A Systematic Classification of the Vinayas Belonging to the Sarvāstivādins Based on the Differences in the Commentary to the Śikṣāpada

Abstract

It seems to be strange that two different Vinayas, the Shisong lü 十誦律, Ten Recitation Vihana, and the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya, are extant but belong to the same sect, the Sarvāstivādins. The issue of how we should place them in the historical development of the Sarvāstivādins is particularly meaningful with respect to the investigation of the history of Buddhism, but no clear result has so far been found because of a lack of information; we have only some vague traditions.

In this article, the author presents information which clearly shows that the Shisong lü and the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya were related with the Kāśmīra-vaibhāṣikas and Sautrāntikas respectively.

A passage in the Vinaya is quoted in a dispute between the Sautrāntikas and Kāśmīra-vaibhāṣikas described in the Karmanirdeśa of the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya. The corresponding passage can be found in both the Shisong lü and the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya and, as a result of a detailed investigation, it turned out that the corresponding passage in the Shisong lü was modified for the purpose of reinforcement of the Kāśmīra-vaibhāṣikas’ claim in the dispute appearing in the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya, and the corresponding passage in the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya (Chinese version) was modified to reinforece the claim of the Sautrāntikas.

From this fact, we can establish a close relationship between the Shisong lü and Kāśmīra-vaibhāṣikas, and the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya and the Sautrāntikas.