Kusha-shū

The Kusha-shū (倶舎宗) is a school of Buddhist thought that emerged in Japan, based primarily on the Abhidharma-kośa-bhāṣya (Treasury of Abhidharma) of Vasubandhu. The Abhidharma-kośa is a comprehensive and systematic presentation of Abhidharma teachings, particularly those associated with the Sarvāstivāda school, though Vasubandhu himself later became a proponent of Yogācāra.

The Kusha-shū was one of the six major Nara schools (Nanto Rokushū) that flourished during the Nara period (710-794 CE) in Japan. These schools were primarily focused on textual study and doctrinal analysis. The Kusha-shū concentrated its studies on the intricate analysis of dharmas (phenomena), causality, and the path to liberation as presented in the Abhidharma-kośa.

While the Kusha-shū initially held significant influence, its popularity waned as newer schools, such as Tendai and Shingon, gained prominence. However, the textual tradition and the philosophical insights of the Abhidharma-kośa continued to be studied and influenced later Buddhist scholars. The Kusha-shū served as a foundational element in the development of Japanese Buddhist scholasticism, providing a framework for understanding key Buddhist concepts. Its legacy resides in its contribution to the understanding of Abhidharma, particularly its analysis of the nature of reality and the process of mental and physical phenomena.