Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c34.s9: XIII. Doctrines of the Śaila Schools only

Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c34.s9

Language: English

XIII. Doctrines of the Śaila Schools only

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Vasumitra has attributed the following doctrines specially to the three Śaila schools:—

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(i) Bodhisattvas are average beings and are liable to be born in the lower states of existence.¹

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(ii) Offerings made to a caitya are not necessarily of great merit.²

² In the Mahāvastu and the Nāgārjunikoṇḍa inscr, erection decoration and worship of caityas find prominent place, for which I think the name Caityakas has been applied to the Pūrvaśaila school. Cf. Kośa, iv. 121.

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The above doctrines are in direct contrast to those of a section of the Mahāsanghikas and the Pūrvaśailas or Caityakas (see above, pp. 49, 51, 81-2). Vasumitra evidently, had in mind only the later Śaila schools, viz., Aparaśaila, Caityaśaila and Uttaraśaila and not the Pūrvaśaila.

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Regarding the origin of Caityaśaila and Uttaraśaila schools, Paramārtha³ writes that two hundred years after Buddha’s parinirvāṇa, a second Mahādeva appeared with heretical views. He slipped into the church stealthily (i.e. became a steyasaṃvāsika) by ordaining himself. This event gave occasion for fresh controversies among all the branches of the Sthavira and Mahāsanghika schools, particularly on the question of the validity of ordination given by an ācārya, who is himself not regularly ordained. In this matter the Mahāsanghikas were in agreement with the Sthaviras and excommunicated Mahādeva. At this, Mahādeva got enraged and retired to another mountain and started the Caityaśaila and Uttaraśaila schools.

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³ Paul Demiéville, L'origine des sectes bouddhiques in Mélanges chinois et bouddhiques, vol. I. 1931-32.

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The Caityaśailas therefore should be distinguished from the Caityakas, who were identical with the Lokottaravādins or the Pūrvaśailas and were of earlier origin. The Caityakas and Pūrvaśailas are referred to in the Nāgārjunikoṇḍa inscriptions, and not the later Śaila schools mentioned above.

Cites (1)

Abhidharmakośa — Vasubandhu, Sanskrit