成唯識論述記 3.239

3.239

The Commentary states: This explains the common result. Being together in one place, they do not obstruct each other; this refers to the aspects of the external receptacle, just as in the lesser schools, where the light of many lamps is together in a single room, each pervasively filling it, each individually distinct, yet their aspects are similar, without difference in location. How is it known that each is distinct? When one lamp is removed, its light is still pervasive; if they were together as one, then having removed one lamp, the remaining light should not be pervasive. Furthermore, they interpenetrate without mutual obstruction, and therefore they appear as if one; when many lamps are placed, the shadows of people are many. Question: If so, take for instance the wood and stone on the mind of one person: they mutually block each other because they are obstructive, tangible phenomena; why is it that when many persons each transform mountains, rivers, the great earth, and so forth, they do not mutually obstruct and are together in one place? Answer: It is due to their karma being similar or dissimilar, and also due to their own minds being obstructive or unobstructive. The fifty-fourth [fascicle of the Yogācārabhūmi] states: 'That all tangible phenomena abide in the same place without being non-tangible is because they arise conforming to each other and mutually requiring each other.' Furthermore: 'Due to the predominant influence of karma of such kind being actualized, all matter is commonly enjoyed by all material faculties,' and so on broadly. Although that [text] speaks of the four sensory domains and so on as being similar to this, with karma such as that of mountains and rivers, it is similar for all persons, and the mind's common usage of them is unobstructed, hence they do not obstruct each other; whereas the karma actualized by wood and so on upon a single mind is distinct, and the mind's own usage is obstructive, thereby causing them to block each other. Question: If so, when many persons commonly actualize wood and so on, why do they also mutually obstruct? Answer: They do not obstruct what is on another's mind; they only obstruct what is on one's own; just as hundreds of thousands of lamp lights on the mind do not obstruct each other, yet contrary to light, from beginningless time there has been obstruction or non-obstruction therein; this meaning should be contemplated.