Member-only story

Unveiling the Enigma: 'The Seven Great Untenables Saptavidha Anupapatti' by Aryadeva

Dale Mitchell

·9k Followers· Follow

Published in The Seven Great Untenables: Saptavidha Anupapatti

6 min read · 1 week before

230 View Claps

35 Respond

Save

Listen

The Seven Great Untenables: Saptavidha Anupapatti

by John Grimes

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1960 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	130 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

Aryadeva, the renowned Indian philosopher, whose groundbreaking work 'The Seven Great Untenables Saptavidha Anupapatti' challenges conventional notions of reality.

A Journey into the Depths of Philosophy

In the vast tapestry of human thought, the works of ancient Indian philosophers have left an indelible mark on our understanding of the universe and our place within it. Among these towering figures, Aryadeva stands out as a brilliant luminary whose ideas have shaped the course of philosophy for centuries.

One of Aryadeva's most profound and influential works is 'The Seven Great Untenables Saptavidha Anupapatti'. This groundbreaking treatise, written around the 2nd century CE, is a masterful exposition of the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness (sunyata),challenging conventional notions of reality and existence.

The Enigma of Emptiness

At the heart of Aryadeva's philosophy lies the concept of emptiness, or shunyata. Emptiness, in this context, does not refer to a void or nothingness but rather to the fundamental lack of inherent existence in all phenomena. According to Aryadeva, all things are devoid of any independent, unchanging essence or substance.

This radical idea challenges the very foundations of our ordinary perception, which tends to cling to the solidity and permanence of objects. However, Aryadeva argues that this clinging is a source of suffering, as it leads us to believe in a reality that is ultimately illusory.

The Seven Untenables

In 'The Seven Great Untenables Saptavidha Anupapatti', Aryadeva presents a series of seven logical arguments to demonstrate the untenability of the view that things possess an inherent existence. These arguments, known as the 'seven untenables', are as follows:

The untenable of possession: If things truly possess an inherent existence, then they should be able to be possessed by themselves. However, this is logically impossible, as something cannot possess itself.
The untenable of origination: If things truly possess an inherent existence, then they must have originated from something else. However, this leads to an infinite regress, as the origin of the original thing must also have originated from something else, and so on.
The untenable of destruction: If things truly possess an inherent existence, then they should be able to be destroyed. However, this is also logically impossible, as something cannot destroy itself.
The untenable of permanence: If things truly possess an inherent existence, then they must be permanent. However, this contradicts our experience of the world, as we observe that all things are subject to change and decay.
The untenable of unity: If things truly possess an inherent existence, then they must be unified. However, this is contradicted by the fact that we can perceive different parts or aspects of things.
The untenable of difference: If things truly possess an inherent existence, then they must be different from other things. However, this is contradicted by the fact that we can perceive similarities between things.
The untenable of identity: If things truly possess an inherent existence, then they must be identical to themselves. However, this is contradicted by the fact that things can change over time.

The Profound Implications

Aryadeva's 'The Seven Great Untenables Saptavidha Anupapatti' has had a profound impact on Buddhist philosophy and beyond. Its insights into the nature of reality have challenged the foundations of conventional thought and have opened up new avenues of inquiry into the nature of the universe and our place within it.

The book has been widely studied and commented on by scholars throughout history, and its influence can be seen in the works of numerous later philosophers, including Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, and Shantideva. Its teachings have also had a significant impact on the development of Tibetan Buddhism and Zen Buddhism.

'The Seven Great Untenables Saptavidha Anupapatti' by Aryadeva is a seminal work of philosophy that continues to challenge and inspire thinkers to this day. Its profound insights into the nature of reality have left an indelible mark on the intellectual landscape and have opened up new possibilities for understanding the world around us.

Whether you are a seasoned philosopher or a curious novice, I highly recommend delving into the pages of this extraordinary book. Prepare to have your preconceptions challenged, your mind expanded, and your perception of reality forever altered.

The Seven Great Untenables: Saptavidha Anupapatti

by John Grimes

4.5 out of 5