Vijñaptimātratā and the Abhidharma context of early Yogācāra

King, R. (1998) Vijñaptimātratā and the Abhidharma context of early Yogācāra. Asian Philosophy, 8(1), pp. 5-17. (doi: 10.1080/09552369808575468)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09552369808575468

Abstract

Contemporary accounts of early Mahamacryamacrna Buddhist schools like the Madhyamaka and the Yogamacrcamacrra tend to portray them as generally antithetical to the Abhidharma of non-Mahamacryamacrna schools such as the Theravamacrda and the Sarvamacrstivamacrda. This paper attempts to locate early Yogamacrcamacrra philosophical speculation firmly within the broader context of Abhidharma debates. Certain key Yogamacrcamacrra concepts such as amacrlayavijntildeamacrna, vijntildeapti-mamacrtratamacr and citta-mamacrtra are discussed insofar as they relate to pre-existing concepts and issues found in the Vaibhamacrsika and Sautramacrntika schools, with specific reference to the Abhidharmakośa and the corresponding bhamacrsya of Vasubandhu. Finally, some remarks are made about the, benefits of approaching the history of religious ideas without the benefits and distortions of hindsight, particularly as this relates to the attribution of an idealistic position to the early Yogamacrcamacrra literature.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This article was selected for inclusion in the Digital Buddhist Library (based at Heidelberg and National Taiwan Universities) of outstanding articles in the field of Buddhist studies.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:King, Prof Richard
Authors: King, R.
Subjects:B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BQ Buddhism
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
Journal Name:Asian Philosophy
ISSN:0955-2367
ISSN (Online):1469-2961
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