Commentary on the Treatise on the Middle Way and Extremes, Volume 1
Nine hundred years after the Buddha's passing, the Bodhisattva Asanga appeared in the world. He went to Maitreya and requested the teaching of the great treatise. The circumstances are explained elsewhere. Maitreya then taught the root verses of this treatise, called the *Madhyāntavibhāga-kārikā*. Having received it, Asanga entrusted it to Vasubandhu to compose an extensive commentary. Therefore, this prose commentary was composed by Vasubandhu and is called the *Madhyāntavibhāga-śāstra*.
"Vibhāga" means clear distinction, another name for analysis. "Madhya" refers to what is correct and wholesome, free from extremes. "Anta" refers to what is erroneous and harmful, marked by faults. Thus, it is a treatise that clearly distinguishes between the correct and the erroneous.
If so, why is it not called "Erroneous and Correct" but rather "Middle and Extremes"? The term "Middle and Extremes" here indicates abiding in the Middle Way, free from attachment to the two extremes, and in accordance with true principle. Hence, this name is chosen to distinguish it from teachings that are biased toward existence or emptiness. Although those teachings may be correct and wholesome, they are not the Middle Way. Therefore, it is called "Middle and Extremes," not "Erroneous and Correct."
"Middle and Extremes" refers to the principle being explained. "Vibhāga" refers to the teaching that clarifies it. This treatise elucidates the principle of what is correct and erroneous, fully distinguishing the Middle and Extremes. "Vibhāga of Madhyānta" is expressed in the genitive case in Sanskrit compound grammar, specifically the sixth case in the ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa construction.
The old translation attributed it to Vasubandhu, which is incorrect. The title *Madhyāntavibhāga-śāstra* does not align with this.
The chapter on "Characteristics" is named after its subject matter, which is the characteristics of the three natures explained here. However, what is explained in this chapter is not limited to characteristics alone. For example, the homage verses and the subsequent general summary of the seven topics are not characteristics. The chapter is named based on its predominant theme, hence "Characteristics."
As for the chapter on the "Supreme Vehicle," some interpret it as "divisions." The sequence, additions, and reductions of these seven chapters will be explained below.
The first two chapters deal with objects of cognition, the next three with practice, and the last two with results. This is the intent of the seven chapters.
The initial homage was composed by Vasubandhu. From here onward, the verses are all spoken by Maitreya. Maitreya's original text contains 113 verses: the first summarizes, the last concludes, and the middle constitutes the main body.
Vasubandhu's commentary consists of 700 verses, each with eight syllables per line, thirty-two syllables per verse. However, Vasubandhu had not yet turned [to the Mahāyāna] at that time. In the old translation by Paramārtha during the Liang dynasty, each line had fourteen syllables, and each verse had fifty-six syllables. The text contained errors and contradictions in meaning. Therefore, it has been retranslated now. Differences will be noted where they occur.