Dharmakirti’s Theory of Hetu-Centricity of Anumana

Nyaya and Buddhism as the two-important traditions of Indian Philosophical

Thought distinguished themselves through a detailed inquiry into various

aspects of Anumana. In both the traditions there flourished a long chain of

logicians of great reputation and profound scholarship. Particularly in the

Buddhist tradition Dharmakirti distinguished himself, through his scholarly

works, as a renowned logician and exerted influence alike both on his

adversaries and followers. Although he has discussed a number of issues

concerning Anumana in his different works, no systematic attempt has been

made to formulate and present Dharmakirti’s unified theory of Anumana in

its various aspects. The present work undertakes to do this for the first

time in the world of Buddhist scholarship. Giving a sketch of the

conceptual framework of Dharmakirti’s philosophy by way of background, it

discusses epistemic, constitutive and regulative conditions of Anumana

according to him, and dealing with the validity and, or soundness aspects

of Anumana along with Hetvabhasas it may give rise to, brings out their

important implications not only for Dharmakirti’s philosophy but also for

Buddhist philosophy in general.

Review(s)

About the Author(s)