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ŚRĀVAKABHŪMI
were translated into Chinese between c. 414-421 A.D. by Dharmarakșa?. It has also been contended that his work was translated in his very life-time?
Similarly, the biography of Vasubandhu compiled by Kumārajīva might have been of the Vědhācārya Vasubandhu. We have already pointed out that the works available in Chinese translation by Kumārajīva are by Vțddhācārya Vasubandhu or Sthavira Vasubandhu. Since Kumārajiva's work is not available, nothing can be said with any amount of certainly in this respect.3
Hence, the above dates of Asanga (c. 340-415 A.D.)4 and Vasubandhu (c. 360-440 A.D.) may be tentatively accepted as approximate.
8. Erudition of Asanga
As pointed out, Asanga had mastered not only the entire Buddhistic Tripīțaka of the Theravāda Buddhism which represents the core of Pāli Abhidhamma, but had an equal mastery over the canons of other Bụddhist sects also. In his early career he
1. Smith, Ibid., loc. cit., Wayman, Analysis, p. 22 (Intro.). 2. cp. Wayman, loc. cit. 3. For a discussion on this point vide, Fraüwallner, ibid., p. 33 sq. 4. Wayman suggests c. 375-430 A.D. as the probable date of Asanga,
ibid., p. 25. 5. See, ff. 4, p. 7,
