The Polemics between Vasubandhuand Pudgalavādins in “Pudgala-viniśchaya”

Abstract

The article investigates the polemics between “orthodox” Buddhists and Pudgalavada — an “unorthodox” trend of Buddhism, on ontological status of “self” in “Pudgala-viniśchaya” of Vasubandhu. “Pudgala-viniśchaya” is one of the most important polemical treatises on the problem of “self”, atman or pudgala in the philosophy of Buddhism. The author examines in brief the history of “Pudgala-vinischaya ”points out philosophical significance. Then the content of the controversy on the problem of “self” in the first part of the treatise is presented in detail. The translation from Sanskrit into Russian of the first part of “Pudgala-vinigchaya” in which Vasubandhu disputes with Pudgalavadins with the commentary “Sphutartha” of Yasomitra is published for the first time. The publication maybe of interest to researchers in the fields of history of philosophy, philosophy of mind, cognitive psychology, to those studying the problem of “self” and of subject.