Sarvastivada

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Sarvastivada was an early school of Buddhism that emerged in the Indian subcontinent. The name "Sarvastivada" is derived from the Sanskrit words "sarva" (all) and "asti" (exists), which together mean "the theory that all exists." This school is known for its unique doctrinal stance that all phenomena (dharmas) exist in the past, present, and future.

History

The Sarvastivada school is believed to have originated around the 3rd century BCE. It became one of the most influential schools of early Buddhism, particularly in the northwestern regions of India and Central Asia. The Sarvastivadins were known for their extensive scholastic work and their contributions to the Abhidharma literature.

Doctrine

The central doctrine of the Sarvastivada school is the belief in the existence of all dharmas in the past, present, and future. This contrasts with the views of other early Buddhist schools, which held that only present dharmas exist. The Sarvastivadins developed a sophisticated system of Abhidharma to explain their views on the nature of reality, causation, and the process of liberation.

Abhidharma

The Sarvastivada school produced a significant body of Abhidharma literature, which includes texts such as the Abhidharma Mahāvibhāṣa Śāstra and the Abhidharma-kośa. These texts provide detailed analyses of the nature of dharmas, the process of perception, and the stages of the path to enlightenment.

Karma and Rebirth

Sarvastivadins also had distinctive views on karma and rebirth. They believed that karmic actions leave imprints on the dharmas, which persist through time and influence future experiences. This view allowed them to explain the continuity of individual existence across different lifetimes.

Influence

The Sarvastivada school had a significant impact on the development of Buddhist thought and practice. It influenced the later development of the Mahayana tradition and contributed to the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road into Central Asia and China. The school's texts and doctrines were studied and debated by later Buddhist scholars, including those of the Yogacara and Madhyamaka schools.

Decline

The Sarvastivada school began to decline around the 7th century CE, as other Buddhist traditions, such as Mahayana and Vajrayana, gained prominence. However, its texts and teachings continued to be studied and respected within the broader Buddhist community.

Related Pages

• Buddhism
• Abhidharma
• Karma
• Rebirth
• Mahayana
• Yogacara
• Madhyamaka
• Silk Road