Download later buddhisht logicians and apoha theory of

LATER BUDDHISHT LOGICIANS AND APOHA THEORY OF
MEANING
RAJNISH KUMAR MISHRA
Jawaharlal Nehru University
The paper examines the general perception that the Buddhist logicians like
Shantarakshita, Jnanashreemitra and his pupil Ratnakirti were forced to
modify the apoha theory of meaning under the constant criticism of the
Mimamsa and the Nyaya schools of philosophy. Scholars have tried to
establish that these logicians in their expositions of Buddhist theory of
meaning have deviated from the basic theoretical standpoint as proposed by
the masters like Dinnaga and Dharmakirti. However, this paper argues that
the ‘positive’ aspect of meaning has been integrated in the conceptual
framework by these logicians well within the basic premises of Buddhist
philosophy and also in full conformity with the master exponents. The
notion of ‘positive’ is not the same as has been understood by the
philosophers and scholars of other schools of thought. The ‘positive’ in
apoha is still a part of intellection (buddhyatman), and not ontological or
existential (arthatman), as interpreted by the Realist schools of thought.