俱舍論頌疏論本 5.7

5.7

'It is a retributive maturation abiding in the Bṛhatphala' distinguishes it through two aspects. 'Retributive maturation' is the distinguishing aspect among the five categories [of dharmas], meaning that cultivating the absorption of non-conception serves as the retributive cause, which induces the retributive maturation of non-conception for five hundred great kalpas as its fruit. 'Abiding in the Bṛhatphala' is the second [aspect], clarifying its dwelling place. The sentient beings without conception dwell in the Bṛhatphala heaven; it is not a separate ground. It means that within the Bṛhatphala heaven there is an elevated and superior place called the Heaven of Non-conception, just as in the first dhyāna there is an elevated tower where the Great Brahmā King dwells, called the intermediate dhyāna. Question: 'Are they constantly without conception, or do they also have conception?' Answer: 'In the states of birth and death, they have conception for much of the time. It is called non-conception because during the intervening five hundred great kalpas, conception does not arise. Having conception at birth and death means that in the Heaven of Non-conception, there is mind at initial birth and there is mind at death. Thus the sūtra states: "Those sentient beings, due to the arising of conception, pass away from that place. Yet those sentient beings, like waking from a long sleep, again give rise to conception."' The Śāstra states: 'Passing away from that place, they are definitely reborn in the desire realm, not in any other place, because the force of previously cultivating meditative absorption is exhausted and they cannot cultivate meditative absorption further there. Just like an arrow shot into the sky falls once its force is exhausted. If sentient beings are to be born in that place, they must have karma to be experienced in a subsequent life in the desire realm. Just as if one is to be born in Uttarakuru, one must definitely have karma leading to birth in heaven.' The explanation states: This clarifies that from the Heaven of Non-conception one must fall. The rest of the meaning can be understood. Question: 'Into which destiny of the desire realm are they born?' Answer: 'The Vibhāṣā, fascicle 154, states: "Some say they are born in the hells; some say they are born in the evil destinies." The correct statement is: they are definitely born in the desire realm, but the place is not fixed; they may be born in the divine destiny, or the human destiny, or an evil destiny.' Question: 'Why is it that upon being born in the desire [realm], the five destinies are not fixed?' The explanation states: When tīrthikas cultivate the absorption of non-conception, at the time of preparatory application (prayogāvasthā) they may give rise to wrong views, slandering the nirvāṇa of the Śākya clan; or give rise to the attachment to views (dṛṣṭiparāmarśa), considering the Heaven of Non-conception to be true liberation; or give rise to the attachment to rules and vows (śīlavrataparāmarśa), considering the absorption of non-conception to be the true path. Such defilements are the causes of evil destinies. Having cultivated this absorption, they subsequently detach from desire, or give rise to [wholesome states] born of acquisition, hearing, or reflection; such wholesome factors are the causes of good destinies. Because good and evil arise in a mixed manner, rebirth among the five destinies is not fixed.