Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c8.s5.12

c8.s5.12

The externalists attack the theory of momentariness. Haribhadra, who is otherwise keen to agree with his opponents in his *Śāstrārthavārtāsamuccaya*, has devoted largest space to the refutation of this theory. He revisits the theory by adding that instead of a substance being dissolved and reborn every moment, it is proper to say that the substance stays, only the *dharmas* as born every moment. Also, everything can be said to be momentary to motivate people for renunciation of the mundane world.³⁴ In this way, Haribhadra sends an ontological issue to the domain of ethics. He gives a rebuttal to the Śūnyavādin arguing that if everything is void, then the arguments given for this voidness are also void. The acceptance of Vijñānavāda would put an end to the possibility of liberation, because there is nothing beyond *vijñāna* according to it.