PGIHS-RC 2019

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https://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/4073

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Browsing PGIHS-RC 2019 by Subject "AnumāNa"

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    The success of ven. xuanzang in his debate relating to the proof of idealism through logical and epistemological knowledge
    (University of Peradeniya, 2019-03-29) Ven. Lili, Wang
    This research study analyzes a syllogism by Master Xuanzang（玄奘）called Proof of Idealism (pramāṇa of vijnapti-mātratā; 真唯識量) or Inference of Idealism (anumāna of vijnapti-mātratā; 唯識比量) from the viewpoint of consciousness-only (vijnaptimātratā) and Buddhist Logic (Hetuvidyā). Pramāṇa, literally meaning "proof of knowledge", refers to the epistemology concerning the acquisition of true knowledge in Indian philosophies. According to Ācārya Diṅnāga, only two pramāṇa can be considered valid means of knowledge: perception (pratyakṣa) and inference (anumāṇa). The Proof of Idealism of Master Xuanzang is an anumāna to acquire the true knowledge of consciousness-only. Master Xuanzang (602-664 CE), an eminent monk who lived during the Tang Dynasty of China, proposed the famous Proof of Idealism in the form of a syllogism during his study in Nālandā in India. During a service with a public debate open to all hosted by King Śīlāditta, Master Xuanzang proposed the proof in a rebuttal to Master Prajñāgupta of the Sammitīya Sect from South India, who presented an inference to refute the doctrine of consciousness-only. Master Xuanzang won the debate and was awarded the title of Mahāyānadeva. It attracted both worldwide attention and heated debate in the history of Hetuvidyā. The syllogism is considered to be an indisputable truth establishing the doctrine of consciousness-only by the Vijnānavādins while also being criticized by some scholars. Master Xuanzang inherited and developed the theory of Ācārya Diṅnāga and Dhammapāla. Inspired by Dhammapāla‘s use of a syllogism to prove the theory of consciousness-only, Master Xuanzang employed a similar syllogism in his Proof of Idealism and applied the three conditions of the reason (trairūpya). This research study has two objectives: (1) to introduce the Proof of Idealism of Master Xuanzang, analyze how he succeeds in the debate, examine the evaluation of the validity in the perspective of Hetuvidyā according to Ācārya Diṅnāga and trace back to the syllogism by Ācārya Dhammapāla who attempted to prove the doctrine of consciousness-only; (2) to clarify certain misunderstandings regarding it and critically analyze the syllogism by Master Wōnhyo (618-686 CE) from Korea who proposed to challenge Xuanzang, thus making a comparison between Master Xuanzang and Master Wōnhyo.