Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c34.s6.12

v2.c34.s6.12

Relating to the third point the *Kvu.* contradicts Vasumitra and says that it is the Mahāsanghikas who held the opposite view, viz., the eyes see colours, ears hear sounds etc. by conceiving a *pasādacakkhu*, a subtle eye, which has not got the power of *āvajjana* (reflection) like *cakkhuviññāṇa* but possesses just the power of knowing (*paṭijānāti*) objects. In this case also, shall we account for the contradictions by saying that the opinion of ‘ekacce mahāsanghikā’ is represented by Vasumitra while the opinion of the ‘aññe mahāsanghikā’ is noticed in the *Kathā-* vatthu.¹ The Theravādins and a section of the Mahāsanghikas hold that the eyes, ears etc. are mere material conveyers of perception, the cakkhuviññāṇa, sotaviññāṇa, etc. being the actual percipients, in other words, eyes, ears etc. belong to the rūpa-khandha which is material, while cakkhuviññāṇa, etc. belong to the viññāṇa-khandha, which makes a being aware of the things around him.