成唯識論掌中樞要 2.29

2.29

'The realm (dhātu) since beginningless time, the equal support of all dharmas; / Due to this there are all destinies (gati), and the attainment of nirvāṇa.' The commentary by Asvabhāva on the Mahāyānasaṃgraha says: 'Since beginningless time' shows that the nature of this consciousness lacks an initial limit; 'realm' means cause, which is the seed consciousness. Of what is it the causal seed? It means of all dharmas. 'Equal support' means because it can sustain them, not because of causal nature; the meaning of being able to sustain is the meaning of support, not the meaning of causality. Because the nature of what is supported and that which supports are distinct; if this were not so, the word 'realm' would already be sufficient, so why make use of further words? The intention of these two lines: 'Since beginningless time' shows that the nature of this consciousness has no initial limit, which qualifies both lines; 'the realm of all dharmas' means it serves as a causal condition (hetu-pratyaya) for contaminated dharmas, and as a support and so forth for uncontaminated dharmas; due to being the realm of all dharmas, there are all destinies; due to serving as an equal support, 'there is the attainment of nirvāṇa.' This is partially similar to the second alternative explanation in the Cheng weishi lun, yet slightly different, as can be known from the text.