Hetucakranirnaya
By Durgacharan Chatterji
Summary
This scholarly article investigates the Hetucakranirṇaya, a Buddhist logic treatise attributed to Dharmakīrti. The Hetucakra (Wheel of Reasons) is a schematic that classifies syllogistic reasoning according to the presence or absence of the three characteristics of a valid reason: being pervaded by the probandum, being counterpositive‑exclusive, and being present in similar cases. The author first outlines the historical context of Buddhist logic, tracing its development from Dignāga to Dharmakīrti and the synthesis accomplished in the Hetucakra. He then analyses Dharmakīrti’s refinements, which reduce the original 36 types of reasons to 15 by eliminating redundant categories. The article compares Tibetan commentaries on the Hetucakranirṇaya, noting how later scholars elaborated on the classification to aid dialectical debate. By situating the treatise within the broader tradition of Indian pramāṇa theory, the author shows how Buddhist philosophers sought to formalise reasoning while addressing objections from rival schools.
Conclusion
The article concludes that the Hetucakranirṇaya represents a pivotal moment in the history of Indian logic. It refines earlier systems and lays the groundwork for subsequent Buddhist dialectics. Understanding its structure enriches our appreciation of Indian intellectual history.