Harivarmanean Bundle Theory of Physical Substance: A Case Study Based on * Tattvasiddhi

While previous studies have noticed the unreality of the Four Great Elements held by the Indian Buddhist philosopher Harivarman in his * Tattvasiddhi , they have typically mentioned it only in analyzing Harivarman’s definition of the material aggregate, without systematically examining why and how Harivarman argues that the Four Great Elements are conceptual. Moreover, existing research remains largely philological, lacking philosophical analysis. To address these gaps, this paper reconceptualizes Harivarman’s argument through the framework of the bundle theory of substance. After clarifying Harivarman’s metaphysics of physical entities, I demonstrate that Harivarman treats the Four Great Elements as substances that are composed of four basic kinds of properties: visible form, odor, taste, and touch. I also argue that Harivarman’s definition of the material aggregate supports his argument that the Four Great Elements are conceptual.