瑜伽論記 1.601

1.601

In the fourth [section], "The Four Characteristics," in the Mahāyāna arising and cessation are distinguished directly upon phenomena, having no separate substance; the Hīnayāna states that they exist; the Śatakaśāstra refutes this, saying: if there is cessation that causes phenomena to cease, making them non-existent and enter the past, the phenomenon of cessation in the present should be called existent; if there is arising that causes phenomena to arise, making them existent and enter the present, the phenomenon of arising in the future should be called non-existent. This refutation proves that the essences of the four characteristics all become existent. The text says: "established with respect to all stations up to co-functioning": this generally indicates that the four characteristics are established based on seeds. "All stations" refers to the three realms and nine stages. "Continuity of consciousness" refers to the eighth consciousness. "Continuity of all seeds": because moment by moment they continue without interruption. "Co-functioning": because seeds and the basic consciousness always function together. Based on these seeds the four characteristics are established, not based on actual manifestations, due to three reasons: first, because seeds are continuous; second, because they are the causes of all phenomena; third, because they are not separate from consciousness. If one speaks of seeds, one speaks of the various consciousnesses. Another explanation: establishing the four characteristics upon the phenomena that co-function continuously with all seeds in the basic consciousness means establishing the four characteristics based on all conditioned phenomena; because whenever all conditioned defiled and taintless phenomena arise they must co-function with seeds, this is a comprehensive explanation of the meaning of the four characteristics based on both actual manifestations and seeds. Stating difference after arising is to show that arising immediately alters and cannot abide for long, in order to generate revulsion. In the two types of difference: the first is difference between prior and posterior of the same category of phenomena; the second is difference between prior and posterior of different categories of phenomena.