首楞嚴義疏注經 2.35

2.35

This is contemplation down to the ultimate subtlety. If one quietens one's thought and attentively observes, then without stopping for a kṣaṇa, from thought-moment to thought-moment it flows and transforms; this is the subtle four characteristics shifting and flowing without rest. Ordinary beings have coarse minds and are utterly unaware of it. A verse by an ancient master of virtue says: 'As a single eyelash / Placed on the palm is not noticed, / If placed upon the eye / It causes extreme distress and harm; / An ignorant person is like the palm of the hand, / Unaware of the shifting suffering of conditioning; / A wise person is like the eye, / Distressed to the utmost, giving rise to revulsion.' As for the term kṣaṇa, it is the minimal unit of time. The Abhidharmakośa-bhāṣya states: 'The minimal unit of time is named a kṣaṇa; the maximum unit of time is named a kalpa; up to years and months, all are divisions of time.' It also says: 'One hundred and twenty kṣaṇas make one tatkṣaṇa; sixty tatkṣaṇas make one lava; thirty lavas make one muhūrta; thirty muhūrtas make one day and night; thirty days and nights make one month; twelve months make one year; twelve years make one cycle (ji).' The earlier demarcation by ten years was simply taking a round number for a cycle.