The Theravādin influence on the Mādhyamika direction about the appeasement of the object - A comparative study between the fifth chapter of Dhātuparīkṣā of Mūlamadhyamakakārikā and the examination of six elements in Pāli Tripiṭaka.

Abstract

This paper is to study comparatively between the examinations of six elements directed by both Buddhist traditions, namely Theravāda and Mādhyamika one of the well-knownMahāyāna traditions with special reference to the teachings inPāliTripiṭaka and the fifth chapter of Mūlamadhyamakakārikā of Nāgārjuna.Through this study, it can be discussed that is there an influence of Theravādincanonicalanalysis of the elements on the Mādhyamika direction of the investigation of six elements and the non-substantiality of phenomena. It should be mentioned here that the sentence ‘Theravādin canonical analysis of elements’ means the category of six elements consisting of earth (pṭhavi), water (āpo), fire (tejo), air (vāyo), space (ākāsa) and consciousness (viññāṇa).Through the conceptual examination of the aspects of an entity, namely characteristic (lakṣaṇa), characterized (lakṣya), existence (bhāva) and non-existence (abhāva),venerable Nāgārjuna have established the nihilistic non-existence of the entity the primary ideology of Mādhyamika school, in the end of the chapter by investigating the element of space (ākāśadhātu) as the example. According to the teachings of Theravāda school, it can directly be found discourses which present an idea of the nihilistic non-existence of the personality. But there are some Theravādinexplanations which relate to the ideology of non-existenceof the entity can be found in both Suttantapiṭaka and Abhidhammapiṭaka of them. Hence it is agreeable to assume that there is an influence of Theravādin teachings on the Mādhyamika direction of the non-substantiality of phenomenal elements. According to this assumption, moreover the Prof. D.J. Kalupahana’s recognition on venerable Nāgārjuna as ‘he is not a Mahayanist’can be confirmed.