Sarvastivada

Sarvastivada is one of the early schools of Buddhism that emerged in ancient India during the 3rd century BCE. The name “Sarvastivada” is derived from the Sanskrit words “sarva,” meaning “all,” and “astivada,” meaning “existence.” The school is often referred to as the “Vaibhashika” school in Tibetan Buddhism, emphasizing its adherence to the Vaibhasha Abhidharma texts.

Key features and characteristics of Sarvastivada include:

1. Abhidharma Analysis: Sarvastivada scholars were particularly known for their extensive work in Abhidharma, the philosophical and doctrinal analysis of Buddhist teachings. They meticulously examined the Buddha’s teachings to systematize and categorize them.
2. Theory of Dharmas: The Sarvastivada school posited the theory of “dharmas,” which are the ultimate, discrete and irreducible constituents of reality. According to this theory, all phenomena, including mental states, are composed of dharmas.
3. Past and Future Existence: One of the significant doctrines of Sarvastivada is the belief in the existence of dharmas in the past, present, and future. They argued that past and future dharmas exist in some sense, although they may not be directly experienced in the present.
4. Realism and Eternalism: The Sarvastivadins leaned towards a form of realism, asserting that dharmas exist objectively and independently of perception. This view led to the criticism that they were inclined towards eternalism, implying that entities persist permanently in some way.
5. Rejection of Annihilation: In opposition to the teachings of the Sautrantika school, Sarvastivadins rejected the notion of momentary existence (kshanika-vada) and held that dharmas endure through time, even during periods of non-perception.
6. Pali Canon Connection: While Sarvastivada was primarily developed in the northern regions of India and preserved in Sanskrit texts, some of its doctrines and ideas also appear in the Pali Canon, which is the scriptural basis of Theravada Buddhism.
7. Decline and Disappearance: The Sarvastivada school had a significant influence in early Buddhist history, but it declined over time. By the 5th century CE, the school had disappeared from India, though its influence continued in Central Asia and parts of East Asia for some time.

Sarvastivada played a crucial role in the development of Buddhist philosophy and thought during its early period. Although the school itself eventually waned, its contributions to Abhidharma analysis and the formulation of doctrines influenced later Buddhist schools and helped shape the diverse landscape of Buddhist philosophy and practice.