瑜伽師地論略纂 16.14

16.14

Regarding the treatise stating: "If one born in a lower level gives rise to craving toward a higher [level] and has not yet attained freedom from desire, possessing an unstable mind, it should be known that this craving is bound to the desire realm": This means that among the three aspects of relishing mentioned earlier, the first—relishing without having attained the concentration—is craving of the desire realm. Taking a higher realm as object to generate craving is taking another realm as object. Or, unlike the Hīnayāna where seeking a higher concentration is entirely called desire for wholesome dharmas (kuśaladharmacchanda), here it depends on whether there is defilement or non-defilement in that mind. As the textual characteristics indicate, it is the same as fascicle 59 above, where a higher level takes a lower as object, and lower, etc., mutually take each other as object. Here it also says that when I shall attain it, such relishing arises, which is taking the higher as object, called the object-aspect (nimittabhāga) of one's own mind.

"Retrogression from the unattained" means that one is unable to give rise to and attain dharmas not yet attained; hence it is called retrogression.

"Retrogression from what has been attained" means that having retrogressed from dharmas already attained, defilements arise.

"Retrogression in habitual practice" means that dharmas presently acquired do not manifest; this is called retrogression.

Question: How are the latter two retrogressions distinguished? Answer: When an ārya has already severed the seeds of delusion, but retrogresses and [delusion] arises in active manifestation, losing all qualities, this is called retrogression from what has been attained. If an ārya's various qualities cannot arise simultaneously, this is called retrogression in habitual practice, because it merely involves defilements not arising, unlike retrogression from what has been attained.