成唯識論述記 4.439

4.439

The Commentary states: From this one can infer that because the lower three are not specified by realm, they are conceded to pervade all three realms. How many items constitute its essential nature? The three of smell, taste, and touch. Fascicle sixty-six [of the Yogācārabhūmi] says: 'Nutriment is subsumed under various clauses,' and the end of fascicle fifty-seven explains it in great detail. Fascicle five of the Abhidharmasamuccaya-vyākhyā says: 'It is subsumed under eleven dhātus.' That is these three dhātus. Are these three entirely food? It is at the time of transformation and decay that they can perform the function of food; when not yet transformed and decayed, they are not spoken of as morsel food; thus not all of these three are food. Fascicle five of the Abhidharmasamuccaya-vyākhyā says: 'Because there is transformation and decay'; only when there is transformation and decay that nourishes and benefits is it called food. When first ingested and not yet decayed, it is only apprehended by touch; fascicle sixty-six says: 'It is called nutriment of contact.' This is viewed from the perspective of one who eats, not from other living beings. If viewed from everything, there are things that are not food; then in the form realm there should be morsel food, because the three of the desire realm are all food. In the form realm there is touch, but it is not morsel food, as in the second fascicle of the Abhidharmakośa, which discusses the reason why the form realm lacks this. Question: Why is the matter-base (rūpāyatana) not morsel food?