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lxviii
ŚRĀVAKABHŪMI
mations regarding Āryāsanga.
Paramārtha informs us that Asanga belonged to a Brāhmaṇa family of Kuśika gotra and was born at Puruşapura (modern Peshawar), his native place. He was eldest of the three brothers all named Vasubandhu and was distinguished by the name Asanga. The youngest of the three brothers was known by the name “Viriñcivatsa'l. The second of the three brothers was known by the name Vasubandhu and was not given any other apellation.
The Sino-Tibetan tradition informs that Asanga and Vasubandhu were sons of the same mother, but their fathers were different. But no such tradition is found in Indian Philosophical literature where their different parentage might have been recorded. Hence, no reliance can be placed on any Tibetan or Chinese tradition which is not evidenced by further corroborative material.
It has also been recorded that in his earlier career, Āryāsanga was an adherent of the Mahīśāsaka sect and belonged to the Sarvāstivāda School of Hinayāna Buddhism4. Paramārtha cites the name of arhat Piņdola 1. Takukusu, Life etc., vide Supra, f.n. 2, pp. 272-5; cf. Beal, 1.98,
Watters, I.2.10. 2. We are informed that he was named 'Bilindibhava' after his
mother's name (Bilindi), Watters, I. 210. 3. Vide, Wayman, Analysis, Intr., pp. 23, 25. 4. Watters, 1.357; Beal, 1.226. 5. Wayman, Ibid., pp.25-31, (he apparently discusses in detail the
relation of Asanga to Mabīšāsaka, the Sarvāstivāda and the Mūlasarvāstivāda sects).
