Sengzhao's Philosophy of Time

This article proposes an interpretation of the 'Thesis that Things do not Shift' (Wu bu qian lun, (sic)) of the early Chinese Buddhist philosopher Sengzhao. We understand Sengzhao to be proposing a version of the philosophy of time found in Sarvastivada Abhidharma, and then interpreting statements about time from Mahayana texts in light of that account. But whatever his limitations as a cross-cultural interpreter, we find Sengzhao surprisingly impressive philosophically, as he proposes a view that is noticeably more advanced towards a modern conception of time than the accounts found in South Asian Buddhist sources. Ironically, his earnest efforts to present his view as falling within the Mahayana may have functioned to conceal Sengzhao's true philosophical achievement.