Śabda (pramana)
śabda (P. sadda; T. sgra སྒྲ་; C. sheng 聲). Literally "sound." In pramana theory, śabda is discussed as an instrument of knowledge (pramana). In this context, śabda is typically translated as "testimony," and it refers to "testimony of a qualified expert."[1]
In the orthodox Hindu schools, this typically refers to the "sound" of the Vedas.[2] In Buddhist schools, the teachings of the Buddha (in the form of sutras, etc.) are considered to be reliable testimony.
In the Nyaya and other Hindu schools, "testimony" is listed as one of four valid "instruments of knowledge," the others being direct perception (pratyakṣa), inference (anumana), and comparison. The Buddhists generally do not consider "testimony" as a separate instrument of knowledge. Buddhists rather claim that testimony is just a case of inference.[1]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Siderits 2007, Chapter 5.
- ↑ Buswell & Lopez 2014, s.v. pramana.
Sources
Buswell, Robert E.; Lopez, Donald S. (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princeton University
Siderits, Mark (2007), Buddhism as Philosophy: An Introduction, Ashgate Publishing Limited
