俱舍論頌疏論本 23.92

23.92

The explanation states: Having not abandoned any of the defilements of cultivation of the nine grounds is called a stream-enterer. 'Rebirths at most seven returns' means taking rebirth at most seven times among humans and gods. The word 'at most' is to show that taking rebirth at most does not exceed seven; it does not mean that all stream-enterers take rebirth seven times. Regarding 'stream-enterer': all undefiled paths are collectively called the 'stream'; first entering this stream, one is called a 'stream-enterer'. Question: "Due to what meaning is this name 'stream-enterer' given? If first obtaining the path is named stream-enterer, then the name stream-enterer should designate the eighth (the patience with dharma of suffering is the eighth; counted backward among the eight patiences, it corresponds to the eighth). If first obtaining the fruit is named stream-enterer, then when a transcending person reaches the subsequent cognition of the path and obtains the second or third fruit, they should be called a stream-enterer." Answer: "This name 'stream-enterer' does not designate the eighth; it designates first obtaining the fruit. Because among the four fruits of asceticism it is definitely obtained first, whereas once-returner and non-returner are not definitely obtained first; this is definitely obtained first, hence named stream-enterer." Question: "For what reason does this name not designate the eighth?" Answer: "It must possess three characteristics to obtain the name stream-enterer: 1. fully possessing the undefiled paths of the fruit and enterer; 2. fully possessing the undefiled paths of seeing and cultivation; 3. having thoroughly attained the stream of the sixteen moments of realization. The eighth lacks all three characteristics, so the name stream-enterer does not designate the eighth." Regarding 'seven rebirths': seven rebirths among humans, counting intermediate existence and birth existence as seven rebirths, and likewise among the gods. There are seven each of intermediate and birth [existences], totaling twenty-eight rebirths; because they are all equal to seven, it is said to be at most seven rebirths. Question: "For what reason does that person not take an eighth rebirth?" Answer: "Because in this continuum of existence, within these seven births, all noble paths are necessarily completed. The nature of the noble path is necessarily like this, just as a seven-step snake, or fourth-day malaria, is necessarily so by nature. Reaching the seventh birth, even encountering an era without the Buddha's teaching and remaining a householder, one attains arhatship. Having attained the fruit, one will certainly not remain at home; by nature one naturally assumes the appearance of a monk (bhikṣu)." Question: "Since a stream-enterer has not yet abandoned the unwholesome defilements of cultivation, why does the sūtra state that a stream-enterer is 'free from the dharma of regression and fall' (meaning not falling into the three bad destinies)?" Answer: "This has five reasons: 1. because they do not produce or increase karma of regression and falling; 2. they obstruct that karma which produces and increases [it] from yielding fruit; 3. powerful wholesome roots steady their continuum; 4. their preparatory application and motivation are both pure; 5. for whoever possesses karma that definitively leads to falling into the bad destinies, patience does not even arise, let alone attaining stream-entry. Therefore, a verse states: