The Tattvasangraha [with commentary]

by Ganganatha Jha | 1937 | 699,812 words | ISBN-10: 8120800583 | ISBN-13: 9788120800588

This page contains verse 3226-3227 of the 8th-century Tattvasangraha (English translation) by Shantarakshita, including the commentary (Panjika) by Kamalashila: dealing with Indian philosophy from a Buddhist and non-Buddhist perspective. The Tattvasangraha (Tattvasamgraha) consists of 3646 Sanskrit verses; this is verse 3226-3227.

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

यद्यसौ वेदमूलः स्याद्वेदवादिभ्य एव तु ।
उपदेशं प्रयच्छेयुर्यथा मन्वादयस्तथा ॥ ३२२६ ॥
यतस्तु मूर्खशूद्रेभ्यः कृतं तैरुपदेशनम् ।
ज्ञायते तेन दुष्टं तत्सांवृतं कूटकर्मवत् ॥ ३२२७ ॥

yadyasau vedamūlaḥ syādvedavādibhya eva tu |
upadeśaṃ prayaccheyuryathā manvādayastathā || 3226 ||
yatastu mūrkhaśūdrebhyaḥ kṛtaṃ tairupadeśanam |
jñāyate tena duṣṭaṃ tatsāṃvṛtaṃ kūṭakarmavat || 3227 ||

“If the teaching of Buddha had been based upon the Veda, it would have been imparted to only such persons as were Vedic scholars,—just like the teachings of Manu and others, as a matter of fact, however, Buddha’s teachings are found to have been imparted to ignorant persons and Śūdras; hence it must be defective and illusory, like the making of counterfeit coins.”—(3226-3227)

 

Kamalaśīla’s commentary (tattvasaṃgrahapañjikā):

Question;—How is it known that the teaching of Buddha does not proceed on the basis of the Veda?

Answer:—[see verses 3226-3227 above]

If Buddha’s teachings regarding Dharma had been based upon the Veda, then, He would have imparted them,—like Manu and other teachers—to learned Brāhmaṇas; as a matter of fact, however they were imparted—not to Brāhmaṇas, but to the ignorant Śūdras; hence we conclude that the teaching must be ‘illusory’—false, just like the making of counterfeit coins.—(3226-3227)

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: