos mthong snyam dran pal
de'dra phyi rolla yang yoel pa yin I I [141]
237
If the mind recalls the dream when awake, the external objects - if they 'exist -
would exist in the same way [as one's recollection]. Just as you recall that 'I saw
[it in my dream]', it would resemble the external existent.
6.50 gal te gnyid na mig blo mi srid pasl
yod min yid kyi shes p'a kho na yodl
tie yi rnam pa phyi rol nyid du zhenl
rmi lam ji bzhm lD: lta] de bzhin 'dir 'dod nal I [141]
[Phenomenalist:] As visual cognition (caksurdhi) is impossible in the sleeping
state, [for the dreamer] there is only mental cognition (manas), whether [the
elements in the dream] exist [externally] or not. Here, one can have a craving for
[some] external aspect, and its similitude [will appear] in a dream. This is
similar to what we assert.
6.51 ji ltar lchyod kiti phyi yul rmi lam dul
ma skyes tie bznin Yld !<.yang skites ma yinl
mig dang mig gi yul dang des oskyed sems I
gsum po thams cad kyang ni rdzun pa yin I I [142]
[Madhyamika:] Just as for you external objects are not produced in the dream-
state, similarly the mind (manas) is not [intrinsically] produced either. [In the
dream-state] all three [of the components to a cognition], the eye, visual objects,
and mind produced by these, are fallacious too.
6.52 rna sogs gsum po lhag ma' ant [D: Ihag rna gsum po' ang] skye ba medl
rmi lam ji1tar de bzhin sad 'dlr yang I
dngos rnams rdzun yin sems de yoel ma yin I
spyod yul med cing tibang po rnams kyang medl / [142-143]
The three [components involved] in hearing, and those for the other [senses], are
likewise not generated [in the dream-state]. And just as the things [cognised] in
the dream-state are illusory (mithya), so too are they here [when we are awake].
The mind (citta) does not [intrinsically] exist, and neither does the cognitive field
(gocara) nor the sense- faculties (indriya).
238
6.53 'di na ji Itar sad bzhin ji srid dul
ma sad de srid de la gsum po yodl
sad par gyur na gsum char yod min Itar!
gti mug gnyid sid las de de bzhin no! I [144-145]
REASONING INTO REAUTY
[Knowing] this is to be awake: so long as one does not wake one will have the
three [components to cognition]. If one awakens, the three [components of the
dream cognitions] will not appear, and so too when one awakes from the sleep
of ignorance.
6.54 dbang po rab rib bcas pas [D: pal blo gang gisl
rab rio mthu las skra rnams gang mthong oal
de blo la bltos gnyis char bden pa stel
don gsal mthong la gnyi ga'ang rdzun pa yinl I [145]
[Phenomenalist:] Someone whose cognition (dhi) is associated with a [visual]
faculty with opthalmia sees hair-lines [in front of his eyes] by virtue of the
opthalmia. Relative to that cognition, both components [i.e. the cognition and
what is cognised - the hair-lines] are real (satya), although for someone who sees
things clearly, the two are illusory (mithya).
6.55 gal te shes bya med par blo yod nal
skra dei yul dang mig ni rjes 'brei bail
rab rib med la' ang slCra shad blor 'gyur na I
de Itar ma yin de phyir de yod mini I [146]
[Madhyamika:] If a cognition exists without there being objects of cognition
(jneya), then an object where hair-lines [were seen] would influence the eye.
Thus, someone without opthalmia would also cognise hair-lines there [where the
person with opthalmia saw hair-lines]. However, this is not the case, and thus
there is no [intrinsically] existent [cognition].
6.56 gang phyir mthong ba dag la blo nus nil
smin med de phyir de la blo mi 'byung I
shes bya yod dn$os bral bas min zhe nal
nus de med pas dini'grubmayinll [146-147]
[Phenomenalist:] What is seen is due to potentials (sakti) in the mind: if these do
not ripen, there is no cognition. Why not have know abIes without [external]
things? Because there is no potential [for the person with healthy eyes to see
hairs-lines]. Thus, you have not proved [your case].
APPENDIX ONE
6.57 skyes la nus pa srid pa yod ma yidl .
ma sk.1{es ngo bo l a ~ a n g nus yad min ni [D: nga ba la yang nus yad min]1
khyad' par med par khyad par can yad mini
ma gsham bu la' ang de ni yad par thaI! I [147-148]
239
[Madhyamika:] It is impossible that a potential for a yet to be created [cognition]
could exist. A yet to be created entity does not have a potential. There can be no
distinctions (visesya) made for those that have no distinctions [i.e. these
potentials are potentials, not potentials associated with minds of the past, minds
of the present and of the future]. A consequence [of there being potentials for
future cognitions] is that there would be a child of an infertile woman.
6.58 gal te 'byung bar' gyur bas bsnyad 'dod nal
nus pa med par 'di yl 'byung 'gyur medl
phan tshun don la brten pai grub pa nil
grub min nyid ces dam pa rnams kyis gsu ngs I I [149-150]
You may claim to explain that [a future cognition from a potential] will occur,
but they will not occur since [such] a potential does not exist. As for the
[intrinsic] establishment of [things] dependent on reciprocal dependence on each
other, the pious masters say, '[such things] are not [intrinsically] established'.
6.59 gal te 'gags pai nus smin las 'gJJur nal
gzhan gyi nus pa las gzhan 'byung bar 'gyur I
rgyun can rnams der phan tsliun tha dad yadl
dephyir thams cad kun las 'byung bar 'gyur II [152-153]
If [a cognition] comes from a ripening potential that has already ceased, then
another [cognition] would arise from a different potential. [The elements] of a
continuum [of a cognition] would become mutually separate. Consequently, [on
this view] everything could arise from everything.
6.60 gal te der ni rgyun can tha dad k.1{i/
de dag la rgyun tha dad med dei phyir I
nyes med ce na 'di ni sgrub bya zhig I
tlia mi dad rgyun skabs mi rigs phyir roll [153-154] .
[Phenomenalist:] We are not liable to that consequence because, although the
elements of a continuum are mutually separate, they do not [form] separate
continuua. Therefore, we are not at fault.
[Madhyamika:] Try and prove this, because it is not right that instances of a
continuum are nQt separate.
240 REASONING INTO REALITY
6.61 byams pa nyer sbas [VP: spras] Ia brten chos rnams nil
gzhan nyid phyir na rgyud gcig gtogs min tel
gang dag rang mtshan nyid kylS so so bal
aa dag rgyud gcig gtogs par [D: pal rigs ma yinl I [154]
The qualities that are ascribed to [two individuals, for example] Maitreya and
Upagupta, do not belong to the same [mental] continuum because they are
different [individuals]. [Likewise,] it is not logical that things individuated by
their own defining properties (svalaksana) could belong to the same continuum.
6.62 mig blo skye ba rang nus gang zhig lasl
de ma thag tu kun nas skye 'gyur zhingl
rang gi rnam shes rten gyi nus de lal
dbang po gzugs can mig ces bya bar rtogsl I [155]
[Phenomenalist:] The production of a visual cognition (caksurdhi) arises entirely
from its own potential and immediately [after the ripening of] that [potential].
[Ordinary people erroneously] understand the basis of the [visual] consciousness
to be 'the physical organ, the eye' instead of the potential [in the source
consciousness].
6.63 'di na dbang po las byung rnam par rig I
phyi bzung med par rang gi sa bon las I
sngo sags snang nyid 'byung bar ma rtogs nasi
skye bas phyi rol bzung bar sems khas lenl I [155]
Here, ordinary people accept that the mind apprehends external objects because
they do not realise the cognitions that arise through a sense-faculty - of a blue
sense-datum, for example - arise from their own seeds (bija) [ripening in the
source consciousness], and not through apprehending something external.
6.64 rmi lam na !Ii gzugs d.on gzhan med par I
rang nus smm las de yl rnam can semsl
'byung ba ji Itar de bzhin sad la' ang 'dir I
phyi rol med par yid ni yod ce nal I [156]
In a dream, [even though] there are no physical objects (rupartha), a mind which
bears the appearance (akara) [of physical objects] arises from its own ripened
potential. And in the same way, the cognitions (manas) here, in the waking state,
also exist without there being any external objects.
APPENDIX ONE
6.65 ji Itar mig med par ni rmi lam dul
s n ~ o sags snang bai yid sems 'byung de Itar I
m l ~ dbang mea par rang gi sa bon nil
smm las fongba la 'dir cis mi skye I I [157]
241
[Madhyamika:] In dreams, mental cognitions (manovijnana) of blue sense-data,
and the like, arise, [even though] there is no [active} visual faculty. This being
so, why isn't it similarly produced in a blind person without a visual faculty, due
to the ripening of their own seeds [in their source-consciousness]?
6.66 gal te khyod Itar rmi lam drug pa yil
nus pq. smin yod sad par med gyur nal
drug pai nus smin ji Itar 'dir med pal
de Itar rmi tshe mea ces cis mi rig I I [158]
If, in your view, [only] the potentials of the sixth [Le. the mental consciousness]
ripen in the dream-state but do not [ripen] in the waking-state, then - when there
is no ripening of the potentials of the sixth [Le. mental consciousness] during this
[waking state] - why is it wrong [for us] similarly to say that there is no [ripening
of these potentials] in the dream state?
6.67 ji Itar mig med 'di yi rgyu min Itar I
rmi lam du yang gnyid ni rgyu ma yin I
di phyir rml lam ilu yang de angos mig I
rdZun pai yul can rtogs pai rgtjur khas blang I I [158-159]
In the same way, one who has no eyes has no cause [to see]. Similarly, in a
dream, too, when one is asleep, one has no cause [for a potential to ripen and
produce a mental cognition]. Thus, we accept that there are objects and a
[subtle] eye as causes for the perception of illusory subjects.
6.68 'di yis Ian ni gang dang gang btab pa I
de dang de ni ilam bca' mtshungs mthong basi
rtsod 'iii sel byed sangs rgyas rnams kyis nil
'gar yang dngos po yod ces rna bstan to I I [159-160]
Whatever responses you make, we see them as [different formulations of] the
same thesis (pratijna) [which you originally propounded using the example of
the defective vision of the opthalmic]. Therefore, the argument has been
dispelled. The buddhas did not teach that there are no things at all.
242 REASONING INTO REALITY
6.69 rnaI 'byor pa yis bla mai man ngag Iasl
keng [VP: geng] rus ~ ' s ;;;ang sa gzhi mthong ba gang I
der yang gsum char s e ba med par mthong I
log pa yiaIa byed par stan phyirrol I [163]
[Phenomenalist:] Following the oral instructions of his guru, a yogin visualises
the earth [covered] with skeletons. Here also [the image that is visualised] is
perceived without the generation of the three components [Le. the object, organ
and consciousness], because [the meditation is quite] demonstrably the workings
of a projecting consciousness (manasikara).
6.70 khyod kyi dbang bioi !luI rnams ji Ita bal
de Itar mi sdug yid kyl yang' gyur nal
de bzhin yuI tier blo gtad Clg 57105 kyis I
rtogs 'gyur [D: byung] de ni rdzun par yang mi 'gyur I I [164]
[Madhyamika:] If in your [view, the visualised skeletons that are] cognised in
the repulsive (asubha) [meditations] are of the same [ontological status] as objects
of physical sense perception, then when someone else directed their mind
toward that object [Le. looked at where the meditator was facing], they too
would perceive [the skeletons]. This, though, is fallacious, [for a cognition like
this] is not produced.
6.71 rab rib dang Idan dbang po can mtshungs pal
chu 'bab kIung [D: rIung] Ia yi dwags rnag blo yangl
mdor na ji Itar shes bya med ae bzhinl
blo yang med ces don 'di shes par gyisl I [164]
Spirits (preta) perceive pus [when viewing] the water of a running river: this too
is no different from [the example of] the person who has the opthalmic sense-
faculty. To summarise, you should understand the topic thus: just as there are
no [intrinsica11y] existent objects of cognition (jneya), similarly there is no
[intrinsica11y] existent consciousness (dhi) either.
6.72 gal te bzung med 'dzin pa nyid bral zhingl
$'nyis kyis stong paifzhan dbang dngos yod nal
di yi yod par [D: pa gang gis sTies par 'gJJur I
ma bzung bar yang ydd ces byar mi rung 7 I [166]
[You say] there are no [external] objects (grahya) and no subject (graha), yet if
dependent things (paratantra-bhava) which are empty of both exist, then [in the
absence of a subject-object dichotomy], who can [be said tol know the existence of
these [dependent phenomena?] It is inadmissible to say they exist [if they] are
not apprehended.
APPENDIX ONE
6.73 de nyid kyis de myong bar grub ma yinl
gal te phYI dus dran pa las 'grub nal
ma grub bsgrub par bya phyir brjod pa yil
ma grub 'dl ni bsgrub par Dyed pa mini I [169]
243
The [existence of a self-reflexive consciousness Csvasamvedana)] cannot be
established by [arguing that one] experiences in this way: [one sees something
and remembers the experience of seeing it]. If [you suggest that a self-reflexive
consciousness] is established on the [basis of the fact that one can] remember
something at a later time, saying this only proves [that a self-reflexive
consciousness] is not established, so by not establishing this you have not
furnished a proof.
6.74 rang rig pa ni grub la rag mod kyil
de Ita' ang dran pai [VPV:!as] dran pa rigs min tel
gzhan pliyir ma shes rgyu la skyes pa bzhinl
gtan tshigs 'dis ni khyad par dag kyang 'jams I I [170]
[You say that] a self-reflexive consciousness is established, and that [memory] is
the outcome [of this consciousness], but surely it is still incorrect [to posit] a
memory that remembers like this because [you assert that the consciousness
which experienced the object and the memory consciousness] are different. This
would be like the production [of a memory] in the mental continuum of
someone who never knew [the object in the first place]. This argument also
eliminates the distinctions [between cause and effect].
6.75 gang phyir gang gis yul myons gyur de lasl
di-an pa 'di gzhan nga la yod mm pal
de phyir nsa yis mthong snyam dran gyur tel
'di yang 'jIg rten tha snyad tshullugs yinl I [171]
So, I do not have another [consciousness] which remembers instead of [the
consciousness] that experienced the object. Thus I recall: 'I saw it'. This is also
common convention.
6.76 dei phyir rang rig yod pa ma yin nal
khyod kyi gzhan dbang gang gis 'dzin par' gJjur I
byed po las dan$ bya Da gcig min pas I
de nyid kyis de dzin par rigs ma yin I I [172]
Therefore if a self-reflexive consciousness does not exist, what will apprehend
the dependent Cparatantra) [phenomena] that you [posit]? Because the agent,
action and acted upon, are not the one [thing], it is incorrect that [consciousness]
can apprehend itself.
244 REASONING INTO REALITY
6.77 gal te skye ba med cing rna shes pail
baag can gzhan dbang riga boi dngos yod nal
gang gis na 'di yod par mi rigs pa I
gzhan la rna gsham bus gnoa ci zhig bskyall I [173]
If there were [such] things as dependent entities (paratantra-rupa) that were, in
and of themselves, unproduced and unknowable [as they would be if they were
intrinsically existent], then [being like] the child of an infertile woman - whose
existence [is utterly] illogical - how could [these dependent phenomena] in any
way influence other [Phenomenalists].
6.78 gang tshe gzhan dbang cung zad yod min nal
kim rdzob pa yi rgyur ni gang zhig 'gIJur I
$zhan gyi Itar na rdzas la chags pa Ylsi
jig rten grags pai rnam bzhag kim kyang brlag I I
[173-174]
[Phenomenalist:] If dependent [phenomena] are not even in the slightest degree
[intrinsically] existent then what can be the cause [i.e. provide a substratum] for
the conventional [reality]?
[Madhyamika:] Through your attachment to a substance (dravya) [view of
reality], you too forsake the entire structure of the consensual world-view, just
like the other [Phenomenalists].
6.79 slob dpon klu sgrub zhabs kyi lam las nil
phyi rol gyur la zhi bai thabs med do I
de dag kun rdzob de nyid bden las nyamsl
de las nyams pas thar pa grub yod mini I [174]
Those who are outside of the path (marga) [taught] by the revered master
Nagarjuna, have no technique (upaya) for [achieving] serenity (santi). They have
reverted from conventional (samvrti) and genuine reality (tattva-satya), and
thereby do not achieve liberation (moksa).
APPENDIX ONE
6.80 tha snyad bden pa thabs su gyur pa dang I
don dam bden pa thabs byung gyur pa stel
de gnyis rnam dbye gang gis mi shes pal
de ni rnam rtog log pas lam ngan zhugsl I [179]
245
The social truths (vyavahara-satya) become the spiritual techniques (upaya) and
the ultimate reality (paramartha-satya) [is what] arises from [practising those]
spiritual techniques (upeJJa). Those who do not understand the separation
between the two [realities] and thus enter an unfortunate path because of that
misconcep tion.
6.81 ji Itar khyod kyis gzhan dbang dngos 'dod Itar I
kin rdzob kyang m bdag gis klias ma blangsl
'bras phyir 'di aag meakyangyod do zhesl
'jig rten ngor [D: dor] byas Fdag ni smra bar byedl I [179]
We do not accept the dependent things (paratantra-bhava) that you affirm, even
as a conventional [reality]. Thus, the result is that though [things] do not exist
we say they do. We affirm [things] from the worldly side.
6.82 ji Itar phung po spangs nas zhir zhugs pal
dsra beom rnams la yod pa min de Itar I
jIg rten la yang med na de bzhin 'dil
jig rten las kyang yod ees bdag mi smral I [180]
If [hypothetically, the conventional sense-world] did not exist for the common
[person], in the same way that it does not exist for arhats who have abandoned
the psycho-physical organism (skandha) and entered into serenity, then we would
not state that it also exists from a conventional [view-point], in just the same way
[that we would be compelled to deny its existence for the arhat].
6.83 gal te khyod la 'jig rten mi gnod nal
'Jig rten nyid bItos 'di ni dag par gJJis I
khyod dang 'jig rten 'dir m rtsod gyis dangl
phyi nas stobs [dan bdag gis brten par bya7 I [180]
If [the common conventions of] the world do not contravert your [philosophy],
then [go ahead and] refute the common-everyday perceptions. You and the
world debate the [theory of mind-only (cittamatra)] and after this we will side
with whoever is the more powerful!
246 REASONIl\TG Il\TTO REALITY
6.84 mngon gyur mn:;;on phyogs byang chub sems dpa' yis/
srid gsum rnam shes tsam au gang rtogs pal
bda:;; rtag [D: rtag bdag] byed po bkag pa rtogsfhyir des /
byea pa po ni sems tsam ym par rtogs! / [182
The bodhisattvas [at the sixth level called] Manifesting or Revealing [the sphere
of truth (dharmadhatu)] perceive the three ranges of existence [i.e. the spheres of
desire, form and without form] as nothing but consciousness (vijnana). They
refute [the theory of an] eternal self and the creator [of the world] and due to
their understanding they conceive that the creator is merely the mind
(cittamatra).
6.85 dei phyir blo Idan blo ni 'J1hel byai phyir /
langkar gshegs mdo de las kun mkhyen K1Jis/
mu stegs spo mthon ri 'joms ngag rang Dzhin/
rdo rje 'di ni dgongs pa bead phyir gsungs/ / [183]
Therefore, with the intention of raising the consciousness of the intelligent, the
Omniscient [Buddha], whose diamond-like speech is meant to sever [all wrong]
thoughts, taught [the mind-only theory of reality] in the Descent into Lanka Sutra
[LS] in order to dispel the high mountain peaks of the non-Buddhist
philosophers.
6.86 ji bzhin rang gi bstan bcos [VP: chos] de de las/
mu stegs rnams kyis gang zag sogs de dag /
smras pa de dag byed p'or rna gzigs nasi
rgyal bas serns tsam 'Jig rten byea por gsungs/ / [183-184]
In [some] of their own texts the non-Buddhist philosophers expound, among
other [theories, that of a cosmic] person (pudgala) [who is the creator of psycho-
physical individuals]. Because he could not see a creator of these [things], the
Victor proclaimed that that mind alone creates the universe.
6.87 de nyid rgyas la sangs rgJJas bsnyad ji bzhin/
de bzhin serns tsam gtsor gyur 'jig rten la/
mdo las sems tsam znes gsungs gzugs ni 'dir /
'gog pa de Itar mdo yi don rna ym / / [185]
Just as [the term] 'buddha' is explained as the expansion (vis tara) [of
consciousness] into reality (tattva), similarly the mind alone is paramount.
[Buddhas] in their sutras told the world, 'the mind only'i [and though] the sutras
that expound 'mind-only' seem to refute [the existence] of physical forms, this is
not the intention (artha) of those sutras.
APPENDIX ONE 247
6.88 gal te ' di dag sems tsam zhes mkhyen nasi
de las gzugs nyid dgag par mdzad na nil
slar yang ae las bdag nyid chen pos semsl
gti mug 1as las skyes par chi phyir gsungsl I [186]
If [it was the case that] in the [Ten Levels (DS)] Sutra [the Buddha] did deny [the
existence] of physical forms, through comprehending the [three ranges of
existence] as only the mind, then why in that [very same sutra] does the Great-
minded One also say that the mind is produced due to confusion (moha) and
[contaminated] actions (karma)?
6.89 sems nllid kyis ni sems can 'jig rten dangl
snod kyl 'jig rten shin tu sna tshogs ' god/
'gro ba ma Ius las las skves par gsungsl
sems spangs nas ni las {(yang yod ma yinl I [190]
[The meaning implied in the sutra is that] the mind itself constructs the great
variety of life-forms in the world and their environment. It teaches that each and
every creature is produced from [contaminated] actions (karma) and that were
the [contaminated] mind terminated, there would also be no [contaminated]
actions.
6.90 gal te gzugs yod mod kyi de la nil
sems bznin byed pa po nyid yod ma yinl
des na sems las gzhan pai byed pa pol
bzlog gi gzugs ni bkag pa ma ym no/I [191J
There is, to be sure, a physical reality (rupa), but unlike the mind [it is not a
principle factor in the construction of the life-world] for it does not have the
creative capacity [that the mind has]. Thus, while denying that there is any other
creator than the mind, we do not reject [the existence of] a physical reality.
6.91 'jig rten TJa yi de nyid la gnas lal
T J h u n ~ po 'jig rten grags te Inga char yodl
ae ny-,d ye snes 'char bar' dod pa nal
rnal 'byor pa la de lnga 'byung mi 'gyurll [192J
For those who reside in the common-sense view of reality the five primary
constituents of the psycho-physical organism (skandha) exist through common
consensus. But for the yogin who yearns for the dawning knowledge of reality,
these five [psycho-physical constituents] do not arise.
248 REASONING INTO REALITY
6.92 gzugs med na ni sems yod ma 'dzin zhig I
sems yod nyid na' ang gzugs med ma 'dzm zhig I
de dag shes rab tshuT mdor sangs rgyas kyisl
mtshungs par spangs shing mngon pai chos las gsungsll
[192-193]
If there were no physical forms, then one should not maintain that the mind
exists, and alternatively, if the mind exists one should not maintain the non-
existence of physical form. In the Insight Series of Sutra (Prajna-Paramita) the
Buddha equally rejected the [intrinsic existence of each of the five constituents of
the psycho-physical organism, and hence of both the mind (citta) and physical
forms (rupa)], but in the Metapsychology (abhidharma) he equally proclaimed
[that each of the five constituents have their own generic properties].
6.93 bden gn!lis rim pa 'di dag bshig nas k!fangl
khyod kylS rdzas ni bkag pas' grub mi gyur I
de phyir de ltai rim pas dngos gdod nasi
de nyid ma skyes 'jig rten skyes rig byall [193]
Even were the seriation (krama) of the two realities (dravya-satya) to be destroyed,
still the substantially existent things that you [posit] would not be established,
since we have [already] refuted [your theories]. Therefore, due to this seriation
you should know that from the [very] beginning [of existence], things are, in
reality, unproduced, [although from] a worldly [perspective] they are produced.
6.94 mdo sde gang las phyi rol snang yod min I
sems ni sna tshogs snang ngo zlies gsungs pal
gzugs la shin tu chags gang de dag 7al
gzugs bzlog pa ste de yang drang o.on nyidll [194]
A set of some sutras [for example, the Ten Levels Sulra (DS) and the Decent into
Lanka Sulra (LS)] state that there are no external appearances, and that [the
world's] variety is but the mind. [Buddha] denied there was physical form to
those who are very attached to physical form, and the meaning [of such
statements] needs to be interpreted (neyarlha).
APPENDIX ONE
6.95 'di ni ston pas [VP: pail drang don nyid gsungs shing I
'di ni drang don nyid du rigs pas 'thad I
rnam pa de Itai mdo sde ~ h a n yang nil
drang don nyid du lung dis gsal bar byedl I [195]
249
Our teacher [the Buddha] said things which require interpretation, and that this
interpretative status can be assigned by logic. This instruction (agama) clearly
shows that other sets of sutras [such as the Elucidation of the Thought
(Samdhinirmocana) and Decent into Lanka (LS)] [which propound doctrines such
as the three natures (trisvabhava), the source-consciousness (alaya-vijnana), and
the (tathagatagarbha)] also require an interpretation.
6.96 shes bya med na shes pa gsal [D: bsal] ba nil
bde blag rnyed byed sangs [D: ces] rgtJas rnams kyis gsungsl
shes bya med na shes pa bkag 'grub pasl
dang por shes bya dgag pa mdzad pa yinl I [198]
The buddhas have stated that if [they teach that] there are no objects of cognition
(jneya), the understanding [of their disciples] will become clearer, and then they
will easily discover [reality]. If there are no [intrinsically] existent objects of
cognition then the negation of an [intrinsically existent] consciousness is
established [quite automatically]. Thus, [the buddhas] start by negating the
[intrinsic existence of] cognisables (jneya).
6.97 de Itar lung gi 10 rgyus shes byas tel
mdo gang de nyid ma yin bshad don canl
drang don gsungs pa' ang rtogs nas drang bya zhinrl
stong nyid aon can nges don shes par gtjls// [199
One should understand the account [given] of the texts (agama) like this. Sutras
that expound subject matters that are not [directly about] reality (tattva) [Le.
emptiness] are said to have an interpretable meaning (neyartha), and on
understanding this one should interpret them [appropriately]. [Those sutras
that] have emptiness as their subject should be understood as having a definitive
meaning (nitartha).
250 REASONING INTO REALITY
REFUTATION OF PRODUCTION FROM BOTH SELF AND OTHER
6.98 gnyis las skye ba' ang rigs pai ngo bo ma yin gang gi phyir I
bshad zin nyes pa de aag thog tu'bab pa yin phyir raj
'di ni 'jig rten las min lie nyia du yang 'dod min tel
gang phyir re re las ni skye ba grub pa yod ma yinl I [202-205]
Production from both [self and other] is not a logically [defensible] entity
because it falls within the fallacies (dosa) that were explained earlier [for
production from self and other considered separately]. [Production from both
self and other] cannot be maintained either from a worldly [viewpoint] or from
[ultimate] reality, for then individuality in production cannot be established [Le.
sesame plants are produced from sesame seeds and noUrom grains of sand, and
peacocks give birth to peacocks and not partridges].
REFUTATION OF CAUSELESS PRODUCTION
6.99 gal te rgyu med kho nar skye bar Ita zhig 'g1Jur na nil
de tshe mtha' dag rtag tu thams cad las kyang skye 'byung zhing I
'bras 'byung chea du 'jig rten 'di yis [D: yi] sa bon la sags nil
brgya phrag dag gi sgo nas sdud par byed par yang mi 'gyur I I [206]
If there was production without any cause (hetu) at all, then all things can always
be produced from anything else. [If this was the case, then] people would not
even [bother] collecting seeds by the hundreds in order to grow rice.
6.100 gal te 'gro ba rgyu yis stong par 'gyur na nam mkha' yil
utpala yi dri mdog} bzhin bzung du med nyid nal
shin tu ches bkrm 'jig rten 'dzin pa' ang yin pa de yi hyir I
ranggi blo bzhin 'Jig rten rgyu las yin par shes par gyisl I [207]
If creatures [were empty] of any causes, then [being outside of the sphere of
causation] they would be quite unapprehendible - just like the fragrance and
hues of a sky-flower. But the universe is apprehended, in its manifold
variations, and therefore one should know that, like one's own mind, the
universe is dependent on causes.
APPENDIX ONE 251
6.101 'byung ba de dag bdag nyid gang zhig gis ni khyod kyi bioi I
yul au 'gyur ba de yi bdag nyia can ni rna yin nal
gang la yid kyi munpa 'thug po 'di nyid du yod pal
des ni [VP: na] ji Itar 'jig rten pha roT yang Jag rtogs par 'gyurl I [210]
If the basic constituents (bhuta) [of the material universe] do not have the
essential nature that you [Charvakas claim to] objectively cognise, then how can
you [claim to] correctly comprehend the next world, when you have an obscured
mental opacity [even in regard] to the very nature [of this world]?
6.102 'jig rten pha rol 'gog par byed pai dus su bdag nyid nil
shes oyai rang bzhin r,hyin ci log tu Ita bar rtogs bya stel
de yi rta bai rnam pm brten mtshungs Ius dang Idan nyid phyir I
gang tshe 'byung bai bdag nyid yod-nyid khas len de tshe bzhinl I [211]
When one rejects [the existence] of a next world you should understand that this
is a distorted opinion about the nature of cognisables, because such an opinion
holds that possessing a body is equally the basis [of existence]. Then whenever
[you make such an assertion] you also assert an essential nature [composed of]
the basic material constituents (bhuta).
6.103 'byung ba de dag ji Itar yod min de Itar bshad zin tel
gang gi phyir na gong du rang gzhan las dang gnyi ga las I
skye dang rgyu med thun mong du ni bkag zm ae yi phyir I
rna bshad 'byung ba 'di dag Ita zhig yod pa rna yin nol7 [212]
The way in which the basic constituents of matter (bhuta) are not [intrinsically]
existent, has already been explained. Thus in the foregoing we have already
made a general refutation of production from self, other, both and causelessly.
How, then, could the basic constituents of matter - though not discussed -
[intrinsically] exist.
CONCLUSION TO THE SELFLESSNESS OF PHENOMENA
6.104 gang gi phyir na bdag dang gzhan dang gnyi ga las skye dangl
rgyu la rna bltos yod pa min pas dngos rnams rang bzhin brall
gang gis sprin tshogs dang mtshungs gti mug stug po 'jig rten fal
yod pa des na yul rnams log ba dag tu snarzg bar 'gtJur 7 I [215-216]
[All] things lack an intrinsic existence (svabhava), since nothing is produced from
itself, another, both or unrelated to a cause. The world is [under the influence of]
a dense confusion that resembles a mass of clouds. Hence, objects appear in a
completely distorted [manner].
252
REASONING INTO REALITY
6.105 ji Ita rab rib mthu yis ' ga' zhig sTem shad zla gnyid dang I
rrna byai mdongs dang sorang ma la sags log par dzin byed pal
de bzliin du ni gti mug skyon gJJi dbang gis mi mkhas pasl
'dus byas ita zliig sna tshogs ologros kyis ni rtogs par 'gyurl I [216]
Some people who are under the influence of opthalmia mistakenly apprehend
hair-lines, or two moons [where there is one], or peacocks' feathers or bees, etc.
[when there are none]. Likewise, due to the faulty influence of confusion, the
unschooled see conditioned phenomena while the discerning understand [the
non-intrinsic existence] of the variety [of the world].
6.106 s.al te gti mug brten nas las 'byung gti mug med par del
ml 'byung zhes byar mi mkhas kho nas rtogs par gar rna chagl
blo bzang nyi mas mun pa stug po rnam par bsal ba yil
mkhas pa dag ni stong nyid khong du chud cing groT bar 'gyur [217]
[The Buddha] said that [contaminated] actions (karma) arise in dependence on
confusion (moha) and that in the absence of confusion such [actions] do not arise.
Certainly only those of learning understand this. Scholars, whose sun-like
intellect clears away [all] dense confusion, penetrate emptiness [through this
teaching], and thereby become liberated.
6.107 gal te dngos po rnams de nyid du med nal
tha snyad du yang rna gsham bu ji bzhinl
de dag med pa nyld 'gyur de yi phyir I
de dag rang bzhm gyis ni yod pa nyidl I [218]
[Qualm:] If things are really non-existent, even conventionally, then they could
be like the child of an infertile woman. Because they could [otherwise] be non-
existent, they [must have] an intrinsic (svabhava) existence.
6.108 gang dag rab rib can sags yul 'gyur bal
skra sliad Ta sags de dag ma skyes pasl
re zhig de dag nyid la brtsad bya stel
phyi nas ma rig rab rib rjes 'brellaol I [218]
[Madhyamika:] Any object - the hair-lines and the rest - [viewed] by. the
opthalmic, and the like, is not produced [in factl. You now dispute these; later
you will be quite without your opthalmia.
APPENDIX ONE
6.109 gal te rmi lam dri zai grong khyer bcasl
smig rgyui chu dang mig 'phrulgzugs brnyan sogsl
skye med mthong na yod nyid mm mtshungs kyang I
khyod la ji Itar tIer 'gyur de mi rigs I I [219-220]
253
If one can see unproduced things - such as the city of the Heavenly MusiCians, a
mirage, [the magician's] visual creations, a reflection - even though they equally
do not exist, then what [in our argument] is illogical for you?
6.110 de nyid du 'di ji Itar skye med kyangl
rna gsham bu Itar gan;;; phyir 'jig rten gyil
mthong bai yul du mi gyur rna yin pal
de yi phyir na smras [D: sa] 'di rna nges paoli [220]
Although, in reality [forms] are unproduced, how are they like the child of the
infertile woman? It is not the case that [physical things] are not the objects of
worldly perception. Therefore, [your line of] exposition is unjustified.
6.111 rna gsham bu la rang ~ i bdag nyid kyisl
skye va de nyid du med jig rten du' ang I
yod min de bzhin dngos 'di kun ngo bo/
nyid kyis 'jig rten de nyid du rna skyesl I [221-222]
There is no production in its own right of the child of the infertile woman, either
in reality or as a worldly [convention]. And likewise, everything [in the
universe] is not essentially produced, both in worldly [convention] or in reality.
6.112 de phyir 'di Itar stan pas chos rnams kun I
gdod nas zhi zhing skye bral rang bzhin gJjisl
yongs su my a ngan 'das pa gsungs gJjur pal
de phyir rtag tu skye ba yod rna yin 7/ [222]
Therefore, in this way, the Teacher declared that all phenomena are primordially
at peace, lack production, and by nature have quite transcended misery
(nirvana). Hence, there is never any [intrinsic] production.
6.113 bum sags 'di dagde nyid du med cingl
'jig rten rab tu grags par yod ji bzhinl
de bzhin dngos po thams cad gyur bas nal
rna gsham bu dang mtshungs bar thai mi 'gyurl I [223]
Just as vases, and so on, do not in reality exist, but exist through common
consensus,all things are similarly like [the vase], and as a consequence they are
not equivalent to the child of an infertile woman.
254
6.114 gang phyir rgyu med pa dang dbang phyug gil
rgyu la sogs dang b d a ~ gzhan gnyi ga las!
arigos rnams skYe bar gyur ba ma yin pal
de phyir rten nas rab tu skye bar !gtJur! I [226]
REASONING INTO REALITY
Because things (bhava) are not produced without a cause (hetu), from a creator
God (isvara), from themselves, another or both, they are produced in profusion
through their relations [with the things].
6.115 gang phyir dngos po brten nas rab 'byung basi
rtog pa 'dz d a ~ ortag par mi nus pal
de phyir rten byung rigs pa 'di yis nil
Ita ngan dra ba mtlia' dag gcod par byedl I [228]
And because things arise through their relations [with other things], [extreme]
conceptions (kalpana) are unable [to withstand a close] examination. Therefore,
the reasoning of relational origination (pratityasamutpada) cuts through the entire
web of harmful opinions.
6.116 rtog rnams dngos po yod na 'gyur ba stel
dngos po ji Itar med par yongs dJ?yad zinl
dngos po med par' dz rnams mi byung dper I
bud shing med par me [D: mil yod min de bzhinl I [229]
When things are [conceived to intrinsically] exist, then conceptuality (kalpana) is
produced. But a thorough analysis shows how things are. [in fact] not
[intrinsically] existent. [When it is realised that] there are no [intrinsically]
existent things, the conceptualisations do not arise, just as for example, there is
no fire without fuel.
6.117 so soi skye bo rnams ni rtog pas beings I
mi rtog rnal 'byor pa ni grol 'gyur bas 7
. rtog rnams loglar 'gyur bagang yin tel
rnam par dpyo par'bras bur mkhas rnams gsungl 1[230]
Ordinary people are bound by their concepts, but non-conceptualising yogins
[who realise the nature of things (dharmata)] become liberated. The learned have
said that the result of analysis (vicara) is the reversal of conceptualisation.
APPENDIX ONE
6.118 bstan beos las dpyad rtsod la ehags pai phyir I
ma-mdzad rnam grol phyir ni de nyid bstanl
gal te de nyid rnam par bshad pa nal
gzhan gzhung 'jig par' gyur na nyes pa medl I [231]
255
The analysis in the Fundamental Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK] - is not
undertaken out of an attachment to debate. [Rather, Nagarjuna] taught on
reality (tattva) with a view to [showing others the way to] complete liberation
(vimuktt). And there is no shortcoming if, when fully explaining reality, the
philosophical systems of others are destroyed.
6.119 rang gi Ita ba ehags dang de bzhin dul
gzhan gyi Ita la 'khrug gang rtog pa nyidl
aei phyir 'dod ehags khong khro rnam vsal tel
_ rnam apyod pa na [D: nil myur du grol bar 'gyur I I [232]
Being attached to one's own view, while angering over the views of others, is per
se to conceptualise [even though one's views may be correct]. Therefore, if one
analyses quite without anger and attachment, one will quickly become liberated.
THE SELFLESSNESS OF THE PERSONALITY (6.121-165)
6.120 nyon mongs skyon rnams ma Ius 'jig tshogs lal
Ita las byung bar blo yis mthong gyur zhing I
bdag ni 'di yi yul du rtoss byas nasi
rnal 'byor pa yis bdag nl 'gog par byedl I [233]
Having intellectually perceived that all the emotional reactions (klesa) and
problems of existence (dosa) arise from our view of the individual (satkaya-drstz),
and having understood the self as the object of [the egocentricity] of this [view],
yogins negate the self.
256
6.121 za po rtag dngos byed po min pai bdag I
yon tan bya mea mu stegs rnams kyis brtags I
aei dbye eung zad eung zad la brten nasi
mu stegs can rnams lugs ni tha dad' gtJur I I -[235]
REASONING INTO REALITY
The non-Buddhist [Samkhya] philosophers understand the self (atman) to be an
experiencer [of pleasurable and painful sensations], a permanent thing, not a
creator, not to have the qualities (guna) [of being energised (sattva), de-energised
(tamas) or vacillating (rajas)] and to be inactive. The philosophical systems [such
as the Vaisheshika and Vedavada] of these non-Buddhists evolved into different
sub-schools through very slight distinctions [made with respect to the
characteristics of the self].
6.122 mo gsham bu Itar skye ba dang bral phyir I
de Itar gyur pai bdag ni yod min zhing I
'di ni ngar 'dzin rten du'ang mi rigs fal
'di ni kim rdzob tu yang yod mi 'dodl I [240]
Such a self could not exist, because it is unproduced, like the child of an infertile
woman. It is also incorrect that this [self] is the basis (asraya) for egocentricity
(ahamkara), and even in the conventional [everyday reality such a self] is
considered to be non-existent.
6.123 gang phyir bstan beos bstan beos las dei khyadl
mu stegs rnams kyis gang bstan de kun lal
rang grags ma sklles gtan tshigs kyis gnodtal
de phyir ae khyaakun kyang yod ma yinl [241]
All the characteristics (visesa) which are ascribed [to the self] by non-Buddhist
philosophers in their various texts, are all [equally] contraverted by the
argument that [the self they posit] is not produced, [which is a characteristic of
the self] that they themselves admit. Thus [the self] also does not have any
characteristics [as it does not exist]. [241]
6.124 dei phyir phung po las gzhan bdag med del
phung po ma de 'dzin ma grub phyir I
rten ngar dzm blo yi rten du yang /
ml 'dod de rig min pa' ang bdag Itai pliyir I I [242]
A self that is [intrinsically] different from the psycho-physical organism (skandha)
cannot exist because the apprehension [of a self] cannot be established
independently of [Le. without reference to] the psycho-physical organism. We
do not assert [the self] as the basis of worldly, egocentric cognitions, because
[such] views are totally inappropriate.
APPENDIX ONE
6.125 gang dag dud 'gror [D: gro] bskal rnang brgyalgyur pal
des kyang rna skYes rtag 'ai rna rnthong Tal
ngar 'dzm de dag la yang 'jug mthong stel
des na phung po las gzhan brIag 'ga' rnedl I [243]
257
And, similarly, an unproduced and permanent [self] is not perceived even by
those who, as animals, have become stupified for many aeons. But [animals]
clearly do still have a sense of egoism, and therefore the self is not different from
the psycho-physical organism.
REFUTATION OF THE VIEW HELD BY SOME BUDDHIST SCHOOLS
THAT THE SELF IS THE PSYCHO-PHYSICAL ORGANISM
6.126 phung po las gzhan bdag grub med pai phyir I
bdag Itai drnigs pa phung po kho nao I
kha Gig bdag ftaz rten du phung po nil
lnga cnar yang 'dod kha Gig serns gcig 'dod I I [244]
[The Vaibhashika Buddhist:] Because the self cannot be established as
something different from the psycho-physical organism, the self is only the
psycho-physical organism, the referential-support (alarnbana) for the view [of
individuality]. Some [of the Sammitiya Buddhists] maintain that [all] five
divisions of the psycho-physical organism [namely, the body, feelings,
perceptions, drives, and consciousness, constitute] the basis for our view of the
self, while others maintain that the mind (citta) alone [provides the basis].
6.127 gal te phung po bdag na de phyir de I
mang bas bdag de dag kyang mang par [D: par] 'gyur I
bdag ni rdzas su 'gyur zhing der fta bal
rdzas la 'jug pas phyin Gi log mi 'gyur I I [245]
If the psycho-physical organism is the self, then because [the psycho-physical
organism is composed of] many [parts, i.e. the body, feelings, and so on] there
would also be many selves. [Also] the self would be substantial, and thus, the
view of [individuality] would take a substantial thing [as its object] and would
not be mistaken [given the Vaibhashika definition of the veridicalness of
substance-based sense perception].
258
6.128 my a ngan 'das tshe nges par bdag chad' gyur I
my a ngan 'das sngon skad cil?, dag La nil
REASONING INTO REALITY
sl6te 'jIg byed po med pas de bras medl
gz'han gyis bsags la gzhan gyis za bar 'gyur I I [247]
[Further consequences of the Vaibhashika identity thesis] between the self and
psycho-physical organism are: (1) that when one passed beyond misery [into the
arhats non-residual nirvana at death] the self would certainly be annihilated. (2)
There would be, for [the self and the components of the psycho-physical
organism] in the moment preceding nirvana, no decay, production or an agent,
and hence no result. (3) And [karma] accumulated would be experienced by
another [as the self would cease after the last pre-nirvana moment].
6.129 de nyid du rgyud yod na sk1;on med nal
snsar rnam dpyad tshe rgJJud la nyes bshad zinl
del phyir phung po dang sems bdag mi rigs I
'jig rten mtha'1dan la sogs med phyir ro/ I [249-250]
If [you claim] there is no fault, as these form a continuum, the fallacies [involved
in positing such] a continuum were explained in an earlier analysis (6.61).
Therefore it is incorrect that the psycho-physical organism or [just] the mind is
the self, though this is [one of the fourteen questions] such as whether the world
comes to an end or not [that BudCiha refused to answer].
6.130 khyod kyi mal 'byor bdag med mthonr; ba lal
de tshe nges par dngos rnams med par gyur I
rtag bdag spong na de tshe de yi phyir I
khyod kfji sems sam phung po bdag mi 'gyur I I [252]
[If the mind or psycho-physical organism were the self] then when your yogins
perceive the non-existence of a self, without question they would [also perceive]
the non-existence of things. If they abandon a permanent self, then at such a time
[they would see] your mind or psycho-physical organism become the self no
longer.
6.131 khyod kyi mal 'byor bdag med mthong ba yisl
gzugs sogs de nyid rtogs par mi ' gJjur ihing I
gzugs la amigs nas 'jug phyir 'dod chags sogs I
skye 'gyur de yi ngo bo rtogs med phyir I I [253]
Because your yogins perceive selflessness, they would not understand the reality
(tattva) of forms and so forth, and when they direct [their attention] to forms,
they would generate attachment to them, and thus not understanding their
nature.
APPENDIX ONE 259
6.132 gang phyir stan pas phung po bdag go zhes I
gsungs pa de phyir phung po bdag 'aod nal
ae ni phung las gzhan baag 'gog pa stel
gzugs bdag min sags mdo gzhan gsungs phyir ro I I [254-255]
If you maintain that the psycho-physical organism is the self because our
Teacher has said so, this [sutra] rejects [the thesis] that the self is different from
the psycho-physical organism, for other sutras say the body, and so forth, are not
the self.
6.133 gang phyir gzugs tshor bdag min' du shes kyang I
ma yin 'du byed rnams min rnam shes kyangt
min par mdo gzhan las gsungs de yi phyir I
mdor bstan phung po baag ces bzhed ma yinl I [255]
Since other sutras state that the body and feelings are not the self, nor
perceptions, drives or even consciousness, the teaching in this sutra does not say
'the psycho-physical organism is self'.
6.134 phung po bdag ces brjod tshe phung rnams kyil
tshogs pa yin Klji phung poi ngo bo mini
mgon min' duTba' am dpang po kyang min [D: dbang po nyid kyang] I
de med phyir de tshogs pa ma yin no/ I [256]
[Vaibhashika:] When we say 'psycho-physical organism' [we mean] the
collection of the psycho-physical constituents, not the entities of the psycho-
physical organism.
[Madhyamika: The Buddha said that the self is a master, discipliner and
witness, but the collection of the psychophysical constituents] is not a master,
discipliner or witness [because parts or constituents cannot bear these agential
and unifying Characteristics]. Therefore, being none of these, the collection [of
the psycho-physical constituents] is not [the self].
6.135 de tshe de yi yan lag tshogs gnas rnamsl
shing rta nyid 'gyur shing rta dang bdag mtshungsl
mdo las phung po brten nas yin gsungs pal
de phyir phung po' dus tsam bdag ma yml I [257-258]
When a carriage becomes the collection of its parts, the carriage would be
equivalent to the self. The sutras say [the self is designated] in dependence on
the psycho-physical organism. Therefore, the mere assembly of the psycho-
physical constituents is not the self.
260
6.136 dbyibs she na de ~ u g s ean la yod phyir I
khyod la de dag nyld baag ees 'rYur gyi/
sems sogs tshogs ni bdag nyid gyur min tel
gang pJiyir de aag la dbyibs yoarna yinl I [259]
REASONING INTO REALITY
[Vaibhashika:] If you claim that [the self] is the shape (samsthana) [of the psycho-
physical organism], [the self] would have form and thus for you the [physical
constituents] would be 'the self', so that the collection [of non-physical
constituents] - the mind and so forth - would not be the self for these do not have
any shape.
6.137 len po rang nyer len gcig rigs dngos mini
de Ita na las byed po gcig nyia 'gyur I
byed po med las yod snyam blo yin nal
ma yin gang phyir byed po med las medl I [259-260]
It is incorrect for the acquirer (upadatar) [i.e. the self], and the acquisition [the
psycho-physical organism] (upadana) to be the same. If it were so, then the doer
and the deed would be the same. If you think there can be a deed without the
doer, this is not so. With no doer there is no deed.
6.138 gang phyir thub pas bdag de sa ehu me I
rlung dang rnam shes nam mkha' zhes bya bal
khams drug dang ni mig sogs reg pa yi I
rten drug dag la brten nas nyer bstan zhing I I [262]
[In the Meeting of Father and Son Sutra (Pitaputrasamagamasutra)] the Sage taught
that the self is dependently [designated] on the six basic constituents of the
universe (dhatu), i.e. earth, water, fire, air, consciousness and space, and on the
six bases of contact (sparsa-ayatana), i.e. the eye and other [sense organs including
the mind].
6.139 sems dang sems 'byung ehos rnams nyer bzung nas I
des gsungs de phyir de ni de rnams dangl
de nyid ma yin tshogs tsam nyid min tel
de phyir ngar 'dzin blo de rnams la mini I [262]
And he said [the self is designated] in dependence on the apprehension of the
[mental] phenomena of primary and secondary minds (citta and eaitta). Thus the
[self] is not these [mental phenomena] nor their mere collection. Thus it is not
correct to have the egocentric mind [in relation to] these [primary and secondary
minds].
APPENDIX ONE 261
6.140 bdag med rto$s tshe rtag pai bdag spong zhing I
'di ni ngar 'dzm rten du' ang mi 'aod pal
de phyir bdag med shes pas bdag Ita bal
cis [D: dpyisJ kyang 'byin zhes smra ba shing tu mtshar II [264]
Some Vaibhashika philosophers hold that] when one realises selflessness [only
the conception of a] permanent self is abandoned [ef. vs. 6.130], yet they do not
also maintain that [a permanent self] is the basis for egoism. Thus, how strange
[to find these Vaibhashika] philosophers saying that by knowing selflessness one
repudiates all [wrong] views about the self.
6.141 rang khyim rtsig phug sbruZ gnas mthong bzhin dul
'di na glang chen med ces dogs bsal tel
sbrul gyi 'Jigs pa'ang spong bar byed pa nil
kye ma gzhan gyi gnam par' gyur nyld do II [264]
[It is as though], on seeing a snake dwelling in a crevice in the wall of one's own
home, one were to dispel one's anxiety by saying 'there is no elephant there',
and this makes one abandon one's fear of the snake. Really! The credulity of
others!
6.142 phung par bdag yod ma yin bdag la yang I
phung po de rnams yod min gang phyir 'dir I
gzhan nyid yod na rtog pa 'dlr 'gyur nal
gzhan nyid ae med de phyir 'di rtog pao II [265]
The self is not within the psycho-physical organism, nor is the psycho-physical
organism within the self because they could only be conceived as [one within the
other] if they were different. They are not different and so they should be
conceived [as has been explained].
6.143 bdag ni gzugs Zdan mi 'dod gang phyir bdagl
yod min tIe phyir ldan don sbyor ba medl
gzhan na gnag ldan gzhan min gzugs ldan nal
bdag ni gzugs las de nyid gzhan nYld medii [266]
It cannot be maintained that the self [intrinsically] possesses the physical body
(rupa) since the self does not exist [as either identified with or different from the
physical component of the psycho-physical organism]. As such, the notion of
'possessing' cannot be applied [to the relationship between the self and the
physical component]. Further, since [the self's] possession of form is not like
possessing [something different like] cattle or something not different [like one's
body], the self doesn't exist as either identical or different from the physical
body.
262
6.144 gzugs bdag ma ~ i n bdag ni gzugs ldan mini
gzugs la bdag mail bdag la' ang gzugs yod mini
Cle Itar rnam bzhir phung kun shes bya stel
de dag bdag tu Ita ba nyl shur 'dod II [266]
REASONING INTO REALITY
[In summary,] the physical body is not the self, and nor does the self possess the
physical body. The self is not within the physical body and neither is the
physical body within the self. All of the [other] psycho-physical constituents [Le.
feelings, perceptions, drives and consciousness] should similarly be understood
in terms of these four types [of relationships]' [Thus, altogether] we maintain
that there are twenty [wrong] opinions about the self.
6.145 Ita ri bdag med rtogs pai rdo rje yisl
beam bdag gang dang lhan cig jig 'gyur bal
'jig tshags Ita rz lhun stug la gnas pail
rtse ma mtha bar gyur pa 'di Clag go I I [276]
The diamond[-hard] realisation of selflessless destroys the mountain [of innate
and errant] views (drsti) [concerning the self]. The view of individuality rests on
a massive Sumeru, but [this realisation destroys] this highest of peaks.
REFUTING THE SAMMITIYA'S SUBSTANTIVE CONCEPT OF THE
PERSON THAT IS NEITHER IDENTICAL TO OR DIFFERENT FROM
THE PSYCHO-PHYSICAL ORGANISM
6.146 kha cig de nyid gzhan nyid rtag mi rtag I
fa sags hrjad med gang zag rdzas yod 'dod I
rnam shes drug gl shes byar de 'dod cing I
de ni ngar 'dzin gzhir yang 'dod pa yin/ I [268]
Some [specifically the Vatsiputriyas] maintain that the person (pudgafa) cannot
be expressed as identical or different [from the psycho-physical organism], as
permanent or impermanent; [yet] they maintain that the personality is
substantially existent (dravya-sat). [These philosophers] maintain that [the self] is
an object that can be cognised by the six [types of] consciousness (vijnana), and
that it is also the [genetic] basis for egoism.
APPENDIX ONE
6.147 gang phyir 8zugs las sems brjod med mi rtogsl
dngos yod brJod med rtogs pa ma yin nyidl
gar te bdag 'ga' dngos por grub gyur nal
sems Itar grub dngos brjod du med mi 'gyur I I [269]
263
[For them, the self] is [supposedly] mind rather than form, inexpressible,
incomprehensible. [For them, the self] is an existent thing that is inexpressible
and not to be comprehended. If the self were established in any way as a thing,
then it would be just as established as the mind is and would no longer be
inexpressible.
6.148 gang phyir khyod bum dngos/or ma grub pail
ngo bo gzugs sogs las brjod me 'gyur vas I
baag gang phung po las brjod mea 'gyur tel
rang gis yod par grub par rtogs mi vyal I [269]
So, for you a vase is not established as a thing and so it is inexpressibly beyond
the entity of form and so forth. Hence any self becomes inexpressible - beyond
the psycho-physical organism - and [yet] you believe that you have established
[that the self] exists.
6.149 khyod kyi rnam shes rang bdag las t,zhan nil
mi 'dod gzugs sogs las gzhan dngos dod cing I
dngos la rnam pa de gnyis mthong 'gyur bal
de phyir bdag med dngos chos dang Fral phyir I I [270]
For you, one does not maintain that consciousness (vijnana) is different from
one's own self. You maintain it is a different thing from the physical body, and
so forth. [Thus, you do in fact] see these two aspects (akara) [of identity and
difference] to the thing. Thus [such] a self does not exist because it is not related
to the phenomena of things.
6.150 de phyir ngar 'dzin rten ni dnsos po mini
phung las gzhan min phung pOI ngo bo min /
phung po rten min' dl ni de ldan mini
, di ni phung po rnams brten 'grub par' gJJur I I
[270-271]
Thus, the [object which serves as the] basis of egoism is not a [substantially
existent] thing. The [self] is not different from the psycho-physical organism,
and nor is it the nature of the psycho-physical organism. It is not the basis of the
psycho-physical organism, and nor does it possess the [psycho-physical
constituents]. It is established in dependence on the psycho-physical organism.
264 REASONING INTO REALITY
6.151 shing rta rang yan la;? las gzhan 'dod min I
gzhan min ma ym de Idan yang min zhingl
yan lag la min yan lag dag der mini
dus pa tsam min dbyibs min ji bzhin nol I [271-272]
[The relationship between the self and the psycho-physical constituents] is like
[the relationship between a carriage and its constituent parts in which] it cannot
be maintained that: [1] a carriage is different from its constituent parts, nor [2]
that it is not different [from its constituent parts]' or [3] that it does not possess
[its constituent parts], or [4] that it is not within its constituent parts, or [5] that
the constituent parts are in the [carriage], or [6] that the [carriage] is not simply
the collection of the constituent parts, or [7] that it is not the shape of the
[constituent parts].
6.152 ;?al te tshogs tsam shing rtar 'gyur na nil
sil bur gnas La shing rta nyid ydd 'gyur I
gang phyir yan lag can med yan lag daiS I
metIf:as dbyibs tsam shing rtar rigs pa ang mini I
[272
If the carriage was simply the collection [of the parts], one would have carriage
qua carriage, [when the carriage was] in the disassembled [parts]. And, further,
when there is no bearer of parts, there can be no parts .. Thus it is illogical that
[the carriage] is simply the shape [or configuration of the parts].
6.153-154 khyod dbyibs yan lag re re sngar yod gyur I
ji bzhin shing rtar gtogs la' ang de bzhin no /
bye bar gyur pa de flag la ji Itar I
de Ita yang ni shing rta yod ma yinl I
da Ita gal te shing rta nyid dus 'dir I
'phang 10 sogs la dbyibs tha dad yod nal
'di gzung 'gyur na ae yang yod min tel
de phyir dbyibs tsam shing rtar yod ma yinl I [273-2741
For you, just as each part has a shape prior [to their assembly as a carriage], so
[their disassembled state] also contains the carriage. Just as when they are
disassembled, there is also no carriage [likewise when they are assembled, there
would be no carriage], for if, when the carriage [is assembled1 the axel and so on
had a different shape [from their dissasembled state] it would be apprehended,
but it is not. Therefore, the carriage is not the mere shape [of the carriage parts].
APPENDIX ONE
6.155 gang phyir khyod kyi tsh08s pa cang med pas I
d8yibs de yan lag tshogs kiJI ma yin nal
$ang zhig ci yang ma yin ae brten nas I
dir ni d8yibs su Ita zliig ji Itar 'gyur I I [274]
265
When for you, the collection [of parts] does not exist at all, while the shape is not
a collection of parts, then [the shape] depends on something entirely non-
existent. Thus, how could there be something like a shape when it depends on
something that doesn't even exist.
6.156 khyod kyis 'di ni ji Itar 'dod de Itar I
mi bden pa yi rgyu la brten byas nasi
'bras but rnam pa mi bden rang bzhin canl
thams cad kyang ni skye bar slies par gyisl I [275]
While you maintain this to be the case you should know that all results have an
unreal nature and are all produced in dependence on unreal causes.
6.157' dis ni gzugs s08s de Itar gnas rnams lal
bum blo zhes bya ang rigs pa ma yin nyidl
skye ba med pas gzugs sogs kyang yod mini
de yi phyir yang de dag dbyibs mi rigs I I [275-276]
This [argument, based on the illustrative example of the carriage and its parts],
[shows, pari passu] that the mental [response] of 'a vase' to appropriately
configured materials is also incorrect. [Also] because there is no [intrinsic]
production, material forms, and so forth, are also not [intrinsically] existent.
And as such, it is incorrect [that material forms] could have [self or identity due
to their different] shapes.
6.158 de ni de nyid du'am 'jig rten dul
rnam pa bdun gyis 'grub 'gyur min mod kyil
rnam dpyad med par 'jig rten nyid las' dir/
rang gi yan lag brten nas 'dogs pa yinl I [277]
Through the seven-sectioned [analysis], the [carriage] cannot be established -
either in reality (tattva) or in the [conventional] world - yet from the uncritical
worldly perspective, the [carriage] is designated in dependence upon its
constituent parts.
266
6.159 de nyid yan lag can de cha shas can I
shing rta ae nyiii byed po zhes 'if"or bsnyadl
skye bo rnams la len po nyid du ang grub I
'jig rten grags pai kun rdzob rna brlag cig I I [278]
REASONING INTO REALITY
Thus [the carriage] has parts and pieces and so the carriage can be called an
'agent'. For ordinary people, this proves that there is an acquirer (updatar). Do
not destroy the conventions of the consensually established world.
6.160 rnam bdun gyis med gang de ji Ita bur I
yod ces rnal 'byor pas 'iiii yod mi rnyedl
aes de nyid la'ang bde blaJ5. 'jug 'gyur basi
'dir dei grub pa ae bzhin aod par byal I [279]
Anything [found] not to exist after the seven-sectioned [analysis] may be said to
exist, but yogins do not find its existence. Because these [yogins] easily
penetrate even reality, one should maintain these proofs of theirs.
6.161 shing rta yod nyid min na de yi tshe I
yan lag can med aei yan lag ktJang medl
shing rta tshig na yan lag meii dpe bzhinl
blo mes yan lag can bsregs yan lag gal I [280]
If the carriage does not exist, then there is no possessor of the constituent parts
and nor are there any constituent parts. As in the analogy that there are
constituent parts which remain when the carriage has been burnt up [in a fire],
so [there are no] parts [when] the possessor of the constituent parts is consumed
by the fire of the intellect.
6.162 de bzhin 'jig rten grags pas phung po dang I
khams dang de bzhin skye mched drug brten nasi
bdag kyang nye bar len po nyid du 'dod I
nyer len las yin 'di ni byed po'ang yinl I [281-282]
Likewise, worldly consensus also maintains that [there is] a self [designated] in
dependence on the psycho-physical organism, the basic constituents (dhatu) and
the six sense-bases (ayatana), and that it also is an acquirer. [There is a
presentation in our system that says:] acquisition is thus, action is thus, and the
agent is thus.
APPENDIX ONE
6.163 dngos yod min ph}J,ir 'di ni brtan min zhingl
mibrtan nyid min ai ni skye 'jig mini
, di la rtag pa nyid /a sags pa yang I '
yod min ae nYla dang ni gzhan nyid medl I [282]
267
Because [the self] is not [an intrinsically] existing thing, it is neither stable
(adrdha) nor unstable. It is neither [intrinsically] produced nor [intrinsically]
destroyed. Nor is it [intrinsically] permanent and so on, nor is it identical to or
different from [the psycho-physical organism].
6.164 gang la rtag tu 'gro rnams ngar 'dzin blo I
rav tu 'byung zhing de yi gang yin der I
nga yir 'azin blo 'byung bai bdag de nil
ma brtags grags par gtl mug las yin nol I [286]
So, egotistical thoughts are continually arising in creatures, and that which these
egotistical thoughts take to be the I is the self. This [self] is known by an
uncritical concensus and arises through confusion.
6.165 gang phyir byed po med can las med pal
de phyir baag gi bdag med par yod mini
de phyir bdag dang odag gl stong Ita zhing I
mal 'byor pa de rnam par grol bar' gyur I I [287]
And because, there are no [intrinsically existent] agents, there are no
[intrinsically existent] actions (karma) [either]. And further, there is no
[intrinsically] existent 'mine' since there is no [intrinsically] existent self.
Through the view that the self and 'mine' are empty [of an intrinsic existence]
the yogins thus become completely liberated.
6.166 bum pa snam bu re Ide dmag d a n ~ nag tshal phreng ba Ijon shing dangl
khang khyim shing rta phran aang gran gnas la sags dngos rnams gang dag dangl
de bzhin gang dag sgo nas skye 'dis bsnyaa pa de rnams rtogs bya ste/
gang phyir tliub dbang de ni 'jig rten Ihan Gig rtsod mi mdiad phyir ro/ / [288]
Anything - vases, blankets, tents, armies, forests, garlands, trees, houses, small
carriages, hostels, and so on, should be understood as people describe them,
since the mighty Lord [Buddha] has no quarrel with the world.
268 REASONING INTO REALITY
6.167 yon tan yan lag [D: yan lag yon tan] 'dod chags mtshan nyid dang ni bud shing la
sags dangt
yon tan can !fan lag can chags dang mtshan gzhi me la sags don dag/
ae rnams shmg rtai rnam dpyad byas pas rnam bdun yod pa ma yin zhing /
de las gzhan du gyur par 'jIg rten grags pai sgo nas yod pa yin/ 7 [289]
Such referent objects (artha) as qualities, constituent parts, desires,
characteristics, firewood, etc. [and the correlative] qualificand, constituent-part
possessor, the [object of] desire, the characterised, and so forth, [can also be
shown], via the analysis of the carriage, not to exist [in any] of the seven modes.
Thus it follows that they exist in some other way: they exist in virtue of the
common consensus.
6.168 gal te rgyu yis bskyed par bya sklJed de Ita na de rgyu yin zhing /
$,al te 'bras bu mi sJ(yed na m de med rSJju med candu 'gyur /
bras bu yang ni rgyu yod SJJur na skye bar' gyur ba de yi phyir /
gang las gang zhig 'gyur ba gang zhig las sngar gang zhig 'gyur de [D: ba]
smros/ / [290]
A cause (hetu) is a cause only if it produces a product. If an effect is not
produced, then in the absence [of any production], there can be no cause. And
likewise, effects can only be produced if there are causes. Therefore, one must
say that whatever comes from something is temporally preceded by it.
6.169 gal te khyod kyi rgyu yis phrad nas 'bras skyed byed na de yi tshe/
de dag nus pa gci$ pas skyed byed 'bras bu tha dad med 'gyur zhing/
so sor na m rgyu di rgyu min rnams dang khyad par mea' gyur lat
gnyis po' di dag spangs nas rtog pa gzhan yang yod par 'gyur rna yin/ / [290-291]
If the cause [that you posit] produces an effect due to a contact (prapya) [between
the two], then at the time [of contact] they would be a single potential (sakyatra),
and therefore the producer would not be different from the effect. Or, if [cause
and effect] are separate, then the cause would be no different from non-causes.
And once these two [alternatives] have been relinquished there is no [other]
alternative [left] to consider.
APPENDIX ONE 269
6.170 ci ste khyod kyi rgyu yis 'bras bu sklJed par mi byed de phyir 'bras I
zhes bya yod min 'brasbral rpJu ni rS'ju med can 'gyur yod pa' ang mini
gang phyir 'di dag gnyis char yang m sgyu ma dang' dra de yi phyir I
bdag la skyon du mi 'gyur 'jig rten pa yi dngos po rnams kyang yodl I [291-292]
For you a cause will not produce an effect. Thus, as there is no so-called 'effect',
the effectless cause becomes a non-cause, and so it would not exist. Because [we
Madhyamikas assert that] both components of the [causal nexus, i.e. the cause
and effect] are like an illusion, for us [the meeting or failure to meet of the cause
and effect] do not become flaws of logic. The things [experienced] by worldly
folk [continue] to exist.
6.171 sun 'byin 'dis sun dbyung bya phrad nas 'byin nam ma phrad pari
yin zhes nyes pa 'di ni khyod la' ang 'pJur ba ma yin nam!
gang tshe ae skad smra zhing rang pliyogs kho na rnam 'joms pal
ae tshe khyod kyis [VP: kyi] sun dbyung sun ni 'byin par nus ma yinl I [292-293]
[Qualm:] In your refutation, you refute the objects being repudiated [i.e. the
cause and effect] if they contact, yet if [one says] 'they do not contact', this is also
a fallacy. Doesn't [the fallacy] apply to you as well? When you say these things,
you only demolish your own position. And then your refutation is unable to
refute [our thesis].
6.172 gang phyir rang gi tshig la'ang thaI ba mtshungs pai ltag /tag chod kyisl
rigs pa med par dngos mtha' dag la skur 'debs de yi phyir /
kliyod ni skye bo dam pas bzhed-mi 'Yur zhing gang qi phyir I
khyod la rang phyogs med pas sun Cl phyin du rgol ba ang yinl I [293]
You illogically disparage the existence of everything with your deviant
arguments (jati) the consequences (prasanga) of which [apply] equally to your
own words. Therefore, you alienate yourself from holy people. And since you
have no position of your own, what do you refute? - you are simply engaging in
polemics.
6.173 sun 'byin pas sun dbyung bya ma phrad sun ni 'byin byed daml
'on te phrad nas yin zhes smras zin nyes pa 'dir ganAla/
nges par phyogs yod de la 'gyur:5}f,i bdag Ia phyoss ai nil
yod pa min pas thai bar 'gyur ba di ni srid ma yml I [294]
[Madhyamika:] In the refutation, [does the case that] the objects being
repudiated not contact make for a refutation? Or, if one says that they do
contact, where is the fallacy? This [fallacy] applies for those whose fixed
position is [intrinsic] existence. Our own position is that there is no [intrinsic]
existence, and so it is impossible that the [above] consequences apply [to us].
270 REASONING INTO REALITY
6.174 ji Itar khyod kyis nyi mai dkyil 'khor la yod khyad par rnams I ,
gzugs brnyan la yang gzas gzung la sogs rnam lD: rnams] 'tshe mthong' gyur lal
nyi ma dang ni gzugs brnyan rnam par phrad dang ma phrad par I
mi rigs mod kyiorten nas tha snyad tsam zhig 'byung 'gyur zhingl I [296]
For you, the orb of the sun exists [intrinsically]. Yet the differences [in the sun's
orb] also [appear] in its reflection, as can be seen during an eclipse, and so forth.
Whether that sun and its reflection make contact or not is not a [correct] reason.
By this [line of logic] they occur by mere convention.
6.175 mi bden bzhin du'ang rna$ gi byad bzhin mdzes par bsgrub byai phyir I
de ni yod pa ji Itar de ozhin air yang shes rab gdongl
sbyang bar bya la nus pa mthong bar gyur pai gtan tshigs nil
'thad pa dang brallas kyang bsgrub bya rtogs shes shes par byal I [296]
Just as the unreal [image in a mirror] is used in order to beautify the face, our
syllogisms on the sort of existence [that things have] can similarly cleanse the
face of insight. They are not straightforward, but understand and know what is
being proved.
6.176 gal te rang gi bsgrub bya go byed gtan tshigs dngos grub dang I
dngos su go oya nyid 'gyur bsgrub byai ngo bo' ang yod gyur nal
phrad pa fa sogs rzgs pa nye bar sbyor bar 'gyur zliig nal
de yang yod pa min pas khyod klJi yi chad 'ba' zhig yinl I [298]
If [you] had actually established what our syllogisms prove and what is to be
understood by them, and if you [understood] the nature of what we are proving,
you would not be applying these reasonings of contact and so forth, for these are
quite futile.
6.177 dngos rnams mtha' dag dngos po med par rtogs sUfzhugs par nil
nus pa ehes sla ji Ita de nar rang bzhin gzhan aag la
khong du ehud par bde blag tu ni nus pa rna yin nol
rtog ge ngan pai dra bas 'jIg rten ci ste 'dir beol byedl I [299]
The ability to induce the realisation that everything has no [intrinsic] thingness is
very easy for us, whereas others [who maintain] the intrinsic existence [of
things] cannot easily come to [this realisation]. You confound the world with
your web of destructive concepts.
APPENDIX ONE 271
6.178 sun 'byin lhag rna gong bstan pa yang ni shes byas nasi
phrad pa la sags phyogs kyi Ian g}fi ehed du 'dir gtang byal
sun ci phyin du rgol./ia po yang Ji Itar yod min pal
de skad sngar bshad lhag rna phyogs 'dl nyid kyis rtogs par byal I [300]
Understand well [our] above refutation [in vv. 6.168-170]. When we reply [in vv.
6.173-178] to the position [concerned] with contact, and so on, [as put forward by
our opponents in vv. 671-172] we are not polemisists who repudiate everything,
no matter what. [Thus] you should realise through our position the rest of the
[arguments] explained above.
THE DIVISIONS OF EMPTINESS
6.179 bdagmed 'di ni 'gro ba rnam dgrol phyirl
ehos dang gang zag dbye bas rnam gnyzs gsungs I
de Itar stan pas slar yang' di nyid nil
gdul bya rnams la phye ste rnam mang gsungs I I [301-302]
For the purpose of liberating creatures, [the Buddha] said that selflessness
(nairatmya) is divided into two types, [namely, the selflessness of] phenomena
(dharma) and the person (pudgala). Thus, the Teacher has further said there are
many aspects to this [selflessness], for he differentiated between his disciples.
6;180 spros dang beas par stong pa nyidl
beu drug bsnad nas mdor osdus tel
slar yang bzhir bshad de dag ni
theg chen du yang bzhed pa yin I I . [302-303]
In the elaborated [version] he explained sixteen emptinesses [in dependence on
different phenomenal and noumenal bases]. He further explained a condensed
version of these in four [types]. All the same, these are universal vehicle
presentations.
6.181 $ang de yi bzhin del
ym phylr mIg nz mIg gls stong I
de bzhm rna -ba sna dang lee /
Ius dang yid kyang bsnyad par byal I [304]
[1] The eyes are empty of being because that is their nature (prakrt!). The ears,
nose, tongue, body and mind should also be described in the same way.
272
6.182-183 ther zug gnas pa ma yin dangl
'jig pa ma yin nyidkyi p?1yir I
mIg la sags pa drug po YI/
rang bzhm med nyid gang yin pal I
de ni nang stong nyid du 'dodl
gang ph:;lr de yl rang bzhin del
yin phylr gzugs ni gzugs kyis stong I
sgra dang l VP: dadj dri ro reg bya dangl
chos rnams nyid kyang de bzhin nol I [304-309]
REASONING INTO REALITY
Because [these things] neither remain unchanging nor decay, the eyes and so
forth - the six [sense organs] - have a non-intrinsic existence. These are
considered to be the 'emptiness of the internal (adhyatma-sunyataY.
[2] Material forms (rupa) are empty of being material forms, because that is their
nature. Sounds, smell, tastes, objects of touch, and [mental] phenomena also
[should be understood] in the same way.
6.184 gzugs sags ngo bo [D: rang bzhin] med pa nyidl
pFiyi rol stong pa nyid du 'dodl
gnyis char rang bzhin med nyid nil
phyi nang stong pa nyid yin no I I [309]
The essencelessness of material forms, etc. is considered to be the 'emptiness of
externals (bahirdha-sunyata)'.
[3] The non-intrinsic existence of both components [of the above] is the
'emptiness of the internal and external (adhyatma-bahirdha-sunyataY.
6.185 chos rnams rang bzhin med pa nyidl
mkhas pas stong pa nyid ces bsnyadl
stong nyid de y a n ~ stong nyid kyil
ngo bas stong par dod pa yinl / [309-310)
[4] The learned call the non-intrinsic existence of phenomena 'emptiness'. That
emptiness is also considered to be empty of the entity of emptiness.
APPENDIX ONE 273
6.186 stong ny,id ces byai stant; nyid gang I
stong nyld stong nyid du dod del
stong nyid dngos poi blo can gyil
'dzin pa bzIog phyir gsungs pa yinl I [310]
That which is the emptiness of what is called' emptiness' is considered to be the
'emptiness of emptiness (sunyata-sunyataY. It is taught with the intention of
stopping the intellectual apprehension of emptiness as a thing (bhava).
6.187 sems can snod kvi 'jig rten nil
ma Ius khyab byed nyia phyir dang I
tshad med dpe yis mu mtha' nil
med phyir phyogs rnams chen po nyidl I [310]
The directions are 'the greatness' because they encompass every living creature
and their environment, and because [the directions] exemplify boundless
(apramana) [love, etc.] by being infinite.
6.188' di dag bcu char phyogs rnams kyisl
stong pa nyid ni gang yin del
chen po stong pa nyia yin tel
chen par' dzm pa bzlog phyir gsungs I I [311 J
That which is the emptiness of the ten directions is the 'great emptiness (maha-
sunyata)'. It is taught with the intention of stopping the apprehension [of the
directions, as intrinsically] 'great'.
6.189 de ni dgos pa mchogyin pasl
don dam my a ngan 'das pa yin I
de ni de yis stong nyid gangl
de ni don dam stong nyid de I I [311]
[6] Nirvana, the ultimate, is the supreme aim. That which is the emptiness of
nirvana is the 'emptiness of the ultimate (paramartha-sunyata)'.
6.190 my a [D: myang] 'das dngos poi bIo can gyi/
'dzin pa bzIog par bya bai {Jhyir I
don dam mkFiyen pas don dam pal
stong pa nyid ni astan par mdzadl I [311-312]
The one who knows the ultimate taught the 'emptiness of the ultimate,
(paramartha-sunyata)' with the intention of stopping the intellectual apprehension
of nirvana to be a thing (bhava).
274
6.191 rkyen las byung phyir khams gsum po I
'dus byas )lin par nges par bsnyad I
de ni de YIS stong nyid gang I
de ni 'dus byas stong nyid gsungsj I [312]
REASONING INTO REALITY
[7] The three ranges of existence (dhatu) are definitely stated to be conditioned
(samskrta) because they arise from conditions (pratyaya). That which is the
emptiness of these is said to be the 'emptiness of the conditioned (samskrta-
sunyataY.
6.192 gang la skye :p;as mi rtag nyidl
de dag med pa dus ma byasl
de ni"de yis stong nyis gang I
de ni 'dus ma byas stong nyidl I [312]
Those things produced or which abide are impermanent. Those which are not
these [things] are unconditioned. Therefore the emptiness of these [later] is the
'emptiness of the unconditioned (asamskrta-sunyata),.
6.193 gang la mtha' ni yod min pal
de ni mtha' las 'das par brjodl
de de kho nas stong pa nYldl
mtha' las' das pa stong nyid bsnyad I I [313]
[9] That which is without the extreme [of eternality or nihilism] is listed as
'transcending the extremes'. The emptiness of these is called the 'emptiness of
that which has transcended boundaries (atyanta-sunyata)'.
6.194-195 thog ma dang po tha ma mtha'i
de dag mea pas 'khor ba nil
thog ma tha ma med par brjodl
'gro 'ong bral phyir rmi lam !tail I
srid 'di de yis dben nyid gang I
de ni thog ma dang tha mal
med pa stong pa nyid do zhes I
bstan beos las ni nges bar bsnyadl I [313-314]
[10] Cyclic existence (samsara) is described as that which is without a beginning
or an end since it has neither an initial beginning nor an end. Because it is
without coming or going, it is like a dream; thus, that which is the desolateness
of existence of t h e s ~ , is said to be the 'emptiness without a beginning or an end'
(anavaragra-sunyata)' - as can be ascertained from the [Perfect Insight
(Prajnaparamita)] texts.
APPENDIX ONE 275
6.196 dar ba zhes bya 'thor ba dang I
'bar pa la ni nges par brjodl
dar med gtong pa med pa stel
'ga' yang dar LVP: 'bar] med gang yin paol I [314]
[11] That which is rejected (avakara), is clearly defined as what is thrown aside
and forsaken. To not reject something is to not let go of it and not forsake it.
6.197 dar ba med pa de nyid kyisl
de nyid stong pa nyid gang yinl
de dei phyir na dar med pal
stong pa nyid ces bya bar brjodl I [314]
The emptiness of that which is not rejected is described as the 'emptiness of that
which is not rejected (anavakara-sunyata),.
6.198-199 'dus byas la sags ngo bo nyidl
gang phyir slob ma rang sangs rgyas I
rgyal sras de bzhin gshegs rnams kyisl
ma mdzad dei phyir 'duT byas la I
sags pa rnams lad ngo bo nyidl
rang bzhin nyirf du bsnyad pa stel
de nyid kyis de stong nyid gangl
de ni rang bzhin stong pa nyial I [315]
[12] The very essence of the conditioned, etc. is not manufactured by disciples,
self-awakeners, the victors' children or the Tathagatas; thus, the essence of the
conditioned, etc. is described as their 'nature (svabhava)'. That which is the
emptiness of this is the 'emptiness of a thing's own nature (prakrti-sunyata),.
276
6.200-201 khams bco brgyad dang reg drug dang I
de las byung bai tshor drug dang!
$zugs can gzugs can min de bzliinl
dus byas 'dus ma byas chos rnams II
chos de dag ni thams cad levil
de dag gis dben stong nyia gang I
gzugs rung la sogs dngos med gang I
de ni rang mtshan stong pa nYldl / [315-316]
REASONING INTO REALITY
The eighteen basic constituents (dhatu), the six sense contacts (sparsa) and the six
[types of] feeling - (vedana) that arise from them, the material (rupa) and the non-
material, and similarly the conditioned (samskrta) and unconditioned
phenomena [compromise] all phenomena, that which is the emptiness of all
phenomena [is the 'emptiness] of all phenomena (sarvadharma-sunyata)'.
[14] That which is the nothingness of [defining properties such as] "fitness to be
a material form, etc." is the 'emptiness of a thing's defining properties
(svalaksana-sunyata)' .
6.202 gzugs ni gzugs rang mtshan nyid canl
tshor ba myong bai baag nyid canl
'du shes mtshan mar 'dzin pa stel
'du byed mngon par 'du byed paoli [316]
[The defining properties of phenomena that are basic to the spiritual path are
these (6.202-204):] Material form (rupa) has the defining property of fitness to
[be] a material form. Peeling (vedana) has the nature of experience (anubhava).
Perception (samjna) apprehends properties (/aksana) and drives (samskara) are the
formative influences (abhisamskara).
6.203 yulla so sor rnam rig pal
rnam shes rang gi mtshan nyid do I
phung poi sdug bsngal rang mtshan nyidl
khams kyi bdag nyid sbrul gdug 'dod/ I [316]
The defining property of consciousness (vijnana) is understanding' the individual
features that objects have. The psycho-physical organism (skandha) has the
defining property of suffering (duhkha). And [we] consider essence of the basic
material constituents (dhatu) [to be like] a poisonous snake.
APPENDIX ONE
6.204 skye mched rnams ni sangs rgyas kyis I
skyes bai sgor gyur nyid du gsungsl
rten cing 'brei Rar 'byung gangl
de ni 'du 'phrod mtshan nyid dol I [317]
277
The Buddha said that the sense-bases (ayatana) are the gateway to birth. And
that which has a relational origination (pratityasamutpada) has the property of
conditionality (samagn).
6.205 gtong ba sbyin pai pha rol Rhyinl
tshul khrims gdung med mtshan nyid bzodl
khro med mtsnan nyid brtson 'grus kyil
kha na ma tho med nyid dol I [317]
[The defining properties of phenomena that occur while on the path are these
(6.205-209):] Perfect giving (dana) is [defined as] giving away. The property of
good conduct (sila) is not tormenting [others]. The property of endurance (ksanti)
is the absence of anger and enthusiasm (virya) is the absence of negativity.
6.206 bsam gtan sdud pai mtshan nyid can I
shes rao chags med mtshan nyid do I
pha rol phyin pa drug rnams kyi I
mtshan nyid 'di dag yin par brjodl I [318]
Meditation (dhyana) has the property of integration, and the property of insight
(prajna) is a lack of attachment. These are explained as the properties of the six
perfections.
6.207 bsam gtan rnams dang tshad med dang I
de bzhin gzhan gang gzugs med pal
de dag yang dag mkhyen pa yis I
mi 'khrug tshan nyid can du gsungsl I [318]
The meditative absorptions (dhyana), the [four] infinitudes (apramana) and the
other formless [absorptions] are said by the most learned [Buddha] to have the
property of non-disturbance [by conflicting emotions and thoughts].
278
6.208 byang chub phyogs chos sum cu bdunl
nges par 'byung byed rang mtshan nyidl
stong pa nyid kyi tshan nyid nil
dmigs pa med pas rnam dben nyidl I [318]
REASONING INTO REALITY
The thirty-seven phenomena of the directions to full evolution
(bodhipaksadharma) have the defining property of certain liberation. The
definition of emptiness [the first of the three doors to complete liberation] is a
complete absence, [of conceptuality] due to right perception.
6.209 mtshan ma med pa zhi nyid del
gsum pai mtshan nyid sdug bsngal dang I
gti mug med rnam thar rnams kyil
mtshan nyid rnam par grol byed paol I [319]
[The second door, called] signlessless (animitta) has [the property of] serenity
(santata), and the property of the third [aspirationlessness (apranihita)] is the
absence of suffering and confusion. The property of [the eight] full liberations is
'giving complete release'.
6.210 stabs rnams shin tu rnam par nil
gtan la 'bebs pai rang bzhin gsungsl
skyobs pai ml 'jigs pa rnams nil
shin tu brtan paz ngo bo yinl I [320]
[The defining properties of phenomena at the fruition of the path are these
(6.210-214):] The [ten] capacities (bala) are said to have the nature of certitude
(suniscita). The essence of the Protector's [four] certitudes (vaisaradya) is absolute
steadfastness. [320]
6.211 so sor yang dag rig rnams nil
spobs sogs chad med mtshan nyid canl
'gro la phan pa nyer sgrub pal
oyams pa chen po zhes byaol I [321]
The superlative individuating knowledges (pratisamvid), have the property of
uninterrupted confidence and so forth. That which brings much benefit. to
creatures is called great love (mahamaitri).
APPENDIX ONE
6.212 sdug bsngal can rnams yongs skyob pal
thugs rje chen poodga' ba nil
rab agai mtshan nyiil btang snyoms nil
rna 'dres mtshan nyid can zhes byall [322]
279
Great compassion (mahakaruna) completely protects those who suffer. Rejoicing
(mud ita) has the property of extreme delight, and equanimity (upeksa) has the
property of being unmixed [with hatred, etc.].
6.213 sangs rgyas chos ni rna' dres pal
bcu dcm{brgyad du gang' dod dag I
gang phyir stan des mi 'phrogs pal
lie phyir mi 'phrogs rang mtshan nyidll [322]
The Teacher [taught that] what he considered to be the eighteen unique qualities
of the buddhas (avenikabuddhaguna) and because of these he cannot be disturbed.
Therefore they are the defining property of being undisturbed (asamharya).
6.214 rnam kun mkhyen nyid ye shes nil
mngon sum mtshan nyid can du 'dodl
gzhan ni nyi tshe ba nyid kvis I
mngon sum zhes byar mi I dod do II [337]
The property of the knowledge that knows all perspectives [on reality]
(sarvakarajnata-jnana) is considered to be the direct [mental] perception
(pratyaksa) [of all phenomenal. Other [cognitions] due to being limited in their
scope are not considered to be a so-called 'direct perception'.
6.215 gang zhig 'dus byas mtshan nyid dang I
'mls rna byas pai mtshan nyid gang I
de de kho nas stong pa nyidl
de ni rang mtshan stong pa nyidll [337]
The emptiness of any [defining] properties of conditioned (samskrta) and
unconditioned [phenomena] is the emptiness of defining properties (svalaksana-
sunyata).
280
6.216 de Itar ba 'di mi gnas shinl
'das dang rna 'ongs yod rna yinl
gang du de dag mi dmigs pal
de la mi dmigs pa zhes brJodl I [337]
REASONING INTO REALITY
[15] The present does not remain, and the past and future do not exist. Nohe of
these [three times] can be observed [and thus] they are listed as the so-called
'unobservable (anupalambha)'.
6.217 mi dmigs pa de rang ngo bol
de yis dben pa nyid $.ang del
ther zug gnas min 'Jig min pas I
mi dmigs zhes byai stong nyid dol I [337]
The unobservable is completely without an essence of its own. And because it
neither lasts for ever nor decays, this emptiness is called the 'unobservable
(anupalambha)' .
6.218 rkyen las byung phyir d11g0S rnams fal
'dus pa pa yl ngo bo medl
'dus pa pa ni de nyid kyisl
stong nyid dngos med stong nyid do I I [338]
[16] Because things arise from conditions (pratyaya) they do not have the nature
of being compounded. The emptiness of these things of being compounded is
the 'emptiness of non-things (abhava-sunyata),.
6.219 dngos poi sgras ni mdor bsdus nal
phung po Ina rnams brjod pa yinl
de rnams de yis stong nyid gangl
de dngos stong pa nyid du oshadl I [338]
[The condensed version of four types of emptiness are these (6.219-223):] [1] In
short, the term 'thing' is declared to be the five primary constituents of the
psycho-physical organism (skandha). That which is the emptiness of these is
explained as the' emptiness of things (abhava-sunyata),.
APPENDIX ONE
6.220 mdor bsdus na ni dngos med pal
'dusma byas chos rnams la brjodl
de nyid [VP: nil dngos med des stong nyidl
dngos po med pa stong nyid dol I [339J
281
[2] In short, 'non-things' are declared to be unconditioned phenomena (samskrta-
dharma). The emptiness of these non-things themselves is the 'emptiness of non-
things (abhava-sunyataY.
6.221 rang bzhin ngo bo nyid med nil
rang bzhin zhes byai' stong nyid do I
'di [tar rang bzhin rna byas pasl
. rang bzhin zhes ni bya bar bsnyadl I [339]
[3] Not having a nature or entity is the emptiness called "[the emptiness of]
nature". Therefore [we] say that such a non-artificial nature is "the nature [of
being empty of a nature]".
6.222 sangs rgyas rnams ni byung ba' ami
ma byung yang rung dngos su nal
dngos po kim gyi stong pa nyidl
gzlian gyi dngos par rali tu bsgragsl I [339-340]
[4] Whether the buddhas appear in person, or not, all things are empty. [Yet]
they much proclaimed about the other thing [Le. the reality limit, nirvana, so that
people would transcend samsara].
6.223 yang dag mtha' dang de bzhin nyidl
de gzlian lD: bzhin] dngos poi stong nyid dol
shes rab pha rol phyin tshullasl
de dag de skad rab tu bsgragsl I [340]
The emptiness of the other thing is the reality limit (bhutakoti) and its suchness
(tathata). These [above] explanations I have proclaimed well and in accordance
with the Perfect Insight [Sutras, i.e. Prajnaparamita-sutras.]
282 REASONING INTO REALITY
FINAL SUMMARY TO THIS CHAPTER
6.224 de Itar bio gros zer gyis snang ba gsal byas pai [D: pal I
rang gi lag na gnas pai skyu ru ra Dzhin aul .
sria gsum 'di aag ma Ius gdod nas skye med par I
rtogs de tha snyad bden pai stabs kyis 'gog par 'grail [340-341]
With rays of intelligence [the bodhisattvas of the sixth level] illuminate
appearances [and see clearly as they would] a clean olive sitting in their own
hand; so they understand all three ranges of existence were primordially
unproduced. By the power of the social reality [these bodhisattvas] enter into a
[contempletative] cessation (nirodha).
6.225 rtag tu 'gog par gtogs pai bsam Idan yin mod kyi/
'gro ba mgon med pa la snying rje'ang skyed J?ar byedl
ae gong bae gshegs gsung skyes sangs rgyas bring beas nil
ma Ius pa rnams 1110 yis pham par byed pa' ang yin II [341]
Though they are always in concentration on the cessation they generate
compassion (karuna) for protectorless creatures. Their intellect outpaces all those
[disciples] born of the Sugatas speech, and the intermediate buddhas as well.
6.226 kun rdzob de nyid gshog yangs dkar po rgyas gyur pal
ngang pai rgyal po ae ni skye poi ngang pa yis/
mdun du Mdr nas dge bai rlung gi shugs stabs kyisl
rgyal bai yon tan rgya mtshoi pha rol mchog tu 'grail [342]
Spreading the broad white wings of the conventional and [ultimate] realities, the
king of the swans flies before the ordinary swans, and through the immense
power of the winds of virtue, he goes perfectly to the far side of the ocean of the
victor s qualities.
APPENDIX ONE
CHAPTER SEVEN: [THERAPEUTIC] SKILL (UPAYA)
7.1a-c rins du song bai 'dir ni skad cig dang/
kad clg la ni 'gog par 'jug 'gy,ur zhing/
thabs kyi pha rol phyin legs bar ba' ang 'thob / [342]
283
[The bodhisattvasl at the [level of] Gone Far (duramgama) can enter [and rise
from equiposel into cessation (nirodha), from one instant to another, and the
perfection of [therapeutic] skill (upaya) they attain also blossoms excellently.
284 REASONING INTO REALITY
CHAPTER EIGHT: CAPACITY (BALA)
8.1d-2 yang yang sngar dge las Ihag thob bya' phyir II
gang du phyir mi Idog pa nyid 'gJJur bal
mi g.yo de la bdag nyid che de 'jug I
'di yi smon lam shin tu da$ 'gyur zhingl
rgyal ba rnams kyis [VP: kyiJ 'gog las slong bar mdzadll [343-344]
Because they gain more and more virtue than before, they will not revert. These
great beings enter the [level of the] Immovable (acala). Their resolution
(pranidhana) has become very pure and the victors cause them to rise from their
cessation.
8.3 chags pa med pai blo ni skyon rnams dag dang Ihan cig mi gnas phyir I
sa brgyad pa La dri ma de dag rtsa bcas nye bar zhi 'gyur zhing I
nyon mongs zad cig khams gsum [D: cing sa gsumrbla mar gyur kyang sangs rgyas
rnams kyi nil
'byor pa mkha' Itar bras [D: itar mtha' bral] ma Ius 'thob par nus ma yinll [346]
Their minds, being without greed (raga), do not remain at one with the problems
of existence (dosa) and therefore at the eighth level both stains (mala) and their
roots (mula) are thoroughly pacified. The emotional reactions (klesa) are
exhausted and although [these bodhisattvas] have become spiritual masters
(guru) to [creatures in] the three ranges of existence they are not [yet] able to gain
all the buddhas' treasures, which are as limitless as space.
8.4ab 'khor ba 'gags kyang dbang rnams bcu po thob par' gyur zhing de dag gis I
srid pai 'gro bar rang gi bdag nyid sna tshogs stan par byed par' gyur / [347J
Even though cyclic existence has stopped [for these bodhisattvasl, they acquire
the ten capacities and through these they show themselves variously to creatures
in worldly existence.
APPENDIX ONE 285
CHAPTER NINE: RESOLUTION (PRANIDANA)
9.1cd dgu pa la ni dei stabs lta zhig mtha' dag rdzogs par dag 'gyur zhing/
de Dzhin yang dag rig chos rang gi yon tan yongs su dag pa ang 'thob / / [348]
On the ninth [level] all aspects of their capacities (bala) become perfectly pure
and accordingly they also acquire the completely pure qualities of the
superlative [individuating] knowledges (samvid).
286 REASONING INTO REALITY
CHAPTER TEN: KNOWLEDGE (JNANA)
10.1 beu pai sa la de yis kun nas sangs gyas rnams las dbang bskyur bal
dam pa thob cing ye shes Ihag par mehog tu 'byung bar' gyur ba' ang yinl
char sprin rnams las chu char 'babs pa Ji ltar de bzhin 'gro rnams kyi/
dge bai 10 thog ched du rgJJal sras las kyang lhun grub ehos char 'babl I [349]
On the tenth level the [bodhisattvas] acquire holy initiations (abhiseka) from the
buddhas everywhere, and their knowledge (jnana) becomes especially superior.
As rain showers down from rain-clouds, so from these victors' children,
teachings (dharma) spontaneously shower down to [produce] a crop of
wholesome attributes in creatures.
APPENDIX ONE
CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE BODHISATTVAS' QUALITIES
(GUNA)
11.1 de tshe 'dis ni sangs rgyas bgya mthon$ zhingl
de dag byin gyis [D: gyil brlabs kyang ai yis rtogsl
de nyid tshe na bskal pa brgJjar gnas shingl
sngon dang phyi mai mthar yang yang dag 'jug I I [350-351]
287
By the time [of the first level] they can see hundreds of buddhas and also realise
the blessings (adhisthana) [granted] by them. They remain for hundreds of aeons
in the very one life, and [their cognition] fully penetrates to the limit of
[hundreds of aeons in] the past and future.
11.2 blo [dan ting 'dzin brp./a phrag snyoms par 'jug cing gtong byed del
'jig rten khams brgJja ai yis lam nas g.yo zhing snang ~ a r nusl
de bzhin rdzu 'phrul gyis de sems can brgya phrag smin byed cing I
brgya phrag grangs cfang rjes 'breI zhing dag tu yang 'gro bar 'gJjur I I [351]
They possess a mind that can enter equipose and rise from hundreds of mental
integrations (samadhi) [in an instant] and they illuminate and move anywhere in
hundreds of world systems. Likewise, with their psychic powers (rddhi) they
bring hundreds of living creature to maturity and travel to hundreds of pure
environments (ksetra).
11.3 des ni chos kyi sgo rnams yang dag 'byrd byed thub dbang srasl
rang gi Ius Ia Ius rnams kun nas stOI1 par byed pa'mlg yin!
rang gi 'khor dang bcas pas mdzes 'byor IllS ni re re hing I
rgyalbai sras po hrgJja phrag dag dang rjes su 'breI ba' ang stonl I [351]
At this [level] they open wide [a hundred] truth-doors. Within their own bodies
the children of mighty sages also display their forms everywhere; and each of
these beautifully endowed bodies has its own retinue, for with each body comes
hundreds of the victor's children.
288 REASONING INTO REAUTY
11.4-5 blo Idan rab tu dga' bar gnas pas yon tan de dag nil
thob par gyur nas de bzhin kho nar ari rna med gnas pasl
de dag stong ni yang dag 'thob par 'gyur te sa Inga paol
'di dag rnams la byang chub sems dpa' yis ni 'bum phrag dang I I
bye ba phrag brgya 'thob cing de }lis bye ba stong' gyur 'thob I .
de nas bye oa brgya phrag stong gyur yang' thob bye ba phrag I
khrag klirig ph rag brgyar rdzogs par bsgyur (D: bsgrub] dang slar yang stong phrag
tul
yang dag par ni bsgyur ba mtha' dag rab tu 'thob par' gyur I I (352]
The qualities acquired by these discerning ones abiding at the Joyful (prarnudita)
(level] are acquired by the thousand by (bodhisattvasl abiding at the Stainless
(virnala) (levell. And on the [next] five levels the bodhisattvas acquire hundreds
of thousands (of the qualities], and then thousands of millions, and then ten
thousands of millions. And after that they gain millions of millions, and then
thousands of million million millions. Thereafter they acquire all these, many
thousands oftimes over.
11.6 rni g.yoi sar gnasrnarn rtog med pa des I
stong gsurn brgya phrag stong bsdoms 'jig rten nal
rdul tsnad ji snyed yod pa de rna711S d a n ~ 7
grangs rnnyarn yon tan dag ni 'thob par gyur I I (353]
The (bodhisattvas] staying on the Immovable level (acala-bhurni), due to their
lack of conceptualisation (vikalpana), acquire pure qualities equal in number to
the quantity of atoms to be found a hundred thousand times the thousand
million worlds.
11.7 legs pai blo gros sa la gnas payil
byang ahub se711S des sngar bstan yon tan dag I
grangs rned brgya phrag stong du yang daf5 par I
bsdo711S pa phrag bcui raul tsFiad tliob par gyur I I (353]
The bodhisattvas who stay at the level of Good Intelligence (sadhurnati-bhurnO
acquire the above-taught qualities times the measure of atoms in one countless
million (times a thousand million worlds].
APPENDIX ONE
11.8 re zhig beu pa 'dir dei yon tan dag I .
ngag gI spyod yullas chas [VP: chesJ 'das 'gyur zhingl
ngag gi spyod yul rna yin bsdoms rnams nal
rdul dag je snyed yod pa de snyed 'gyur I I [353-354J
289
The qualities of someone at the tenth [levelJ transcend the jurisdiction of speech.
[They acquire qualitiesJ to the number of as many atoms as are found in a total
[number of worldsJ beyond the capacity of speech.
11.9 ba spui khung bur byang chub sems dpa' [D: rnamsJ dangl
Ihan cig rdzogs sangs rgyas sku bgrang 'das dang I
de bzhm Iha dang Iha min mi dag 7cyang I
skad cig skad cig Ia ni stan par nus I I l354J
In each of their hair-pores are countless perfect buddha-forms accompanied by
bodhisattvas, and moment by moment they are able to show [within their poresJ
the gods, demigods, and humans.
290 REASONING INTO REALITY
CHAPTER TWELVE: THE BUDDHAS' QUALITIES (GuNA)
12.1 gang phyir nam mkha' dri ma med la zla snang gsal bar ba' phyir I
sngon tslie stabs bcu bskyed pai sa la khyod kyis slar yang 'bad gyur zhing I
'og min du ni gang gi don du 'bad glJur go 'phang mchog zhi bal
yon tan mtha' dag mthar thug mtshungs pa med pa de ni khyod kyis brnyesl I
[355]
In order to be a brightly illuminating moon in a cloudless sky, in past lives you
once strove in the [bodhisattva] levels to develop the ten capacities; then strove
in the highest pure land (akanistha) for the good of all and achieved the peaceful,
supreme state, whose qualities are all without peer.
12.2 ji Itar snod kyi dbye bas mkha' la dbye ba med de Itar I
dngos byas dbJJ.e ba 'ga' yang de nyid la med de yi phyir I
ro mnyam nYld du yang dag thugs su chud par mdzad gyur nal
mkhyen bzang khyod kYis skad Clg gis ni shes bya thugs su chud/ I [356]
Just as a vessel can be divided [into parts] but the space [within it] cannot be
divided, no matter how things are artificially divided [these divisions] do not
exist. Thus, when you properly corne to know [that things] are of equal flavour,
your noble omniscience is instantly brought to know all knowables.
12.3 gang tshe zhi ba de nyid yin ria de la blo gros 'jug mi 'gyur I
blo ma zhugs par shes byai yul can nges par rig [D: rigsJ pa' ang ma yin lal
kun nas shes med pa ni shes par ji /tar 'gyur te 'gal bar 'gyur I
mkhyen po med par khyod loJis gzhan la di /tao zhes su zhig stonl/ [356-357]
[Qualm:] If this peace is reality (tattva), then the intellect would not engage itself
[with anything). With the intellect unengaged, it certainly could not cognise a
knowable as a subject. So this is inconsistent: how could this knowing of
nothing be knowing? Without having omniscience, you teach "it is like this" to
others.
APPENDIX ONE
12.4 gang tshe skye med de nyid yin zhing blo yang s"';e ba dang 'bral ba/
de tsne de rnam rten [D: rnams sten] las de yis de nyid rtogs pa Ita bu ste/
ji Itar sems ni gang gi rnam pa can du 'gyur ba de yis yul/
de yongs shes pa rIe bzhin tha snyad nye bar rten nas rig pa yin// [357-358]
291
[Madhyamika: In our system] where neither reality nor the mind [which
cognises it] are [intrinsically] produced, it follows that reality can be realised in
dependence on [cognising] its aspect (akara). Just as the mind by turning into
whatever aspect [can] properly know a subject, understand [omniscience] by
relying on this conventional (analogy).
12.5 de yi longs spyod rdzogs sku bsod nams kyis I
zin dang sprul pa mkha' gzhanlas dei mtnusl
sgra gang chos kyi de nyla ston 'byung bal
rIe las 'jig rten gyis kyang de nyid rig/I [359]
By virtue of the [buddhas's] enjoyment form (sambhoya kaya) formed from
positive energy and by other spacer-like] emanations, all the words that teach of
the philosophy of reality have come about.
12.6-7 ji ltar rdza mkhan stobs chen ldan pas' dir I
yun ring ches 'bad pas bskor 'khor 10 nil
dei rtsor da ltar skyes pa med bzhin du'angl
'khor zhing bum pa la sogs rgyur mthong !tar / I
de bzhin da lta skyes rtsol med bzhin dul
chos kyi bdag can sku nyid la bzhugs deil
'jug pa skye Doi dge [D: dag] dang smon lam gyil
khyad par gyis 'pnangs las ches bsam mi khyabl I [360]
Just as we see how a strong potter has labored long to put his wheel in motion
and now it spins, without his further effort, to produce a vase and 50 on, without
any effort now to produce it, the essential form of the truth [Le. the dharmakaya]
continues to exist. It is projected to the people it engages [to teach] through their
various virtues (kusala) and aspirations - and as such it is inconceivable.
12.8 shes byai bud shing skam po ma Ius pal
bsregs pas zhi ste rglJal rnams chos sku ste I
de the skye ba med Cing 'gag pa medl
sems 'gags pas de sku yis mngon sum mdzadl I [361]
Because the dry kindling of the objects of cognition (jne1Ja) has all been burnt
away, there is serenity - the truth form (dharmakaya) of the victors. At such a
time there is no production or cessation, thoughts stop, and thus the [truth] form
manifests.
292
12.9 zhi sku dpag bsam shing Itar gsal glJur zhing I
!jid bzhin nor bu ji bzhin rnam mi rtog I
gro grol bar du 'jig rten 'byar siad rtag I
'Iii nz spros dang braiia snang bar' gyur 1/ [362]
REASONING INTO REALITY
I shall clarify how their serene form is like a wish granting tree: [this form] is as
without conceptual [thought] as a wish granting jewel (cintamanz), [yet], until all
creatures are liberated, it effortlessly enriches the world and appears without
[any dualistic] elaboration (prapanca).
12.10 thub dbang dus gcig kho nar dei rgyu mthunl
gzugs sku gcig Ia rang gi sklJe gnas skabs I
sngar' gags gsal dang rna 'chafbyung tshul nil
rna Ius 7cyis okra mtha' dag stan par mdzad/ I [363]
The mighty sage [appears] at a [particular] time in a [particular] physical form
that corresponds to its cause [i.e. a particular disciple], and teaches on the
circumstances of his now finished lives with clarity, without digression, and all
with brilliancy.
12.11-12 sangs rgyas zhing ci 'dra der thub dbang dang [D: ji
'drar thub dbang de dang] /
de dag sku spyoli mthu stabs ci 'dra dang /
nyan thas dge 'dun ji snyed ci Ita dan;?/
byang chub serns rnams der gzugs ci lira dang 1/
ci 'drai chos dang de [D: der] bdag ci 'dra dang/
chos thos s p - ~ . o d pa gang Ia spyad pa dang I
sbyin gang Ji tsam lie aag Ia phul bal
de ni rna Ius sku gcig Ia stan mdzadll [364]
What a buddha-environment (ksetra) is like, what are its mighty sage's form, his
deeds and his capacities, what sort of disciples and community does he have,
what forms do his bodhisattvas have, what is his philosophy, what are those that
listen to it like and what do they practise, what do they give in generosity, and
what do they receive? - all these are taught [when a buddha] takes a [particular]
form.
APPENDD(ONE
12.13 de bzhin tshul khrims bzod brtson ting 'dzin dangl
shesrab spyod tshe.sngar gyi gnas skabs gangl
ma tshang med de dag n}/l{[ spyod pa kun!
sku yi ba spui khung bu ang gsal bar stonll [366]
293
Likewise, the pores of his body clearly show his [past] practices - conduct,
endurance, enthusiasm, mental integration, insight - the circumstances of his
past lives, and absolutely every deed.
12.14 sangs rgyas gang dag 'das dang 'byung 'gyur gang I
gang dag aa Itar nam mkhai mthar thug par 7
9dangs mthon chos ston sdug bsngal gyis bzung bail
gro dbugs 'byin zhing 'jig rten bz7lugs pa dang! I [366]
The buddhas of the past and future, and those of the present - reaching to the
limits of space - enter the world and teach the teachings in a firm voice, giving
inspiration to creatures seized by suffering.
12.15 dang poi thugs bzung byang chub snying poi bar I
de dag spyod kiln dngos rnams mig 'phrul g)fil
rang bzhzn mkhyen nas bdag bzhin ba spu ]111
khung bur dus gcig la ni gsal bar stonll l366-367]
They know that all their deeds, from their first taking compassion to heart until
[they receive] the essence of full evolution have the nature of illusions. Thus
they display [their deeds] all at the one time within their pores.
12.16 de bzhin dus gsum byang chub sems dpa' dang I
rang rgyal 'phags pa nyanthos ma Ius kf;il
spyod aang de lhag sklJe boi gnas skabs nil
thams cad11a spui7chung bur gcig tshe stonll [367]
Likewise, within a hair-pore and simultaneously they present the deeds of the
bodhisattvas of the three times, the self [evolved] victors, the saintly disciples,
and, moreover, all the circumstances of ordinary people.
294
12.17 dag pa 'di ni bzhed par [0: pal 'jug pa yis/
rdul gcig mkha gtugs' jig rten dang I
REASONING INTO REAUTY
'jig rten mtha' yas phyogs Khyab rdul stan modi
raul rags mi 'gyur 'jig rten phra mi 'gyur I I [367 -368J
Just by [merelyJ entertaining a wish, these pure ones can display the world
reaching through space in the space of a single atom, or they can display an atom
that pervades the directions of the limitless worlds, yet the atom grows not
coarser and nor do the worlds become finer.
12.18 rnam rtog mi mnga' khyod kyis srid mthai bar I
skad cig de re re la spyod sna tshossl
ji snyea stan pa de snyed dzambul gling I
rna Ius rdul gang de dag [0: snyedJ la grang medl I [368]
Without any ambiguity, in each moment up to the end of empirical existence you
display various deeds that are equal in number to all the countless atoms in all of
the continents ofJambu.
12.19-21 gnas dang gnas min mkhyen stabs dangl
de bzliin las rnam smin blo dangl
mas pa sna tshogs thugs chud cfang I
sna tshogs khams ni rrikhyen stabs dangl I
de bzhin dbang mchog mcho;? ma yinl
mkhyen dang thams cad du gro dangl
bsam gtan rnam thar ting 'dzin dangl
snyoms par 'jug sags mkhyen [0: blo] stabs dang I I
sngon gnas dran pa mkhyen pa dang I
de ozhzn 'chi J' ho sTeve blo dang I
zag rnams za pa m'khyen stabs tel
stabs ni bcu po 'di dag gal I [369]
[Briefly,] the capacities (bala) [that are exclusive to tlle buddhasJ are: [1J the
knowledge of the appropriate and inappropriate (sthanasthana) [rebirth
situations], [2] the intellectual [comprehension] of and their fruitions
(karmavipaka), [3] bearing in mind [people's] various dispositions (adhimukti), [4]
the capacity to know the various elements (dhatu), [5] the knowledge of superior
and inferior faculties (indriya), [6] [a knowledge of where] all [paths] lead, [7J the
capacity to know the meditations (dhyana), the liberations (vimoksa), the [levels
of] mental integration (samadhi), the meditative trances (samapattz), etc. [8] the
knowledge that recalls previous places [of rebirth], [9] the comprehension of
death-transference to [new] rebirth, and [10] the capacity to know the eradication
of the defilements (asravaksaya). These are the ten capacities.
APPENDIX ONE
12.22 rgyu gang zhig las gang zhig nges par skye 'gyur bal
de 'ni de yi gnas su de mkhyen rnams kyis gsungsl
bshad pa las bzlog gnas mm shes bya mtha' yas pal
mkhyen pa thogs pa spangs pa de ni stabs su bshadl I [369]
295
[Buddhas] know and will say what form a particular cause will be definitely
produced and what [therefore] is appropriate. They speak about the opposite:
they know the infinite numbers of that which is called "inappropriate". The
[first] capacity is said to be [their knowing] what is to be adopted and
abandoned.
12.23 'dod dang mi 'dod de las bzlog dang zad dngos kyi I
las dang de yi rnam smin shin tu sna tshogs la' ang I
mkhyen pa nus mthu thogs med so sor 'jug 'gyur bal
dus gsum shes bya khab mdzad de ni stabs su 'dodl I [372]
The [second] capacity is considered to be that, by the power of knowing actions
(karma) [that result is] the desirable, the undesirable, their opposite - the
exhaustion [of action] - and the many variations of fruition [of these actions],
their [omniscience] detects each of these without obstruction and pervades [all]
knowables in [all] three times.
12.24 'dod chags sags kyi [D: kyis] 'byung bai stabs kyis 'dod pa nil
shin tu sna tshogs sman [D: dman] '8ring gang yang khyad 'phags 'dod I
de las gzhan rnams kyis g.yogs mas la' ang mkhyen pa ml
dus gsum 'gro ba ma Ius kyab pa stabs shes byai I [374]
By the [third] capacity [buddhas] know the wishes that arise through attachment
and so on, even those many various wishes - the lower, the middling and
supreme - which are concealed from others. Know that this capacity embraces
every creature in [all] three times.
12.25 sangs rgyas khams kyi rnam par dbye la mkhas rnams kyisl
mig sags rnams kyi rang bzhin gang de khams su gsungs I
rdzogs pai sangs rgyas rnams kiji mkhyen pa mtha' yas shing I
rnam kun khams kyi khyad par la 'jug st08s su 'dodi I [376J
Because buddhas are skilled at classifying the elements and realms (dhatu), they
[can] say what is the nature of the elements of the eye and so on. The
omniscience of the fully evolved buddhas is infinite, and the [third] capacity is
considered to penetrate all the distinctions of all aspects of the elements and
realms.
296 REASONING INTO REALrfY
12.26 kun tu rtog sags ches rna nyid mchog bzhed lal
'bring gnas slabs dang brtul nyid mchog min par bshad dang I
mig fa sags dang phan tshun sgrub nus chub pa lal
rnam pa thams cad mkhyen pa chags med stabs su gsungsl I [378]
[Buddhas can] declare that [someone's] completely conceptual [virtUous
thoughts, such as faith], and so on, are most sharp and superior. [Buddhas] say
[that another's] are of mediocre condition or dull and inferior. [The fourth
capacity] is being able to establish the mutual [nature] of the eye and so forth.
This capacity is said to know, without limitations, all aspects.
12.27 lam 'ga' rgyal ba nyid dang 'ga' zhig rang rgyal gyil
byan! chub-dang ni nyan thos byang chub }Ii awags dang I
aud gro lha mi rnams dang dmyal [a sags gro ba7
de la mkhyen pa chags mea mtha' yas stabs su 'dodl I [381]
Some paths [lead to] the victorious state, some to full self-evolution, or to a
disciple's evolution; some lead to the spirits (preta), to animals, gods, humans,
the hells, and so on. The [sixth] capacity is claimed to be boundless knowledge,
without limitation, into [where paths lead].
12.28 'jig rten mtha' yas rnal 'byor bye brag las [D; la] tha dadl
bsam gtan rnam thar brgyaa gang zhi gnas gang dag dang I
snyoms 'jug khyad par g a n ~ dag gcig dang [D; parrhrgyad gyur pal
de la mkhyen pa thogs med di ni stabs su bshadl I [384]
[Buddhas] have enumerated the various yogas in the infinite universe; the
meditational states (dhyana), the eight liberations, the serenities (samatha), the
special trance and the other eight [trances]. [The seventh] capacity is said to be
their knowing these without obstruction.
12.29 ji srid gti mug de srid srid [VP; -] gnas 'das bdag dang I
sems can gzhan re re yi srid pai [D; pal sems can nil
ji snyed de snyed mtha' yas gzhir bcas yul phyogs dang I
rnam pa dans bcas mkhyen pa gang yin stabs su bshad [D; bcas rnam la blo gang
dang gang ym stabs su bshad]11 [388]
[Buddhas] know the basic [causes], the places, directions and aspects of however
many existences as living creatures that the lords - who have transcended the
existence [that continues] so long as there is confusion - have taken, and that
each other living being has taken. Such [knowing] is declared to be the [eighth]
capacity.
APPENDIX ONE 297
12.30 sems can rnams kyi sems can re rei 'chi 'pho dang/
skye gang 'jig rten la gnas nam rnkhai mthar thug aang /
bfra rnang de la mkhyen pa dus der 'jug pa yis/
rna chags rnam kun yongs dag mtha yas stabs su ' dod/ / [390]
[Buddhas] know each living creature's passing into death, and where living
creatures are reborn into the worlds located in limitless space, and the many
variations. [This knowledge is] being instantaneous, unlimited, all
encompassing, infinite and is asserted to be the [ninth] capacity.
12.31 rnam kun mkhyen pai stabs kyis myur du rgljal rnams kyi/
nyon mongsdag ni bag ehags dang beas 'jig' gyur dang I
sTab rna la sags nyon mongs blo yis 'gog TJa ganJ5/
de la mkhyen pa ehags mea mtha' yas stabs su aodl I [393]
Through the capacity of omniscience, the victors' emotional disturbances (klesa)
[have been] quickly purified and, together with their habits (vasana), have been
destroyed; [they know how to] mentally bring the delusions of disciples and so
on to cessation. This unlimited, infinite knowledge is asserted to be the [tenth]
capacity.
12.32 nam mkha' med pas' dab ehags ldog par mi ' gyur gyi/
, dir [D: di] ni rang mthu zad pas ldog par' gyur de Tiihin I
slob ma dang beas sangs rgyas sras rnams sangs rgyas kyil
yon tan mkFia' Itar mtha' yas ma brjod ldog par' gyur I I [396-397]
A bird does not stop flapping its wings [not] because there is no more space:
rather it stops because its strength is expended. Ukewise the buddhas' children
and the students as well, will stop describing the buddhas' qualities which are as
limitless as space.
12.33 dei phyir bdag , dras khyod yon' di dag ci I
shes pa dang niorjod par nus 'gyur rami
, ong kyanz ae dag , phags pa klu sgrub kyis I
bshad phYlr dogs spangs cung zad tsam zhig smras/ I [397-398]
Therefore how would such like me be able to know and describe these, your
qualities? However because these have been explained by Saint Nagarjuna, and
forsaking my apprehension, I will say just a little.
298 REASONING INTO REALITY
12.34 zab mo stong pa nyid yin tel
yon tan gzhan rnams rgya che bao I
zab dang r81:{a chei tshil[ shes pasl
yon tan fdl dag 'thob par 'gyurll [398]
Emptiness is the profound; the other qualities are the extensive. By knowing"the
system of the profound and extensive, one will gain these [above] qualities.
12.35 slar yang mi g.yoi sku mnga' khyod kyis srid gsum byon nas sprul rnams kyisl
gshegs pa dang nz bltams dang byang chub zhi bai 'khor 10' ang ston par mdzadl
de Itar khyod kyis 'jig rten g.yo bag spyod can re bai zhags pa nil
mang pos beings pa ma Ius thugs rjes my a ngan 'das par bkri bar mdzadll [398-
399J
Further, you who possess the immovable form, in order to come to the three
ranges of existence, came through your manifestations, took birth, and turned
the wheel of teachings [leading toJ the fully evolved state. In this way you
compassionately lead to nirvana everyone in the world who is agitated by trivial
activity and bound by the many nooses of expectation.
12.36 gang phyir 'di ni [D: na] de nyid shes las dri ma mtha' dag sel ba nil
lhur byed gzhan med chos rnams de nyid rnam 'gyur dbye ba' ang [D: la' angJ bsten
min zhing/
de nyid yul can blo gros 'di yang tha dad 'gyur ba rna yin pal
de yz phyir na khyod ktJis 'gro la theg pa mi mnyam dbyer med bstanll [399]
There is no way of effectively clearing away all impurities (mala) other than by
cognising the reality [of things]. The reality of phenomena is not divisible into
aspects, nor dependent [on the aspects]. The discerning, who take reality as their
referent, are not to be categorised either. You therefore taught the [one] vehicle
(yana) to beings equally, without distinction.
APPENDIX ONE
12.37-38 gang phyir 'gro la nyes pa sTaJed byed snyigs rna 'di
dagyod g,!!,ur pal
299
de phyir Jig rten s a n ~ s rgyas spyod yul gting zab la 'jug mi 'gyur zhing I
bde gshegs gang phyzr khyod la mkhyen rab tnugs rjet [D: rjeJ thabs dang Ihan cig
pal
mnga' dang gang phyir bdag gis sems can dgrol zhes khyod kyis zhal bzhes tel I
dei phyir mkhas pas [0: pa] rin po che yi gling du chas pai skye tshogs kyil
ngal ba nyer sel gron khyer yid 'ong bar au rnam par bkod pa Itar I
khyod kyzs theg pa 'dz ni slob rna nye bar zhi bai tshulla yid I
sbiLar bttr mdzad cing rnam par dben la blo [0: sbyar zhing rnam par dpen pa la' ang
blo] sbyangs rnams fa logs su gsungsl I [401-402]
Thus beings commit wrong doings, [for] the [five] degenerations are current.
Thus the world does not engage in the profound - the domain (gocara) of the
buddhas. Yet, because you have gone to bliss, you simultaneously have
complete omniscience and compassionate methods. Thus you promised, "I will
free living creatures". Just as the skilled [captain of a ship] will, until [his ship]
reaches the land of jewels, produce [a mirage] likeness of a beautiful city to rid
the group [of passengers] of their despondency, you adapted this vehicle to suit
the minds [of your] disciples as a way to completely satisfy them. And
separately you speak to the intellects to be trained [about] the strictly single
[vehicle]. .
12.39 bde bar gshegs pa rna Ius phyogs cing sangs r}fas yul dag nal .
phra rab raul gyi rdul rnams vdog par gyur l'a Ji snyed pal
byang chub mchograb dam par gshegs pai bskiL pa'ang [0: pal de snyed del
'on k'jjang khyod kyi gsang va 'di ni vsnyad bgyis [0: vgyi] rna lags so I I [403]
There are as many Sugatas [in the ten] directions and as many candidates [of the
teachings of those] buddhas as there are sub-atomic particles. However,
although the aeons wherein Sugatas [show] the most excellent and holy
awakening are just as many [as these], you did not relate this secret [doctrine of
the single vehicle to everybOdy].
12.40 rgyal ba ji srid 'jig rten mtha' dag mchog tu rab zhi bar I
'groba min z h i n ~ nam mkha' rnam 'jig 'gyur min de srid dul
snes rab yum gyzs bsktted pa khyod la thugs brtse rna mayisl
tshullugs byea pas rab tu zhi bar 'gyur ba ga La mnga'i [403-404]
For as long as all the world has not gone to the most supreme serenity and space
has not decayed, you who were borne of the mother of insight will act like a wet
nurse [to all beings] through your love. Therefore how [can it be thought that
you] have risen to the tllorough [or isolated] serenity [Le. a non-abiding
nirvana].
300 REASONING INTO REALITY
12.41 gti mug skyon gyis 'jis rten kha zas dug [VP: dag] beas za ba yil
skYe bo nyid Icyi nang ml de la khyod brtse ji Ita bal
de Itar [VP: dag] zos nyen pai bu la rna yis sdug bsngal mini
des na mgon po mchog tu rab zhir gshegs par 'gyur ma lags I I [404]
The suffering a mother has when her child is in danger from eating poisoned
food is not like your love for the family of ordinary people who, through the
fault of confusion, have eaten the poisoned food of the world. Therefore the
protectors have not departed to the most supreme serenity [of a non-abiding
nirvana].
12.42 gang gi phyir na mi mkhas dngos dang dngos med par zhen pa yi blo can gyisl
skYe dang 'jig gnas skabs dang sdug dang ml sdug bral phrad kyis bskyed silLig
bsngal dang I
sdig can 'gro ba 'thob pa de phyir 'jig rten thugs brtse' yul du rab dong basi
beam ldan thugs rjes khyod thugs zlii las bzlog pas khyod la my a ngan 'das mi
mnga'i I [405]
Because the unschooled have intellects that yearn for things (bhava) and non-
things, [they experience] the conditions of birth and decay, the suffering
produced by separation from the desirable and meeting with the undesirable,
and obtain the unfortunate migrations. For this reason the world is the object of
your love and, 0 Conqueror, this averts you from [selfish,] mental serenity. As
such you do not possess [the non-abiding] nirvana.
APPENDIX ONE
CONCLUDING VERSES
C.1 lugs' di dge slang zla grags kyis I
dbu ma' bstan bcas las btus nasi
lung ji bzhin dang man ngag nil
ji Ita va bzhin brjad pa yinl7 [406]
301
The monk, Chandrakirti, extracted this system from the Madhyamika treatise [of
Nagarjuna] and he described in accordance with that scripture and likewise
according to the oral instructions (upadesa).
C.2 'di las gzhan na chas I di ni I
ji Itar med pa de bzhin du I
I dir 'byung lugs kyang gzhan na nil
med ces mkhas rnams nges par mdzadl I [406]
Scholars should definitely accept that this teaching [about emptiness] is unlike
any other and that this system is unlike any other.
C.3 klu sgrub bla mtsha shin tu rgya chei kha dog gis 'jigs pasl
skye bas lugs bzang gang dag rgyang ring spangs pas de yi tshig I
Ie ur byas pai kha 'bus ku mu cfa kha phye bai cnusl
da Ita zla ba grags pa re rnams rab tu sKang bar byedl I [407]
Because they are frightened off by the colour of the huge ocean of Nagarjuna's
intellect, those ordinary people [keeping their] distance have forsaken this good
system, [but] now [like the] water of the blossoming of the kumuda buds, the
creation of these verses entirely fulfills the hopes of Chandrakirti.
302 REASONING INTO REALITY
C.4 de nyid bshad zin zab rna 'jigs rung' di ni sngon goms nyid las skye ba yis I '
nges par rtogs 'gyur 'di m gsan rgya che 1jan
9
gihan gyis thugs su chud mi 'gJJur I
dffhyir tshullugs rang bios sbyar ba de tD: dI] dag mthong nas bdag tu brjod pa _
izhung lugs rnams Itar gzhan lugs bzhed gzhung 'di las gzhan la dga' blo dor bar
byal I [407-408] -
The reality that has been [here] explained is profound and terrifying. Ordinary
people, due to their. meditations on it in past [lives] will certainly comprehend it,
yet there are others who listen extensively but do not keep it in their minds.
Therefore, use one's own intellect to compare philosophical systems and, after
looking at them, happily cast from your mind those other doctrines that speak of
a self and those other systems not in this treatise.
C.5 slob dpon klu sgrub lugs bzang bsnyad las blag gi [D: gis] bsod rnams phyogs kyi
mtharl
khyabs cing yid mkha' nyon mongs kyis sngor stan kai rgyu dkar Itar dkar ba' ami
sems kyi sarulla gdengs kai nor au dang 'dra gang zhig 1hob pa desl
'jig rten rna Ius de nyiil rtogs nas myur du bde gshegs sar bgrod shogl I [409]
The positive energy which I have gained by explaining the noble system of the
teacher Nagarjuna pervades [space] to the boundaries of the directions, my
mental sky [is clear of] delusions as the autumn sky [is as clear it] is whitened by
stars, my mind is [as beautiful] as the jewelled hood of a snake. By whatever I
have achieved, may all the world understand reality and quickly travel to the
level of a Sugata.
APPENDIX TWO
TSaNG KHA P A'S SECTION HEADINGS IN THE DBU MA
DGONGS PA RAB GSAL
This appendix presents a translation of the section headings (sa bcad) of Tsong
kha pa's Commentary to the Introduction to the Middle Way [MAl The full title of
the work is dBu ma la 'jug pai rgya cher bshad dgongs pa rab gsal. In preparing this
translation we have used the Sarnath edition of the text. The numbers that
appear in square brackets refer to this edition. An absence of verse numbers
from the Introduction indicates that the subject matter is not referred to by
Chandrakirti in the verses.
1 The meaning of the title [The Introduction to the Middle Way (MA)] [2]
2 The translator's salutation [to Manjushril [4]
3 The meaning of the text [4] l.l-C.S
_.1 Expression of worship as the means of beginning the composition of the text [5] 1.1-4b
_.1 Praise to the great compassion (mahakarunal that is undifferentiated with respect to its type
[5] 1.1-2
_.1 Showing that compassion is the main cause of bodhisattvas [5]1.1
_.1 How disciples (sravakal and self-evolvers (pratyekabuddhal are born from the king of victors
[5] l.la
_.2 How buddhas are born from bodhisattvas [10] 1.lb
_.3 The three main causes ofbodhisattvas [13] 1.1cd
3.1.1.2 [Compassion] is also. the root of the two other causes of bodhisattvas [16] 1.2
304 REASONING INTO REALITY
3.1.2 Homage to great compassion within differentiating its types [18] 1.3-4b
_.1 Homage to the compassion thatfocuses on living creatures [18] 1.3
__ .2 Homage to the compassion that focuses on phenomena and the unapprehendible [22]
l.4ab
3.2 The actual body of the composition [27] 1.4c-12.42
_.1 The causal levels [i.e. the ten bodhisattva levels] [28] 1.4c-l1.9
_.1 The general method on the way to practise this system [28] 1.4c-11.9
_.2 An explanation of the way to practise at the level of common people in particular [30]
_.3 Teaching the presentation of the levels of saintly bodhisattvas [32]
__ .1 A general presentation of the ten levels (bhumz) [32]
_.2 A presentation of the levels individually [36] 1.4c-l0.1
__ .1 An explanation of the [first] five levels, Great Joy (pramudita), etc. [36] 1.4c-5.1
3.2.1.3.2.1.1 Thefirstlevel-ofGreatJoy [36] 1.4c-17
_.1 A brief presentation of the essence of the level that is being distinquished [36] 1.4c-5b
_.2 A detailed explanation of the qualities of this level's characteristics [38] 1.5c-16
_.1 The qualities that act to beautify one's own mental continuum [38] 1.5c-7
_.1 An explanation of the individual qualities [38] 1.5-7c
_.1 The quality of obtaining a meaningful name [38] 1.5cd
_.2 The four qualities: being born in the lineage, etc. [39] 1.6
_.3 The three qualities: advancing to the higher levels, etc. [40] 1.7a-c
_.2.1.2 The qualities in brief summary [41] 1.7d
_.2.2 The quality of outshining the mental continua of others [41] 1.8
_.1 On this level they outshine the disciples and self-evolvers, by way of lineage [41] 1.8a-c
_.2 On the seventh level they outshine disciples and self-evolvers by way of intelligence [43]
1.8d
_.3 An explanation of the meaning as this is established in the teachings [46]
__ .1 The Ten Levels Sutra (DS) [teaching that] disciples and self-evolvers realise the non-
intrinsic existence of phenomena [46]
APPENDIX TWO
__ .1 A clarificatory explanation of the thought in the Commentary (MABh) [46]
__ .2 This is also the s y s t ~ m in the Introduction to the Fully Evolved Lifestyle (BCA) [50]
_.2.2.3.2 Showing the textual sources that establish this [55]
__ .1 Consulting the Mahayana sutras [55]
__ .2 Consulting the treatises and Hinayana sutras [59]
305
_.2.2.3.3 Logical objections to this teaching [that disciples and self-evolvers realise the non-
intrinsic existence of phenomena]
__ .1 Refuting objections discussed in the Commentary (MABh) [65]
__ .2 Refuting objections not discussed there [68]
_.2.3 An explanation of the superlative qualities on the first level [73] 1.9-15
_.1 An explanation of the generosity (dana) of those situated on the first level [73] 1.9
_.2 An explanation of the generosity of those at a lower foundation [74] 1.10-12
_.1 Attaining happiness within cyclic existence through generosity [74] 1.10-11
_.2 Showing the attainment of the happiness of nirvana through generosity [75] 1.12
_.2.3.3 An explanation of the generosity of bodhisattvas [76J 1.13-15
_.1 Showing the extraordinary benefits of the bodhisattvas' generosity [76] l.13ab
__ .2 Showing the importance of discoursing on generosity for the foundation of both [those
who are and are not compassionate] [76] 1.13cd
_.3 Showing the sort of joy that is obtained by the bodhisattva when giving [76] 1.14
_.4 Showing whether the bodhisattvas suffer or not in giving away their body [77] 1.15
_.2.4 Showing the divisions of perfect generosity [78] 1.16
_.3 Conclusion by way of elucidating the qualities of the [first] level [81] 1.17
CHAPTER TWO
3.2.1.3.2.1.2 An explanation of the second level - the Stainless (vimala) [82] 2.1-10
_.1 Showing the complete purity of the good conduct (sila) at this level [82] 2.1-3
_.1 The excellence of the good conduct at this level [82]2.1ab
306
REASONING INTO REALITY
_.2 Showing the complete purification of the qualities through dependence on [perfect conduct]
[83] 2.1cd .
_.3 The superiority of the conduct [at this level] when compared with the first level [83] 2.2
_.4 Showing the other cause, i.e. for the complete purification of conduct [84] 2.3
_.2 Showing the praise of good conduct [85]2.4-7
_.1 Enjoying a happy migration, [which is] the result of giving, depends on good conduct [86]
2.4ab
_.2 Enjoying the results of generosity in continuous lives depends on good conduct [86] 2.4cd
_.3 Showing the great difficulty in becoming free from bad migrations if one abandons good
conduct [87] 2.5
_.4 The reason for discoursing on good conduct after the discourse on generosity [87] 2.6
.5 In praise of good conduct as the cause of both spiritual ascendance and the final
transcendence [87] 2.7
_.3 Showing the example of the non-mixture with what is the antithesis of good conduct [91] 2.8
_.4 Showing the divisions of perfect conduct [91]2.9
_.5 Conclusion by way of elucidating the qualities of the level [91] 2.10
CHAPTER THREE
3.2.1.3.2.1.3 An explanation of the third level - the Light Maker (prabhakari) [92] 3.1 c 13
_.1 The actual description of the level - the basis of its distinction [92] 3.1
_.2 Qualities of the level- the distinquishing features [93]3.2-11
_.1 Showing the superlative patience (ksanti) of this level [93] 3.2-3
_.2 The way in which one attends to the patience of others [94] 3.4-9
_.1 The inappropriatness of anger [95] 3.4-7c
__ .1 The inappropriateness of anger due to its being senseless and having great drawbacks [95]
3.4
__ .2 Showing the two contradictions of not wanting future suffering and making a harmful
response [95] 3.5
__ .3 The inappropriateness of anger due to its destroying the virtue accumulated over a long
time in the past [96] 3.6-7c
APPENDIX TWO
__ .1 The meaning ofthe text [96] 3.6
__ .2 An explanation of t h ~ ancilliary meanings [l00]
_.2.2.1.4 Stopping anger by pondering the many faults of impatience [104] 3.7a-c
_.2.2.2 The suitability of attending to patience [104] 3.7d-9
_.1 Thinking abollt the many qualities of patience [104] 3.7d-8
_.2 The abridged meaning of the advice to attend to patience [104] 3.9
_.2.3 The divisions of perfect patience [lOS] 3.10
_.4 Showing the other pure qualities that arise at this level [lOS] 3.11
_.3 The distinctive feature of the first three perfections [l07] 3.12
--4 Conclusion by way of elucidating the qualities of this level [l08] 3.13
CHAPTER FOUR
3.2.1.3.2.1.4 An explanation of the fourth level- the Radiant (arcismati)[lOB] 4.1-2
_.1 The superlative endurance (virya) at this level [109]4.1
_.2 The actual description of this level [109]4.2a-c
_.3 The distinctive abandonments [111]4.2d
CHAPTER FIVE
3.2.1.3.2.1.5 An explanation of the fifth level- the Difficult to Conquer (sudurjaya) [111] 5.1
_.1 An explanation giving the actual description of the fifth level [111] 5.1ab
_.2 The superlative meditation (dhyarTll) and expertise in the realities [111] 5.1cd
CHAPTER SIX
3.2.1.3.2.2 An explanation of the sixth level- Becoming Manifest (abhimukhi) [114] 6.1-226
307
_.1 Showing the actual description of this level and its superlative perfection of insight (prajrTll)
[114] 6.1
_.2 In praise of perfect insight (prajrTll) [116]6.2
308 REASONING INTO REALITY
_.3 An explanation of reality (tattva) - seeing the profound relational origins (pratityasamatpada)
[116] 6.3-223 '
_.1 The promise to explain the profound topic [117] 6.3
_.2 Recognising receptive students to whom to explain the profound topic [119] 6.4-5c
_.3 How the qualities arise when it is explained to these [students] [121] 6.5d-7a
_.4 Enjoining those individuals who are [potentially receptive, to listen [to the teaching] [124]
6.5d-7a
_.5 The method of explaining the final reality, in conformity with [the concept of] relational
origination [127] 6.8-223
_.1 How one demonstrates the correct meaning through the texts [127]
_.1 The plan: the method of citing texts [127]
_.2 Recognising positions that do not accord with the insight into reality [128]
__ .1 Recognising the apprehension of reality (satya) in the Svatantrika-madhyarnika system
[130]
___ .1 Recognising the established reality (satya-siddhz) and [naively] apprehended reality
(satya-graha) [130]
__ .2 Demonstrating, through the example of an illusion, that the reality relied on by worldly
folk is fallacious [132]
__ .3 Explaining the meaning of that example through its application [134]
_.3.5.1.2.2 Recognising the apprehension of reality in the Prasangika-madhyarnika system [136]
__ .1 How one posits phenomena through the force of conceptual thought (ka/pana) [137]
___ .2 Showing that the [naively] apprehended reality [of the Svatantrika] contradicts this
[principle, that phenomena are posited through the force of conceptual thought] [140]
_.3.5.2 Logically establishing that this is the meaning of the quotations [144] 6.8-178
_.1 Logically establishing the selflessness of phenomena (dharmanairatmya) [145] 6.8-119
__ .1 Refuting the four possibilities for production on both the levels of reality [145] 6.8-104b
__ .1 Propounding the thesis that there is no intrinsically real production [145] 6.8ab
__ .2 The proof for logically establishing this [150] 6.8c-103
___ .1 Refuting production from self [150] 6.8c-13
___ .1 Refutation via the proofs used in [Chandrakirti's] Commentary [150] 6.8c-12
APPENDIX TWO 309
__ ----,.,--.1 Refuting the postulates of the senior [Sarnkhya] philosophers who want to realise
reality [150] 6.8c-ll
____ .1 Refutation of production from a cause within the one entity itself [151] 6.8c-9
__ -,.-,:----,.1 The consequence that production from a cause within the one entity would be
pointless [151] 6.8c
____ .2 That production from the one entity is logically contradictory [152] 6.8d-9c
____ ,.3 Refuting the response offered in defense of these [logical] flaws [152] 6.9d
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.1.1.2 Refuting that the one entity can be both a cause and an effect [153]6.10-11
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.1.1.2.1 A refutation via the consequences that there would be no difference in the
shape, etc. of a seed and a sprout [153] 6.10ab
____ .. 2 Refuting the response offered in defense of this flaw. [154] 6.lOcd
___ ----,_ .. 3 A refutation via the consequence that both [seed and sprout] would equally be
apprehended or not apprehended during each of the two conditions [Le. at the time of the
seed or the time of the sprout] [154] 6.11
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.1.1.2 Showing that for those whose intellects are uninfluenced by [philosophical]
postulates, this is not even conventionally so [155] 6.12ab
____ .3 A summary of the [foregoing] refutations [155] 6.12cd
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.1.2 Refutation via the proofs in [Nagarjuna's] Treatise [on the Middle Way (MK)]
[156] 6.13
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2 Refuting production from another [157] 6.14-97
___ .1 Stating earlier positions [157]
___ .2 Refuting that system [159] 6.14-97
_---,-.,--_ .. 1 A general refutation of the position that asserts production from another [159] 6.14-
44
____ .1 The actual refutation of production from another [159] 6.14-21
_____ .1 A general refutation of production from another [159] 6.14-19
_____ .. 1 Refutation via the most [logically absurd] consequence [159]6.14
_____ .1 The most [logically absurd] consequence itself [159]6.14
_____ .2 An analysis of these [160]
_-:,,-:-=--__ ~ . 1 The reason production from another entails this most [absurd] consequence
[160]
310 REASONING INTO REALITY
______ .2 Contradicting the assertions that run contrary to the [163] ,
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.1.1.2 Refuting the response offered in defence of the problems [164] 6.15-16
______ .1 The response offered in defense of the problems [164] 6.15
_____ .2 Refuting the response offered in defense [165] 6.16
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.1.2 A particular refutation [of the thesis of] birth from another [16616.17-20
__ -"--:-_...,....,,,,-.. 1 Refuting production from another when cause and effect are temporarily
displaced [lit. earlier and later] [166] 6.17-19
____ The actual meaning [166] 6.17
_____ Countering the arguments against this refutation [166] 6.18-19
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.1.2.2 Refuting production from another where there is a simultaneity between
cause and effect [170] 6.20
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.1.3 Refuting production from another by analysing four possibilities [in
relationship to the ontological status of the product] [171] 6.21
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.2 Countering the conventionalist's critique of the refutation [of production
from another] [171] 6.22-31
___ Countering the conventionalist's critique which presumes that there is
production from another in virtue of common consensus [to this fact] [171] 6.22-31
_____ .1 Objections to that critique of the conventionalists [171] 6.22
_____ ,.2 Showing their reply: that [the critique] has not been invalidated. [172] 6.23-31
_____ .1 A general presentation of the two realities (satya) [173] 6.23-26
Detailing that there are two realities which are divided by virtue of there
being a dual nature to phenomena [173] 6.23
______ ,.2 Alternative presentations of the two realities [176]
____ --,,---===.3 Explaining the division of the conventional [reality] from the worldly
perspective [179] 6.24-25
____ -,-_-=:,.4 In [the case of] fictitious objects, mistaken fictitious objects don't exist even
conventionally [183] 6.26
_.3.52.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.2.1.2.2 Application to the topic in hand [184] 6.27
______ .3 An explanation of the separate natures of the two realities [185] 6.28-29
______ .1 An explanation of the conventional reality (samvrti-satya) [185] 6.28
APPENDIX TWO 311
____ From what perspective is the conventional [reality] real, and from what
perspective is it unreal[185] 6.28
_______ ,.1 The meaning [185] 6.28
_______ ,.2 An explanation that it is not the usual presentation of the afflictions [1.90]
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.2.1.2.3.1.2 The way of both appearance and non-appearance to the three
persons in mere conventional [reality] [195]
__ -,---_-,-_-,----.,.,-,.3 The way [things] become conventional or ultimate [reality] from the
viewpoint of ordinary people or of saints [197]
_.3.5.2.1.1.12.2.2.1.2.1.2.3.2 An explanation of the ultimate reality (paramarlha-satya) [198] 6.29
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.2.1.2.3.2.1 Explaining the meaning of the root verse [Mulamadhyamakakarika:]
[198] 6.29
______ .2 Countering the arguments agalnst that [200]
.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.2.1.2.4 Show how to invalidate the conventionalists' criticism of the refutation
- [205] 6.30-31ab
_____ Showing how to invalidate the conventionalists' criticism [206] 6.31cd
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.2.2 Countering the conventionalists' criticism: there is no production from
another even as in worldly transactions [207] 6.32
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.3 Showing the good features of the refutation just advanced [209] 6.33
_____ ,.4 Showing that there is no intrinsic production at all [211] 6.34-38b
Refuting the assertion that existence is established by virtue of [something
having] its own defining characteristics (svalaksana) [211] 6.34-36
__ -0--:---:_.1 Refutation via the consequence that a saint's contemplation would cause the
destruction of functional things [211] 6.34
_--:_:--,,-_-:-,.2 Refutation via the consequence that the social reality would resist being
logically analysed [214] 6.35
_-,::-=-=--__ .3 Refutation via the consequence that intrinsic production is unhindered [218]
6.36
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.4.2 Countering the argument against this [220]6.37-38b
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.5 Showing the good features of refuting intrinsic production for both types of
reality [224] 6.38c-44
_____ .1 The feature of easily avoiding the views of permanence and nihilism [224] 6.38cd
____ The feature of agreeing with the connection between action and result [225] 6.44
312 REASONING INTO REALITY
____ ,----_,.1 Showing that when one doesn't assert intrinsic existence it is not necessary to
accept a source- consciousness (alayavijnana)[225] 6.39
_____ ,.1 Explanation of the related [225]
_____ ,.2 Explanation of the meaning of the root verse [228] 6.39
______ ,.3 An explanation that elaborates further on the topic [231]
___ ---,:--__ ,.1 The way non-intrinsic cessation becomes a reason for not accepting a source-
consciousness [231]
___ ---,:--__ .2 Establishing the source of imprints (vasana) even without accepting a source-
consciousness [223]
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.1.5.2.2 Showing the example of the arising of an effect from a completed action
[235] 6.40
_____ .. 3 Countering the arguments against such a teaching [239] 6.41-44
______ .1 Countering the argument of an endlessly recurring ripened result [239] 6.41-42
_--:-;-_;-:-_.2 Countering the opposing arguments [which use sutra] quotations that speak of
the existence of a source-consciousness [240] 6.43-44
______ ,,1 The actual meaning being countered in these contrary quotations [240] 6.43
_______ ,.2 The way the source-consciousness has been mentioned and not mentioned as
a separate entity within the mind [243]
--:----:----0::-:-,.3 Exemplification of what is said as being due to [the intention of the Buddha's]
thought [246] 6.44
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2 Refuting the Phenomenalist (dttamatra) system in particular [248] 6.45-97
____ ,1 Refuting the existence of an intrinsic consciousness without externals [248] 6.45-71
____ ,.1 Stating the other system [248] 6.45-47
____ ,,2 And refuting this system [254] 6.48-71d
_____ .1 Furnishing an extensive refutation [254] 6.48-71b
__ -:-:-;---:-----:_,.1 Refuting the examples that [purport] to establish an intrinsic consciousness
without externals [254] 6.48-55 .
______ ,.1 Refuting the example of the dream [254] 6.48-53
___ ---,:--__ ==-::-:.1 Disproving that the example of a dream establishes an intrinsic
consciousness [254] 6.48-49
_---,:--_-=-==,2 The example of a dream doesn't prove that there are no externals when one
is awake [257] 6.50-52b .
APPENDIX TWO 313
___ -,--__ .3 The example of a dream proves the fictiiiousness of all things [260] 6.52c-53
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.1.2.1.1.2 Refuting the example of seeing falling hair [261] 6.54-55
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.1.2.1.2 Refuting objects as products arising from the [ripened] potential of
instincts (vasalUl) of a mind that is empty of objects [262] 6.56-68 .
_--:--::--_-::-.. 1 Refuting that the appearance to consciousness of an object is produced or not
in dependence on the ripening or not of these instincts [262] 6.56-61
______ .. 1 Stating this other system [263]
______ ..2 Refuting this system [263] 6.56-61
_______ .1 Refuting intrinsically existent potentials (sakti) in the present [263] 6.56-57b
_______ .2 Refuting [that they can exist] subsequent [to their ripening] [264] 6.57c-58
_______ .3 Refuting [that they exist] prior [to their ripening] [266] 6.59-<>1
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.1.2.1.2.2 A further refutation of consciousness existing without externals [268]
6.62-68b
______ .1 Stating this other system [268] 6.62-<>4
______ .2 Refuting this system [270] 6.65-68b
_.3.52.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.1.2.1.2.3 Showing that scripture doesn't invalidate the refutation to the
Phenomenalists [272] 6.68cd
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.1.2.1.3 Showing there is no contradiction between the two: the refutation and
the repulsive contemplations [276] 6.69-71b
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.1.2.2 Conclusion to the refutation [280] 6.71cd
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.2 Refuting criteria that establish the existence of intrinsically dependent
(paratantra) phenomena [281] 6.72-83
_--::--_-=-_-::-.1 Refuting self-reflexive consciousness (svasamvedalUl) as establishing the
dependent phenomena [281] 6.72-77
_---:0=-=-:".....,--==-. 1 Showing the inconsistency in the writings that establish dependent phenomena
[281] 6.72
____ ~ . 2 Refuting another's reply that they are consistent [283] 6.73-75
_____ .. 1 Stating this other system [283]
_____ .. 2 Refuting this system [287]
______ .1 The actual refutation of the system [287] 6.73-74
314 REASONING INTO REALITY
___ --:-__ How in our system memories arise even without a
consciousness [289] 6.75
______ .1 The system explained in authentic texts [289] 6.75
______ .2 The system explained in other texts [291]
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.2.1.2.2.3 Countering the arguments that refute this [292]
__ -.-_---,,--,......,;-.. 1 Countering the argument concerning inference (anumana) and the other
epistemological criterion, i.e. perception (pratyaksa).[293]
______ .2 Countering the argument concerning mental consciousnesses [295]
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.2.1.3 Showing that self-reflexive consciousness disagrees even with other
reasonings [300] 6.76
_--,_:-;----;--",.-_ . .4 Showing that intrinsically existent dependent phenomena are on an
[ontological] par with the child of an infertile woman [301]6.77
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.2;2 Showing two types of reality in the Phenomenalist system [302]
Then, the appropriateness of following only the system of Nagarjuna [303] 6.79-
80
__ 7""" __ 4 Showing the dissimilarity between cessations in the social world and dependent
phenomena[307] 6.81-83
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.3 Showing that the use of the term 'only' in the phrase 'mind only (cittamatra)'
does not deny external objects. [310] 6.84-97
_--:-;===-=-=----;--;:-:-.1 Explaining the intention of the phrase 'mind-only in the Ten Levels Sutra
(DS)[31O] 6.84
_-;--,-_-;-:-;-.1 Establishing via a quotation in the Ten Levels (DS) that there is no denial of
'externals' by the use of the term 'only' [310] 6.84
_____ .2 Establishing this same meaning in other sutras as well [312] 6.85-86
_____ .3 Establishing by the term 'only' that the mind is 'principal' [314]6.87-90
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.3.2 Showing that externals and the internal [perceiving] mind are the same: i.e.
either both or neither of them exist.[318] 6.91-93
_--;=:-=::-='.3 Showing the intention of the phrase, 'mind-only' in the Decent into Lankil Sutra
(DS) [321] 6.94-97 .
_ ___..:---:---.1 Showing the interpretative meaning the Phenomenalist citations [to the effect]
that there are no externals [321] 6.94-96
_____ .1 Showing that the quotations have is an interpretative meaning [321] 6.94-95
______ .1 Their actual meaning [321] 6.94-95b
APPENDIX TWO
______ .. 2 Showing the interpretive meaning of other similar sutras [322] 6.95cd
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.2.2.2.3.3.1.2 A.logical demonstration [328]
315
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.22.2.3.3.2 Showing how to discriminate between the definitive (nirartha) and
interpretative meaning (neyartha) sutras [329] 6.97 .
_.3.5.2.1.1.1.2.3 Refuting production from both [333] 6.98
___ .4 Refuting causeless production [334] 6.99-103
_.3.5.2.1.1.3 The purpose of establishing the refutation of production from the four possibilities
[339] 6.104ab
_.3.5.2.1.2 Countering the arguments against this refutation [of intrinsic production] [340] 6.104c-
113
_.3.5.2.1.2.1 The actual meaning [340] 6.104c-110
_.3.5.2.1.2:2 Teaching a summary of this [345] 6.111-113
_.3.5.2.1.3 How to prevent the errant thoughts that grasp at the extremes by generating [the
realisation of] relational origination (pratityasamatpada) [348] 6.114-116
_.3.5.2.1.4 Recognising the result of carrying out logical analysis [352] 6.117-119
_.3.5.2.2 Logically establishing the non-self of the personality (pudgalanairatmya) [356] 6.120-178
__ .1 Showing the need to firstly refute [the conception of] an intrinsically existent self by
those desiring liberation [356] 6.120
__ .2 How to root out both the intrinsically existent self and 'mine' [359] 6.121-165
__ .1 Refuting the intrinsically existent self [359] 6.121-164
___ --:'.1 Refuting the self that is a separate entity from the designated psycho-physical
organism by those of other ranks [359] 6.121-125
___ .1 Detailing this other position [359] 6.121a-c
__ --'.1 Detailing the Sankhya system [359] 6.121ab
__ --'.2 Detailing the Vaisheshika and other systems [362] 6.121cd
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.1.2 Refuting those systems [363] 6.122-125
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.2 Refuting those from among our own ranks [i.e. Buddhist schools] who maintain
that the imputed psycho-physical organism itself is the self [366] 6.126-141
___ .1 Demonstrating the damage to those who affirm that the psycho-physical organism is
the self [366] 6.126-129c
___ .. 1 The actual meaning [366] 6.126-128
316
____ .1 Detailing this position [366] 6.126
____ .2 Refuting these systems [368] 6.127-128
REASONING INTO REALITY
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.2.1.2 Refuting the reply that rejects the faults [in these positions] [371] 6.129a-c
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.2.2 Demonstrating the illogicality of maintaining it as such [371] 6.129d
___ .3 Showing further fallacies in the assertion that the psycho-physical organism is the self
[372] 6.130-131
___ .4 Explaining the intention of the citations [that say that] the psycho-physical organism
is the self, etc. [375] 6.132-139
_----;--:;-_.1 Explaining the meaning of the citations that all say where to look for the self, i.e. just
in the psycho- psychical organism [376] 6.132-135b
_-..,, __ .1 Showing the intention of the quotations is to isolate a [specific] object of regation
from within the position [that contains the object] being negated. [376]6.132-133
__ ----,-,;-;:-.,.......2 Even though [we Madhyamikas] conceed that there is a position that can be
established, still it has not been taught [by our teacher] that the psycho-physical organism is
the self [378] 6.134
____ .3 the other arguments concerning of these [379] 6.135ab
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.2.4.2 By relying on other sutras, explaining that the self is not simply the collected
parts of the psycho-physical organism [380] 6.135cd
___ --,.3 Refuting that the self is the [appropriately] arranged shape of the psycho-physical
organism [381] 6.136
___ Showing other fallacies in asserting that the self is simply the collection of the
psycho-physical constituents [381] 6.137
___ ----,-__ ,.5 The Master said that the self is designated in dependence on the six basic
constituents of matter, etc. [384] 6.138-139
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.2.5 Showing that the other systems bear no relation [to our own] [386] 6.140-141
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.3 Refuting the three positions that remain after these two: i.e. support, dependence,
etc. [387] 6.142-145
___ .1 Refuting the positions of support, dependence, and possession [387] 6.142-143
___ .2 Showing the summarised meaning of these refutations [388] 6.144-145
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.4 Refuting a substantive personality that is neither one with nor different from [the
psycho-physical organism] [390] 6.146-149
___ .1 Stating this position [390] 6.146
___ .2 Refuting this system [391] 6.147-149
APPENDIX TWO 317
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.5 Explaining with the example that the self is posited merely as a dependent
designation [392] 6.150-159
___ .1 Demonstrating, through the analogy of a carriage, that even though the self doesn't
exist in [any of] the seven possibilities, it is dependently designated [392] 6.150-151
_-;0::=.2 A detailed explanation of the two remaining positions that are not explained above
[394] 6.152-157
___ .1 The actual meaning [394] 6.152-155
_---,,=-;,...-;-:;.1 Refuting the assertion that the carriage is the collection [of its constituent parts]
[394] 6.152
____ .2 Countering the assertion that the carriage is simply the shape [395] 6.153-155
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.5.2.2 Correcting the argument for the other [philosopher] [392] 6.156-157
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.5.3 Countering other arguments against such an explanation [397] 6.158
__ :-:-_.4 Showing, moreover, the establishment of the meaning of the terms used in social
discourse [399] 6.159
_.3.5.2.2.2.1.6 Demonstrating [the fact that the seven-section analysis] as propounded has the
good feature of easily removing the conceptions which grasp at the extreme [views] [400]
6.160-164
___ .1 The actual meaning [400] 6.160
___ .2 Countering arguments against this [401] 6.161
.3 Relating the sense of the examples to the social notions of a 'carriage' and an 'Ii [403]
6.162
___ .4 The other feature of admitting a dependently designated self [403] 6.163
__ c--.5 Recognising the self that is the basis for the bound and liberated states of fools and
wise men [respectively] [404] 6.164
_.3.5.2.2.2.2 Refuting an intrinsically existing 'mine' [406] 6.165
_.3.5.2.2.3 Further extending the analysis of the self and carriage so as to include other functional
things [406] 6.166-178
__ .1 Extending [the analysis] to include things such as vases and blankets [406]6.166-167
__ .2 Extending it to things [in the nexus] of cause and effect [408] 6.168-170
___ .3 Countering the derivative arguments from this [against the Madhyamika logic, which
are based on the contact between a refutation and the thesis refuted] [410] 6.171-178
_ - - ; ~ : - . 1 The argument that the same fallacy occurs in the [Madhyamika] refutation of the
intrinsic existence of cause and effect [410] 6.171-172
318 REASONING INTO REALITY
___ .2 Replying that there is no similar fallacy in in our [Madhyarnika system] [412] 6.173-
178
_--;c:c:-:,.,-.1 How refutation and establishment are consistent with our [Madhyamika] system
[412] 6.173-175' '
_---:,-,;-:::::-_.1 How we accept the refutation of the others' position as a social convention [412]
6.173
_-:c:=-_.2 How one accepts that we have established [the Madhyamika] position [414] 6.174-
175
_.3.5.2.2.3.3.2.2 A clear explanation of the reasons why the consequences [advanced] by others
are not like [the Madhyamika consequences] [416] 6.176
__ -:--;--;:-'.3 [How we] are able to establish non-intrinsic existence while others are unable to
establish its opposite [i.e. intrinsic existence] [417] 6.177
___ .4 How to understand the remaining refutations that are not explained here [418] 6.178
_.3.5.3 An explanation of all the divisions of emptiness that are established by the foregoing
[arguments] [419] 6.179-223
_.1 Teaching a summary of the divisions of emptiness [419] 6.179-180
__ .2 An extensive explanation of the meaning of the individual types [of emptiness] [421]
6.181-223
__ .1 An extensive explanation of the sixteen types of emptiness [421] 6.181-218
__ .1 An explanation of the [first] four: the emptiness of the subject, etc. [421] 6.181-186
___ .1 An explanation of the emptiness of the subject [422] 6.181-182
___ .1 The actual meaning [422] 6.181
---;-:--c::-.2 And in passing, an explanation of how to accept the natural stake (prakrti) [of
subjective phenomena] [423] 6.182
_.3.5.3.2.1.1.2 An explanation of the three remaining emptinesses [428] 6.183-186
_.3.5.3.2.1.2 An explanation of the [second set of] four: the great emptiness, etc. [429] 6.187-192
___ .3 An explanation of the [third set of] four: the emptiness of that which has transcended
the [two] extremes, etc. [430] 6.193-199 '
___ .4 An explanation of the [fourth set of] four: the emptiness of all phenomena, etc. [432]
6.200-218
__ .1 The emptiness of all phenomena [432] 6.200-201b
___ .2 The emptiness of a thing's defining properties [433] 6.201c-215
APPENDIX TWO
___ .1 A summary [433] 6.201cd
___ .2 An extensive explanation [433] 6.202-214
___ .1 Phenomena that are basic [to the path] [433] 6.202-204
___ .. 2 Phenomena [occuring while] on the path [434] 6.205-209
319
_ - - : : - = - : : - : : - : : ~ . 3 The defining characteristics of the phenomena at the fruition [of the path] [436]
6.210-214
_.3.5.3.2.1.4.2.3 Conclusion [437] 6.215
_.3.5.3.2.1.4.3 An explanation of the emptiness of the unobservable and essence of non-things
[438] 6.216-218
_.3.5.3.2.2 An extensive explanation of the divisions into four emptinesses [439] 6.219-223
_.3.5.4 Conclusion by way of stating the qualities of this level [440] 6.224-226
CHAPTER SEVEN
3.2.1.3.2.3 Explaining the four [remaining levels] the Gone Far (duramgama), etc. [442] 7.1-10.1
_.1 The seventh level [442] 7.1a-c
CHAPTER EIGHT
3.2.1.3.2.3.2 The eighth level [443] 7.1d-S.4
_.1 Howat this level [the bodhisattva] has excellent resolution and rises from the [meditative]
cessation (nirodha) [443] 7.1d-S.2
_.2 Showing the exhaustion of all the emotional reactions, (klesa) [446] 8.3
_.3 Showing gaining the ten capacities (dasabala) [447] S.4
CHAPTER NINE
3.2.1.3.2.3.3 The ninth level [448] 9.1
CHAPTER TEN
3.2.1.3.2.3.4 The tenth level [450] 10.1
320
CHAPTER ELEVEN
3.2.1.3.3 The good qualities of the ten levels [451] 11.1-9
_.1 The qualities of the first level [451] 11.1-3
REASONING INTO REALITY
_.2 The qualities from the second up to the seventh level [452] 11.4-5
_.3 The qualities of three the pure levels [Le. levels eight to ten] [452] 11.6-9
CHAPTER TWELVE
3.2.2 The fruition level [454] 12.1-42
_.1 Firstly, what is it to be a buddha [454] 12.1
_.1 The actual meaning [454] 12.2
_.2 Refuting the arguments [456] 12.3-7
_.1 Laying out in the earlier positions [456] 12.3
_.2 Refuting those systems [456] 12.4-7
_.1 Countering the argument that [the Madhyamika] does not accord with realising reality [456]
12.4
_.2 Countering the argument that it does not accord with there being a cogniser [461] 12.5-7
_.1 The actual meaning [461] 12.5
_.2 The actual teaching on [one who] accords with that [462] 12.6-7
_.2 Oassifying the qualities and forms [of the buddhasl [463] 12.8-34
_.1 Oassifying the [buddhas'l forms (kaya) [463] 12.8-18
_.1 The truth form [dhannakaya] [463] 12.8
_.2 The enjoyment form [sambhoyakaya] [464] 12.9
_.3 The [manifest] form (ninnanakaya) that corresponds to its cause [the collection of merit]
[465] 12.10-18
__ .1 How [the buddhas] show all their deeds from within [each] single hair-pore of their body
[465] 12.10-13
_.2 How they show all the deeds of others in [same] place, [Le. each hair-pore] [467] 12.14-16
_.3 Explaining [the buddhas] complete and thorough power over their wishes [468] 12.17-18
APPENDIX TWO
_.2.2 Classifying the qualities of [the budcihas] capacities [469] 12.19-34
_.1 A summary of the ten capacities (dasabalal [469] 12.19-21
_.2 An extensive presentation of these [469] 12.22-31
321
___ .1 An explanation of the [first] five capacities: the knowledge of appropriate and
inappropriate [explanations of cause and effect], etc. [469] 12.22-26
__ .2 An explanation of the [remaining] five capacities: the knowledge of the paths to all the
destinies, etc. [471] 12.27-31
_.2.2.3 How it is impossible to describe all the qualities [474] 12.32-33
_.4 The value of understanding the two [divisions-of] the qualities [under the rubrics of the the
profound and extensive] [475] 12.34
_.3 The teaching on the manifest form [ninnanakaya] [475] 12.35
--4 Establishing the [concept of a] single vehicle (ekayanal [476] 12.36-38
_.5 An explanation about the time of the manifesting the awakened state and while remaining in
it [478] 12.39-42
_.1 An explanation in particular about the time of manifesting the awakened state [478]12.39
_.2 An explanation in particular about time of remaining [in that state] [480] 12.40-42
CONCLUSION
3.3 How the text was composed [481] C.1-4
3.4 Dedicating the virtues of composing the text [481] C.5
COLOPHON
4 The meaning of the colophon [485]
_.1 The achievements of the doctor [Chandrakirtil [485]
_.2 The translator and scholar who translated [Chandrakirti's text into Tibetan] [485]
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INDEX
Abhidhanna, 22, 54, 103, 123
Absurdity, 118, 150
Absorptions (meditative), 24
Action (karma), 35, 36, 62, 69, 164, 176, 181,
182
Advaita Vedanta, 1, 101, 111
Altruism, 8, 194
Analogy (upamiina), 161
Analysis (mcara), 102, 134
dialectical, 6, 15, 44, 73, 99, 115
grarnrnfltical, 71
modal, ,143
Arhat, 17, 62, 87,191,193
Aristotelian principles, 116, 120, 122,205
Armstrong, D., 119

Asaitga, 21, 22, 159
Atrnan, 139
Authoritative tradition (<<gama), 161
Avantaka,60
Averting Arguments [VV], 4, 82
Bass, L., 118
Bi-negation, 39, 115, 116,142,143
Birth
from other, 48, 50, 51, 82, 123, 133
from self, 47, 123, 133
Bhavaviveka, 17,144
Bodhisattva, 7, 14, 19, 160, 188, 189
Body (physical) (rUpa), 62,126
Buddha-activity, 16
Buddhahood, 11, 12, 18, 170
Buddhapiilita, 9, 46
Bu ston, 9
Capacities (biila) (ten), 16, 167, 169, 172, 186
Causation, 50, 75,83
Certitudes (vaisaradya) (four), 172
Cessations (nirodhll), 37, 89
Characterised Madhyarnika, 14, 17, 73
Chfuvaka, 17,51,123
Cittarnatra,74
Clear Words [PPJ, 4, 9, 36,129, 144, 161
Cogndtion,77,16O,162,185,193
Cognitive coverings (jiiiya-iivara1Jll), 169, 170
Coincidence of opposites, 145
Collected Discourses [SN], 57, 58
Collection on Phenomenology [AI<], 102, 105
Compassion (karunii), 8,12, 13, 187, 188, 190
206' ,
. Compassionate mind (bodhicitta), 12, 167
Complements (logical), 134
Conceptions, 101, 102, 109, 110, 116, 119
acquired (parikalpita), 55, 60
innate (sahaja), 55, 60, 110, 147
intellectual (parikalpita), 147
Conceptual elaboration (prapaiica), 75, 105,
106,109
Conceptual bifurcation (vikalpa), 112, 115
Consciousness, 59, 60
Consequences (prasanga), 48,73,83,84,99,
100,111,117,130,137,140,141
experiential, 7, 146, 148
logical,7, 15,46,61,100, 129, 146, 148
Containment, 70
Continuum (sarrtana), 48, 49, 63, 79
Contradiction, 52, 104, 114, 116, 117, 118
122, 130, 150 '
Conventional reality (samvrti-satya) 17 28
44,159,160,180,185 .. '"
Cyclic existence (sarrzgiira), 36, 164
Debate, 23, 126, 136
Defining property (svala4a(Ul), 46,108,125,
135,136; 142
Definitive (nTtiirtha) (text, meaning), 22, 26,
173,174
De Tong, T., 2, 43,100
Deity, 167, 171, 175, 185
Delusion (moha),160
Descarte, 170
Descent into Lanka Siitra [LS], 175, 176
Designation (prajnaph), 52,66,68,69,70,72,
104,111, 140
Devadatta, 71
Dharmakirti,21
Disciples (sriivaka), 12, 17, 165
Dignaga, 21, 161
Discernment (meditation) (vipasyanii),25, 42
Discourses [N], 40
Discrimination (sarpjna), 105, 106, 107
Dreaming, 80
Drives (sa1'[lSkiira), 36
rDzogs chen, 178
Egoism, 56, 64
Emotional obstructions (kleia-iivarar;za), 169
Emotional reactions (kleia), 35, 36, 54, 63, 86,
148,162
Emptiness (sunyata), 15,35,99,112, 136, 138,
139
of phenomena (dharma), 7, 35, 40, 45
of personality (pudgala), 7, 35, 40, 45,
56,138
Essence of the Eloquent [LSNP], 173
Essentialist, 52
Excluded middle, 116, 121, 122, 150
Exclusion, 108
Extensive (udiira) (content), 7, 10, 11, 26, 159
Forms (kiiya) (of buddha), 171
Four Hundred [CS], 82, 138
Fully evolved mind (bodhicitta), 12, 13, 14,
20, 159, 187, 191, 192, 193,205
Gangadean, A., 3, 6, 100, 103, 104, 105, 107,
111,134, 136
REASONING INTO REALITY
dGe 'dun grub, 10, 11,23,46,51,62,171,
187,192 '
dGe lugs, 9, 185
Genes of a buddha theory (tathiigata-garbha),
176
Great Etymology [MV], 41
Haribhadra,42
Hartshorne, c., 171
Higher intention (adhyiiSaya), 186, 187
Hinduism, 20
Hopkins, T., 11, 100
Huntington, C.W., 183, 184
Hwa Yen, 173
Ichimura, S., 3, 6, 115
Idealism, 178
Identity, 110, 116, 120, 122, 134
Ignorance (avidyii), 43
Illumination of the Ornament of the Realisations
(Abhisamayllla-rpkilra),42
Impermanence, 56,63,64, 106, 107
Impulses (viisanii), 102
Inada, K., 3, 100
Individual vehicle (hTnayiina), 12,13
Individuating knowledges (pratisa-rpvid), 169
Inexpressibility, 65, 66
Infinite regress, 102
Infinitudes (apramii(Ul) (four), 168, 182
Inference (anumiina), 161
Insight (prajna), 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 20, 88, 166
Instruction on Mental Integration into Reality
SUtra (Tattvanirdt$a-samiidhi-sutra), 164
Interpretative (neyiirtha) (text, meaning), 22,
64,73,173,174
Intrinsic existence (svabhiiva), 42, 43, 44, 50,
52,56,64,66,75,83,84,85, 114, 120, 137,
141,184
Intrinsic identity, 119, 137, 142
Introduction to the Evolved Lifestyle [BCA], 5,
101,102,121, 148, 162, 178, 192,206
Introduction to the Two Realities Satra
(Satyadvaya-avatiira-sulra), 38, 183, 185
Taina, 17,51,123, 139
INDEX
Kamalaslu1a, 21
Kelly, G.A., 107
King of Mental Integration Siltra (Sa.rnadhiriija-
siltra),l73
Knowing all facets (sarviikiira-jiiatii), 12-13,
16,191,192,193,205
Laszlo, E., 179, 189, 190
Leibniz, 44, 61
Levels (bhilmi) (bodhisattva), 10, 15, 42, 87,
88
Levels of Yoga Practice (Yogiiciira-bhumi), 159
Levi Strauss, 107
Liberation (nirvii1Jll), 7,61,75, 100
Logical principles, 7
Lokliyata, 17,51
Maitreya-Asaitga; 11, 22
Meditation (dhyiina),24, 87, 126, 166, 182
Meditative equipoise (samlipatti), 180
Mer.nory(smrn),81,82
Mental events (caitta), 38, 81,162
Mental integration (sa.rnadht), 20, 24, 80, 180
Method (up'iiya), 7, 28, 166, 186
Middle-length Discourses [MN], 58
Middle path (madhyamii-pradipat), 85
Middle view 86, 184
Mind (citta), 38, 81
Mind-only (citta.rnatra), 139, 175, 176
Mirror of Complete Clarification [RSM],23, 86,
102
Mixture, 129
Momentariness, 62
Monastic tradition, 7
Motivating thought (citta-utpiida), 15
Murti, T.R.V., 3, 6; 59,100
Mutual exclusion, 65, 109, 117, 118
Niigiirjuna,4, 10, 17, 18, 22, 39, 45, 46, 57, 82,
85,104,105,106,117,121,122,123,125,126,
135,143,180,183
N1ilandii, 9,22,26
Naropa, 21, 22
335
Natural form (svabhiiva-kitya), 37
Negations, 58, 107, 112, 114, 119, 127, 130,
133,134,136,144,145
affirming-,73,150
implicative, 141, 143, 144, 145
non-affirming, 141, 143, 144,145, 150
Newton, 173
Nihilism (uccheda), 85, 86, 89
Non-affirming (negation), 44
Non-Buddhist schools, 14, 17,54, 162
Non-dualistic intellect, 12, 167
Non-existence, 143
Non-intrinsic existence (ni1}svabhiiva), 166
Nyiiya-Vmsheshika, 48, 123
Obscured truth (SIl1llvrti-satya), 160
Odantapuii,21
Ot!Inipresent Doctrine Siltra
(ArytidharmasQ.t{lgtn-siltra), 12
Ontology, 64, 85, 102, 103
Opposites, 107, 111, 112, 115, 117, 127, 130,
136, 143 .
Ornament for the Realisations
(Abhisamayii/arpkiira), 159
Ornament for the Universal Vehicle Siltras
lMSA], 21, 24, 25, 159
Otherness, 70, 127, 128, 131, 132
Paradox, 113,114,121,122
Paths (miirga) (bodhisattva), 86, 170
Perception (pratyaksa), 161, 162, 177
yogic 25, 37
Perfect Insight in Twenty-ffoe Thousand
StanzllS [PPS], 40, 165, 114, 175, 181, 183, 185,
189,190,191,192,193,194
Insight Siltras, 11,39,159,179,181,
Perfections (piiramital, 5, 10, 28, 166
worldly (lauTdka), 166
Phenomena (dharma)
dependent (paratantra), 73, 80, 82
fully establiShed 74
imaginary (parikalpita), 74
produced (samskrta),45
unproduced (asQ.t{lSkrta), 45
Phenomenalist (vijfiiinaviida), 16, 18, 73, 74,
76,78,79,80,82,139,140,141,175,176,179
336
Positionlessness, 82, 84
Possession, 70
Potentials (puny a), 74, 77, 78, 79, 171, 193,
194 .
PraIqti,55
Prasangika-midhyamika, 144, 170,207
Precious Jewel [RA], 4, 126, 127, 138
Predication, 112, 113, 121, 135
Principal Stanzas on the Middle Way [MK], 4,
9,10,11,15,43,46,57,85,106,117,125,126,
134, 137, 138, 143, 180, 183
Problems of existence 189
Production, 129,131
Products, 122, 125
Profound (gambh'ira) (content), 7, 10, 26,159
Purusha,55,135,139
Psycho-physical organism (skandha), 54, 56,
58,59,63,128,133,144
Ramanan,KV.,16
Realities (satva)
four, :l8, 164
two, 28, 51, 115, 160, 164, 183, 184
Realism, 85, 86, 178
Reciprocal dependence, 142
Relational designation, 65
Relational origination (praffiya-samutpiida),
8,37,85,88,109,112,137, 181,183,184,188
Reliances (pratisara1Jll) (four), 23
Saint (iirya), 164, 165
S-axpkhya, 17,46,55,56,113,123,136,139,
140, 144, 162
Sammifiya, 17, 18, 56, 60, 64, 65, 66, 67, 113,
136,144,145
Sarvastivada,48,82,83,137,139
Saussure, 107
Sautrantika, 17,48
Schayer, S., 100
Self-evolvers (pratyekabuddha), 12, 165
Self-marked (svalakfa1Jll),43
Self-reflexive consciousness (svasamvedana),
74,75,80,81,82,139,177
Self-styled arguments (svatantra), 18
REASONING INTO REALITY
Sense-bases (ayatana),57, 163
Serenity (santi), 24, 85
Seventy on Emptiness (SunyatiisaptafiJ, 138
Shantarakshita, 21
Shantideva,4, 9, 14, 21, 101, 121, 148, 162, .
178
Simon, H.A., 179
Single vehicle (eko.yana), 11, 12, 15, 16, 159,
165 .
Sixty on Logic 138
Social reality (vyavahara-satya), 28, 89, 159,
180
Source consciousness (alaya-vijnana), 75, 76,
77,176
Space (iika$a), 123, 125, 138
Sphere of truth (dharmadhiitu), 74, 171, 173
Sprung, M., 3, 6
Stasis (nirodha), 123, 125
Streng, F.J., 3, 6,100,183
Subhiiti,190
Substance (dravya), 81
Substantial existence (dravya-satya), 64, 140,
141'
Substantial self, 64
Suchness (dharmatii), 74
Suffering 14, 36, 167
Super-sensitive cognitions (abhijfiii'J, 14, 168,
169
Suhrllekha,57
Svatantrika-madhyamika,4, 17, 136, 144,
170,207
bsTan pai nyi ma, 125, 126, 129
Taoist, 107
Tiiraniitha, 9
Ten Levels Siitra, 39, 175, 176
Therapeutic skill (upaya-kaumzlya), 16, 159,
168,174
Three natures (tri-svabfiiiva), 176, 177
Three Principal Aspects of the Path (Lam gyi
gtso bo rnam pa gsum),
Thurman, R., 3, 6, 100
Tibet, 3
INDEX
Traces (viisanii) (mental), 36,79,86,169,183
Trainings (sikfii) (three), 20,21
Tranquillity (sarnatha), 180-
Truth form (dharma-kiiya), 37, 166, 171
Tsong kha pa, 129
Universal vehicle (maliiiyiina), 5, 13,88
Ultimate reality (pararniirtha-salya), 28, 38, 44
Vaibhashika, 17,56,60,61,62,63,64,67,71,
74,179
Vaisheshika, 17,55,56,123,136,139
Valid conventions, 5
Vedanta, 46
View (drsti), 19
onndividuality (satkiiya-drsti), 36, 54,
147 .,.
Vijiianaviida, 4, 6, 7, 17, 48, 73, 74, 113, 136,
139
Vijnaptimlitra,74
Vikramasliila, 21
Vasubandhu, 21, 22
Werner, K, 191
Whitehead, A., 37
Wholesome actions (kuSala), 21
Williams, P., 105, 106
Winch, P., 107
Wittgenstein, L., 104, 112
Worldly conventions (loka-sa'!lvrti), 163
Yoga,7,20
Y ogiichiira, 22
337