俱舍論頌疏論本 7.25

7.25

"And five kinds for the derived": the word "great" from the first line carries over here, meaning that the great elements are five kinds of causes for derived matter. That is, the four great elements can serve as five causes in relation to derived matter: first, the cause of generation (jananahetu); second, the cause of reliance (niśrayahetu); third, the cause of establishment (pratiṣṭhāhetu); fourth, the cause of maintenance (upastambhahetu); and fifth, the cause of nourishment (upabṛṃhaṇahetu). These five causes are subsumed under the efficient cause (kāraṇahetu) among the previous six causes. These four great elements generate derived matter, and are called the cause of generation. Once derived matter has been generated, it follows along with the great elements, just like relying on a teacher and the like, and is called the cause of reliance. Because the great elements sustain derived matter, like a wall supporting a painting, they are called the cause of establishment. Because they keep derived matter in an unbroken continuum, they are called the cause of maintenance. Because they are the cause of growth, they are called the cause of nourishment. In this way, it is shown that the great elements serve toward derived matter as the causes of initiation, alteration, support, maintenance, and growth. 'Initiation' is the cause of generation. 'Alteration' is the cause of reliance. 'Support' is the cause of establishment. 'Maintenance' is the cause of maintenance. 'Growth' is the cause of nourishment.