XXVI From the time of Nrigzirjuna onwards Ma- l‘1:iy:l.nlSlTl began to be tinged more and more with Brahmi- nical bias. A notable and decided step in this direction was taken by Asamga, a monk of Gaindhzira, who composed the Yog:ich:’tra- Asamga. bh1'nniszi.stra, in which by assimilating the doctrines of Patiafijali he paved the way for the growth of the Tantras. He seems to have lived about 400 A. Date Vasubandhu, Asa/nga’s younger brother, was another zea- ,—- __ _ _.__ -1-- -_._: -—--_ “———- —_ .———_ 1--—:. .. - ——..- ———- - —— -4 '--—-I-d — =:: (.f.-—'l‘al<ak21su :2 _]ourn. Roy. As. Soc. Jan. 1905. A life of Vasubandhu was translated into Chinese by Paraimirtha. A. D. 557-569,--Bun. .'urij. Cata. p. 371. (Isoma Korosi following the Tibetan Chronology says :——“ I know that Arya Asamga lived in the sixth or seventh century alterjesus Christ."__ As. Res. XX, p. 513_ This date has been accepted by ‘Lassen (Ind. .-Hf. ii. p. 460) as also by R. l):1vids (Bzm’d/n'snz. p. 207). But this chronology has now become unten:-tble_ The date of Asamga and his brother ":1.subandhu should be put back by about two cen- turies,as some of their works were translated into Chinese in the beginning of the fifth century and perhaps earlier. (Bun. Nanj. Cata. App.i p.371). It must have taken a century or two to have their works sufliciently recognised -in India before they would deserve a place in the Chinese 'Tripit3l-ta.
