Contents
55. Che-she Sect
55. Che-she Sect
55.1 Name
Chu-she [ѪÙ] is transliterated from
the Sanskrit word 'Kosha', which means 'Store'. As the principal
text of this sect at the time of establishment was a shastra written
by Vasubandhu (316-396 AD) called Abhidharma-kosha Shastra, the
sect was thus named after it.
55.2 Development
It was a classical school modified from the Indian doctrinal 'Realistic
School'. Abhidharma-kosha was brought to China and translated by
Paramartha in 6th century, who was regarded as the founder.
The shastra was later re-edited and re-translated by another great
master Hsuan-tsang [¥È®N]. This sect
was eventually became merged with Fa-hsiang [ªk¬Û]
sect.
55.3 Principal
Text
The sect was inspired by Abhidharma-kosha written by Vasubandhu,
the brother of Asnaga, and a native of Purushapura. It was translated
in Chinese by Paramartha in 6th century. Another translated
text was done by Hsuan-tsang in Tang Dynasty.
55.4 Main
Doctrines
- Before Vasubandhu was converted to Mahayana by his brother Asanga,
he was an ordained monk of Sarvastivada school. i.e. Realistic,
or 'All-thing-exist' school in Kashmir. The Abhidharma-kosha was
actually an outline of the philosophy of a group of Sarvastivada
scholars. 'Abhi' means 'towards -- towards Four Noble Truths and
Nirvana'. 'Dharma' means 'doctrine -- doctrines of Four Noble
Truths and Nirvana'. 'Kosha' means 'store'.
- There are 9 chapters in Abhidharmaa-kosha. It emphasizes that
all Dharmas are existent in real state as the karma of sentient
beings never extinguish. They all abide by the law of cause and
effect. For human beings, they have no real self amongst all Dharmas,
as their existence is not permanent and depends on the amalgamation
and dispersion of conditions.
- There are 4 kinds of Conditional Causation or Dependent Origination,
according to the doctrine of Hua-yen [µØÄY]
sect. Che-she sect adopted that the conditions of reincarnation
arise under the influence of Karma. In Abhidharma-kosha, all Dharma
are classified into 75, which include Five Skandhas, Twelve Bases,
Eighteen Realms, etc. Each of them is elaborated in full details.
Moreover, the Four Noble Truths are explained in 16 different
aspects, each truth bearing 4 different aspects.
- Above all, the ultimate objective of this sect is to achieve
Arhatship and enter the state of Nirvana.
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