俱舍論記 3.3

3.3

Regarding the "Indriya-nirdeśa": because of their superior function and predominance, they are called faculties (indriya); because this chapter explains them in detail, it is called an exposition (nirdeśa). As for why faculties are explained next after dhātus: the "Dhātu-nirdeśa" explains the essences (svabhāva) of all dharmas, while the "Indriya-nirdeśa" explains the functions (kāritra) of all dharmas. Relying on essence, function arises; therefore faculties are explained next. Question: This chapter explains the functions of conditioned [dharmas] in detail; why is it titled with "faculties"? Answer: Although this chapter explains the functions of conditioned [dharmas], because faculties are analysed first and their function is predominant, it is titled with them. Question: The Miśrakābhidharmahṛdaya calls it the "Saṃskāra-nirdeśa", and the Nyāyānusāra calls it the "Viśeṣa-nirdeśa"; why does this treatise call it the "Indriya-nirdeśa"? Answer: In this chapter, the intention is to explain function: faculties definitely manifest function. Although "saṃskāra" means producing action, it can also manifest flux; hence its manifestation of function is not definitive. Although "viśeṣa" (distinction) also manifests different functions, it can manifest the distinction between existence and non-existence, or manifest the distinction between conditioned and unconditioned; hence its manifestation of function is also not definitive. Therefore our treatise master titled it with "faculties".