俱舍論記 5.76

5.76

「言異相者至後復修起」者，此釋第二句。謂無想定，欲、色二界皆得初起，由無始來數數修習，起時即易，故通二界皆得初起。滅定初起唯在人中，由無始來未曾修習，起時即難，初起之時要由說力及強加行方得生故。故《正理》云「唯人中有說者、釋者，及有強盛加行力故。」又解：無想定因天眼通見彼無想有情，謂為涅槃便即修故，於色界中有得初起。又解：無想定雖容色界初起，必先欲界初起加行，造欲界中順後受業，方生色界起宿住通，知先不得今復更修，故得初起。此滅盡定，在於人中初修起已，由退為先方生色界，依色界身後復修起。

Regarding "As for their different characteristics... they are subsequently practiced and generated again": this explains the second pāda. That is, the absorption without thought can be initially generated in both the desire and form realms; because it has been practiced repeatedly from beginningless time, generating it is easy, and so it can be initially generated throughout both realms. The initial generation of the absorption of cessation is solely among humans: because it has never been practiced from beginningless time, generating it is difficult; at the time of its initial generation, it can arise only through the power of verbal instruction and strong preparatory application. Therefore the *Nyāyānusāra* says: "It is only among humans that there are instructors and expounders, as well as the power of vigorous preparatory application." Another explanation: the absorption without thought can be initially generated in the form realm because, through the divine eye, seeing those sentient beings without ideation and considering it to be nirvāṇa, one immediately cultivates it. Yet another explanation: although the absorption without thought may be initially generated in the form realm, one must have first undertaken preparatory application in the desire realm and produced karma in the desire realm to be experienced in subsequent lives; only then, being born in the form realm and giving rise to the knowledge of past lives, does one realize that one had not attained it previously and now cultivates it anew, so that it can be initially generated. As for this absorption of cessation, after having first been practiced and generated among humans, one is subsequently born into the form realm preceded by retrogression, and then cultivates and generates it again dependent upon a body in the form realm.