成唯識論述記 3.16

3.16

Question: If so, how can originally existent [seeds] in the same thought-moment produce newly perfumed [seeds]? Because their essences conflict, they are not simultaneous. Just as the worldly supreme dharma increases the untainted conditions of originally existent seeds and draws forth subsequent moments, the natural seed of its own class moving spontaneously can also serve as a cause to produce a single newly perfumed seed in the subsequent moment; since the conditioning power of the two seeds, original and new, is equal, they together produce a single active manifestation, so there is no fault of a seed producing a seed in the same thought-moment. This is also difficult to explain: if an originally existent seed produces a further seed, there would be four dharmas in a single thought-moment, namely: (1) originally existent; (2) produced by the originally existent; (3) perfumed by the new active manifestation; and (4) the active manifestation; how could one speak of 'three dharmas mutually interacting'? Now, we explain that it is not so: the originally existent seed and the active manifestation together serve as the hetupratyaya to produce a single newly perfumed seed, so there are only three dharmas. Another explanation: with respect to the newly perfumed seed, the originally existent seed is not its hetupratyaya; because the perfuming active manifestation is the hetupratyaya, this means the originally existent is a hetupratyaya only with respect to the active manifestation, and the active manifestation is a hetupratyaya only with respect to the newly perfumed. Hence, the essence of the prātimokṣa precept does not increase while its function increases, resembling the noble path and concentration precepts; since concentration and path precepts are active volitions, only their function increases from moment to moment, not their substance; the former explanation accords with the meaning that both substance and function increase for the prātimokṣa precept. Although here it is shown to exist simultaneously with the result, this is stated with respect to active manifestations, so that being a cause can be spoken of at the present time. Since seeds with respect to seeds are allowed to be at different times, if they enter the past, what constitutes their meaning as a cause?