Dependent Nature as Cognitive Objects Directed toward Purification in The Saṃdhinirmocana-Sūtra

This paper first shows the ambiguous nature of the dependent nature ( paratantra-svabhāva ) as being both negative and positive, and then examines the two conflicting readings of the Saṃdhinirmocana-sūtra regarding whether the dependent nature is cognitive objects directed toward purification (* viśuddhy-ālambana ). I argue that the original intent of the Saṃdhinirmocana-sūtra is indeed that the dependent nature is cognitive objects directed toward purification and that, for this reason, it is a part of the lack of self-nature with respect to the ultimate reality ( paramārtha-niḥsvabhāvatā ). However, this interpretation creates tension with the text’s comparison of the dependent nature to an illusion ( māyā ). Drawing on the pivotal model proposed by Sponberg, I suggest that the dependent nature is regarded as illusory because it arises from prior permeation ( vāsanā ) by the imagined nature ( parikalpita-svabhāva ). However, when the dependent nature is perceived as devoid of the imagined nature, it becomes cognitive objects directed toward purification.