***
We have seen that comprehension consists of sixteen mental states.
We have seen that comprehension consists of sixteen mental states.
Abhidharmakosabhasyam-Vol-3-Vasubandhu-Poussin-Pruden-1991-PDF-Search-Engine
Three, acquired by men and women, can be found in a male or
128 female body.
21a-b. Women obtain the Supreme Worldly Dharmas
? destined to be found in female and male bodies.
Acquired by a female, the Supreme Worldly Dharmas will be found in a female body [=their present body] and in a male body [=the body that the female will necessarily produce in a new existence]; acquired by a male, it will only be found in a male body,--for there is, from the fact of the Supreme Worldly Dharmas, destruction {apratisamkhydnirodha, ii. 55d) of the quality of female.
How are the nirvedhabhdgiyas lost?
129 21c-d. The Aryan loses them by losing the sphere.
When the Aryan loses the sphere in which he has obtained the nirvedhabhdgiyas, he loses the nirvedhabhdgiyas. He does not lose them in any other way, through death or through falling. One sphere is lost by passing into another sphere, [and not through detachment from the said sphere].
130 2Id. The non-Aryan, through death.
The Prthagjana, whether or not he has passed to another sphere, loses them by abandoning the nikdyasabhdga.
22a. He also loses the first two through falling away.
The Prthagjana loses the first two through death and through falling away. The Aryan does not fall from out of the first two, and the Prthagjana does not fall from out of the last two.
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22b. When they belong to the fundamental Dhyanas, the
131 Seeing of the Truths arises from this seeing.
He who has produced the nirvedhabhagiyas by cultivating the fundamental Dhyanas, shall certainly see the Truths in this very same life, because his disgust with existence is very strong.
22c. Lost, they are acquired anew.
When the nirvedhabhagiyas have been lost and are acquired
anew, one acquires them afresh, like the Pratimoksa discipline
(iv. 38); one does not acquired the nirvedhabhagiyas previously
132
abandoned.
they are not obtained through detachment; and because they are realized through effort, they are not regained once they are lost.
If the ascetic meets a master possessing knowledge resulting
133
from resolution {pranidhijndna, vii. 37),
nirvedhabhagiyas beginning from the one which, having been acquired, had been lost. If he does not meet him, he should produce the nirvedhabhagiyas from the beginning.
***
We have seen that the Aryan discards the nirvedhabhagiyas, whereas the Prthagjana loses them through falling. One distin- guished loss {vihdni) and loss through falling {parihani): these are two types of loss, hdni. What do they consist of?
134 22d. The two losses are non-possession.
Loss through falling necessarily results from the defilements; but not unqualified loss {vihdni), which can result from a quality,
Because they have not been habitually cultivated,
he produced the
? for example, the loss of the quality of Prthagjana at the production
135 of the Path, etc.
***
Even though he may lose it through falling, whoever obtains Heat is destined to attain Nirvana.
But what is the distinction between Heat and the moksabhdg- tyas (iv. l25c-d, vi. 24, vii. 30)?
Whoever plants a root of good which should end in Nirvana (nirvdnabhdgiya) will obtain Nirvana. If there is no obstacle, Heat is quite close to the Seeing of the Truths.
23a. He who has attained the Summits does not cut off the roots.
Even though he may lose them by falling, he who has obtained the Summits does not cut off the roots of good (iv. 79); but he can go to the painful realms of rebirth and commit mortal transgres- sions (iv. 96).
23b. He who obtains the Patience does not go to the painful realms of rebirth.
He who loses the Patience through simple loss, vihdni, does not go to the painful realms of rebirth, because he is removed from the actions and the defilements which lead to them.
When one obtains Patience, and enters into the conditions not
136
to be produced,
rebirths, bodily forms, existences and defilements that no longer arise for him: the painful realms of rebirth, the womb of an egg, or moisture; rebirth among the Asamjfiisattvas, the Uttarakurus, or
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there are certain realms of rebirth, wombs,
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137
the Mahabrahmas:
androgynous bodies; the eighth, ninth rebirth, etc. ; and those defilements which are abandoned by the Seeing of the Truths (Vibhasa, TD 27, p. 165b6).
The abandoning is in relation to the degree of the Patience: through weak Patience, the painful realms of rebirth enter into the condition of not arising;. . . through strong Patience, all of the bad
139 dharmas mentioned above.
***
bodies of the two types of eunuchs, and 138
The nirvedhabhagiyas are of three types by reason of the 140
distinction of the three gotras or families. The ascetic belongs to the family of the Sravakas, Pratyekabuddhas or Buddhas; and Heat, the Summits, etc. , are of the family of the ascetic who cultivates them.
23c-d. One can attain two nirvedhabhagiyas of the Sravaka family, and become a Buddha.
It is possible for a person who belongs to the Sravaka family to attain in this family the Heat and the Summits, and to become a Buddha. But once Patience is acquired, this is no longer possible (Vibhasa, TD 27, p. 352al4), because the future painful rebirths are destroyed by the possession of the Patience. Now the Bodhisattvas, with the intention of being useful to their fellow
141
creatures, go to the painful realms of rebirth. explanation of the Vaibhasikas.
Such is the
We say however that a person of the Sravaka family, once he acquires Patience, cannot become a Buddha, because the Sravaka family, once penetrated and confirmed by the Patience, can no longer be modified.
? 23d. One can attain three, and become the other.
"The other" in relation to the Buddha, is the Pratyekabuddha.
A person of the Sravaka family can attain for a second time from
this family the first three nirvedhabhdgtyas and become a 143
The nirvadhabhdgiyas of the Buddha family and of the Pratyekabuddha family are not susceptible of being attained a second time.
24a-b. The Master and the Rhinoceros go as far as Bodhi in
144 one sitting, by relying on the last Dhyana.
"The Master" is the Buddha. "The Rhinoceros" is one who resembles a rhinoceros, that is, the Pratyekabuddha. Both abide in the Fourth Dhyana because this Dhyana is an absorption free from
145
all agitation and sharpness. "In one sitting", without rising from
146 it, they go from the nirvedhabhdgtyas to the arising of Bodhi.
We shall see later (iv. 67) that Bodhi is the knowledge of extinction {ksayajndna) and the knowledge of non-arising (anutpddajndna).
According to others (Vibhdsd, TD 27, p. 352al7), the sitting begins with the visualization of loathsome things. For the Abhidharmikas who admit the existence of Pratyekabuddhas
147
different from those likened to a rhinoceros, nothing prevents
148 these other Pratyekabuddhas from changing their family.
***
Does the preparation for the nirvedhabhdgtyas and the production of the nirvedhabhdgtyas take place in the same existence?
Pratyekabuddha.
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This is not possible. Of necessity, one must produce
149 24c. First, the moksabhdgiyas.
Of them all
24d. The most rapid obtains deliverance in three existen-
150 ces.
The planting of the seed, the growth of the plant, and the
production of the fruit: three different stages. In this same way, in
151
Religion, the series gradually enters, matures, and is delivered:
first existence, to plant the so-called moksabhdgiya roots of good; second, to produce the nirvedhabhdgiyas; and third, to produce the
152 Path.
**#
The School admits (Vibhdsd, TD 27, p. 35al2) that the moksabhdgiyas
153 25a. Arise from hearing and reflection.
But not from absorption or meditation. How many types of actions can be moksabhdgiya?
25a. The three actions.
But primarily mental action. Bodily action and vocal action are also moksabhdgiya when they are embraced by the resolution (pranidhdna) for deliverance; this resolution is a type of volition {cetand, ii. 24): by giving alms, a bodily action, by obliging oneself
? to observe a rule, a vocal action, or by studying a stanza of four
154
pddas, one projects a moksabhdgtya, when the force of the desire
155 for deliverance comes to qualify these actions.
25b. Projected among humans.
Only persons of the three Dvlpas project or plant the moksabhdgiyas. In fact, disgust, or intelligence (prajna), or disgust and intelligence are absent among the gods, among beings in hell,
156 and among the inhabitants of Uttarakuru.
**#
We have only incidentally treated of the moksabhdgiyas; but we have to explain the progressive order of the comprehension of the Truths {satydbhisamaya) and we have followed this order to the Supreme Worldly Dharmas. We must now teach the rest.
25c-d. Frorp out of the Supreme Worldly Dharmas there
proceeds one Patience, a Patience having the dharmas for 157
Exactly one Patience having Dharma Knowledge for its aspect
1
(dharmajndnaksdnti) TM immediately follows the Supreme Worldly
Dharmas. What is its object?
159 26a. Bearing on the suffering of Kamadhatu.
Its object is the suffering of Kamadhatu. Therefore it is called
its object, which is pure.
Duhkhe Dharmajndnaksdnti, the Patience that has the Dharma 160
Knowledge of Suffering for its object.
In order to indicate that it is pure, it is qualified by its
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outflowing result (nisyanda, ii. 26c-d) which is a Dharma Knowl-
161
edge {dharmajndna) .
therefore signifies: a ksdnti or Patience which produces a dharmajndna (Dharma Knowledge), which has for its intention and result a Dharma Knowledge. In the same way that a tree which bears flowers or fruit is called a puspavrksa or a phalavrksa.
This Patience is the entry into niyama, for it is the entry into
the certitude (niyama) of the acquisition of absolute good or
samyaktva. What is samyaktva? The Sutra says that it is Nirva-
162
samyaktva is called niydma, and also niyama. *
na.
Niyama or absolute determination with regard to the m 16
The expression dharmajnanaksdnti
Entering into this absolute determination of the acquisition of samyaktva is the arriving, the taking possession of (prdpti). Once this possession arises, the ascetic is an Aryan.
It is in a future state, that is, in its arising state, that this
165
Patience brings about the cessation of the quality of Prthagjana; for it is admitted that in a future state it possesses this efficacy, which does not belong to any other dharma; in the same way that a future lamp destroys darkness, and in the same way that a future arising laksana (ii. 45c-d) causes arising.
166
bring about the cessation of the quality of Prthagjana.
An inadmissible opinion, since these dharmas are Prthagjana dharmas.
This objection does not hold, for these dharmas are in contradiction to the quality of Prthagjana: this is as if someone climbed onto the shoulders of his enemy and killed him.
167
According to others,
the Supreme Worldly Dharmas, which take the place of the Irresistible Path (dnantaryamdrga), and by the Patience which takes the place of the Path of Deliverance (vimuktimdrga, vi. 28a-b). By the first, the quality of Prthagjana is in the process of being abandoned (prahtyate)9 and by the second, it is abandoned
According to other masters,
the Supreme Worldly Dharmas
the quality of Prthagjana ceases both by
? iprahma).
26a-b. From this, a Dharma Knowledge having the same object.
Immediately after the Patience that has the Dharma Knowl- edge of Suffering for its object there arises a Dharma Knowledge having for its object the suffering of Kamadhatu. It is called the Dharma Knowledge of Suffering.
The qualification of "pure" applied to the first Patience holds for all of the following Patiences. The knowledge in question is therefore pure.
***
In this same way there arises one Patience that has the Dharma Knowledge for its object and a Dharma Knowledge relating to the suffering of Kamadhatu.
26b-c. In the same way, relating to the rest of suffering, one consecutive Patience and a Knowledge.
Immediately following the Dharma Knowledge of Suffering, there arises one Patience of Consecutive Knowledge, having a composite object, bearing on the Suffering of Rupadhatu and Arupyadhatu. It is called duhkhe'nvayajnanaksanti (the Patience which consists of Consecutive Knowledge of Suffering). From this Patience there arises a consecutive Knowledge which receives the name of Consecutive Knowledge of Suffering.
Dharma Knowledge, or Knowledge of the Dharmas (dharmaj- nana) is so-called because it is the first knowledge which the ascetic obtains, since the origin of time, on the nature of the dharmas, suffering, etc. Consecutive Knowledge (anvayajndna) is so-called
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because it has the Dharma Knowledge for its cause (tadanvaya = taddhetuka), and because it knows the Truth in question as does Dharma Knowledge.
***
In the same way that, relating to the Truth of Suffering, four dharmas have arisen, two Patiences and two Knowledges,
26d. In that same way, relating to the three other Truths.
When, immediately after the Consecutive Knowledge of Suffering, there has arise a Patience of Dharma Knowledge bearing on origin in Kamadhatu, from this Patience there arises a Dharma Knowledge of Origin; in the same way, by the immediate succession of arising, there arises a Patience of Consecutive Knowledge, bearing on the rest of origin, and a Consecutive Knowledge of Origin. There arises one Patience of Dharma Knowledge, bearing on the extinction of suffering in Kamadhatu, and the Dharma Knowledge of Extinction. There then arises one Patience of Consecutive Knowledge, bearing on the rest of extinction, and the Consecutive Knowledge of Extinction.
There then arises one Patience of Dharma Knowledge bearing on the path which is opposed to the suffering of Kamadhatu, and the Dharma Knowledge of the Path. There then arises one Patience of Consecutive Knowledge bearing on the rest of the Path, and the Consecutive Knowledge of the Path.
27a-b. In this way, the comprehension of the Truths
168 consists of sixteen mental states.
In this order, the comprehension of the Truths (satyabhisa- maya) is made up of sixteen mental states.
? the comprehension of the Truths is single, "unique. " One should examine what is their point of view. For it is without making any distinctions that we have spoken of this comprehension [by saying that it is made up of
171 sixteen mental states]. If one were to distinguish,
27b. It is threefold: insight, application, and result.
Insight comprehension {darsandbhisamaya) is the comprehen- sion of the Truths by one pure prajna.
Application comprehension (alambandbhisamaya) is the comprehension of the Truths by this pfajnd and also by the
112 dharmas associated with this prajna.
Resultant comprehension (kdrydbhisamayd) is the comprehen-
sion of the Truths by this prajndy by the dharmas which are
associated with it, and also by the dharmas not associated with it
but which accompany it, for example, morality, the arising laksana 173
When the ascetic sees suffering, the three comprehensions take
174
place relative to suffering; the third comprehension takes place
relative to the other Truths, for origin is abandoned, extinction is
175 experienced, and the path cultivated.
Stated in this way, if the partisan of a single, unique compre- hension intends to speak of comprehension which consists of the seeing of the Truths, his thesis is inadmissible, by reason of the varity of the aspects (viLlOc): one does not see origin, etc. , under the aspects of suffering.
But, he would say, one sees all the Truths under the aspect of non-self.
If this were the case, then one would not see the Truths under the aspects of suffering, etc. ; and this hypothesis contradicts the Sutra which says, "The Sravaka, when he judges suffering as suffering, or origin as origin, or extinction as extinction, or path as
, According to other schools,
(ii. 45c), etc.
170
169
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path, there is then for him discernment of the dharmas associated 176
[But, would he not say that this declaration of the Sutra refers to the preparatory period, before comprehension?
This is inadmissible, for there is no pure judgment in this period. ]
But, he would say, does this declaration refer to the Path of Meditation, to the period during which one meditates on, and cultivates the Truths already seen?
This is inadmissible, for one cultivates the Truths in the same manner in which one has seen them.
If the partisans of a single, unique comprehension pretend that this comprehension is unique because the ascetic who sees one Truth obtains mastery with respect to the others, this is to say that, through the seeing of the Truth of Suffering, the ascetic obtains the capacity of experiencing the seeing of the other Truths without any new preparatory exercise,--and this we approve. Nevertheless, one should examine whether there is produced, or not, in the
177 interval, a departing from the comprehension.
But if the partisans of a single comprehension affirm the unity of comprehension because suffering is perfectly known, origin is abandoned, extinction realized, and the path cultivated, then this we approve, for we have said that when one Truth is seen, there is
178 resultant comprehension with regard to the three others.
Objection: If you approve this opinion, you contradict the Sutra
which teaches gradual (kramena) comprehension. It is with
reference to insight comprehension that the Sutra teaches the
gradual comprehension of the Truths, "Oh householder, compre-
with these pure judgments . . ,"
hension is not unique, but gradual (anupurva). . . " and the rest; in 179
all there are three Sutras accompanied by examples.
180
But, one would say, the Sutra says that "one who is free from
perplexity and doubt with regard to suffering is also free from perplexity and doubt with regard to the Buddha/' Therefore
? 181
This objection does not hold: for this Sutra means to say that when suffering is understood, the perplexity and the doubt relative to the Buddha does not become active and will necessarily be abandoned.
***
We have seen that comprehension consists of sixteen mental states.
27d. It is of the same sphere as the Supreme Worldly
182
These sixteen mental states are of the same sphere as the Supreme Worldly Dharmas. We have seen that these can be of six spheres (20c-d).
***
Why are there necessarily Patiences and Knowledges?
28a-b. The Patiences and Knowledges are, in this order, the
183
The Patiences cannot be hindered (antarayitum asakyatvdt) in their cutting off of the possession of the defilements; they are therefore, according to Panini, iii. 3. 171-2, the Irresistible Path {dnantaryamdrga).
The Knowledges arise among the persons who are thus delivered from the possession of the defilements, at the same time as does possession of disconnection from the defilements
comprehension is not gradual, but single and unique.
Dharmas.
Irresistible Path and the Path of Deliverance.
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{visamyoga, i. 6a, ii. 55d): they are therefore the Path of Deliver- 184
ance (vimuktimdrga).
As a consequence there is Patience and Knowledge, in the same
way that there are two actions: expelling the thief, and closing the
185 door.
If the possession of disconnection takes place only with the second Patience or second Irresistible Path [=the Patience that has the Consecutive Knowledge of Suffering as its object], then the Knowledge,--which is free from doubt (vii. l)--will not arise having the same object of the first Irresistible Path, namely the suffering of Kamadhatu.
But if the defilements are abandoned by means of the Patiences
(v. 6), is there not a contradiction with the text of the Sastra,
186 "There are nine categories of bonds"?
No, for the Patiences are the attendants of the Knowledges; the Sastra attributes the very same work of the Patiences to the Knowledges, in the way that one says that the king does that which
187 is done by his men.
***
From the fact that they all see the Truths, does it follow that the sixteen mental states of comprehension are the Path of Seeing?
28c-d. Because they are produced within anyone who sees
that which has not been seen, fifteen moments are the Path
188 of Seeing.
Fifteen moments, from the Patience that has the Dharma Knowledge of Suffering for its object to the Patience of Consecu- tive Knowledge that has the Path for its object, constitute the Path of Seeing. Why? Because the seeing of what has not been seen
? 189 continues.
In the sixteenth moment there is nothing more to see which
has not been seen. This moment meditates on the Truth as it has
190
been seen, and so forms part of the Path of Meditation.
But, one would say, the sixteenth moment sees the fifteenth
moment, the Patience that has the Consecutive Knowledge of the
191 Path as its object, which has not been seen previously.
Without doubt; but that to which it refers is the knowledge as to whether the Truth [of the Path] has been seen or not, not whether a moment [of the said Truth] has been seen or not. The fact that a moment has not been seen does not create the fact that the Truth has not been seen, in the same way that a field is not
192 unharvested because one stalk remains to be cut.
Furthermore, the sixteenth moment, the Consecutive Knowl- edge of the Path forms part of the Path of Meditation: a. because it constitutes a result, a srdmanyaphala (vi. 51); b. because it embraces meditation, the possession or acquisition of the eight Knowledges and the sixteen aspects, [in contrast to the Path of Seeing, vii. 21]; c. because it embraces the abandoning of a Path, the path of a
193 follower; and d. because it belongs to a series.
Objection: The sixteenth moment should be considered as forming part of the Path of Seeing, because it is certainly free from falling away. And its non-falling away results from the fact that it supports or confirms the abandoning of the defilements aban- doned through the Path of Seeing.
If you maintain that, for this reason, the sixteenth moment is of the Path of Seeing, this then leads to absurd consequences: the sixteenth moment and the following, and also the seeing of the Truths the second day and following, will be the Path of Seeing, for they also confirm the abandoning of the defilements abandoned through the Path of Seeing.
How is it that the first seven Knowledges are of the Path of Seeing and not the eighth? In fact, all eight see what has been seen
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through the Patience which precedes.
Because the seeing of the Truths has not been finished: it is completed in the fifteenth moment. The first seven Knowledges are of the Path of Seeing because, the seeing of the Truths not being finished, they are produced in the interval, that is, either in the course of the Path of Seeing, or between two Patiences.
***
We have explained how the Path of Seeing and the Path of Meditation arise. We should now define the persons (pudgala) in whom the Noble Path arises. In the course of the fifteen moments which are the nature of the Path of Seeing,
29a-b. In these moments, the ascetics of weak and sharp faculties are respectively Sraddhanusarin and Dharmanusa-
194
rin.
Placed in these moments, the ascetic with weak faculties is
called a Sraddhanusarin; the ascetic with sharp faculties is called a
Dharmanusarin. Here the word "faculties" (indriyas) signifies the
195
The term Sraddhanusarin is explained etymologically: srad- dhayd anusdrah = sraddhanusdrah, "pursuit by reason of faith"; one in whom there is this pursuit, or in whom the habit is to pursue by
196
reason of faith, is called a Sraddhanusarin, because, first, he has
pursued the Truth [that is to say: to become conscious of the Truths] under the impulse of another, through confidence in another (see vi. 63).
Dharmanusarin is explained in the same way: dharmair anusdrah = dharmdnusarah, "pursuit by means of the dharmas . . . It is by himself, by means of the dharmas, that is, by means of the twelvefold Scripture, Sutra, etc. (see vi. 63a-c), that this ascetic has
faculties of faith, absorption, etc.
? first pursued the Truth. These two ascetics,
29c-d. If they have not abandoned the defilements to be abandoned through Meditation, they are candidates for the
197
"The first result", that is, the first of the results, the state of Srotaapanna which is in fact the first resultant state in the order of acquisition.
If the Sraddhanusarin and the Dharmanusarin have not previously abandoned, by the worldly path (vi. 49), any category of the defilements to be abandoned through Meditation, and as a consequence are found to be "bound by all the bonds" {sakalaband- hana, ii. English translation, note 184), they are candidates for the state of Srotaapanna from the time in which they entered the Path of Seeing.
30a. Up to the abandoning of the five categories.
If they have, through the worldly path, abandoned the first, second, third, fourth or fifth category of the defilements of Kamadhatu to be abandoned through Meditation, once having entered the Path of Seeing, they are the same candidates for the first state.
30b. Candidates for the second, until the abandoning of the ninth category.
But if they have previously abandoned the sixth, seventh, or eighth category, they are candidates for the second state, that is, for the state of Sakrdagamin.
first result.
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30c-d. Candidates for the third, through detachment either with respect to Kamadhatu, or with respect to higher spheres.
In the case (1) where they are detached from Kamadhatu through the abandoning of the ninth category of defilements of Kamadhatu to be abandoned through Meditation, (2) or they are detached with respect to the higher spheres up to and including Akincanyayatana, they are candidates for the third state, that is, for the state of Anagamin. (See ii. l6c, English translation, p. 177-178, vi, p. 985).
31a-b. In the sixteenth moment, the ascetic becomes an abider in the state for which he was a candidate.
In the sixteenth moment, these two ascetics no longer bear the name of Sraddhanusarin or Dharmanusarin; they no longer bear the name of candidates. They are "abiders in a result": candidates for the state of Srotaapanna, Sakrdagamin, or Anagamin, now become Srotaapannas, Sakrdagamins, or Anagamins.
The quality of Arhat cannot be acquired directly, that is to say without the state of Anagamin first being acquired--,for, on the one hand, the defilements abandoned through meditation cannot be abandoned through the Path of Seeing (Vibhdsd, TD 27, p. 265cl3) and, on the other hand, there cannot have been detach- ment by a worldly path previous to Naivasamjnanasamjfiayatana. (See v. English translation note 27, and above p. 951).
31c-d. At this moment, the ascetics with weak and sharp
faculties become respectively Sraddhadhimukta or Drsti-
198 prapta.
The ascetic with weak faculties, who was a Sraddhanusarin,
? now takes the name of Sraddhadhimukta (vi. 56, 63). The ascetic with sharp faculties, who was a Dharmanusarin, now takes the name of Drstiprapta. When faith (sraddha) predominates [in the ascetic with weak faculties], the ascetic is informed by his aspiration (adhimoksa): he is therefore called a Sraddha-adhi- mukta. When prajnd predominates [in the ascetic with sharp faculties] the ascetic is informed by speculative views (drsti): he is therefore called a Drstiprapta. (vi. 57, 61, 63a-c)
By what reason does the ascetic who has abandoned the first categories [from one to five] of the defilements of Kamadhatu abandoned through meditation, become, in the sixteenth moment, a Srotaapanna and not a candidate for the state of Sakrdagamin? The same question is posed for the ascetic who has abandoned the sixth, seventh, and eighth categories, and who in the sixteenth moment, becomes a Sakrdagamin and not a candidate for the state of AnSgamin; and also for the ascetic who has abandoned the higher categories of the defilements, and who, in the sixteenth moment, becomes an Anagamin and not a candidate for the state of Arhat.
32. At the moment of the acquisition of a result, the ascetic does not acquire the path of a higher result; consequently the abider in a result does not exert himself with a view to a higher progress, and he is not a candidate for a result.
Upon the acquisiton of a result, one does not acquire a path higher than this state (vi. 65b-d), for example, upon the acquisition of Srotaapanna, one does not obtain the path of Sakrdagamin: such is this principle. As a consequence, the abider in a result, as long as he does not exert himself with a view to a higher progress for the acquisition of a new state, that is, as long as he does not cultivate the preparatory exercises which have for their result the abandon- ing of the defilements not yet abandoned and which is the cause of the acquisition of a new state, this resident is not a candidate for this new state.
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Nevertheless, the ascetic who, [previously] detached from the Third Dhyana [by a worldly path], enters into niydma (vi. 26a) or the Path of Seeing in a sphere lower than this Dhyana [that is, in anagamya, the First or Second Dhyana, or an intermediate state], certainly realizes a path higher than the result. If it were otherwise, then if he were reborn in a higher sphere [the Fourth Dhyana or the Arupyas], he would not be in possession of the
(Vibhasa, TD 27, p.
199 464b8; Jnanaprasthana, TD 26, p. 947a5).
faculty of happiness (sukhendriya. viii. 9).
***
We have defined the persons who enter into niyarna, either by their being bhuyovitardga, that is, detached from the sixth, seventh, and eighth categories of defilements of Kamadhatu, or by their being kamavitaraga, that is, completely detached from Kamadhatu (ii. l6c, English translation, p. 178).
We must now study the ascetic who proceeds gradually. To this end, the following point should be established.
***
As the defilements of Kamadhatu are divided into nine categories,
33a-b. Each sphere has nine categories of vices.
Each sphere, up to and including Naivasamjnanasamjnayatana. As each sphere has nine categories of vices,
33b. So too there are nine categories of qualities.
? Each sphere has nine categories of qualities which are as many as the paths, the Irresistible Paths and the Paths of Deliverance, opposed to these said vices. How is this?
33c-d. By distinguishing weak, etc. , in the categories of
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There are three fundamental categories, weak, medium, and strong. Each one of these is divided into weak, medium, and strong; this gives us nine categories: weak-weak, weak-medium, weak-strong, medium-weak, medium-medium, medium-strong, strong-weak, strong-medium, and strong-strong.
The weak-weak path has the power to bring about the abandoning of the strong-strong defilement; and so on to: the strong-strong path has the power to bring about the abandoning of the weak-weak defilement. For it is impossible for the strong- strong path to be produced from the very beginning; and it is impossible that there would be a strong-strong defilement when there is a strong-strong path.
In the same way, when one washes a piece of cloth, the greater stains are washed out first and only lastly the subtle stains; so too a great darkness is vanquished by a small light, whereas a great light is required to get rid of a small amount of darkness. Such are the
201 types of examples that one can supply.
An Aryan path, although momentary and weak, is capable of
uprooting the defilements which have accrued through a succes-
sion of their causes in eternal transmigration- his path cuts off the
possessions of the defilements which are similar to roots--for the
white dharmas are powerful, whereas the black dharmas are
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weak.
accumulated over a long period of time, are gotten rid of by one grain of powder of the trivrt root (trivrtkarsa); so too a great darkness is broken up by a small, momentary light.
weak, medium, and strong.
In this same way, the vices of wind, the bile, etc. ,
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***
There are therefore nine categories of defilements abandoned through meditation.
34a-b. The abider in a result who has not destroyed that
which one should abandon through meditation is a Sap-
203 takrtparamah.
The abider in a result who has not even abandoned one category of the defilements abandoned through meditation is a Srotaapanna; as he can be reborn seven times but no more, he is an "at the most seven times. " As it is not an absolute rule that he will be reborn seven times, one says, "at the most. " The expression of the Sutra, saptakrtvah paramah, signifies "there is rebirth for him seven times at the most/' The word paramah is understood as prakarsena ("at a maximum").
Srotaapanna: the river or stream (srotas), the stream of
Nirvana, the path, for one goes by means of a stream. The ascetic
who has entered into it, who has arrived at it and who has attained
it, is called "one who has entered into the stream" {srota-apan- 204
na).
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the obtaining of the first path? Then the eighth saint would be a
Srotaapanna. Would one say that it is by the obtaining of the first state? Then the bhuyovltaraga and the kamavitaraga, when they acquire the first state which they acquire, would be Srotaapannas; but you have said that they are, respectively, Sakrdagamins and Anagamins (vi. 30b-d).
We would answer: The ascetic enters into the stream by the obtaining of the first state; but this does not refer to the state that a certain saint can acquire first, but to the state that one acquires first when one passes through all of the states.
Objection: How can one enter it? Would one say that it is by
? But why is not the eighth saint a Srotaapanna, for he has entered into the stream of the Noble Path?
Because it is at the sixteenth moment, that of the Consecutive Knowledge of the Path, that one possesses (1) both the path of the candidate, consisting of fifteen moments, and the path of the state, (2) and the Path of Seeing and the Path of Meditation; (3) because then one comprehends the "stream," that is, the Path in its entirety, up to and including the fifteenth moment.
***
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The Vaibhasikas say: Independently of the present existence,
the Srotaapanna again takes up birth among humans, seven
existences properly so-called, and seven intermediate existences
(antarabhava, iii. 10); and in this same way, he again takes up birth
among the gods. That is, he takes up birth up to twenty-eight
existences. Yet, as he has everywhere the series of seven
existences, the ascetic is said to be "reborn at the most seven
times"; the same way that a Bhiksu is called "wise in seven things"
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(saptasthanakusala) when he knows the "groups of seven"; so
too a tree is termed "having seven leaves" (saptaparna) because its 208
buds produce some seven leaves.
Objection: But the Sutra says, "It is absolutely impossible for a
209
saint (pudgala) possession views (drsfisampanna) to produce an
No, they answer, for this text should be understood: "He does not produce an eighth existence in the same realm of rebirth. " Or, if one wants to hold to the letter of the Sutra: "Having transmi- grated, having passed seven times both among the gods and
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among humans, he will realize the end of suffering," one should
conclude that the heavenly and human rebirths are not preceded by any intermediate existences (antarabhava), since the Sutra speaks only of gods and humans.
210 doctrine of the Vaibhasikas.
eighth existence. "
And this text is in contradiction to the
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Taking up the objection again, if one should understand: "He
does not produce an eighth existence in the same realm of rebirth,"
how does it happen that an Urdhvasrotas of the Bhavagraparama
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class (vi. 38b) rebirth?
is reborn eight times in the same realm of its
The Vaibhasikas answer that the text which denies an eighth rebirth refers only to an eighth rebirth in Kamadhatu.
But what text and what reasoning prove that this text refers only to Kamadhatu? And what proves that the saint transmigrates seven times, among the gods on the one hand, and among humans on the other, and not seven times in all among both? The text has, in fact, "Having transmigrated seven times among gods and among humans. "
The Kasyaplyas read, "Having transmigrated seven times
among gods, and seven times among humans (saptakrtvo devan
saptakrtvo manusyan)" There is therefore no reason to attach any
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He who becomes a Srotaapanna as a human will return to be among humans in order to obtain Nirvana; he who becomes a Srotaapanna as a god will return to be among the gods in order to obtain Nirvana.
*##
Why is a Srotaapanna not reborn an eighth time? Because, in this limit of time, in the course of seven existences, his series is necessarily matured. Such is the nature of the Path: so too, such is the nature of the venom of the "seven-footed serpent" that a person bitten dies after having walked only seven paces; such is the
importance to the preceding question.
###
? nature of this illness that the four-day fever returns during each of the four days (see note 210).
214
He does not obtain Nirvana in less time because some seven bonds remain, two of the avarabhdgiya or lower class, namely sensual desire (kdmacchanda) and anger (vydpdda), and five of the urdhvabhdgiya or higher class, namely two cravings (rdga) [in Rupadhatu and Arupyadhatu], dissipation (auddhhatya), pride (mana), and delusion (moha) (v. 43). Because, even though he realizes the Noble Path [of Sakrdagamin or Anagamin], he does not obtain Nirvana in the interval by reason of the force of the actions which should be rewarded in the course of the seven existences.
If a Buddha has not arisen in the period when one should
obtain Nirvana, it is as a householder that he will obtain the
quality of Arhat, but he does not then remain as a householder: by
the force of dharmatd, that is, by the force of the Path of the Arhat
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or the Asaiksa, he is endowed with the marks of a Bhiksu; according to other masters, with the marks of a non-Buddhist Bhiksu.
***
Why is the Srotaapanna declared to be an avinipdtadharman, "one incapable of falling into a painful realm of rebirth'*
216 (apdya)?
Because he does not accumulate actions which cause him to fall into it; because, by the actions of this type which have already been previously accumulated, his mind has become refractory to the maturation of these actions, being perfumed by the powerful roots of good by reason of the purity of his behavior, and by reason of
217
A person who has accumulated an action which should
necessarily mature in a painful realm of rebirth cannot even
the purity of his sentiments with regard to the Three Jewels.
produce Patience (vi. 18), much less the pure Path.
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There is a stanza, "The ignorant, if they have committed only a
small transgression, go below; the wise, if they have committed a
great transgression, avoid painful rebirth. A small mass of iron, in
a mass, sinks; the same iron, in a greater mass but fashioned into a
219
bowl, floats/'
panna . . . puts an end to suffering (duhkhasyantam karoti). " What does "the end of suffering" mean? Suffering beyond which there is no more suffering. This means that the saint causes suffering to no more arise. Or rather the end of suffering is Nirvana.
