About 觀總相論頌

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The Treatise on the Universal Character in Verse is an important Buddhist treatise on logic composed by the Bodhisattva Dignāga. It was translated into Chinese by the eminent Tang dynasty monk Yijing. This treatise elucidates the relationship between the universal character and the particular characteristics, with its core focus being the investigation into the formation and function of generalized concepts within the process of cognition. As part of Dignāga's system of logic, it profoundly influenced the development of Buddhist epistemology and logic, laying the foundation for the later logical thought of the Master Dharmakīrti. This treatise holds authoritative status in both Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism and is a key scripture for the study of Buddhist epistemology and logic.

諸有樂略者，彼已顯方隅；

若有愛煩文，為彼說總相，

由聲及義智，俗言為本者，

是觀總相言。此頌聲及義，

謂聲并義二，此中二種智，

名聲兼義智，彼為根本者。

謂即於因義，由諸世間說，

以聲義智本，是故勒為頌，

聲義及智義，故略造斯論。

問名義連屬，是俗說為本，

何以故今云，但唯辨聲義？

答曰不如此，縱有連屬聲，

唯名與義二。諸有許共相，

所詮及能詮，此中理印持，

咸攝入於此。謂不相離性，

方許相連屬，故今不別說。

由能詮名等，唯局連屬門，

了彼所詮義。故以總相性，

方得解了者，後當以廣說。

故唯聲義智，連屬道理成。

有餘復意樂，此中名義二，

有三種差別，謂聲并義二。

For those who favor brevity, The path has been shown.

For those who love elaborate texts, I summarize the essence:

Knowledge of sounds and meanings— Through common, worldly speech, One understands the summary. This verse says "sounds and meanings,"

Meaning both sound and meaning. Here, two types of knowledge— Knowledge of sounds and meanings— Are their foundation.

This means: based on causes, As the world commonly speaks, Sound and meaning are knowledge's root. Therefore, I compose these verses:

Sounds, meanings, and the knowledge of them— Thus I briefly craft this treatise.

Question: If names and meanings are linked Through worldly convention as the root, Why do you only discuss sound and meaning?

Answer: It is not so. Even if there is a linking sound, There remain only names and meanings. Those who accept universals—

The signified and the signifier— This logic holds them firm, All included here. Only as inseparable Is the link accepted.

Hence, I do not discuss it separately. By signifying names, Through the gateway of connection alone, One knows the signified meaning. Therefore, through the nature of universals,

Understanding arises— This will be explained later. Thus, only sound, meaning, and knowledge Complete the logic of connection.

Other thinkers also hold That here, names and meanings Have three distinctions— Sound and meaning as two.