法藏の三性説に對する若干の疑問

Abstract

The Threefold-Nature theory (or the trisvabhava theory of the vijnanavada) was expounded by Fa Tsang (A. D. 643-712) in his Hua-yen U-chiao-chang. The present author, making a comparative study of this theory of his and its Indian prototype, has tried to make clear the characteristics of his philosophy. Fa-tsang presumes especially the following points: (1) the parinispanna (or the absolute fully realized) has two contradictory aspects: constancy on the one hand, and changeableness due to pratyayas (or conditions) on the other; (2) the real truth (parinispanna) is the root or fountainhead, from which all phenomenal falsities emanate. Basing his thought on such fundamental ideas of his own, Fa-tsang examines one by one the " ens " and the " non-ens" of these three Natures (parinispanna, paratantra, and parikalpita), and discusses oneness and manifoldness of these three. His thesis " the constant entity varies according to pratyayas" has had great influence on Chinese Buddhist philosophies ever since. This viewpoint, however, showing Fa-tsang's originality, greatly differs from that of the Indian prototype. Indian theory of the Threefold-Nature represents a kind of idealistic cosmology regarding the " world-structure", and at the same time, by means of this cosmology, unfolds the way of emancipation or salvation. The former point was not fully elucidated by Fatsang, while the latter was left nearly untouched. Furthermore, both these characteristics of the Indian prototype were developed centering around the notions of vijnana (" knowing"), or citta (mind), which was defined as the paratantm or the " originated depending on others". This basic point was also neglected in his argument. Thus, Fa-tsang's doctrine was established merely from the ontological viewpoint, but not from the epistemological and soteriological. Fa-tsang's viewpoint should be regarded rather as that of the Tathdgata- garbha (matrix of Tathagata) theory, which is in contrast with and differs from the idea of the vijnanavada theory, both in its characteristics and in its meaning. Fa-tsang seems to have tried to synthesize the above-mentioned two theories (as well as the viewpoint of the Mddhyamika school.) However, it seems to me that his attempt resulted in a complete failure in clarifying the genuine meaning of the Threefold-Nature theory.