VASUBANDHU (c. 4–5th century CE), one of the most important figures in Mahāyāna Buddhism in India during the Gupta Empire, co-founder of the Yogācāra school, and the promulgator of several significant Buddhist concepts that explore the nature of reality, consciousness, and the path to liberation. Vasubandhu authored commentaries on various sutras, works on logic, devotional poetry, Abhidharma classifications, and original philosophical treatises. Historical records suggest that Vasubandhu was born in Gandhara (present-day Pakistan), into a Hindu Brahmin family and initially followed the traditional path of Indian scholarship. He studied various schools of thought prevalent during his time, including Hindu philosophy and logic. Vasubandhu undertook a significant project, composing the Abhidharmakosa, a comprehensive summary of Buddhist doctrine. He later wrote the Abhidharmakosa Bhasya, which critiqued Vaibhashika teachings from a Sautrantika perspective; this led to tensions between the two schools, particularly regarding the nature of Dharma (“the universal truths”).
Vasubandhu’s conversion to Mahāyāna Buddhism marked a pivotal moment in his life. Influenced by the profound insights offered by the Buddha’s teachings through his elder brother Asaṅga—particularly around the concepts of impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anattā)—Vasubandhu delved deeper into Buddhist philosophy, believing in its superiority. Over time, Vasubandhu immersed himself in Mahāyāna Buddhist scriptures, authoring numerous commentaries and treatises and becoming an embodiment of its principles. Traditionally credited with a vast literary oeuvre, Vasubandhu produced works that provide invaluable insights into Buddhist philosophy. He became most famously associated with the Yogācāra school, also known as the “Yoga of Meditation,” which emphasized the nature of consciousness and the mind. According to the Root Tantra of Mañjuśrī, Vasubandhu was prophesied to be a significant pillar of Buddhism: “Dwelling thereafter / Will be a brahmin in the south, / Whose name begins with Va, / The foremost exponent of the Buddha’s teachings.”
The Doctrine of Consciousness, Vasubandhu’s philosophical system, often referred to as Vijñānavāda, explores the nature of consciousness and its role in shaping our perceptions of reality. According to Vasubandhu, all phenomena are mere manifestations of consciousness, which he conceptualizes as a flow of momentary mental events (citta-santāna). This perspective challenges the notion of an enduring self or ego, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of experience.
The Three Natures, one of Vasubandhu’s seminal teachings, is the doctrine of the three natures (Trisvabhāva). According to this framework, phenomena are understood in three aspects: the dependent nature (Paratantra-svabhāva), which refers to the interdependent and conditioned nature of phenomena; the imaginary nature (Parikalpitā-svabhāva), which denotes the conceptual constructions and projections of the mind; and the perfected nature (Pariṇiṣpanna-svabhāva), which represents the ultimate reality beyond conceptual elaborations. This nuanced perspective offers profound insights into the nature of reality and the process of liberation.
Vasubandhu’s legacy extends far beyond his lifetime, shaping the course of Buddhist thought for centuries to come. His profound insights into the nature of consciousness, the workings of the mind, and the path to enlightenment continue to inspire scholars and practitioners alike. His philosophical treatises remain essential texts in the study of Buddhist philosophy. In addition to his intellectual contributions, Vasubandhu’s emphasis on compassion and wisdom underscores the ethical foundation of Buddhist practice; his teachings speak of the importance of cultivating virtuous qualities such as loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom in one’s pursuit of spiritual awakening. Through his meticulous analysis of consciousness, the nature of reality, and the process of liberation, Vasubandhu offers a roadmap for navigating the complexities of existence and attaining ultimate freedom from suffering.
Vasubandhu played a pivotal role in preserving and expanding the Mahāyāna tradition, converting five thousand tīrthikas (non-Buddhists) to the Buddhist view. Later, followed by a thousand disciples, Vasubandhu traveled to Nepal and continued to propagate the Dharma, establishing several monastic communities in his final years. His legacy extends far beyond his lifetime; he is revered as a bodhisattva (enlightened being) and even likened to a “second Buddha” for his profound teachings and compassionate propagation of the Dharma.