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Pramāṇa-vārttika

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | 700+ words | Copyright

Pramāṇa-vārttika An important work on Buddhist logic and epistemology (pramāṇa) written in verse by Dharmakīrti. It comprises four chapters: (1) Inference for One's Own Benefit (svārtha-anumāṇa); (2) Establishment of Valid Cognition (pramāṇa-siddhi); (3) Direct Perception (pratyakṣa); and (4) Inference for Another's Benefit (parārtha-anumāṇa). Although purportedly written as a kind of commentary to Dignāga's Pramāṇa-samuccaya, the work actually redefines some of Dignāga's concepts and innovates with new theories designed to counter shortcomings that had been exposed in Dignāga's pramāṇa theories. A copy in the original Sanskrit is extant as well as a translation in Tibetan. The work also has many associated commentaries and subcommentaries both of Indian and Tibetan composition, the latter due to the immense popularity of pramāṇa studies with the Sakya and Geluk schools. See also India; Tibet.

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