成唯識論演祕 4.13

4.13

Moreover, the tenth fascicle of the Abhidharmakośa also explains that visible form is not nutriment, saying: 'Visible form can also be made into pieces to be drunk and eaten; for what reason is it not nutriment? Because it cannot benefit its own corresponding faculty or one who is liberated. What is called nutriment must first benefit the great elements of its own faculty, and only afterwards reach the others. When drinking or eating visible form, it does not even benefit the great elements of its own faculty, much less reach the others! Because those faculties and objects are each distinct. If sometimes seeing visible form generates joy and pleasure, it is contact born of the condition of visible form; that is nutriment, not the visible form. Furthermore, non-returners and arhats are liberated from greed for food, so although they see various superior and wonderful food and drink, there is no benefit.' For this reason, the visible form base is not called nutriment. Moreover, tradition transmits two explanations of the Sautrāntika: One says that the four dusts excluding sound constitute its essence, because sound is insubstantial and diffuse, lacking supportive utility. The second says that only three dusts constitute its essence, because when visible form and sound undergo change, they lack supportive utility.