Tenet system Vaibhasika (explanation of the nature of the path)

Question 1

What is the nature of the path in general?

Answer 1

You know the reality well, than the cognitive transformation takes place, so the mental defilements are removed. The full understanding of that is the nature of the path.

Question 2

To know reality we need to know the 4 noble truth related to the desire realm and the higher realms. What are they in the Vaibhasika tenet system?

Answer 2

1. Desire realm: desire after sensual objects
   Lower realm: Animal realm, hungry ghost realm, hell realm
   Higher realm: Human, god, demigod
2. Form realm is in the God realm: mind refrains from the sensual objects, they are rather directed inwardly.

3.Formless realm is also in the God realm: mind refrains also from the sensual objects. They are rather directed inwardly but more subtle than in the form realm

Question 3

Concerning the paths of seeing and of meditation, how do the Vaibhasikas call the uninterrupted paths and the paths of release ?

Answer 3

Uninterrupted path = forbearance

Path of release = knowledge

Question 4

There are 16 moments of knowledge and forbearance. Which ones are accepted as the path of seeing by the Vaibhasikas and which ones are accepted by the higher schools as the path of seeing?

Answer 4

For Vaibhasika the first 15 moments of forbearance and knowledge fall under the path of seeing.
For the higher schools all 16 fall under the path of seeing.

Question 5

Which moment of the 16 moments of knowledge and forbearance fall under the path of mediation for Vaibhasika

Answer 5

The 16th moment - the subsequent knowledge - of the truth of the path (form and formless realm) is the path of meditation

The 16 moments arise sequentially.
The truth of the path is not necessarily conciousness. The 5 uncontaminated aggregates are posited as the truth of the path.

Question 6

What is subsequent knowledge for the Vaibhasika?

Answer 6

Subsequent refers to the higher realm (Form and Formless realm) It is the 16th moment which is the path of meditation

Question 6

What is a phenomena for Vaibhasika?

Answer 6

It refers to the desire realm

Question 7

What is Knowledge for Vaibhasika?

Answer 7

It refers to the path of release (on the path of meditation) related to the higher realm of the truth of the path of meditation.

Question 8

Who says that the truth of the path is always a mental state and who contradicts?

Answer 8

The higher schools say that the truth of the path is always a mental state.
Vaibhasika say the truth of the path is not necessarily conciousness.