Abstract

The first part contains a general overview of the array of meanings covered by the term karman as used by the various philosophical schools of Indian thought as well as tracing the historical evolution of its usage from earliest Rg-Veda texts up through the fifth century summun bonum of Buddhist philosophical compendiums, the Abhidharmakosabhasya of Vasubandhu. Separate chapters are included on Rg-Veda, ancient prose Upanisads, Manusmrti, Astadhyayi/ of Panini as well as the Vaisesika, Nyaya, Samkhya, Yoga, Jaina, and Buddhist usages peculiar to each system. ;The second part which forms the centerpiece of this thesis is translation of section one of the fourth chapter of the Abhidharmakosabhasya of Vasubandhu, "An Explanation of Karman." It is translated along with a subcommentary of Sthiramati and includes numerous explanatory interpolations to assist in following its complex edifice of subtle and swiftly shifting points of view. The text itself a high watermark Buddhist philosophical literature presents the authoritative and extensive elucidation of basic Buddhist ideas primarily from the viewpoint of the Sarvastivada school