瑜伽師地論略纂 7.24

7.24

In the ninth section, which has five verses, in resolving doubts and objections: 'Furthermore, this path of cause has no interruption.' The four lines in the verse, in their sequential order, resolve these four objections: First, an objection says: 'If there is no self, subsequent existence should be broken off.' The first line answers by saying: because the path of cause is uninterrupted. Second, an objection says: 'Fruits should arise all at once and simultaneously.' To this objection it answers by saying: functioning turns in conjunction. It is neither all at once nor simultaneous, because functioning conjoins. Third, an objection says: 'If there is no real self, everything should be able to arise from everything.' Therefore, next it answers by saying: it arises from its own cause. What does not have its own cause will not arise from another cause, so it does not arise. Fourth, an objection says: 'Since there is no self, who appropriates the actions and functionings of saṃsāra and the like?' Therefore, it answers here by saying: and appropriates what is done. Due to the uninterrupted cause, the fruit arises and establishes a nominal agent capable of appropriating what is done; therefore, a real self is proven to be non-existent. For this reason, these are called the four lines in their sequential order. As for 'The sūtra says that the characteristic of form is a domain of conceptual investigation (vitarka); therefore, it is difficult to explain and show to others, and hence cannot be seen': the intrinsically real characteristic of form that is realized is by nature free from verbal expression; because the object of conceptual investigation does not match the intrinsically real characteristic, it is called conceptual investigation and is difficult to show to others.