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सर्वास्तिवाद (Sarvāstivāda)

Introduction

सर्वास्तिवाद (Sarvāstivāda)—in the domain of doctrinal 🌳Philosophy, occupies a distinctive position, advancing an ontological premise of remarkable profundity. This school posits the 🍃Existence of dharmas, or fundamental elements, across 🍃Past, 🍃Present, and 🍃Future, thus asserting a perpetual persistence that challenges temporal conventions. Such a tenet demands an introspective 🍃Contemplation, urging adherents to perceive phenomena not as momentary, but as enduring entities within a grand continuum. सर्वास्तिवाद consequently shapes the interpretative framework through which reality is perceived, necessitating a contemplative engagement that transcends fleeting perceptions, encouraging a scholarly 🍃Deliberation upon its intricate teachings.

Language

The nominal "सर्वास्तिवाद" (Sarvāstivāda), when parsed, reveals a compound 🍃Structure rooted in Sanskrit. "सर्वास्तिवाद" is a masculine compound 🍃Noun, combining "सर्व" (sarva) meaning "all" or "every," "अस्ति" (asti) meaning "exists," and "वाद" (vāda) meaning "doctrine" or "discourse." Thus, the compound may be understood to connote a doctrine regarding the existence of all. The morphological composition suggests a cohesive philosophical assertion, bringing together concepts of universality and existential affirmation in a doctrinal 🍃Form. Etymologically, it traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *ser-, connoting 🍃Being or existence, with "vāda" deriving from the root *welh₁-, which signifies speaking or talking. This etymological background highlights the linguistic anchorage of asserting existence and positing doctrine. The nominal encapsulates the linguistic 🍃Evolution from its Proto-Indo-European roots through the classical Sanskrit lexicon, reflecting a wider 🍃Spectrum of philosophical inquiry. While the nominal's 🍃Genealogy in doctrinal discourse is extensive, its 🍃Etymology from roots concerning existence and discourse provides insight into its linguistic journey. "सर्वास्तिवाद" thus upholds its Sanskrit lineage across various transitions, representing a confluence of linguistic, philosophical, and cultural currents. The term stands as a linguistic framework, connecting ancient conceptualizations of existence and discourse to more structured philosophical systems, showcasing the progression of 🍃Language and ideas within a broad cultural and historical milieu.

Genealogy

सर्वास्तिवाद (Sarvāstivāda), a term deeply embedded in the framework of ancient Indian philosophy, signifies a pivotal school of 🍃Thought that emerged within the early Buddhist doctrinal 🍃Landscape. Initially grounded in the assertion of the real existence of past, present, and future dharmas (phenomenal events), सर्वास्तिवाद forged a unique doctrinal path, differentiating itself from other early Buddhist 🍃Schools. This 🍃Perspective is articulated through primary sources such as the Abhidharma Mahāvibhāṣa Śāstra and the Jñānaprasthāna, which served as foundational texts for the school. Key figures in the 🍃Development of सर्वास्तिवाद include Vaibhāṣika commentators, who provided rigorous exegeses on these doctrinal elements, particularly within historical centers such as Kashmir and Gandhāra. Over 🍃Time, सर्वास्तिवाद experienced transformations as its principles were scrutinized and debated, particularly with the 🍃Emergence of the Sautrāntika school, which challenged its ontological assertions. The term thus evolved beyond its original connotations, encapsulating not only a doctrinal position but also an intellectual battleground for broader philosophical debates. Historically, सर्वास्तिवाद has been both utilized and critiqued in the 🍃Context of Buddhist 🌿Scholasticism and inter-sectarian dialogues. Its 🍃Association with the Abhidharma 🍃Tradition highlights its significance in the systematization of Buddhist doctrine, while its critiques underscore tensions concerning the 🍃Nature of reality and 🌿Phenomenology. The interconnectedness of सर्वास्तिवाद with concepts like the 🍃Theory of momentariness and the nature of dharmas illustrates its role within larger epistemological and metaphysical discussions. This genealogy reveals the hidden discourses that shaped सर्वास्तिवाद's evolution, showing how it was continually redefined in response to shifting intellectual paradigms and doctrinal developments across Buddhist 🌳History.