Question

Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : Ācārya Diṅnāga was the author of Pramāṇasamuccaya. Reason (R) : Ācārya Dharmakīrti had written Pramāṇa-Vārttika on Pramāṇasamuccaya. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

Remember the sequence in Buddhist Logic:
• Diṅnāga -- Founder of Buddhist Logic; author of Pramāṇasamuccaya.
• Dharmakīrti -- Greatest commentator and defender of Diṅnāga’s system; author of Pramāṇavārttika. Diṅnāga laid the foundation; Dharmakīrti refined and expanded it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Buddhist epistemology (Pramāṇavāda) developed mainly through the works of two great philosophers -- Diṅnāga and Dharmakīrti. Diṅnāga established the foundations of Buddhist logic, while Dharmakīrti expanded and defended those ideas through detailed philosophical works.

Step 1: Analyzing Assertion (A). Assertion (A) states that Ācārya Diṅnāga was the author of the Pramāṇasamuccaya. This statement is absolutely correct. The Pramāṇasamuccaya is the foundational text of Buddhist logic and epistemology. In this work, Diṅnāga systematically explained the two valid means of knowledge accepted in Buddhist philosophy:
• Pratyakṣa (Perception)
• Anumāna (Inference) Because of this contribution, Diṅnāga is regarded as the founder of Buddhist logical tradition. Therefore, Assertion (A) is true.

Step 2: Analyzing Reason (R). Reason (R) states that Ācārya Dharmakīrti wrote the Pramāṇavārttika on the Pramāṇasamuccaya. This statement is also correct. Dharmakīrti, who lived after Diṅnāga, composed the Pramāṇavārttika as a detailed exposition and defense of Diṅnāga’s logical system. He expanded many arguments related to perception, inference, and validity of knowledge. Thus, Reason (R) is true.

Step 3: Checking whether (R) explains (A). Now we must determine whether Reason (R) explains Assertion (A). The fact that Dharmakīrti later wrote a commentary-like work on the Pramāṇasamuccaya does not explain why Diṅnāga was its author. Diṅnāga’s authorship is an independent historical fact. Reason (R) merely gives additional information related to the influence of Diṅnāga’s work, but it does not establish or explain the authorship mentioned in Assertion (A). Hence, both statements are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Step 4: Conclusion. Since both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are correct independently, but Reason (R) does not logically explain Assertion (A), the correct answer is option (2).