Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c35.s3.t4.34

v2.c35.s3.t4.34

(1) The *Jñānaprasthāna-sūtra* is attributed to Ārya Kātyāyaṇīputra. In the *Kośa* it is stated that the actual author of the work is Buddha but the arrangements of chapters and topics had been made by Kātyāyaṇīputra and so its authorship is attributed to him. It was twice translated into Chinese, by Gotama Saṃghadeva of Kashmir and Chu Fo-nien, in the 4th century A.D. and by Hiuen-tsang in the 7th century. It is divided into eight sections. The first section contains exposition of laukikā-gradharmas, jñāna, pudgala, śraddhā, ahrīkatā, rūpa and its lakṣaṇa, anartha (?), and caitasikas (=supramundane topics,¹ knowledge, individuality, faith and reverence, lack of modesty, material constituents of the body and their characteristics, anartha (?) and mental states). The second section details the saṃyojanas or defilements which hinder the spiritual progress of an adept, and the causes of defilements. The third section is devoted to the acquisition of the knowledge (jñāna) (a) of doctrinal matters by which a sekha becomes an asekha, (b) of right and wrong views, (c) of the means of attaining six abhijñās, (d) of the four truths and of the acquisitions to be made in the four stages of sanctification. The fourth section details the evil words and acts with their consequences as also explains the vijñaptis and avijñapti². The fifth section gives an exposition of rūpaskandha, i.e., the four great elements and of things originating out of them, both internal and external. The sixth section analyses the 22 indriyas (predominant faculties) and the three spheres of existence viz., kāma, rūpa and arūpa, and explains in detail the sparśendriya, mūla-citta, etc. The seventh section is devoted to the mental states developed by an adept while he is in samādhi, and gradually advances from Sakadāgāmi to Anāgāmi stage. The last, the eighth section explains the four smṛtyupasthānas, the various wrong views, and such other matters.