中觀論疏 7.16

7.16

From "All formations are also like this" onwards is the fifth [section], contemplating formations (saṃskāra). Although in the sequence of the five aggregates formations are the fourth, this chapter is named "Contemplating Formations"; wanting to refute them extensively, [the author] places them fifth. The text has three parts: first, explaining the three formations of body, speech, and mind; second, from "There are two kinds" onwards, explaining the two formations of pure and impure; third, from "Or increasing or decreasing" onwards, explaining the meaning of the increase and decrease of formations. The text comprises three parts, namely the statement of doctrine, the simile, and the application of the simile. The first is the statement of doctrine. The aggregate of formations contains many phenomena, but here it specifically takes the creating of good and evil karma and calls it "formations". Karma can induce retribution, and is therefore called "increasing"; when the experiencing of retribution reaches its limit, it diminishes, and is therefore called "decreasing". From "Just as a person has an illness" onwards is the second [part], the simile, which illustrates the aforementioned meaning of increase and decrease. From "All formations are also like this" onwards is the third [part], the application of the simile. By showing that increase and decrease are unfixed, formations are therefore empty.