1001Philosophers

Asanga Quotes

Asanga was an Indian Buddhist philosopher and the co-founder, with his half-brother Vasubandhu, of the Yogacara or Consciousness-Only school of Mahayana philosophy. According to Buddhist tradition he received his teaching directly from the future Buddha Maitreya in the Tushita heaven and brought back to earth a series of treatises, including the Mahayana-sutralankara and the Abhisamayalankara, that became foundational texts of Mahayana scholasticism. The quotes below are attributed to Asanga, organized by topic.

Asanga on Knowledge

  • Attributed to Asanga:

    “Wisdom and skillful means are the two wings of awakening.”

Asanga on Love

  • Attributed to Asanga:

    “The bodhisattva trains for the liberation of all beings.”

  • Attributed to Asanga:

    “Compassion arises from the recognition that all beings have suffered.”

Asanga on Mind

  • Attributed to Asanga:

    “All that appears is the work of consciousness.”

Asanga on Truth

  • Attributed to Asanga:

    “The dharma realm is the source and the goal of all bodhisattva conduct.”