The Changing Meanings of āśraya in Vasubandhu’s Abhidharmakośa(bhāṣya)

Abstract The term āśraya (“support” or “basis”) is used in manifold ways the Abhidharmakośa and its bhāṣya (AKBh). This comes from fact that basic meaning, indicating anything on which something else depends rests, quite generic. Despite plasticity of usage, we can find some recurring distinct technical applications AK(Bh), I explore my paper. First, look at usage characterising a member various asymmetric dependence relationships arising sometimes also persistence other relatum depends. Through examining nature āśraya-āśrita relations AK(Bh) discusses, show stands for an entity determines fundamental thing it supports. In second half paper, move to those occurrences where has specific referent. While refer six sense faculties ( indriya ) individually, stand them collectively pointing towards widespread meaning as ‘psychophysical basis’. this context, focus often shifts either material mental elements make up sentient being. will dedicate special attention discussion transformation basis āśrayaparāvṛtti ), where, reading, more natural interpret referring primarily mind citta with bodily connotations being marginal.