The 62 Arbitrary Views

The sixty arbitrary views are describedin various sutras and were elaborated in the Long Chapter (Pancavimsati) of The Sutra on the Greart Perfection of Wisdom (Maha Prajna Paramita Sutra).

Chih-I's explanation is slightly different, but both essentially are descriptions of the false views that are derived from the ego-centric perspective of reality - the views of the reality of self-existence being determined through the five aggregates, the logic of the tetralemma, and space, time and that which is beyond space and time.

Chih-I's explanation:

There are the five aggregates of self whose continuity creates the illusion of a substantial self-existence:

1. Physical form (Rupa)
2. Consciousness (Vijnana)
3. Sensory Perception (Vedana)
4. Acts of Will (Samskaras)
5. Conceptualization (Samjna)

Each of these five aggregates of self are viewed through as self-existing in different ways:

1. The physical form (or the consciousness, the sensory perception, etc.) is the self - the aggregate itself is the self or ego
2. The self or ego is something apart from the aggregates (the physical form, the consciousness, the sensory perception, etc.)
3. The aggregate (the physical form, etc.) is greater that the self, and the self or ego dwells within it.
4. The ego or self is something greater that the aggregate (the physical form, etc.) and the aggregate dwells within the self.

With each of the aggregates of self being viewed in each of these four ways, there are twenty arbitrary views.

With each of these twenty arbitrary views being further viewed in terms of the past, the present and the future, there are sixty arbitrary views.

Finally there is added the views of the finality and permanence of the self.

• Finality - there is a self or ego that is at one time real, substantial and existent and at another time unreal, insubstantial and nonexistent
• Permanence - there is a self or ego that is forever real, substantial and existent.

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