The Debate about the Existence of the Self on the Basis of Doctrinal Provisions of the Pali Canon in “Pudgala-vinishchaya” of Vasubandhu

Abstract

The article contains a translation of a part of “Pudgala-vinishchaya” of Vasubandhu (4th century) –
one of the most important Sanskrit treatises on the problem of the self, or the existence of the
“I” (“atman”, “pudgala”). “Pudgala-vinishchaya” is a supplement to “Abhidharmakosha” of
Vasubandhu. “Abhidharmakosha” is a short mnemonic presentation of traditional views on
Buddhist dogma and “metaphysics” in the interpretation of the Kashmiri Vaibhashika school. In
this article we present the translation (the first translation from Sanskrit into Russian) of a passage
from the second part of “Pudgala-vinishchaya”, in which the controversy of Vasubandhu and
Pudgalavadins – supporters of the doctrine of the existence of the self (“pudgala”) on the basis of
doctrinal provisions of the Pali Canon is presented. Comments of the philosopher Yashomitra to the
passages of “Pudgala-vinishchaya” are translated into a European language for the first time. The
translation is accompanied with an overview of the problems and issues discussed in the text and a
concise summary of the arguments from both sides of the debate is attached to the translation.