On sensation in Abhidharma’s discipline in Early Modern Japan

Abstract

　This paper discusses sensation in Abhidharma’s discipline in Early Modern Japan. Abhidharma-kośa-bhāṣya defines sensation as “領納(feeling)随(in accord with)触(the tangible object).” Ju she lun ji (倶舎論記) interpreted “領納随触” as feeling the cognitive object in accord with the tangible object. However, Ju she lun shū (倶舎論疏) interpreted “領納随触” as feeling the tangible object in accord with the sensation. A learned priest pursuing his studies of the Abhidharma’s discipline in Early Modern Japan argues over which interpretation is correct—that of Ju she lun ji or Ju she lun shū. The paper discusses the transition of this controversy.