There is
possession
of the one through the
fact of the other.
fact of the other.
Abhidharmakosabhasyam-Vol-1-Vasubandhu-Poussin-Pruden-1991
Let us suppose the non-existence of prapti: what difference would there be between an Aryan at the moment in which he produces a mundane thought and a Prthagjana?
Now the difference consists solely in that the Aryan, even when he has a worldly thought, is in possession (prapti) of a certain number of pure dharmas.
[The Sautrantikas]: For us, there is this difference that the first has abandoned certain defilements, while the second has not yet aban- doned them.
[The Sarvastivadins:] Without doubt; but if we suppose the non- existence of prapti, how can we say that a defilement is abandoned or not abandoned? There can only be the abandoning of a defilement through the disappearance of the prapti of this defilement; the defilement is not abandoned as long as its prapti lasts.
4. [The Doctrine of the Sautrantikas:] To us, the abandoning or the non-abandoning of a defilement consists of a certain condition of the person (asraya, ii. 5 and 6, 44d). The personality of the Aryan is modified, becoming different from what it was through the power of the Path (Seeing the Truths, Meditation). The defilement, once it has been destroyed through the force of the Path, cannot be manifested again. Like seed which is burned by fire and which becomes different from what it once was, and is no longer capable of germinating, we say that the Aryan has abandoned the defilement, because his person no longer maintains the seeds capable of producing a defilement. The
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worldly path does not definitively destroy the defilement; it only damages it or disturbs it: one would say that a Prthagjana--who is able to practice only the worldly path--has abandoned the defilement when his person no longer contains even the seeds of defilement damaged by this path. Contrarily one says that a person has not abandoned defilement when the seeds are neither burnt nor damaged. One says that a person is in possession of the defilement when he has not "abandoned" them in the manner that we have just explained; we say that he is in non-possession of the defilements when he has not abandoned it. "Possession" and "non-possession" are not things in and of themselves, but designations.
This then concerns possession and non-possession of defilement. But concerning the possession and non-possession of good dharmas, we must distinguish 1. ) the innate good dharmas, which do not entail any effort, and 2. ) the good dharmas that are obtained through effort or cultivation (prayogika, ii. 71b).
We say that a person possesses the first when his person possesses intact the quality of being a seed of these good dharmas. When this quality is damaged, we say that the person does not possess the good
dharmas. In fact, while the seeds of defilement can be destroyed completely and definitively, as is the case among the Aryans, good dharmas never have their roots definitively cut off, with the restriction that one says of a person who has cut off the roots of good through false views (samucchinnakufalamula, iv. 79c) that he has only aban- doned these roots, because the quality of being a seed of these roots, a quality that belongs to his person, has been damaged through false views.
We say that a person possesses the second--the good dharmas produced through effort, through hearing, reflection, and medita- tion--when, these dharmas having arisen, his capacity to produce them [anew] is not damaged.
Hence what we understand by "possession" or the "fact of being endowed with" (samanvagama) is not a dharma constituting a separate thing in and of itself, namely the supposed prapti of the Sarvastivadins, but a certain condition of the person: 1. the seeds of
? defilement have not been uprooted through the Path of the Saints; 2. the seeds of defilement have not been damaged by means of the worldly path; 3. the seeds of innate good have not been damaged through false views; and 4. the seeds of good "obtained through effort" are in good condition at the moment when one wants to produce this good. When the person is in such a condition, this is what we call "possession of defilements," etc.
***
But what should we understand by "seeds" [ask the Sarvasti- vadins]?
By seeds we understand ndmarupa (iii. 30), that is, the complex of the five skandhas, capable of generating a result, either immediately or mediately, by means of the parindma-visesa of its series.
The series is the samskdras of the past, the present and the future, in relation to causality, that constitutes an uninterrupted series.
The parindma, or the evolution of the series, is the modification of this series, the fact that this series arises differently from itself at each moment.
The visesa, or culminating point of this evolution, is the moment of this series that possesses the capacity of immediately producing a
192 result.
[The Vaibhasikas object:] The Sutra says, "He who is in possession of greed is not capable of producing the foundations of mindfulness {smrtyupasthdnas, vi. 14). "
[The Sautrantikas:] In this text, we must understand by "posses- sion" of greed the "consenting to greed," or "not rejecting greed. " The Sutra does not say that a person who has the seeds of greed in him is incapable of producing the foundations of mindfulness; it says rather that active greed renders this person presently incapable of producing these spiritual exercises.
In short, in whichever manner it is that we understand possession, either as "cause of the arising of the dharmas" or as "origin of the condition of beings," or as "special state of the person," or as
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"consenting to," possession appears to us, not as an entity, a thing in and of itself, but as a "dharma of designation. " This same holds for non-possession, which is purely and simply the negation of possession.
***
The Vaibhasikas say that prdpti and aprdpti are things in and of themselves.
Why?
Because this is our teaching.
37a. There is threefold prdpti of the dharmas of the three periods.
and future. The same for present and future dharmas.
37b. There is good prdpti, etc. , of good dharmas, etc.
193
Past dharmas can be the object of a threefold prdpti, past, present, 194
The prdpti of good, bad, or neutral dharmas is, respectively, good, bad, or neutral.
37c. The prdptis of the dharmas belonging to the spheres of 193
The dharmas belonging to the spheres of existence are impure dharmas. The prdpti of a dharma in Kamadhatu is, itself, in Kama- dhatu; and thus following.
37d. There is fourfold prdpti of the dharmas that do not belong 19<s
In general, the prdpti of these dharmas--the pure dharmas--is fourfold: it belongs to the three spheres, and it is pure. But there are distinctions:
1. The prdpti of apratisamkhydnirodha (see ii. 36c-d) is of the sphere to which the person who obtains it belongs.
existence are of their spheres.
to the spheres of existence.
2. The prdpti of pratisamkhyanirodha is of Rupadhatu, of Arupya-
? 197 dhatu, and pure.
of the Asaiksa dharmas is Asaiksa. But there is
38a. Threefold prdpti of the dharmas which are neither Saiksa nor Asaiksa.
These dharmas--the naivasaiksandsaiksas, vi. 45b--are the impure dharmas and the unconditioned dharmas\ they are called this because they differ from the dharmas of the Saiksa and from the dharmas of the Asaiksa.
In general, the prdpti of these dharmas is threefold. Their distinctions are:
1. The prdpti of the impure dharmas is neither-Saiksa-nor Asaiksa; 2. In this same way the prdpti of apratisarhkhydnirodha and the
199 prdpti of pratisamkhydnirodha are obtained by a non-Aryan;
3. The prdpti of pratisamkhyanirodha is Saiksa when this nirodha is obtained through the path of the Saiksas; it is Asaiksa when this nirodha is obtained through the path of the Asaiksas.
***
The prdpti of the dharmas to be abandoned either through Seeing, or through Meditation, is destroyed, respeaively, either through Seeing or through Meditation; it belongs then, from the point of view of abandoning them, to the category of these dharmas (ii. 33).
As for the dharmas which should not be abandoned, their prdpti presents difficulties:
38b. There is twofold prdpti of the dharmas that should not be abandoned.
These dharmas are the pure dharmas (i. 40b, i l l 3d).
The prdpti of apratisarhkhydnirodha is abandoned through the Path of Meditation.
3. The prdpti of the Path (mdrgasatya, vi. 25d) is Saiksa; the prdpti 198
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The same for the prdpti of pratisamkhyanirodha obtained by the non-Aryan.
But the prdpti of pratisamkhyanirodha obtained through the Path is pure and should not be abandoned. The same for the prdpti of the
200
Path.
We have established the general principal that the dharmas of the
three periods are susceptible of a threefold prdpti (ii. 37a). We must be more precise.
38c. The prdpti of a neutral dharma is simultaneous to it.
The prdpti of an undefiled-neutral dharma is simultaneous to this
dharma: one possesses it when it is present, not when it is past or
future. When it is past, the prdpti is past, and when it is future, the 201
prdpti is future: this by reason of the weakness of this dharma, 38d. With the exception of the two supernormal faculties and
apparition.
This rule does not apply to all undefiled-neutral dharmas. The supernormal faculties of seeing and hearing (caksurabhijnd, srotra- bhijnd, vii. 45) and the mind capable of creating apparitional beings (nirmdnacitta, ii. 72) are strong, for they are realized through a special effort; consequently one possesses them in the past, the present, and
202
the future. Certain Masters maintain that the undefiled-neutral
dharmas "of craftsmanship" and "of attitude" (airydpathika, ii. 72), when they have been the object of an intense practice are also possessed in the past and future.
39a. The same for the prdpti of defiled rupa.
The prdpti of defiled-neutral rupa is only simultaneous to this rupa. This rupa is bodily action and vocal action resulting from a defiled-neutral mind. This action, even through produced by a strong mind, is incapable, as is the mind itself, of creating avijnapti (iv. 7a); hence it is weak. Thus one possesses it in the present, but not in the past or the future.
***
? Is the tritemporal character of the prdpti of the good and the bad dharmas subject to any restriction, as is the case with the prdpti of the neutral dharmas?
39b. The prdpti of the rupa of Kamadhatu is not previous to this rupa.
This rupa, good or bad, for example the prdtimoksa-samvara (iv. 19 and following), is not possessed previous to its being produced. The prdpti is simultaneous and later, but not earlier.
***
Can non-possession be, like prdpti, good, bad, or neutral? 203
39c. Aprdpti is undefiled-neutral. Aprdpti is always anivrtdvyakrta (ii. 66).
39d. Aprdpti of the dharmas of the past or the future is threefold.
Aprdpti of past or future dharmas can be past, present, or future. But one necessarily possesses the present dharmas: hence the aprdpti of present dharmas can be only past or future.
40a. Aprdpti of the dharmas forming part of the spheres of existence, and of the immaculate dharmas, is threefold
Aprdpti of the dharmas of the sphere of Kamadhatu belong either to Kamadhatu, Rupadhatu, or Arupyadhatu accordingly as the person endowed with this aprdpti belongs to such a sphere of existence. The same for the aprdpti of pure dharmas.
In fact, aprdpti is never pure. Why?
40b-c. According to the School, a Prthagjana is a person who
204
has not acquired the Path.
1. As it says in the Mulasastra (Jndnaprasthana, TD 26, p. 928c5;
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Vibhdsd, TD 27, p. 232b9), "What is the state of Prthagjana? The non-possession of the dharmas of the Aryans (dryadharmandm alabhah)! ' Now the state of Prthagjana is not pure; hence their non- possession (aprdpti=aldbha) is not pure.
Let us examine this definition. When the Sastra says that the state of Prthagjana is the non-possession of the dharmas of the Aryans, which dharmas of the Aryans does it mean?
The dharmas beginning with duhkhe dharmajnanaksanti and including the whole pure path or the Path of the Aryans (vi. 25).
[The Sarvastivadins:] The Sastra means all these dharmas, since it does not specify any.
Be careful! To believe you, a person in possession of duhkhe ksanti would be a Prthagjana if he did not possess all of the other Aryan dharmas.
[The Sarvastivadins:] The Sastra means the non-possession that is not accompanied by possession: the person of whom you speak, although not possessing the other dharmas of the Aryans, is not a Prthagjana because the non-possession of these other dharmas is accompanied by the possession of the ksanti. This is quite evident, for, in the contrary interpretation, the Buddha the Blessed Onfc, not possessing the dharmas of the "family" of the Sravakas and Pratyeka- buddhas (vi. 23), would be a Prthagjana.
Very well. But then the Sastra would say "The state of Prthagjana is the absolute non-possession (aldbha eva) of the Aryan dharmas" and not ". . . the non-possession (alabha) . . . "
[The Sarvastivadins:] The Sastra expresses itself very well, for the
ekapadas (Nirukta, 2. 2) permit a restrictive sense and the particle eva
is not necessary: for example abbhaksa signifies "that which lives
solely on water," and vdyubhaksa, "that which lives solely on wind. " 205
2. According to another opinion, the state of Prthagjana is the non-possession of the first stage of the Path of Seeing, duhkhe dharmajnanaksanti and its concomitant dharmas (vi. 25).
[Objection. ] In this hypothesis, at the sixteenth moment
(marge'nvayajndna), the saint will be a Prthagjana and not an Aryan,
206 for at this moment, the initial ksanti is lost.
? No, for the non-possession of the ksanti which constitutes the state of Pfthagjana has been absolutely destroyed in the first stage.
[Objection. ] The ksanti in question is threefold: of the family of the Sravakas, of the family of the Pratyekabuddhas, and of the family of the Buddhas (vi. 23). Of which of these three types are you speaking in your definition of the state of Prthagjana?
We mean to speak of three types of ksanti.
Be careful! The Buddha, not possessing the three types of ksanti^ would then be a Prthagjana!
We intend to speak of the non-possession of the ksanti which is not accompanied by possession . . . and thus following, as above, to the example "that which lives solely on water,'" "that which lives solely on wind. "
Hence the effort attempted in order to avoid the objection: "Be careful! To believe you, a person in possession of duhkhe dharma- jnanaksanti would be a Prthagjana . . . " is in vain. The best explana- tion is that of the Sautrantikas. To them, the state of Prthagjana is a
series in which the dharmas of the Aryans have not arisen. ***
How does non-possession perish?
40c-d It is abandoned through acquisition (prdpti), and through passing to another stage.
For example, the non-possession of the Path, which constitutes the
207 and (2) when one passes to another stage. The same holds for the
state of Pjrthagjana, is abandoned (1) when one acquires the Path, 208
209 non-possession of the other dharmas.
[Objection:] Non-possession is abandoned (1) when one produces the non-possession of non-possession, that is to say, when, changing one's stage of existence, one ceases to possess the state of Prthagjana; and (2) when the possession of non-possession is cut off, that is to say, when, acquiring the Path, one cuts off the state of Prthagjana.
Does this mean that there is possession of possession and non-
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possession, and that there is non-possession of possession and non- possession?
Yes. There is possession and non-possession of possession and non-possession, which is called "secondary possession" (anuprapti), or "secondary non-possession. " One then distinguishes between mula- prdti and anuprdpti or prdptiprdpti.
Doesn't this doctrine lead to infinite progression?
No, for one possessess possession through the fact of possession of
possession and vice versa.
There is possession of the one through the
fact of the other. Let us explain. When a certain dharma is produced in
a given person, three dharmas arise together, namely: 1) this dharma
itself, which is called the muladharma', 2) the prdpti of this mula-
dharma', and. 3) the prdpti of this prdpti. The person in question
possesses the muladharma and the prdpti of the prdpti by the fact of
the arising of the prdpti', he possesses this prdpti by the fact of the
arising of the prdpti. TM Hence there is no infinite progression. When a 211
good or a defiled dharma arises, at this very moment three dharmas arise together, inclusive of this good or defiled dharma, namely: the
211 muladharma, its prdpti, and the prdpti of this prdpti which is the
prdpti of the prdptiprdpti of the first moment, plus three anuprdptis through the fact that one is in possession of the three aforementioned prdptis. In this third moment eighteen dharmas arise together, namely nine prdptis: the prdptis of the three dharmas produced in the first moment, prdptis of the six dharmas produced in the second moment, plus nine anuprdptis through the fact that one in in possession of the nine aforementioned prdptis.
Thus the prdptis continue increasing in number from moment to
213
moment.
upaklesa), and of innate {upapattildbhika, ii. 71b) good dharmas with the dharmas that are associated (samprayukta, ii. 53c-d) and co-existent {sahabhu, ii. 50b) with them throughout beginningless and endless transmigration, arise, from moment to moment, in an infinite number. If one considers the series of one single being in the course of transmigration, those prdptis which arise at each moment are infinite in number. Considering all beings together, they (i. e. , the prdptis) are
The prdptis of present and future defilements (klesa and
? without measure, and without limit. Happily, they possess a great quality: they are non-material, and give way one to the other. If they were material, there could not be found enough room in the universe for the praptis of one single being, and even less for the prdptis of two beings!
214
What is "genre" or sameness of class designation?
41a. Sabhdgatd is that which causes resemblance between living
215
beings.
1. There exists an entity called sabhdgatd, a dhanna by virtue of which living beings, as well as the dharmas "that fall into the series of living beings" (sattvasamkhydta, i. 10), have resemblence between them (Vibhdsd, TD 27, p. 138a9). _
2. The Sastra (Jndnaprasthdna, etc. ) designates this entity by the name of nikdyasabhdga: the author uses the term sabhdgatd for metric reasons.
3. Sabhdgatd is of two types, general and particular. The first is found in all living beings: by virtue of it, there is resemblance of any living being with all other living beings. This is called sattvasabhdgatd.
The second has numerous subdivisions: each of these subdivisions
is found only in certain beings. Living beings are differenciated
according to their spheres of existence, the different stages of these
spheres, their realm of rebirth (gati, iii. 4), their wombs (iii. 9), their
caste (jdti, as Brahmins, etc. ), their sex, the state of Upasaka (iv. 14),
216
Bhiksu, Saiksa, or Arhat, etc.
virtue of which each living being of a certain species resembles living beings of this same species.
4. There is, furthermore, sabhdgatd of dharmas that belong to living beings, dharmasabhdgatd, which in turn distinguishes the skandhas, the dyatanas and the dhdtus: skandhasabhdgatd, etc. , rupaskandhasabhdgatd, etc.
This holds as well for sabhdgatds, by
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5. In the absence of a separate entity, namely sabhdgatd, how does
one explain general ideas (buddhi) and expressions (prajnapti), such as
"living beings," etc. , applied to some beings that differ one from
another? In this same way, it is solely by reason of dharmasabhdgatd 217
that the ideas and expressions, "skandha" "dhdtus" etc. , are justified. 6. Do we conclude that one transmigrates, that one dies and is born
without abandoning and without taking up a certain sattvasabhagata (state of a human being, etc. )? There are four alternatives: 1. to die in a place (Kamadhatu for example) and be reborn in the same place: the sabhdgatd remains the same, regardless of transmigration; 2. to enter into one's predetermined realm of rebirth (niydmdvakranti, vi. 26a): without there being transmigration, there is yet the abandoning of the sabhdgatd of the Prthagjanas and the acquisition of the sabhdgatd of the Saints; 3. to die in one realm of rebirth, the human realm of rebirth, etc. , and to be reborn in another realm of rebirth; 4. all other cases.
[The Sautrantikas do not admit the existence of a dharma called sabhdgatd and present many objections to it. ]
1. If a certain entity called "the genre of Prthagjana" exists, for what purpose do we imagine the state of Prthagjana consisting of the non-possession of the Aryadharmas (ii. 40c)? Someone will be a Prthagjana through the genre of Prthagjana in the way that someone is a human through the genre "human" for the Vaibhasikas do not imagine a state of human different from the genre "human. "
2. Ordinary people do not recoginize sabhdgatd through the direct preception of the senses (pratyaksa)) they do not infer the existence of the sabhdgatd through an operation of the intelligence (prajnd), for sabhdgatd does not exercise any action by which one could know it: although people do not know anything of sattvasabhagata they recognize the non-difference of the species of beings. Hence, what would be the use in supposing that a sabhdgatd exists?
3. Why does the School refuse sabhdgatd to things that are not living beings, such as rice and corn, gold and iron, mango and bread- fruit trees?
4. The different sabhdgatds that the School recognizes, sabhdgatds
? of living beings, of spheres, of realms of rebirth, etc. , are distinct one from another. Yet one has, for all of them, common ideas and designations: all are sabhdgatds.
5. [The Sarvastivadins are the proponents of the doctrine of the Vaisesikas. ] The Vaisesikas admit a certain entity (paddrtha) called "sameness" {sdmdnya), by virtue of which there is produced, with regard to things, similar ideas and designations; they believe also in another entity, called "difference" {visesa), from whence proceeds specific ideas and designations with regard to different species.
The Vaibhasikas protest that their theory is not to be confused with that of the Vaisesikas, who believe that genre or sameness (sdmdnya) & unique substance {paddrtha), exists in a multitude of individuals. Hence even if they approve of the Vaisesikas admitting genre {sdmdnya), they still condemn their interpretation of it. As for sabhagatd, it exists in and of itself (as a dravya), for the Blessed One, speaking of a murderer who is reborn in hell, continues, saying, "If he
218 is reborn here, if he obtains the sabhagatd of humans . . . "
[The Sautrantikas answer:] By expressing itself in this way, the Sutra does not teach the existence of a thing in and of itself called sabhagatd. What then does the Sutra designate by the word sabhagatd} By the expression sabhagatd of humans," etc. , the Sutra means a similarity in the manner of being: in the same way, sabhagatd of rice, corn, beans, etc.
219 This opinion is not admitted by the Vaibhasikas.
**#
What is non-consciousness {dsamjnika)?
41b-c. Non-consciousness is that which, among the Non-
220 conscious Ones, arrests the mind and its mental states.
Among the beings who take birth among the Non-Conscious Ones, i. e. , the non-conscious gods, there is a dhanna that arrests the mind and its mental states, and which is called "non-consciousness. " By this dharma, the mind and future dharmas are, for a certain time,
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hindered from being produced and do not have the power to arise. This dharma is similar to what arrests the water of a river, that is, to a dike.
This dharma is exclusively 41d. Retribution.
It is exclusively the retribution of non-conscious absorption
221
Where do these non-conscious gods reside?
41d. They live in Brhatphala.
In the heaven of the Brhatphalas there is a raised place which is
the dwelling of the Non-Conscious Ones, in the same way as the
(asamjnisamdpatti, ii. 42a).
dhydndntarikd, the dwelling of the Mahabrahma gods, is raised within 222
the heaven of the Brahmapurohitas (iii. 2c; Vibhdsd, TD 27, p. 784b5).
Are the Non-Conscious Ones called this because they are always non-conscious, or are they sometimes conscious?
They are conscious at birth and at death (iii. 42; Vibhasd, TD 27, p.
223
784c8);
suspended for a very long time. When, after this long time, they produce a consciousness again, they die. As it says in the Sutra "When they produce consciousness again, they die, like a person awakening after sleep. "
Dying in the non-conscious heaven, they are necessarily reborn in Kamadhatu and nowhere else. (1) In fact, the force of asamjnisamd- patti (ii. 42a), by which these beings are born among the Non- Conscious Ones, is exhausted; they have not been in a position to practice asamjnisamdpatti: hence they die, as arrows fall to the ground when their impetus is spent. (2) On the other hand, beings who are reborn among the Non-Conscious Ones necessarily possess an action "retributive in Kamadhatu" and "retributive in the second existence" (iv. 50b). In this same way beings who are reborn in Uttarakuru (iii. 90c-d) necessarily possesses an action retributive in a heavenly realm of rebirth immediately after their existence in Uttarakuru.
they are called non-conscious because their consciousness is
? The Mulasastra says, "What are the two samapattis or absorp- 224
tions? They are asamjnisamapa&ti, the non-conscious absorption, 225
and nirodhasamdpaPti, the absorption of extinction. "
What is the non-conscious absorption?
In the same way that asamjnika is a dharma that arrests the mind
and its mental states,
42a. The same for the non-conscious absorption.
The non-conscious absorption is an absorption in which the ascetic is non-conscious, or in an absorption free from consciousness.
The word "the same" shows that this absorption, like asamjnika, arrests the mind and its mental states.
To which bhumi does it belong? 42b. In the Fourth Dhyana.
In order to cultivate this absorption, the ascetic should have entered the Fourth Dhyana.
Why does one cultivate it?
42c. Through desire for deliverance.
The ascetic falsely imagines that asamjnika, the non-consciousness that constitutes the result of the non-conscious absorption, is true deliverence.
Asamjnika, being retribution, is necessarily morally neutral. As for the non-conscious absorption, it is
42d. Good.
It produces as its retributive result the five skandhas of a non- conscious god, who, as we know, is conscious at birth and at death.
To what category does it belong from the point of view of retribution?
42e. Solely retribution in the next existence.
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It is not "retributive in this life" or "retributive later;" it is no longer of "unnecessary retribution" (iv. 50).
Without doubt, an ascetic can fall from this absorption after having produced it; but, [according to the Vaibhasikas,] he will produce it again and be reborn among the Non-Conscious Ones. This is to say that the ascetic who takes possession of this absorption will certainly
226 not enter into a "predestined" realm of rebirth (vi. 26a).
This absorption is cultivated only by Prthagjanas. 42f. Not by Aryans.
The Aryans consider this absorption as a precipice, a calamity, and do not value entering it.
On the contrary, Prthagjanas identify non-consciousness (asam- jnika) with true deliverance; they have no idea of "going out" with respect to it; hence they cultivate the absorption that leads to it. But Aryans know that the impure cannot be true deliverance. Hence they
do not cultivate this absorption.
When Aryans enter into the Fourth Dhyana, do they obtain the
prdpti of this past and future absorption, the same as one obtains the prdpti of the Fourth Dhyana of the past and the future as soon as one
227 enters into the Fourth Dhyana?
Non-Aryans do not obtain the prdpti of the non-conscious absorption of the past and future.
Why?
Having cultivated it many time previously, this absorption can only be realized through great effort; as it is not mind,
42g. It is obtained in one time period.
One takes possession of this absorption, not in the past, not in the
future, but in one time period, that is, in the present, as is also the case
for the prdtimoksa discipline (iv. 35). In the second moment of this
absorption, and in all the moments that follow the obtaining of this
absorption until the moment when it ends, one possesses it in the past
and in the present. On the other hand, since this absorption is not
mind, it is impossible for one to acquire a future prdpti of this
228 absorption.
? 229 What is nirodhasamdpatti or the "absorption of extinction? "
43a. In the same way, the absorption that bears the name of nirodha or "extinctioa"
That is to say, the absorption of extinction is like asamjnika, the non-conscious absorption: it is a dharma that arrests the mind and its mental states.
What are the differences between the non-conscious absorption and the absorption of extinction?
43b. It is viewed as tranquility;
1. Aryans cultivate this absorption because they consider it as the
230
absorption of tranquility. One cultivates the non-conscious absorp-
tion because one regards non-consciousness as being deliverance
(nihsarana-moksa).
43c. Arisen from Bhavagra;
2. It belongs to the sphere of Bhavagra, that is, one penetrates it upon leaving naivasamjndndsarnjndyatana absorption (viii. 4), whereas the non-conscious absorption belongs to the sphere of the Fourth Dhyana.
43d. Good;
3. It is good; it is not neutral or defiled, for its originating cause is good (iv. 9b).
43e. Of two retributions and neutral;
4. It admits of two types of retribution, being either "retributive in
the next existence," or "retributive later" {aparaparydyavedaniya, 231
iv. 50). Its retribution is also unnecessary, for the ascetic who has practiced it can obtain Nirvana in the present existence.
Of what does its retribution consist?
This absorption produces the four skandhas of Bhavagra, i. e. , an existence in Bhavagra (iii. 3).
The Indnyas 225
? 226 Chapter two
A$L Aryans
5. It is produced only by Aryans, not by Pjthagjanas. These latter
232
cannot produce it (1) because they fear annihilation, and (2) because
this absorption can only be produced through the power of the Path:
in fact, it is the ascetic who has seen Nirvana who is determined to
233 obtain it.
43g. It is obtained through effort.
6. Although obtained by the Aryans, it is not obtained merely through the fact of detachment. It is only realized through effort.
One does not possess this absorption in the past or in the future; this point has been explained in the matter of the non-conscious absorption.
[The Sautrantikas]: For us, there is this difference that the first has abandoned certain defilements, while the second has not yet aban- doned them.
[The Sarvastivadins:] Without doubt; but if we suppose the non- existence of prapti, how can we say that a defilement is abandoned or not abandoned? There can only be the abandoning of a defilement through the disappearance of the prapti of this defilement; the defilement is not abandoned as long as its prapti lasts.
4. [The Doctrine of the Sautrantikas:] To us, the abandoning or the non-abandoning of a defilement consists of a certain condition of the person (asraya, ii. 5 and 6, 44d). The personality of the Aryan is modified, becoming different from what it was through the power of the Path (Seeing the Truths, Meditation). The defilement, once it has been destroyed through the force of the Path, cannot be manifested again. Like seed which is burned by fire and which becomes different from what it once was, and is no longer capable of germinating, we say that the Aryan has abandoned the defilement, because his person no longer maintains the seeds capable of producing a defilement. The
The Indriyas 209
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worldly path does not definitively destroy the defilement; it only damages it or disturbs it: one would say that a Prthagjana--who is able to practice only the worldly path--has abandoned the defilement when his person no longer contains even the seeds of defilement damaged by this path. Contrarily one says that a person has not abandoned defilement when the seeds are neither burnt nor damaged. One says that a person is in possession of the defilement when he has not "abandoned" them in the manner that we have just explained; we say that he is in non-possession of the defilements when he has not abandoned it. "Possession" and "non-possession" are not things in and of themselves, but designations.
This then concerns possession and non-possession of defilement. But concerning the possession and non-possession of good dharmas, we must distinguish 1. ) the innate good dharmas, which do not entail any effort, and 2. ) the good dharmas that are obtained through effort or cultivation (prayogika, ii. 71b).
We say that a person possesses the first when his person possesses intact the quality of being a seed of these good dharmas. When this quality is damaged, we say that the person does not possess the good
dharmas. In fact, while the seeds of defilement can be destroyed completely and definitively, as is the case among the Aryans, good dharmas never have their roots definitively cut off, with the restriction that one says of a person who has cut off the roots of good through false views (samucchinnakufalamula, iv. 79c) that he has only aban- doned these roots, because the quality of being a seed of these roots, a quality that belongs to his person, has been damaged through false views.
We say that a person possesses the second--the good dharmas produced through effort, through hearing, reflection, and medita- tion--when, these dharmas having arisen, his capacity to produce them [anew] is not damaged.
Hence what we understand by "possession" or the "fact of being endowed with" (samanvagama) is not a dharma constituting a separate thing in and of itself, namely the supposed prapti of the Sarvastivadins, but a certain condition of the person: 1. the seeds of
? defilement have not been uprooted through the Path of the Saints; 2. the seeds of defilement have not been damaged by means of the worldly path; 3. the seeds of innate good have not been damaged through false views; and 4. the seeds of good "obtained through effort" are in good condition at the moment when one wants to produce this good. When the person is in such a condition, this is what we call "possession of defilements," etc.
***
But what should we understand by "seeds" [ask the Sarvasti- vadins]?
By seeds we understand ndmarupa (iii. 30), that is, the complex of the five skandhas, capable of generating a result, either immediately or mediately, by means of the parindma-visesa of its series.
The series is the samskdras of the past, the present and the future, in relation to causality, that constitutes an uninterrupted series.
The parindma, or the evolution of the series, is the modification of this series, the fact that this series arises differently from itself at each moment.
The visesa, or culminating point of this evolution, is the moment of this series that possesses the capacity of immediately producing a
192 result.
[The Vaibhasikas object:] The Sutra says, "He who is in possession of greed is not capable of producing the foundations of mindfulness {smrtyupasthdnas, vi. 14). "
[The Sautrantikas:] In this text, we must understand by "posses- sion" of greed the "consenting to greed," or "not rejecting greed. " The Sutra does not say that a person who has the seeds of greed in him is incapable of producing the foundations of mindfulness; it says rather that active greed renders this person presently incapable of producing these spiritual exercises.
In short, in whichever manner it is that we understand possession, either as "cause of the arising of the dharmas" or as "origin of the condition of beings," or as "special state of the person," or as
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"consenting to," possession appears to us, not as an entity, a thing in and of itself, but as a "dharma of designation. " This same holds for non-possession, which is purely and simply the negation of possession.
***
The Vaibhasikas say that prdpti and aprdpti are things in and of themselves.
Why?
Because this is our teaching.
37a. There is threefold prdpti of the dharmas of the three periods.
and future. The same for present and future dharmas.
37b. There is good prdpti, etc. , of good dharmas, etc.
193
Past dharmas can be the object of a threefold prdpti, past, present, 194
The prdpti of good, bad, or neutral dharmas is, respectively, good, bad, or neutral.
37c. The prdptis of the dharmas belonging to the spheres of 193
The dharmas belonging to the spheres of existence are impure dharmas. The prdpti of a dharma in Kamadhatu is, itself, in Kama- dhatu; and thus following.
37d. There is fourfold prdpti of the dharmas that do not belong 19<s
In general, the prdpti of these dharmas--the pure dharmas--is fourfold: it belongs to the three spheres, and it is pure. But there are distinctions:
1. The prdpti of apratisamkhydnirodha (see ii. 36c-d) is of the sphere to which the person who obtains it belongs.
existence are of their spheres.
to the spheres of existence.
2. The prdpti of pratisamkhyanirodha is of Rupadhatu, of Arupya-
? 197 dhatu, and pure.
of the Asaiksa dharmas is Asaiksa. But there is
38a. Threefold prdpti of the dharmas which are neither Saiksa nor Asaiksa.
These dharmas--the naivasaiksandsaiksas, vi. 45b--are the impure dharmas and the unconditioned dharmas\ they are called this because they differ from the dharmas of the Saiksa and from the dharmas of the Asaiksa.
In general, the prdpti of these dharmas is threefold. Their distinctions are:
1. The prdpti of the impure dharmas is neither-Saiksa-nor Asaiksa; 2. In this same way the prdpti of apratisarhkhydnirodha and the
199 prdpti of pratisamkhydnirodha are obtained by a non-Aryan;
3. The prdpti of pratisamkhyanirodha is Saiksa when this nirodha is obtained through the path of the Saiksas; it is Asaiksa when this nirodha is obtained through the path of the Asaiksas.
***
The prdpti of the dharmas to be abandoned either through Seeing, or through Meditation, is destroyed, respeaively, either through Seeing or through Meditation; it belongs then, from the point of view of abandoning them, to the category of these dharmas (ii. 33).
As for the dharmas which should not be abandoned, their prdpti presents difficulties:
38b. There is twofold prdpti of the dharmas that should not be abandoned.
These dharmas are the pure dharmas (i. 40b, i l l 3d).
The prdpti of apratisarhkhydnirodha is abandoned through the Path of Meditation.
3. The prdpti of the Path (mdrgasatya, vi. 25d) is Saiksa; the prdpti 198
The Indriyas 213
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The same for the prdpti of pratisamkhyanirodha obtained by the non-Aryan.
But the prdpti of pratisamkhyanirodha obtained through the Path is pure and should not be abandoned. The same for the prdpti of the
200
Path.
We have established the general principal that the dharmas of the
three periods are susceptible of a threefold prdpti (ii. 37a). We must be more precise.
38c. The prdpti of a neutral dharma is simultaneous to it.
The prdpti of an undefiled-neutral dharma is simultaneous to this
dharma: one possesses it when it is present, not when it is past or
future. When it is past, the prdpti is past, and when it is future, the 201
prdpti is future: this by reason of the weakness of this dharma, 38d. With the exception of the two supernormal faculties and
apparition.
This rule does not apply to all undefiled-neutral dharmas. The supernormal faculties of seeing and hearing (caksurabhijnd, srotra- bhijnd, vii. 45) and the mind capable of creating apparitional beings (nirmdnacitta, ii. 72) are strong, for they are realized through a special effort; consequently one possesses them in the past, the present, and
202
the future. Certain Masters maintain that the undefiled-neutral
dharmas "of craftsmanship" and "of attitude" (airydpathika, ii. 72), when they have been the object of an intense practice are also possessed in the past and future.
39a. The same for the prdpti of defiled rupa.
The prdpti of defiled-neutral rupa is only simultaneous to this rupa. This rupa is bodily action and vocal action resulting from a defiled-neutral mind. This action, even through produced by a strong mind, is incapable, as is the mind itself, of creating avijnapti (iv. 7a); hence it is weak. Thus one possesses it in the present, but not in the past or the future.
***
? Is the tritemporal character of the prdpti of the good and the bad dharmas subject to any restriction, as is the case with the prdpti of the neutral dharmas?
39b. The prdpti of the rupa of Kamadhatu is not previous to this rupa.
This rupa, good or bad, for example the prdtimoksa-samvara (iv. 19 and following), is not possessed previous to its being produced. The prdpti is simultaneous and later, but not earlier.
***
Can non-possession be, like prdpti, good, bad, or neutral? 203
39c. Aprdpti is undefiled-neutral. Aprdpti is always anivrtdvyakrta (ii. 66).
39d. Aprdpti of the dharmas of the past or the future is threefold.
Aprdpti of past or future dharmas can be past, present, or future. But one necessarily possesses the present dharmas: hence the aprdpti of present dharmas can be only past or future.
40a. Aprdpti of the dharmas forming part of the spheres of existence, and of the immaculate dharmas, is threefold
Aprdpti of the dharmas of the sphere of Kamadhatu belong either to Kamadhatu, Rupadhatu, or Arupyadhatu accordingly as the person endowed with this aprdpti belongs to such a sphere of existence. The same for the aprdpti of pure dharmas.
In fact, aprdpti is never pure. Why?
40b-c. According to the School, a Prthagjana is a person who
204
has not acquired the Path.
1. As it says in the Mulasastra (Jndnaprasthana, TD 26, p. 928c5;
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Vibhdsd, TD 27, p. 232b9), "What is the state of Prthagjana? The non-possession of the dharmas of the Aryans (dryadharmandm alabhah)! ' Now the state of Prthagjana is not pure; hence their non- possession (aprdpti=aldbha) is not pure.
Let us examine this definition. When the Sastra says that the state of Prthagjana is the non-possession of the dharmas of the Aryans, which dharmas of the Aryans does it mean?
The dharmas beginning with duhkhe dharmajnanaksanti and including the whole pure path or the Path of the Aryans (vi. 25).
[The Sarvastivadins:] The Sastra means all these dharmas, since it does not specify any.
Be careful! To believe you, a person in possession of duhkhe ksanti would be a Prthagjana if he did not possess all of the other Aryan dharmas.
[The Sarvastivadins:] The Sastra means the non-possession that is not accompanied by possession: the person of whom you speak, although not possessing the other dharmas of the Aryans, is not a Prthagjana because the non-possession of these other dharmas is accompanied by the possession of the ksanti. This is quite evident, for, in the contrary interpretation, the Buddha the Blessed Onfc, not possessing the dharmas of the "family" of the Sravakas and Pratyeka- buddhas (vi. 23), would be a Prthagjana.
Very well. But then the Sastra would say "The state of Prthagjana is the absolute non-possession (aldbha eva) of the Aryan dharmas" and not ". . . the non-possession (alabha) . . . "
[The Sarvastivadins:] The Sastra expresses itself very well, for the
ekapadas (Nirukta, 2. 2) permit a restrictive sense and the particle eva
is not necessary: for example abbhaksa signifies "that which lives
solely on water," and vdyubhaksa, "that which lives solely on wind. " 205
2. According to another opinion, the state of Prthagjana is the non-possession of the first stage of the Path of Seeing, duhkhe dharmajnanaksanti and its concomitant dharmas (vi. 25).
[Objection. ] In this hypothesis, at the sixteenth moment
(marge'nvayajndna), the saint will be a Prthagjana and not an Aryan,
206 for at this moment, the initial ksanti is lost.
? No, for the non-possession of the ksanti which constitutes the state of Pfthagjana has been absolutely destroyed in the first stage.
[Objection. ] The ksanti in question is threefold: of the family of the Sravakas, of the family of the Pratyekabuddhas, and of the family of the Buddhas (vi. 23). Of which of these three types are you speaking in your definition of the state of Prthagjana?
We mean to speak of three types of ksanti.
Be careful! The Buddha, not possessing the three types of ksanti^ would then be a Prthagjana!
We intend to speak of the non-possession of the ksanti which is not accompanied by possession . . . and thus following, as above, to the example "that which lives solely on water,'" "that which lives solely on wind. "
Hence the effort attempted in order to avoid the objection: "Be careful! To believe you, a person in possession of duhkhe dharma- jnanaksanti would be a Prthagjana . . . " is in vain. The best explana- tion is that of the Sautrantikas. To them, the state of Prthagjana is a
series in which the dharmas of the Aryans have not arisen. ***
How does non-possession perish?
40c-d It is abandoned through acquisition (prdpti), and through passing to another stage.
For example, the non-possession of the Path, which constitutes the
207 and (2) when one passes to another stage. The same holds for the
state of Pjrthagjana, is abandoned (1) when one acquires the Path, 208
209 non-possession of the other dharmas.
[Objection:] Non-possession is abandoned (1) when one produces the non-possession of non-possession, that is to say, when, changing one's stage of existence, one ceases to possess the state of Prthagjana; and (2) when the possession of non-possession is cut off, that is to say, when, acquiring the Path, one cuts off the state of Prthagjana.
Does this mean that there is possession of possession and non-
The lndriyas 217
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possession, and that there is non-possession of possession and non- possession?
Yes. There is possession and non-possession of possession and non-possession, which is called "secondary possession" (anuprapti), or "secondary non-possession. " One then distinguishes between mula- prdti and anuprdpti or prdptiprdpti.
Doesn't this doctrine lead to infinite progression?
No, for one possessess possession through the fact of possession of
possession and vice versa.
There is possession of the one through the
fact of the other. Let us explain. When a certain dharma is produced in
a given person, three dharmas arise together, namely: 1) this dharma
itself, which is called the muladharma', 2) the prdpti of this mula-
dharma', and. 3) the prdpti of this prdpti. The person in question
possesses the muladharma and the prdpti of the prdpti by the fact of
the arising of the prdpti', he possesses this prdpti by the fact of the
arising of the prdpti. TM Hence there is no infinite progression. When a 211
good or a defiled dharma arises, at this very moment three dharmas arise together, inclusive of this good or defiled dharma, namely: the
211 muladharma, its prdpti, and the prdpti of this prdpti which is the
prdpti of the prdptiprdpti of the first moment, plus three anuprdptis through the fact that one is in possession of the three aforementioned prdptis. In this third moment eighteen dharmas arise together, namely nine prdptis: the prdptis of the three dharmas produced in the first moment, prdptis of the six dharmas produced in the second moment, plus nine anuprdptis through the fact that one in in possession of the nine aforementioned prdptis.
Thus the prdptis continue increasing in number from moment to
213
moment.
upaklesa), and of innate {upapattildbhika, ii. 71b) good dharmas with the dharmas that are associated (samprayukta, ii. 53c-d) and co-existent {sahabhu, ii. 50b) with them throughout beginningless and endless transmigration, arise, from moment to moment, in an infinite number. If one considers the series of one single being in the course of transmigration, those prdptis which arise at each moment are infinite in number. Considering all beings together, they (i. e. , the prdptis) are
The prdptis of present and future defilements (klesa and
? without measure, and without limit. Happily, they possess a great quality: they are non-material, and give way one to the other. If they were material, there could not be found enough room in the universe for the praptis of one single being, and even less for the prdptis of two beings!
214
What is "genre" or sameness of class designation?
41a. Sabhdgatd is that which causes resemblance between living
215
beings.
1. There exists an entity called sabhdgatd, a dhanna by virtue of which living beings, as well as the dharmas "that fall into the series of living beings" (sattvasamkhydta, i. 10), have resemblence between them (Vibhdsd, TD 27, p. 138a9). _
2. The Sastra (Jndnaprasthdna, etc. ) designates this entity by the name of nikdyasabhdga: the author uses the term sabhdgatd for metric reasons.
3. Sabhdgatd is of two types, general and particular. The first is found in all living beings: by virtue of it, there is resemblance of any living being with all other living beings. This is called sattvasabhdgatd.
The second has numerous subdivisions: each of these subdivisions
is found only in certain beings. Living beings are differenciated
according to their spheres of existence, the different stages of these
spheres, their realm of rebirth (gati, iii. 4), their wombs (iii. 9), their
caste (jdti, as Brahmins, etc. ), their sex, the state of Upasaka (iv. 14),
216
Bhiksu, Saiksa, or Arhat, etc.
virtue of which each living being of a certain species resembles living beings of this same species.
4. There is, furthermore, sabhdgatd of dharmas that belong to living beings, dharmasabhdgatd, which in turn distinguishes the skandhas, the dyatanas and the dhdtus: skandhasabhdgatd, etc. , rupaskandhasabhdgatd, etc.
This holds as well for sabhdgatds, by
The Indrtyas 219
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5. In the absence of a separate entity, namely sabhdgatd, how does
one explain general ideas (buddhi) and expressions (prajnapti), such as
"living beings," etc. , applied to some beings that differ one from
another? In this same way, it is solely by reason of dharmasabhdgatd 217
that the ideas and expressions, "skandha" "dhdtus" etc. , are justified. 6. Do we conclude that one transmigrates, that one dies and is born
without abandoning and without taking up a certain sattvasabhagata (state of a human being, etc. )? There are four alternatives: 1. to die in a place (Kamadhatu for example) and be reborn in the same place: the sabhdgatd remains the same, regardless of transmigration; 2. to enter into one's predetermined realm of rebirth (niydmdvakranti, vi. 26a): without there being transmigration, there is yet the abandoning of the sabhdgatd of the Prthagjanas and the acquisition of the sabhdgatd of the Saints; 3. to die in one realm of rebirth, the human realm of rebirth, etc. , and to be reborn in another realm of rebirth; 4. all other cases.
[The Sautrantikas do not admit the existence of a dharma called sabhdgatd and present many objections to it. ]
1. If a certain entity called "the genre of Prthagjana" exists, for what purpose do we imagine the state of Prthagjana consisting of the non-possession of the Aryadharmas (ii. 40c)? Someone will be a Prthagjana through the genre of Prthagjana in the way that someone is a human through the genre "human" for the Vaibhasikas do not imagine a state of human different from the genre "human. "
2. Ordinary people do not recoginize sabhdgatd through the direct preception of the senses (pratyaksa)) they do not infer the existence of the sabhdgatd through an operation of the intelligence (prajnd), for sabhdgatd does not exercise any action by which one could know it: although people do not know anything of sattvasabhagata they recognize the non-difference of the species of beings. Hence, what would be the use in supposing that a sabhdgatd exists?
3. Why does the School refuse sabhdgatd to things that are not living beings, such as rice and corn, gold and iron, mango and bread- fruit trees?
4. The different sabhdgatds that the School recognizes, sabhdgatds
? of living beings, of spheres, of realms of rebirth, etc. , are distinct one from another. Yet one has, for all of them, common ideas and designations: all are sabhdgatds.
5. [The Sarvastivadins are the proponents of the doctrine of the Vaisesikas. ] The Vaisesikas admit a certain entity (paddrtha) called "sameness" {sdmdnya), by virtue of which there is produced, with regard to things, similar ideas and designations; they believe also in another entity, called "difference" {visesa), from whence proceeds specific ideas and designations with regard to different species.
The Vaibhasikas protest that their theory is not to be confused with that of the Vaisesikas, who believe that genre or sameness (sdmdnya) & unique substance {paddrtha), exists in a multitude of individuals. Hence even if they approve of the Vaisesikas admitting genre {sdmdnya), they still condemn their interpretation of it. As for sabhagatd, it exists in and of itself (as a dravya), for the Blessed One, speaking of a murderer who is reborn in hell, continues, saying, "If he
218 is reborn here, if he obtains the sabhagatd of humans . . . "
[The Sautrantikas answer:] By expressing itself in this way, the Sutra does not teach the existence of a thing in and of itself called sabhagatd. What then does the Sutra designate by the word sabhagatd} By the expression sabhagatd of humans," etc. , the Sutra means a similarity in the manner of being: in the same way, sabhagatd of rice, corn, beans, etc.
219 This opinion is not admitted by the Vaibhasikas.
**#
What is non-consciousness {dsamjnika)?
41b-c. Non-consciousness is that which, among the Non-
220 conscious Ones, arrests the mind and its mental states.
Among the beings who take birth among the Non-Conscious Ones, i. e. , the non-conscious gods, there is a dhanna that arrests the mind and its mental states, and which is called "non-consciousness. " By this dharma, the mind and future dharmas are, for a certain time,
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hindered from being produced and do not have the power to arise. This dharma is similar to what arrests the water of a river, that is, to a dike.
This dharma is exclusively 41d. Retribution.
It is exclusively the retribution of non-conscious absorption
221
Where do these non-conscious gods reside?
41d. They live in Brhatphala.
In the heaven of the Brhatphalas there is a raised place which is
the dwelling of the Non-Conscious Ones, in the same way as the
(asamjnisamdpatti, ii. 42a).
dhydndntarikd, the dwelling of the Mahabrahma gods, is raised within 222
the heaven of the Brahmapurohitas (iii. 2c; Vibhdsd, TD 27, p. 784b5).
Are the Non-Conscious Ones called this because they are always non-conscious, or are they sometimes conscious?
They are conscious at birth and at death (iii. 42; Vibhasd, TD 27, p.
223
784c8);
suspended for a very long time. When, after this long time, they produce a consciousness again, they die. As it says in the Sutra "When they produce consciousness again, they die, like a person awakening after sleep. "
Dying in the non-conscious heaven, they are necessarily reborn in Kamadhatu and nowhere else. (1) In fact, the force of asamjnisamd- patti (ii. 42a), by which these beings are born among the Non- Conscious Ones, is exhausted; they have not been in a position to practice asamjnisamdpatti: hence they die, as arrows fall to the ground when their impetus is spent. (2) On the other hand, beings who are reborn among the Non-Conscious Ones necessarily possess an action "retributive in Kamadhatu" and "retributive in the second existence" (iv. 50b). In this same way beings who are reborn in Uttarakuru (iii. 90c-d) necessarily possesses an action retributive in a heavenly realm of rebirth immediately after their existence in Uttarakuru.
they are called non-conscious because their consciousness is
? The Mulasastra says, "What are the two samapattis or absorp- 224
tions? They are asamjnisamapa&ti, the non-conscious absorption, 225
and nirodhasamdpaPti, the absorption of extinction. "
What is the non-conscious absorption?
In the same way that asamjnika is a dharma that arrests the mind
and its mental states,
42a. The same for the non-conscious absorption.
The non-conscious absorption is an absorption in which the ascetic is non-conscious, or in an absorption free from consciousness.
The word "the same" shows that this absorption, like asamjnika, arrests the mind and its mental states.
To which bhumi does it belong? 42b. In the Fourth Dhyana.
In order to cultivate this absorption, the ascetic should have entered the Fourth Dhyana.
Why does one cultivate it?
42c. Through desire for deliverance.
The ascetic falsely imagines that asamjnika, the non-consciousness that constitutes the result of the non-conscious absorption, is true deliverence.
Asamjnika, being retribution, is necessarily morally neutral. As for the non-conscious absorption, it is
42d. Good.
It produces as its retributive result the five skandhas of a non- conscious god, who, as we know, is conscious at birth and at death.
To what category does it belong from the point of view of retribution?
42e. Solely retribution in the next existence.
The Indfiyas 223
? 224 Chapter Two
It is not "retributive in this life" or "retributive later;" it is no longer of "unnecessary retribution" (iv. 50).
Without doubt, an ascetic can fall from this absorption after having produced it; but, [according to the Vaibhasikas,] he will produce it again and be reborn among the Non-Conscious Ones. This is to say that the ascetic who takes possession of this absorption will certainly
226 not enter into a "predestined" realm of rebirth (vi. 26a).
This absorption is cultivated only by Prthagjanas. 42f. Not by Aryans.
The Aryans consider this absorption as a precipice, a calamity, and do not value entering it.
On the contrary, Prthagjanas identify non-consciousness (asam- jnika) with true deliverance; they have no idea of "going out" with respect to it; hence they cultivate the absorption that leads to it. But Aryans know that the impure cannot be true deliverance. Hence they
do not cultivate this absorption.
When Aryans enter into the Fourth Dhyana, do they obtain the
prdpti of this past and future absorption, the same as one obtains the prdpti of the Fourth Dhyana of the past and the future as soon as one
227 enters into the Fourth Dhyana?
Non-Aryans do not obtain the prdpti of the non-conscious absorption of the past and future.
Why?
Having cultivated it many time previously, this absorption can only be realized through great effort; as it is not mind,
42g. It is obtained in one time period.
One takes possession of this absorption, not in the past, not in the
future, but in one time period, that is, in the present, as is also the case
for the prdtimoksa discipline (iv. 35). In the second moment of this
absorption, and in all the moments that follow the obtaining of this
absorption until the moment when it ends, one possesses it in the past
and in the present. On the other hand, since this absorption is not
mind, it is impossible for one to acquire a future prdpti of this
228 absorption.
? 229 What is nirodhasamdpatti or the "absorption of extinction? "
43a. In the same way, the absorption that bears the name of nirodha or "extinctioa"
That is to say, the absorption of extinction is like asamjnika, the non-conscious absorption: it is a dharma that arrests the mind and its mental states.
What are the differences between the non-conscious absorption and the absorption of extinction?
43b. It is viewed as tranquility;
1. Aryans cultivate this absorption because they consider it as the
230
absorption of tranquility. One cultivates the non-conscious absorp-
tion because one regards non-consciousness as being deliverance
(nihsarana-moksa).
43c. Arisen from Bhavagra;
2. It belongs to the sphere of Bhavagra, that is, one penetrates it upon leaving naivasamjndndsarnjndyatana absorption (viii. 4), whereas the non-conscious absorption belongs to the sphere of the Fourth Dhyana.
43d. Good;
3. It is good; it is not neutral or defiled, for its originating cause is good (iv. 9b).
43e. Of two retributions and neutral;
4. It admits of two types of retribution, being either "retributive in
the next existence," or "retributive later" {aparaparydyavedaniya, 231
iv. 50). Its retribution is also unnecessary, for the ascetic who has practiced it can obtain Nirvana in the present existence.
Of what does its retribution consist?
This absorption produces the four skandhas of Bhavagra, i. e. , an existence in Bhavagra (iii. 3).
The Indnyas 225
? 226 Chapter two
A$L Aryans
5. It is produced only by Aryans, not by Pjthagjanas. These latter
232
cannot produce it (1) because they fear annihilation, and (2) because
this absorption can only be produced through the power of the Path:
in fact, it is the ascetic who has seen Nirvana who is determined to
233 obtain it.
43g. It is obtained through effort.
6. Although obtained by the Aryans, it is not obtained merely through the fact of detachment. It is only realized through effort.
One does not possess this absorption in the past or in the future; this point has been explained in the matter of the non-conscious absorption.
