Metaphor and Literalism in Buddhism: The ... - misterdanger.net

THE DOCTRINAL DEVELOPMENT OF NIRVANA
real existent (dravya). The main role of nirvana in this case is henceforward
to prevent a particular defilement from attaching to a person through the
antidote, ‘the acquisition of disjunction’ (visaNyogaprApti), which arises from
knowledge (pratisaNkhyA). This role could not be fulfilled if it were nonexistent.
In other words, nirvana must exist as a real existent (dravya) in the
three time periods. 46
Second, it is quite different from the two nirvana elements in the early
canon. Nirvana in this case is used in a narrow sense applied to a single
perpetual prevention of a certain defilement, while nirvana in the early canon
is the cessation of the triple fire: passion, hatred and delusion. It is also quite
different from the nirvana in the Pali abhidhamma, where it is the one and
only unconditioned thing. In fact, nirvana as extinction through knowledge
is multiple.
Later in the MahAvibhALAUAstra it is explained as follows: ‘there are as
many extinctions through knowledge as there are objects of junction’. 47
In other words, a saint (arahant), who has nirvana with a remainder of
clinging, in this system is the one who has terminated all junctions with
impure objects and as a consequence has henceforward been protected from
them through antidotes, ‘the acquisition of disjunction’ (visaNyogaprApti).
Thus, nirvana in a narrow sense called disjunction (visaNyoga) is quite
different from what is known as nirvana with and without a remainder of
clinging. 48
The Sarvastivada interpretation in the JñAnaprasthAna
The JñAnaprasthAna is the only abhidharma work in which the two
nirvana theory is mentioned and interpreted. In the Sarvastivada tradition,
the JñAnaprasthAna is regarded as the body of six other abhidharma
works, which are collectively entitled ‘Abhidharma consisting of six feet’
(LaSpAdAbhidharma). 49 However, that does not mean that the JñAnaprasthAna
was established earlier than the other six abhidharma works. In fact, the
JñAnaprasthAna can be seen by its style and its detailed interpretations based
on Sarvastivada orthodoxy to be among the latest of these seven works. 50
After explaining the Sarvastivadin’s three extinctions, extinction through
knowledge, extinction without knowledge, and impermanent extinction, 51 it
clarifies the two nirvana theory as follows:
What is nirvana with a remainder of clinging (sopadhiUeLanirvAOadhAtu)?
A saint (arahant) has completely extinguished his
impurity (kLCOAsrava); his vitality (Ayus) alone exists; the series of
primary elements (mahAbhEtAni) and secondary matter (upAdAyarEpa)
have not yet become extinct; the mental series supported by the five
faculties is active as there is still a remainder of clinging. The complete
cessation of all fetters (saNyojana) which is obtained (prApta),
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