Tenet system Vaibhasika (Assertion on the result)

Question 1

1. How many collection of Dharma were taught by the Buddha?
2. How many do the Vaibhasika accept and why?

Answer 1

1. 84.000
2. 80.000 because at the time when Archarya Ananda became Buddhas attendant already 4000 teachings were given. The following 80.000 are the teachings accepted by Vaibhasikas.

Question 2

1. Acc. to Vaibhasika, in which realm is enlightenment attained?
2. Acc. to the higher schools in what place is enlightenment attained?

Answer 2

1. desire realm
2. Akanishta god realm, where the Sambhogkaya is teaching Dharma ceaselessly.
   (Vaibhasika don’t accept the Sambhogkaya (enjoyment body of the Buddha), nor omniscience (knowing all phenomena simultaneously)

Question 3

What is the Nirvana (or Arhat) with and without residue?

Answer 3

Nirvana without residue is the ultimate goal for the personal liberation seeker. Nirvana (Arhat) with residue is an Arhat before he dies. After death he becomes an Arhat without residue. (He goes into Nirvana without residue).

Question 4

What happens to an Arhat without residue in the eyes of the Vaibhasika and who does not accept it?

Answer 4

Vaibhasika: The mind of an Arhat just disappears after death.
Higher schools: Mind can not just disappear.

Question 5

List the 3 final vehicles accepted by Vaibhasika and who does not accept it.

Answer 5

Nirvana acc. Shravaka
Nirvana acc. Pratyekabuddha
Nirvana acc. Mahayana

The higher schools don’t accept it.

Question 6

What do the Vaibhasikas think about the higher schools opinion, that Buddha died, got sick and went into the Paranirvana, as a display for the eyes of the followers?

Answer 6

Unacceptable for Vaibhasika, everything is taken literally.