Hetucakranirnaya Translation
By Durgacharan Chatterji
Summary
This section presents a translation of portions of the Hetucakranirṇaya, a treatise attributed to Dignāga that classifies types of inference. The translated passages enumerate different categories of hetu (reasons) used in Buddhist logic, giving Sanskrit terms alongside their explanations. For instance, the treatise contrasts nitya (eternal) and anitya (non‑eternal) phenomena, amṛta (immaterial) objects and others, and analyses how these categories function in syllogisms. The translation is accompanied by notes on variant readings from Tibetan and Chinese sources. The author aims to make this technical material accessible to those who do not read Sanskrit, and the translation serves as a companion to earlier articles on Buddhist logic in the journal.
Conclusion
The translation of the Hetucakranirṇaya enriches the study of Buddhist logic by providing clear definitions of key terms. Making such texts available in English allows a wider audience to engage with the intricacies of Indian logical thought and facilitates comparative research across traditions.