MINOR BUDDHIST TEXTS (Part 1)

G. TUCCI
The karikas of Asanga explain the sequence of the
ideas supposed to be underlying the revelation contained
in the book and endeavour to show the inner meaning
implicit in the apparent repetitions contained in the text.
Vasubandhu, on the other hand, divides the different
topics dealt with by the sutra into seven items. This
is the reason why his work is also called saptartha-
11 k a , evidently in order to differentiate it from the
Abhisamayalankara in which, as known, is the
topics of the Pancavimsati have been arranged
under eight items. These seven topics are:
1. continuity of the lineage of the Buddhas;
2. the practical methods leading to complete realization
(p r a y o g a);
3. the foundation of the practice (pratipattya
d h a r a);
4. the counteragents of the states hostile to realization;
5. no loss;
6. the stages of the realization;
7. reasons why the book is so called.
It is evident that in fact the important topics are really
six, the last one having but little relation with the mystic
practices specified in the text.
Kamalaslla follows Vasubandhu so closely that the Tibetan
translator of Vasubandhu's commentary frankly
admits the help he received by comparing his manuscript
with the Tibetan text of Kamalasilas' work. The scheme
in fact is the same with only the difference that the seven
topics have been reduced to five: viz.
1) the occasion (glen gzi, nidana p. 19, 1. 1,
Ilevam maya... nyasldan. 2) the opportu-
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