俱舍論頌疏論本 6.66

6.66

'One gives only in the past': 'one' refers to the ripening cause. This ripening cause gives results only in the past; because the ripening result does not arise simultaneously with or immediately without interval from the cause, this cause gives results only in the past time. Question: 'What is the meaning of "taking a result" and "giving a result"?' Answer: 'Being able to serve as its seed is called "taking a result"; "seed" has the meaning of cause. Being a cause in the present, it is able to take a future result; therefore the function of taking a result is only in the present. Giving it power directly is called "giving a result"; that is, when the result is about to arise, the cause gives it power and function, causing it to enter the present, hence it is called "giving a result". Thus the functions of taking and giving refer solely to the cause.' The treatise states: 'When a wholesome similar cause sometimes takes a result and does not give a result, four alternatives should be made: the first alternative refers to the acquisition (prāpti) that is abandoned last at the time of severing the roots of goodness.' Explanation: the last wholesome acquisition abides in the present time and has already achieved the meaning of being a cause, hence it is called taking a result. Since no subsequent wholesome acquisition result reaches the characteristic of arising, this present cause is not called giving a result. 'The second alternative refers to the acquisition that is obtained first at the time of reconnecting the roots of goodness.' Explanation: the acquisition obtained first at the time of reconnecting the roots of goodness refers to acquiring the wholesome acquisition abandoned last in the past; this past wholesome acquisition is called giving a result, because the result induced by the wholesome acquisition reaches the characteristic of arising at this time. 'It is not called taking a result because it has already taken it. One should say that at that time, it is the reconnector's prior acquisition.' Explanation: the author of the treatise feared that people would misunderstand the earlier expression 'the acquisition obtained', thinking it generally takes all past acquisitions, so he now explains: one should say that at that time, it is the reconnector's prior acquisition; the prior acquisition is the wholesome acquisition abandoned last before. 'The third alternative refers to the remaining states when the roots of goodness are not severed.' Explanation: in a single body, there are remaining wholesome mental states; because they can serve as causes, they are called taking a result; and because results arise, they can be called giving a result. 'The fourth alternative refers to excluding the preceding characteristics.' Explanation: excluding the characteristics of the preceding three alternatives, all remaining future wholesome [dharmas] and so forth neither take nor give.