This paper explores the reception of Vaiśeṣika (勝論) philosophy in East Asia, with a primary focus on Kōgen Jōtai’s hitherto unexamined sub-commentary on Vaiśeṣika, Shōshūjikkugironshaku Bōkanroku (勝宗十句義論釋傍觀錄). This sub-commentary offers a discerning yet highly critical interpretation of Kiben Daidōbō’s (1718-1791, 基辨大同房) commentary, Shōshūkikkugironshaku (勝宗十句義論釋), on Daśapadārthī (勝宗十句義論), a seminal text of Vaiśeṣika philosophy in East Asia. Kōgen Jōtai’s commentary is organized around 37 distinct issues, all of which stem from Kiben’s contentious interpretations of Vaiśeṣika. The paper analyzes and describes each issue. These issues span a variety of philosophical concepts, ranging from ontology and perception to the interpretation of technical Vaiśeṣika vocabulary, as well as errors such as misquotations, omissions, or conflations of Vaiśeṣika terminology.
Keywords:
Vaiśeṣika, Daśapadārthī, Kōgen Jōtai, Kiben Daidōbō, Edo period