වසුබන්ධු හිමියන්ගේ ‘විඥප්තිමාත්‍රතාව‘ පිළිබඳ චීන විග්‍රහය - Chinese interpretation of ‘Vijñaptimatrata’ by Master Vasubandhu

Yogachra school originated in India during the 4th century A.D., and subsequently spread to China, Korea and Japan. This school was introduced to China three times, and it was recognized as Fa Xing Zong in China. Its main philosophical teaching, the function of Consciousness is based on the teachings put forward by the text named Laṅkāvatārasūtra, which was originally written in Sanskrit. Hence, this article will explain the function of the consciousness which is revealed in the text. Indian scholars Maitreanatha, Asanga, and Vasubandhu immensely contributed to the development of its main philosophy by writing many commentaries. One such valuable commentary is the Vijañaptimatratasiddhi of Vasubandhu. Many modern scholars are of the view that a Chinese great scholar monk, Xuan Zang who went to India and studied under Ven. Dharmapala in Nalanda, has misinterpreted the Wasubandu’s viewpoint of ‘ideation only’ (Vijñaptimatramidaṃ) as ‘consciousness only’ (Vjñnamatramidaṃ) in his Chinese translation of the Vijañaptimatratasiddhi. The article will critically look into this viewpoint and try to examine whether the Chinese scholars have really misunderstood and mistranslated the teaching of ‘ideation only’. This research is entirely based on literary sources. Both Sanskrit and Chinese primary sources will be utilized. The relevant secondary sources will also be taken into consideration, wherever they are needed.