Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s7.t9.8

v1.c7.s7.t9.8

Vaisesika formed the independent school in about 200 BCE. According to legend, its founder was Kanada in that time. He wrote the basic classic *Vaisesika Sutra* for this school. The existing *Vaisesika Sutra* included contents which were added in later generations. It was finally formed in 200 CE. In about 600 CE, another two important books of Vaisesika appeared, eg *Padarthadharmasamgraha* of Prasastapada and *Vaiśesika-daśa-padārtha-prakarana* of Maticandra. Main philosophical thoughts of Vaisesika were reflected in the contents of these three books. The important theoretical feature of this school is to distinguish the main category of natural phenomenon by the "padārtha" (reality corresponding to concept). Ten padārthas mentioned by this school are: dravya-padārtha (object), guna-padārtha (static property of object), karma-padārtha (dynamic state of object), sāmānya-padārtha (common relations among objects), viśesa-padārtha (difference relation among objects), samavāya-padārtha (indivisible causal relation between the object itself and its property), śakti-padārtha (make object be able to generate specific result jointly or independently), aśakti-padārtha (make object be unable to generate specific result jointly or independently), sādrsýa-padārtha (relative similarity and difference relations among objects) and abhāva-padārtha (nonexistence state of object). In the system of padārtha theory, Vaisesika discussed paramānu theory, pramāna, view of time and space, view on similarity and difference, etc. Vaisesika also pursues liberation. It holds that the understanding of the highest intelligence of padārtha theory can get rid of the samsara and reach the supreme good state.