Korea Journal of Buddhist Studies ISSN:1598-0642(Print) 불교학연구

The meaning of “pratyayatā" (interdependence) is a very important concept that penetrates the whole Mūlamadhyamakakārikā (MMK). Particularly, Chapter 8 shows interdependence of Agent (kāraka) and Act (karman) extending to all beings, and the concrete example of this expansion is Action of “upādāna”. Therefore, a clear analysis of a structure of “Action of upādāna-Agent-Act” could be a useful model to understand “pratyayatā” of the MMK. As is known, however, because the word “karman” means not only Act but also an object, it is difficult to determine the meaning of “karman” accurately through the verses of the MMK. Therefore, the interpretation of “pratyayatā” in Chap. 8 should be begun with determining the meaning of “karman” through commentaries of the MMK. This determination is important because the relationship of Agent-Act in Chap. 8 extends to “upādāna”, and considering the meaning of the “karman” leads to the analysis of the meaning of the “upādāna” which has multiple meanings itself. In other words, since the examination of the meaning of “karman” leads to the analysis of “upādāna”, the precedence of this review makes the theoretical structure of “pratyayatā” more clear. However, previous studies have not clearly defined the meaning of “karman”, and seems to regard “upādāna” as a simple example of expansion. So they do not show a comprehension of both “karman” and “upādāna”. Therefore, I will consider the meaning of "pratyayatā" through the meaning analysis of "upādāna" and "karman" based on the commentary of Chap. 8 of the MMK.