法界次第初門 1.88

1.88

Next to the five skandhas, we elucidate the twelve āyatanas because deluded persons are predominantly confused about form. In the great sages' teaching gates, opening form yields ten, while mind is merely two, combining to make twelve. They are universally called "āyatanas" (ru) because ru has the meaning of "entering into and interacting": when sense faculties and sense objects face each other, consciousness arises; relying on faculties and objects, consciousness functions as that which enters, while faculties and objects are that which is entered. Now, these twelve receive their name from that which is entered; hence they universally receive the name "āyatana." The six internal āyatanas: these six dharmas, being intimate, belong to the internal, and serve as that upon which consciousness relies; hence they are named āyatanas. They are also named "faculties" (indriya) because indriya has the meaning of "being able to produce"; since these six all possess the efficacy of producing consciousness, they are universally named faculties.