Digital Dictionary of Buddhism

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成法八種

Pronunciations

Basic Meaning: eight possible ways to confirm valid knowledge

Senses:

  • In Pre-Dignāgan Buddhist logic 因明, eight factors contribute to establishing valid knowledge. (1) The thesis, or proposition 立宗 (pratijñā; 宗); (2) the reason 辯因 (因; hetu); (3) the example 引喩 (udāharaṇa or dṛṣṭânta; 喩); (4) sharing properties, being of the same type 同類 (sārūpya); (5) having different properties, being of a different type 異類 (vairūpya); (6) direct perception 現量 (pratyakṣa); (7) inference 比量 (anumāna); (8) relying on authoritative teachings or tradition 至教量 (āptâgama or āpta-pramāṇa). Factors 6–8 (perception, inference, and authoritative teachings) are the recognized means of acquiring valid knowledge (pramāṇa), while factors 1–5 are the constituent parts of an inference (see 能立).

    The terms for these in Asaṅgaʼs Abhidharma-samuccaya are: pratijñā 立宗, hetu 立因, dṛṣṭântaḥ 立喩, upanayaḥ 合, nigamanaṃ 結, pratyakṣaṃ 現量, anumānaṃ 比量, and āptâgama 聖教量. (T.31.1605.693b28–693c1; cf. Pradhanʼs edition of Abhidharma Samuccaya of Asaṅga (1950), 105,1–5). Asaṅga places these in the context of debate (vāda 立論). Also written 八能立

    〔顯揚聖教論 T 1602.31.531c17〕 [Dan Lusthaus]
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    Entry created: 2007-02-16

    Updated: 2009-12-02