瑜伽論記 6.459

6.459

An ekavīcika ('one interval'): because one is obstructed from attaining nirvāṇa by only one rebirth, one is called an ekavīcika ('one interval'); vīci ('interval') means defiled obstruction. Formerly it was termed 'one seed' (ekabījika), which is improper. According to the Sanskrit text, it says ekabījika, which could be translated as 'one seed'. However, what is stated here is ekavīcika, which translates here as 'one interval'; hence it must not be called 'one seed'. When this person attains the fruit of once-returner among humans, progresses to sever the seventh grade of defilement, and severs the eighth and ninth grades of defilement, only the defilement of the ninth grade moistens karmic existence in heaven; taking only a single physical existence in heaven, they then enter parinirvāṇa and no longer return to be born among humans, hence being called an ekavīcika. Here it is provisionally explained in terms of a person attaining the fruit of once-returner and going to heaven to enter parinirvāṇa. If one attains the fruit of once-returner in heaven, one immediately comes to the human realm, takes only a single body, and then enters nirvāṇa; this is called an ekavīcika. Regarding the statement 'permanently severing the superior and intermediate grades': when the nine grades are grouped into three, the superior and intermediate are brought to an end, and therefore it is said that 'the superior and intermediate grades are severed.' The unsevered residue of the lower grades of entanglements of rebirth is called the remainder. Among those who attain parinirvāṇa in the intermediate state, there are three types of persons: the first person, of sharp faculties, upon first relinquishing the aggregates of death in the desire realm, confronts the intermediate existence in any one of the sixteen places in the form realm, immediately severs the remaining defilements, and enters parinirvāṇa; this is nirvāṇa with remainder. The third person, not having severed the remaining fetters and lacking self-knowledge, merely experiences the intermediate existence and intends to proceed toward the rebirth existence. According to the Saṃyuktābhidharmahṛdaya, all three kinds of intermediate parinirvāṇa-attainers proceed toward rebirth existence: first, one who attains nirvāṇa with remainder not far from the desire realm; second, one who attains it midway through the journey; third, one who attains nirvāṇa with remainder only when nearly reaching the form realm; because they have not severed the fetters and lack self-knowledge, they all proceed toward rebirth existence.