This work is a philosophical investigation into Vasubhandu's consciousness trilogy, comprised by the Trisvabhava-Nirdesa ("Instruction on the Threefold Own-State-of-Being") and the Vijnaptimatra-Karikas ("Verses on Consciousness-Occasion") divided into the Vimsika-Karikas ("Twenty Verses") and the Trimsika-Karikas ("Thirty Verses"). Although early Indian Yogacara Buddhism was once non-controversially described as a form of absolute ontoligical idealism, challengers have urged predominantly psycho-epistemological readings of Yogacarin works. However, neither an exclusively metaphysical or exclusively epistemological reading is warranted; the more interesting and difficult case is that these themes are necessarily interwoven throughout the early Yogacara canon, including the consciousness trilogy. While Vasubhandu's position in the trilogy is indeed idealist and monist, this does not entail a rejection of objectivity. Functions are substituted for substances in ontological discussions. The alayavijnana ("storehouse consciousness") concept is developed so that it can serve the explanatory function of material cause. In this way much apparent logical tension is diffused, and a more complete picture of Vasubhandu's Yogacara emerges.

Melanie Johnson-Moxley was born October 22. 1967 in Walnut Creek, California. After attending public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, she received the following degrees: BA with Distinction in Philosophy from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas (1986); MA in Philosophy from the University of Missouri-Columbia (1994); Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Missouri-Columbia (2008). Her research interests include comparative philosophy, Indian and Asian philosophy, Whitehead's process philosophy, and ethical issues related to information technologies. Melanie also writes poetry and fiction . She is married to David Moxley of Bertrand, Missouri.

Contents: Vasubandhu's consciousness trilogy: A Yogacara Buddhist process idealism: by Melanie K. Johnson-Moxley
Acknowledgements	ii
List of Illustrations	vi
List of Tables	viii
Abstract	x
Chapter 1: Vasubandhu's Yogacara in Context
Thesis	1
Research Method	4
Yogacara in Historical Context	7
Assumptions of Yogacara Buddhism
The Four Noble Truths	10
Doctrine of Dependent Co-Origination (Causality)	10
Aggregate Theory of Personhood	12
Mediation Between Extreme Ontological Views	13
Convertible Terms for Consciousness	16
Notes	17
Chapter 2: Trisvabhava-Nirdesa
Overview	23
TSN 1-5: The Trisvabhava Stated	24
TSN 6-9: The Structure of Consciousness	32
TSN 10-21: Application of Mediation to the Definitions of Svabhava
TSN 10-13: Existence and Non-Existence	38
TSN 14-16: Duality and Non-Duality	44
TSN 17-21: Interrelationship Among the Svabhava	49
TSN 22-26: Epistemological Conventions	56
TSN 27-30: Analogy to Illusion (The Illusory Elephant)	63
TSN 31-34: Knowledge, Cessation and Obtainment	69
TSN 35-38: Enlightenment in Understanding Citta-Matra
TSN 35: Four Arguments for the Thesis	74
TSN 36: Consciousness-Occasion	75
TSN 37-38: Enlightened Perception	77
Summary	79
Notes	87
Chapter 3: Vimsika-Karikas
Overview	135
VM 1: Thesis of Vijnapti-Matra	137
VM 2-9: Response to Hypothetical Realist Objections	143
VM 10: Subtle Teachings Concerning Atman and Dharmas	159
VM 11-15: Response to Atomist Objections to Vijnapti-Matra	161
VM 16-22: Response to Additional Objections to Vijnapti-Matra	170
Summary	182
Notes	186
Chapter 4: Trimsika-Karikas
Overview	217
TM 1-2b: Threefold Vijnana-Parinama Stated	218
TM 2c-5a: Alayavijnana	220
TM 5b-7: Manana	223
TM 8-9: Acquisition of the Six-Fold Object	227
TM 10-14: Categories of the Sarvatragas and Klesais	229
TM 15-19: Trai-Parinama and Vijnapti-Matra	231
TM 20-24: Tri-svabhava and Tri-nih-svabhava	239
TM 25-30: Enlightenment through Vijnapti-Matra	246
Summary	254
Notes	259
Chapter 5: Vasubandhu's Yogacara Idealism
Metaphysical Questions	282
Rejection of Ontological Dualism	284
Rejection of Substantialism	285
Possibilities for Pluralism	286
Subjectivity and Objectivity	287
Functional Pluralism	289
Subjects	290
Objects	292
Conclusion	297
Notes	297
Appendix I: Instruction on the Threefold Own-State-of-Being	300
Appendix II: Twenty Verses on Consciousness-Occasion	306
Appendix III: Thirty Verses on Consciousness and Phenomena	310
Index of Sanskrit Terms	314
Research Bibliography	339
Vita	344