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Nyaya-Vaisheshika categories (Study)

by Diptimani Goswami | 2014 | 61,072 words

This page relates ‘Asatkaryavada (b): Pratityasamutpada-vada� of the study on the Nyaya-Vaisheshika categories with special reference to the Tarkasangraha by Annambhatta. Both Nyaya and Vaisesika are schools of ancient Indian Philosophy, and accepted in their system various padarthas or objects of valid knowledge. This study investigates how the Tarkasamgraha reflects these categories in the combined Nyayavaisesika school.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

Asatkārya岹 (b): Pratītyasamutpāda-岹

The Buddhists also do not accept the pre-existence of the effect in the cause. Hence, they are also ٰⲹ徱Բ. The Buddhist theory is known as ʰīٲⲹܳٱ岹岹. The term means that the emergence of something after the presence of something else. The Buddhists hold that causation means the succession of two events, of which the former is the cause and the latter is the effect. They hold that a thing can never change into another thing, because a thing is what it is (ṣaṇa).[1] Causation, according to them, is dependent origination. There being some event, another event is sure to follow. It is generally believed that the cause continues to exist in the effect. But the Buddhists uphold that the effect is produced only after the cause is destroyed. According to them, the sprout (i.e., the effect) arises only after the destruction of the seed (i.e., the cause).[2] Thus, the Buddhists are also ٰⲹ徱Բ.

The Buddhists also refute the view of the ٰⲹ徱Բ that the cause and the effect are identical. They point out that it is meaningless to hold that the effect is identical with the cause. The ṃkⲹ also accept the fact that there emerge some new elements or modes in the effect. Moreover, if it is accepted that the cause itself reappears in the effect, then there will be ceaseless production of the effect. Because, says the Buddhist, the presence of the cause entails the emergence of the effect.[3] Again the ṃkⲹ maintain that the origination of the effect only means the manifestation of some modes or forms, while the essence of the cause remains the same. To this the Buddhists argue the acceptance of such a manifestation of modes also goes against the view of the ṃkⲹ. For the modes which are manifested should be accepted as the new elements, the modes being not there in the cause.[4] There is also differences in practical efficiency of the cause and effect in as much as that while a jar can hold water, earth cannot. Hence, there is difference between the cause and the effect. 岵ܲԲ also, “Identity between the cause and the effect is utterly untenable, since if it were so, there would be no difference between the doer and the thing done.[5]

Now, the ⾱첹 are ٰⲹ徱Բ, the Buddhists are also the same. They also look upon the effect as completely different from the cause and as a new creation, just like the ⾱첹. But there is a difference between the views of the ⾱첹 and the Buddhists. K.P. Sinha rightly observes, “The ⾱첹 regards the effect as produced from the cause and as related to it through the relation of or inherence. This means that, though different, the cause exists inseparably along with the effect. The Buddhists on the other hand, do not say that the effect is produced from the cause; nor do they regard the effect as related to the cause.In their view, the cause is completely destroyed before the production of the effect and, hence, does not exist long with the latter.�[6]

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

cf. Radhakrishnan, S., Indian Philosophy, Vol.I, p.371

[2]:

cf. Sinha, K.P., ٳⲹ-, p.24

[3]:

cf. Murti, T.R.V., Central Philosophy of Buddhism, p.133

[4]:

cf. Ibid

[5]:

ⲹ첹, as quoted by Sinha, K.P., ٳⲹ-岹, p.25

[6]:

Sinha, K.P., ٳⲹ-岹, p.25

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