俱舍論頌疏論本 24.9

24.9

Explanation: The first two lines clarify the ekavīcika ('one interval left'); the lower two lines clarify the candidate and fruit. A once-returner who progresses to abandon the remaining defilements, if three conditions are fulfilled, changes designation to become an ekavīcika: First, due to abandonment of defilement, because they abandon seven or eight categories of the desire realm's defilements of cultivation. Second, due to perfection of faculties, because they obtain the undefiled faculties capable of counteracting those seven or eight categories of defilement. Third, due to taking rebirth, because they take only one remaining rebirth in desire-realm existence. The verse only states the first and last two conditions and does not state the perfection of faculties; the meaning is as explained before. Question: 'Why does the single ninth category of defilement obstruct the attainment of the fruit of non-returner?' Answer: 'Because abandoning the ninth category transcends the desire realm. In the previous explanation of karma in the three times serving as obstructions, karma of the desire-realm level obstructs the fruit of non-returner; it should be known that defilements are also the same as karma: attaining non-return transcends the out-flowing result of that ninth category of defilement and its level of maturation; therefore, this single category of defilement obstructs the attainment of the fruit of non-returner.'