俱舍論疏 9.30

9.30

On the Śāstra's 'Such an intermediate existence... a death-existence should be posited': this clarifies the duration of its dwelling. Vibhāṣā 70 says: 'Such an intermediate existence stays for a short time and must go to link birth, because it swiftly seeks birth. Venerable Śamathadatta says: The intermediate existence dwells at most for seven times seven days, because within forty-nine days it definitely links birth. Venerable Vasumitra says: The intermediate existence dwells at most for seven days, because that body is frail and cannot dwell long. Question: If within seven days the conditions for birth are assembled, it can link birth; if so, when the conditions for birth are not yet assembled during that time, could it be interrupted and destroyed? Answer: It is not interrupted or destroyed; that is, during the state when the conditions for birth are not yet assembled, that intermediate existence repeatedly dies and is born without interruption or destruction. The Bhadanta says: There is no fixed limit to this; that is, for one whose conditions for birth swiftly assemble, this intermediate body dwells for a short time; if its conditions for birth have not assembled for a long time, this intermediate body dwells for a long time, until the conditions assemble and only then can it link birth; therefore, the intermediate body's dwelling has no fixed limit.' The Nyāyānusāra says: 'For all intermediate existences, solely excluding those who attain nirvāṇa in the intermediate state, there are none among the remaining intermediate existences that do not reach the birth-existence before passing away.' This treatise and the Nyāyānusāra agree with the Bhadanta.