Is the “Self” an Object? A Discussion of the Buddhists with the Pudgalavādins in “Pudgalaviniścaya” of Vasubandhu (Preface to the Publication)

Abstract

The article forestalls the first Sanskrit-Russian translation of excerpts 928-932 from “Pudgalavinishchaya” of Vasubandhu with the commentary “Sphutartha” of Yashomitra. The translation is preceded by the reconstruction of the text and a summary of the Pudgalavadins’ teachings. “Pudgalavinishchaya” or “The Study [on the Issue of the Existence] of the Self” is a supplement to “Abhidharmakosha-bhasya” or “Encyclopedia of [canonical Buddhist philosophy]” of Vasubandhu (IV-V AD). “Pudgalavinishchaya” is one of the most important polemical writings on the existence and properties of the self, which reflected the discussions on the subject between the “orthodox” Buddhists on the one hand and Buddhists-“heretics” (Pudgalavadins), Nyaya- Vaisheshikas, philosophers-grammarians and Sankhyaikas on the other hand. The excerpt discusses the question of whether the subject (pudgala) is an object and whether it can be comprehended by any of the six “consciousnesses”. Vasubandhu proves that it can not, from which follows that it does not exist.