Asanga
Asańga flourished in the fourth century of the Common Era, though scholars debate where he was born. Some records place his birth in Puruśapura, a city now known as Peshawar in Pakistan. This location sat within the ancient kingdom of Gandhāra during that time. Other sources claim he originated from Central India instead. The writings of Buton Rinchen Drub support this central Indian origin story. Current academic consensus generally places him in the fourth century CE. He may have begun life as a member of the Mahīśāsaka school or the Mūlasarvāstivāda school before converting to Mahāyāna Buddhism. Xuanzang recorded that Asańga started as a Mahīśāsaka monk but soon turned toward Mahāyāna teachings. His half-brother Vasubandhu belonged to the Sarvāstivāda school and later converted after meeting Asańga. Scholars remain divided on whether Asańga's early frameworks retained specific traits from his original sect.
Paramārtha, a sixth-century monk, recounted how Asańga used meditative powers to travel to Tuśita Heaven. There he received teachings directly from Maitreya Bodhisattva regarding emptiness. Paramārtha described these journeys as repeated visits where Asańga continued receiving instruction on Mahayana sutras. Modern scholars disagree sharply on the nature of this figure named Maitreya. Some researchers like Frauwallner argue Maitreya-nātha was an actual historical person who taught Asańga. Other scholars suggest Maitreya functioned as a tutelary deity or Iśtadevatā experienced through deep meditation. The 6th century Indian monk Sthiramati noted this view regarding the tutelary deity aspect. Regardless of interpretation, these experiences drove Asańga to travel across India. He propagated Mahayana teachings throughout various kingdoms during his lifetime. Taranatha's History of Buddhism in India claims he founded twenty-five Mahayana monasteries in India.
Among the most famous institutions established by Asańga was Veluvana located in the Magadha region. This monastery sits within what is now Bihar state in modern times. It was at Veluvana that Asańga hand-picked eight chosen disciples for his mission. These eight individuals would all become famed teachers in their own right later. They spread the Mahayana teachings far and wide after leaving the monastery. Asańga spent many years in serious meditation and study under various teachers before founding these centers. His work created lasting structures for Buddhist practice across ancient India. The establishment of these monasteries allowed him to systematize complex philosophical ideas. Historical records indicate he traveled extensively to propagate these new teachings. The legacy of these foundations persists in the history of Indian Buddhism today.
Tibetan hagiographies state that five specific treatises were taught to Asańga by Maitreya directly. These form what is known as the Five Dharmas of Maitreya in Tibetan Buddhist scholasticism. D.S. Ruegg noted these works appear in Sanskrit sources from the 11th century onwards only. S.K. Hookham pointed out modern scholars question their attribution to a single author. The Mahāyānasūtrālamkāra-kārikā presents the Mahāyāna path from a Yogācāra perspective. Mario D'amato places this text after the Bodhisattvabhumi but before Asańga's Mahāyānasańgraha. The Madhyāntavibhāga-kārikā contains 112 verses distinguishing the middle from extremes. John Makransky suggested Arya Vimuktisena might have authored the Abhisamayalankara instead. This verse text attempts synthesis between Prajñaparamita doctrine and Yogacara thought. The Ratnagotravibhaga compendium on Buddha-nature remains attributed to Maitreya via Asańga in Tibet. Chinese tradition attributes it to Sāramati, a figure active during the third or fourth century CE.
Asańga is traditionally considered one of the seventeen Nalanda masters who taught at that monastery. This institution stands within modern-day Bihar state today. His influence spread Mahayana Buddhism across Asia through these teaching lineages. He founded major monasteries like Veluvana which became centers for advanced study. Eight chosen disciples selected by him carried his teachings forward into history. The Yogācārabhūmi śāstra represents a massive encyclopaedic work on yogic praxis attributed to him. Most modern scholars now view this text as a compilation of various works by numerous authors. Different textual strata can be discerned within its contents according to Martin Delhey. Asańga may still have participated in compiling this great work despite later scholarly views. His frameworks retained underlying traits from earlier schools while transforming them into new systems. The enduring impact of his writings shaped Buddhist philosophy for centuries after his death.
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Common questions
When did Asanga live and where was he born?
Asanga flourished in the fourth century of the Common Era. Some records place his birth in Puruśapura, a city now known as Peshawar in Pakistan within the ancient kingdom of Gandhāra.
What is the story behind Asanga's journey to Tuśita Heaven?
Paramārtha recounted that Asanga used meditative powers to travel to Tuśita Heaven to receive teachings directly from Maitreya Bodhisattva regarding emptiness. Modern scholars disagree on whether this figure named Maitreya was an actual historical person or a tutelary deity experienced through deep meditation.
Which three works are widely agreed upon by scholars to be written by Asanga himself?
The first work is the Mahāyānasańgraha, a systematic exposition of Yogacara school tenets divided into ten chapters. The second major work is the Abhidharma-samuccaya, a short summary of main Mahayana Abhidharma doctrines. The third text is the Xianyang shengjiao lun, available only through Xuanzang's Chinese translation.
How many monasteries did Asanga found and what happened at Veluvana?
Taranatha's History of Buddhism in India claims he founded twenty-five Mahayana monasteries in India. At Veluvana located in the Magadha region, Asanga hand-picked eight chosen disciples who became famed teachers later.
What are the Five Dharmas of Maitreya attributed to Asanga?
Tibetan hagiographies state that five specific treatises were taught to Asanga by Maitreya directly including the Mahāyānasūtrālamkāra-kārikā and the Madhyāntavibhāga-kārikā. These works appear in Sanskrit sources from the 11th century onwards only and remain subject to modern scholarly questioning regarding their attribution.