By the time of Vasubandhu (approx. 4th/5th century CE), the doctrine had reached a high level of sophistication, providing a systematic defense against competing Brahmanical schools that argued for persisting substances. 4. Philosophical Proofs and Objections
Opponents argued that this led to an "infinite regress" or failed to explain how perception could occur if objects vanished before they could be processed. 5. Conclusion: Soteriological Implications
The doctrine of momentariness is not merely an intellectual exercise; it serves the Buddhist goal of ending suffering. By dismantling the illusion of a permanent self ( anattā ) and stable objects, it reduces attachment. Realizing the momentary nature of reality is intended to transform one's emotional relationship with the world, leading to liberation. The Buddhist doctrine of momentariness: A surve...
The ( kṣaṇikavāda ) represents a radical interpretation of the fundamental concept of impermanence ( anitya ). While early Buddhism taught that all things are subject to change and decay, the later formal doctrine of momentariness posits that all existence is atomized into discrete, momentary events that vanish as soon as they arise.
Change is not the transformation of a persisting object but the qualitative difference between entities in a series. 3. Historical Origins and Early Phase By the time of Vasubandhu (approx
In early Buddhist thought, impermanence was a pragmatic observation of the transience of life. However, as Buddhist philosophy evolved—particularly within the Sarvāstivāda and Sautrāntika schools —this observation was systematized into a rigorous metaphysical theory. The core proposition is that an entity does not merely change; it ceases to exist entirely after one "moment" ( kṣaṇa ), giving rise to a successor that is nearly identical but numerically distinct. 2. The Mechanics of the Doctrine
Rather than time being a continuous flow, phenomena are dissected into a succession of discrete entities. By dismantling the illusion of a permanent self
The doctrine functions through several key philosophical mechanisms: