成唯識論了義燈 3.9

3.9

The Ximing commentary explains: The characteristic of cessation is nominal, subsumed under the saṃskāra-skandha. As a designation, it relies on a present reality, but in reality it resides in the past. If one speaks of it as present, it would rely on a different time-period; this means the characteristic of cessation. The treatise says that the last one is non-existence, so it is the past. If one speaks of it as relying on the present, it would be mutual dependence across different time-periods. He answers his own objection, saying: If it relies on the past, then it would lack a locus of reliance. He answers: Just as in a formal inference, when establishing that a property is non-existent, that reason, though relying on non-existence, can also be established. It is not like an existent inference, where the reason must have an existent basis. The characteristic of cessation is non-existent; what fault is there in relying on non-existence?