俱舍論疏 4.18

4.18

On the Śāstra's statement, "Some say that upon meeting conditions... their functions have predominance and inferiority": this is the second answer. By the marks existing subsequently, one knows that the substance existed prior. When meeting conditions such as fire, substances like ghee, wax, and iron then flow. Just as in winter water, due to extreme cold, there are marks of warmth and so forth; and because of having previously touched extremely cold water, subsequently touching somewhat cold water, one perceives warmth within it. Although the substances of the four great elements are not separated from one another, because [one] function predominates, only one mark is manifested; just as when multiple sensory objects are mixed together, the predominant one is experienced first, and when multiple sounds are made together, only the predominant one is heard. Volume 141 of the Vibhāṣā says: "Question: How is it known that these four great elements are never separated from one another? Answer: Because their intrinsic characteristics and operations are all to be found in every aggregate. That is to say, within an aggregate of solidity, because the intrinsic characteristic of the earth element is presently perceptible, its existence is thoroughly established. Within this aggregate, if there were no water element, gold, silver, tin, and the like could not be melted. Furthermore, if there were no water, they would disperse. If there were no fire element, when stones and the like strike against one another, fire would not be produced. Furthermore, if there were no fire, nothing could ripen [them], and they would decay. If there were no wind element, there would be no motion. Furthermore, if there were no wind, there would be no growth. Within an aggregate of moisture, because the intrinsic characteristic of the water element is presently perceptible, its existence is thoroughly established. Within this aggregate, if there were no earth element, when reaching the state of severe cold it would not solidify into ice. Furthermore, if there were no earth, boats and the like would sink. If there were no fire element, there would be no warm season. Furthermore, if there were no fire, it would decay. If there were no wind element, it would not move. Furthermore, if there were no wind, there would be no growth. Within an aggregate of warmth, because the intrinsic characteristic of the fire element is presently perceptible, its existence is thoroughly established. Within this aggregate, if there were no earth element, the flames of lamps and candles could not turn back. Furthermore, if there were no earth, they could not hold objects. If there were no water element, it would not generate flow. Furthermore, if there were no water, flames would not gather together. If there were no wind element, they would not flicker. Furthermore, if there were no wind, they would not increase. Within an aggregate of motion, because the intrinsic characteristic of the wind element is presently perceptible, its existence is thoroughly established. Within this aggregate, if there were no earth element, upon striking walls and other obstacles it would not deflect and turn back. Furthermore, if there were no earth, it could not support objects. If there were no water element, there would be no cold wind. Furthermore, if there were no water, it would disperse. If there were no fire element, there would be no warm wind. Furthermore, if there were no fire, it would decay."