Asanga

1) His Biography:

Asanga, also known as Arya Asanga, was a Buddhist monk and philosopher who lived in India during the fourth century CE. He is considered one of the most important figures in the development of the Yogacara school of Mahayana Buddhism, which emphasizes the practice of meditation and the attainment of inner insight as a means of understanding reality.

Asanga was born into a Brahmin family in Purushapura, which is now known as Peshawar, Pakistan. His father was a court official, and Asanga grew up in a wealthy and influential family. As a young man, he became interested in the teachings of Buddhism and renounced his family and worldly possessions to become a monk.

Asanga studied under various Buddhist teachers, but it was not until he had a vision of the Bodhisattva Maitreya that his spiritual journey truly began. According to legend, Asanga had been meditating in a cave for twelve years without making any progress. One day, he saw a dog outside the cave that was covered in sores and had maggots eating its flesh. Moved by compassion, Asanga attempted to help the dog by removing the maggots and healing its wounds. However, each time he tried to touch the dog, it would disappear. Asanga was confused by this, but he did not give up. Finally, he had a vision of Maitreya, who explained to him that he had been attempting to help a dog that was actually a manifestation of a previous incarnation of himself. Maitreya then revealed to Asanga the teachings of the Yogacara school, and Asanga became one of its greatest proponents.

Asanga went on to write several important texts, including the “Mahayanasamgraha,” “Abhidharma-samuccaya,” and “Yogacarabhumi-sastra.” These texts explore the nature of reality and the practice of meditation, and they are still studied by Buddhists today.

Asanga is perhaps best known for his teachings on the three natures (trisvabhava) and the three bodies (trikaya) of the Buddha. According to Asanga, the three natures are the imagined nature (parikalpita), the dependent nature (paratantra), and the ultimate nature (parinispanna). The imagined nature is the way that we perceive the world, which is distorted by our concepts and projections. The dependent nature is the way that things exist in relation to one another, which is determined by causes and conditions. The ultimate nature is the way that things truly exist, which is empty of inherent existence.

Asanga’s teachings had a profound impact on the development of Mahayana Buddhism, and his emphasis on meditation and the attainment of inner insight remains central to Buddhist practice today. Although Asanga lived more than a thousand years ago, his legacy continues to inspire and guide those who seek to understand the nature of reality and attain enlightenment.

2) Main Works:

Mahayanasamgraha (The Summary of the Great Vehicle):

This work is a comprehensive summary of the Mahayana path, including the cultivation of bodhisattva ethics, the development of wisdom, and the attainment of the highest goal of Buddhahood. It covers a wide range of topics, including the four noble truths, the twelve links of dependent origination, and the six perfections.

Abhidharma-samuccaya (Compendium of Abhidharma):

This work is a summary of the Abhidharma teachings, which are a systematic analysis of the Buddha’s teachings on the nature of reality. It covers topics such as the five aggregates, the twelve sense-spheres, and the four noble truths, and is considered a foundational text for the study of Buddhist philosophy.

Yogacarabhumi-sastra (Treatise on the Stages of Yoga Practice):

This work is a detailed exposition of the Yogacara school of Buddhism, which emphasizes the practice of meditation and the attainment of inner insight as a means of understanding reality. It covers topics such as the three natures, the three bodies of the Buddha, and the six perfections.

Ratnagotravibhaga (Treatise on the Tathagatagarbha):

This work is a commentary on the Tathagatagarbha Sutra, which teaches that all beings have the potential for enlightenment within them. Asanga’s commentary explores the implications of this doctrine and emphasizes the importance of cultivating bodhisattva ethics and practicing meditation in order to realize this potential.

Bodhisattvabhumi (Stages of the Bodhisattva Path):

This work is a detailed guide to the path of the bodhisattva, who is a being who seeks to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. It covers the ten bodhisattva grounds, or stages of development, and provides practical advice for cultivating bodhisattva ethics and wisdom.

3) Main Themes:

Bodhisattva Ethics:

Asanga emphasizes the importance of cultivating the ethics of a bodhisattva, which involves developing the intention to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. This includes practicing the six perfections (generosity, ethical conduct, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom) and developing qualities such as compassion and wisdom.

Meditation:

Asanga’s writings place great emphasis on the practice of meditation as a means of developing inner insight and realizing the nature of reality. He provides detailed instructions on various types of meditation, such as mindfulness meditation and insight meditation, and emphasizes the importance of regular practice.

Wisdom:

Asanga’s writings explore the nature of wisdom, which involves seeing reality as it truly is and developing insight into the nature of the self and the world. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating wisdom as a means of overcoming ignorance and achieving liberation.

Emptiness:

Asanga’s writings often explore the doctrine of emptiness, which teaches that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence. He emphasizes the importance of understanding emptiness as a means of developing wisdom and achieving liberation.

Mahayana Path:

Asanga’s writings provide a comprehensive guide to the Mahayana path, which involves cultivating bodhisattva ethics, developing wisdom, and attaining the highest goal of Buddhahood. He emphasizes the importance of practicing the six perfections and developing qualities such as compassion and wisdom as a means of realizing this path.

4) Mahayana Buddhism:

Mahayana Buddhism is one of the major branches of Buddhism, originating in India during the early centuries CE. It is known for its emphasis on compassion, wisdom, and the aspiration to attain enlightenment not only for oneself, but for the benefit of all sentient beings.

The term “Mahayana” means “Great Vehicle,” and refers to the idea that this branch of Buddhism provides a path that is accessible to a broad range of individuals, regardless of their abilities or social status. Mahayana Buddhism teaches that all beings have the potential for enlightenment and that everyone can attain it through diligent practice.

The Mahayana path involves the cultivation of two key virtues: bodhisattva ethics and wisdom. Bodhisattva ethics involves the development of an altruistic intention to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, and the practice of the six perfections (generosity, ethical conduct, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom). Wisdom involves developing insight into the true nature of reality and realizing the emptiness of all phenomena.

Mahayana Buddhism also teaches the concept of “emptiness,” which is the idea that all phenomena lack inherent existence. This does not mean that things do not exist, but rather that they do not exist independently or permanently. Understanding this concept is considered essential to developing wisdom and realizing the true nature of reality.

One of the distinguishing features of Mahayana Buddhism is the belief in the existence of numerous bodhisattvas, or beings who have attained a high level of spiritual realization but have chosen to delay their own enlightenment in order to help others attain it. Mahayana Buddhism also teaches the existence of various Pure Lands or Buddha fields, which are ideal realms where beings can more easily attain enlightenment.

In terms of practice, Mahayana Buddhism places great emphasis on the practice of meditation, which is seen as essential to developing insight and realizing the nature of reality. There are many different types of meditation practices in Mahayana Buddhism, including mindfulness, compassion, and insight meditation.

5) Main tenets of Yogachara school:

Consciousness-Only:

The Yogachara school teaches that all phenomena are ultimately projections of the mind. This means that external objects and events are not inherently existent, but are created by consciousness. Therefore, the nature of reality is ultimately a projection of the individual’s own consciousness.

Three Natures:

The Yogachara school distinguishes between three “natures” of phenomena: the dependent nature, the imagined nature, and the perfect nature. The dependent nature refers to the interdependent nature of phenomena, while the imagined nature refers to the projections of the mind. The perfect nature refers to the ultimate reality that underlies both the dependent and imagined natures.

Store Consciousness:

The Yogachara school teaches that all experiences are stored in a deep layer of consciousness called the “store consciousness”. This consciousness is said to store all past experiences and tendencies and forms the basis for our perceptions and actions in the present.

Alayavijnana:

The Yogachara school also teaches the concept of the “Alayavijnana,” or the “basis consciousness”. This consciousness is said to be the basis of all other consciousnesses and is the storehouse for all past experiences and karmic imprints.

Meditation:

The Yogachara school places great emphasis on the practice of meditation as a means of understanding the nature of consciousness and developing insight into the true nature of reality. The school teaches various types of meditation practices, including concentration, insight, and visualization practices.

6) Some Quotes:

“All sentient beings possess Buddha nature.” – Asanga

“The ultimate nature of reality is beyond concepts and words.” – Asanga

“The practice of compassion is the antidote to self-grasping.” – Asanga

“The true nature of reality can only be realized through direct experience and insight.” – Asanga

“The nature of the mind is luminous, clear, and free from defilements.” – Asanga