俱舍論頌疏論本 10.73

10.73

"Mind-made and seeking birth, gandharva, intermediate, and arising"—this corresponds to the five names for the intermediate state mentioned in the sūtras. That is, a sūtra says: "There are four kinds of food that enable bhūtas—sentient beings—to abide, and that benefit those who seek birth." The explanation says: The term "bhūta" means "already born"; having been born into any of the five destinies, they are all called "already born," hence the word "bhūta" encompasses the five destinies. "Those who seek birth" refers to the intermediate state, because the World-Honoured One spoke of the intermediate state with five names: first, it is called "mind-made" (manomaya), because it is produced from mind and is not constituted by external conditions such as semen and blood; second, it is called "seeking birth" (saṃbhaveṣin), because it constantly takes pleasure in seeking and examining its place of future birth; third, it is called "gandharva" (gandharva, fragrance-eater), because it takes fragrance as its food; fourth, it is called "intermediate state" (antarābhava), because its skandhas exist between two destinies; fifth, it is called "arising" (abhinirvṛtti), because it temporarily arises facing toward future birth. Furthermore, a sūtra states: "There is destruction of existence through the arising of its own-body, and there is destruction of existence through birth in the world." The explanation says: "Arising" refers to the intermediate state; "birth" refers to the birth-state (upapattibhava). Because these two are impermanent and destructible, they are called "destruction of existence." The intermediate state is not non-existent, and so is designated by "own-body"; the birth-state has many faults, and so is called "the world." Furthermore, a sūtra states: "There is a person (pudgala) who has severed the bond of arising but has not severed the bond of birth." In this sūtra, four alternatives are expounded in detail: the upward-streamer is the first alternative, meaning the upward-streamer to the formless realm. In the formless realm, one does not take on an intermediate state, so one has severed the bond of arising; but one still undergoes birth, so one has not severed the bond of birth. One who attains nirvāṇa in the intermediate state is the second alternative: currently dwelling in the intermediate state, one has not severed the bond of arising; but since one will not take on further birth, one has severed the bond of birth. Arhats are the third alternative, because they have no further birth. Excluding the previous characteristics constitutes the fourth alternative. The purpose of citing the sūtra above is to prove that the intermediate state is named "arising." Furthermore, "bhūta" means "non-birth," referring to arhats who do not take on birth. Those who have craving for existence are said to be "seeking birth," because they take on further birth.