Sassatavāda versus Ucchedavāda: Revisiting the Buddhist Critique

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to examine the Buddha's different positions in his criticism of Sassatavāda and Ucchedavāda. It is well- known that he rejected both extremes. However, his reasoning for rejecting the two perspectives found in the Dhammacakkapavattana- sutta, and in other related discourses, points out that he had different views regarding the two extremes. When criticising Ucchedavāda, the Buddha uses a stronger tone expressed in negative terms (hīno gammo puthujjaīko anariyo anatthasaṃhito). On the other hand, he avoids most of these negative terms when criticising Sassatavāda (dukkho anariyo anatthasaṃhito). Moreover, in the Sampasādanīya- sutta, Sāriputta highly praises the Buddha for the way he discourses on Sassatavāda without making any mention of Uccedavāda. Scholars, such as Y. Karunadasa and Michitoshi Manda, view this difference of the Buddha as being based on the doctrine of kamma. The present work revisits these studies and attempts to explore new findings. The study finds that striving for the ending of human suffering is completely absent in Ucchedavāda. In Buddhism and Sassatavāda, such striving for ending human suffering is integral and the two present their own forms of liberation.