俱舍論疏 25.6

25.6

On the passage of the treatise from “It is also called ... up to ‘only then entering meditative absorption’”: this explains the alternative name. Because one must wait for a time to attain liberation, it is called “temporary liberation.” Like a “ghee pot,” omitting the initial word “containing,” it is simply called a “ghee pot.” From “Because it waits for a time” onwards explains waiting for a time. The *Vibhāṣā*, fascicle 101, says: “Although there are many times, briefly there are six: 1. the time of obtaining good robes; 2. the time of obtaining good food; 3. the time of obtaining good bedding; 4. the time of obtaining a good dwelling; 5. the time of obtaining a good exposition of Dharma; 6. the time of obtaining a good companion (pudgala). And so on at length: because one attains mental liberation awaiting these six kinds of times, it is called ‘temporary liberation.’” It also says: “What is ‘temporarily beloved mental liberation’? Answer: It is the mind associated with the knowledge of exhaustion or non-trainee right view of an arhat of temporary liberation, which has resolved, is resolving, or will resolve. What is ‘unshakeable mental liberation’? Answer: It is the mind associated with the knowledge of exhaustion, knowledge of non-arising, or non-trainee right view of an arhat of unshakeable dharma, which has resolved, is resolving, or will resolve. Here, ‘the mind associated with knowledge of exhaustion, knowledge of non-arising, or non-trainee right view’ excludes trainees and defiled minds. ‘Has resolved’ refers to the present; ‘has [previously] resolved’ refers to the past; ‘will resolve’ refers to the future. This distinguishes it from unconditioned liberation, showing that the essential nature of both liberations is solely resolution associated with an uncontaminated mind.” It also says: “Each of these two liberations has two kinds: first, it is called mental liberation, because of detaching from greed; second, it is called liberation by wisdom, because of detaching from ignorance. Furthermore, another explanation says: because one attains liberation relying on a narrow path, it is called ‘temporary liberation.’ As for the narrow path: if exceedingly fast, in the first life one plants wholesome roots, in the second life one brings them to maturation, and in the third life one attains liberation. Others are indeterminate. Attaining liberation relying on an extensive path is called ‘non-temporary liberation.’ As for the extensive path: in the most protracted Śrāvaka vehicle, it takes sixty kalpas to attain liberation, like Śāriputra; the Pratyekabuddha vehicle takes one hundred kalpas to attain liberation, like the rhinoceros-horn; the Buddha vehicle takes three incalculable kalpas to attain liberation.”