VIMSATIKA

VIMSATIKA VERSES

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of “Conciseness” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Conciseness” and its relation with “Buddhism”. The research also analyzes many aspects of “Conciseness” and tries to gauge its effect on “Buddhism”. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for “Conciseness” and tries to describe the overall effect of “Conciseness” on “Buddhism”.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Importance of the Vimsatika1

Discussion2

Conclusion8

References9

VIMSATIKA VERSES

Introductions

Yogacara is one of most important doctrines of the philosophy of the Buddhist, this psychology emphasizes the phenomenology and even argue on the topic of ontology, through the inner eye of yoga related and meditative practices. It was formulated within Mahayana Buddhism in India, in the fourth century. The discourse of Yogacara can be founded in the experiential truth of the condition of the humans, there is nothing that humans experience, which is not liaised by the human mind.

One of the main concepts of the philosophy of Yogacara is the idea of consciousness. This word was used in the East Asia and Tibet interchangeably with the word, "Yogacara", even though the scholars have a faith it is not correct to mix the two words.

Importance of the Vimsatika

The Vimsatika is one of the most important texts of Vasubandhu and of the Yogacara school in it is exposed the fundamental thesis of that school: the inexistence of the external object of knowledge/the existence of sole consciousness. Besides that, this work deals in a more or less detailed way and in clear terms with other themes of the school: the world as a mere mental creation, the theory of vasanas or subliminal impressions the theory of the dharmas or factors or elements of existence, the criticism of the atomist theory, the method to interpret Buddha's teachings, the Buddhist conception of the whole and the pans. The perception with and without vicalpas(mental elements that accompany the cognitive process), the problems to which gives rise the inexistence of an external object of knowledge in relation to memory, moral responsibility, etc. The value of the Vimsatika is enhanced by the fact that Vasubandhu himself has preserved the original Sanskri text as well as the Sanskrit text of the commentary.

Discussion

In the Great Vehicle, the three realms of existence[1] are determined as being perception-only. As it is said in the sutra (Avatamsaka-sutra: Dasa-bhumika VI, p. 32), "The three realms of existence are citta-only." Citta, manas, consciousness, and perception are synonyms. By the word "citta", citta along with its associations is intended here. "Only" is said to rule out any (external) object of sense or understanding.

All this is perception-only, because of the appearance of non-existent objects, just as there may be the seeing of non-existent nets of hair by someone afflicted with an optical disorder. (1)

Here it is objected

"If perception occurs without an object, any restriction as to place and time becomes illogical, as does non-restriction as to moment-series[2] and any activity which has been performed. " (2)

In reply Vasubandhu had replied to the critics that ...