The Understanding of avijñapti in Sarvāstivāda

Abstract

Sarvāstivāda assigns the dharma of non-representation （avijñapti） to the category of matter （rūpa） of the unseen and unpaired, and matter included in the sphere of the mental object. Vasubandhu mentions that the essence of the precepts is avijñapti.

In order to clarify the nature of avijñapti itself, it is necessary to sort out the discussion by Vasubandhu and Saṅghabhadra on how avijñapti was categorized by the Sarvāstivāda, and whether avijñapti is something that exists provisionally or substantially.

In order to clarify the concept of avijñapti, this study is based on Abhidharma literature such as the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya, and it attempts to organize the debate on whether avijñapti is something that exists provisionally or substantially.