Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c6.s5.t8: Aśvaghoṣa: His Debates with Buddhists and Non-Buddhists

c6.s5.t8.1

The life and history of Aśvaghoṣa, a great poet and Buddhist philosopher, provide a glorious exemplification of the *vāda* tradition. He wrote *Vajrasūcī* in refutation to the caste system. This text is being discussed in Chap. 5 of the present work. According to the biographical details about him as recorded in Chinese sources, Aśvaghoṣa was born in a brāhmaṇa family and was very proud of his scholarship. Kumārajīva has given a life sketch of Aśvaghoṣa. Accordingly, Pārśva, a monk who commanded scholarship with spiritual powers, reached a monastery in central Asia. To his surprise, he learnt that the monks and novices in the monastery do not strike the bell as a part of the ritual. Upon asking the reason for this departure from the norm, he was informed that a heretic recluse has forewarned the members of the monastery not to strike the bell, as striking it would mean a challenge to him for a debate. Since the members in the monastery are afraid of entering into a debate with the awesome recluse, they have since long stopped ringing the bell. Hearing this, Pārśva asked the monks to strike the bell. This being done, the recluse appeared and asked Pārśva whether he intends to enter into a debate with him. A debate between Pārśva and the recluse was ensued on the condition that the loser will become the disciple of the winner. Pārśva used his spiritual powers to silence the opponent. The opponent became his disciple and received ordination under him. He continued to display his skills in debate for propagation of Buddhist order and he was named Aśvaghoṣa because of his resounding voice.¹⁰⁵