宗鏡錄 52.16

52.16

Answer: The treatise says: One should explain that among the four, avidyā is the primary lord; though the three arise together with it, it is still called unshared. From the beginningless limit, it is constantly stuporous and deluded within, never examining itself, because delusion is predominant; up to the statement that the avidyā associated with the seventh constantly operates from beginningless time, obstructing the wisdom of the true meaning; such preeminent function is not present in the other consciousnesses and exists only in this consciousness, hence it is called unshared. Furthermore, unshared avidyā is of two kinds overall: first, constantly operating unshared [avidyā], which is absent in the other consciousnesses; second, independently operating unshared [avidyā], which does not exist in this [seventh] consciousness. The commentary explains: 'Primary lord' has the meaning of autonomy, and the meaning of being the causal support; because it serves as the support for those [other afflictions], it is called unshared. Why is avidyā called unshared? 'From the beginningless limit' reveals that it constantly arises throughout the long night. 'Constantly stuporous and deluded within' clarifies that at all times it fails to understand the principle of emptiness. 'Never examining itself' displays that it constantly grasps at a self without ever turning back. This meaning overall reveals the autonomous sense of delusion as the primary lord. First, 'constantly operating unshared [avidyā]' is that which accompanies this [seventh] consciousness; what is discussed here is absent in the other consciousnesses. Second, 'independently operating unshared [avidyā]' is called 'independently operating' because it arises in association with anger and so forth, or it is an avidyā that does not arise together with the others and solely deludes concerning the principle of truth; this does not exist in this [seventh] consciousness. Furthermore, regarding unshared avidyā: because avidyā is the primary lord, it is called unshared, for being the lord has the meaning of unshared, and unshared is precisely the meaning of being singular and solitary. That is to say, avidyā has the meaning of darkness; the avidyā accompanying the seventh operates constantly without interruption, which has the meaning of perpetual darkness. Because of perpetual darkness, it is called the 'long night.' Only this avidyā is the substance of the long night; other dharmas all lack the meaning of the long night. Only this one uniquely possesses it, hence it is called unshared. Apart from this, among the other dharmas there is a category that has the meaning of long continuity but lacks the meaning of darkness; or there is a category that, although having the meaning of darkness, lacks the meaning of long continuity. One should formulate a fourfold proposition to distinguish them: First, there are those that are 'long' but not 'night,' such as the three afflictions of rāga and so forth accompanying the seventh, and the mental factors associated with the two wisdoms of wonderful observation and equality. Second, there are those that are 'night' but not 'long,' such as the avidyā associated with the first six consciousnesses. Third, there is that which is both 'long' and 'night,' which is precisely the avidyā accompanying the seventh. Fourth, there are those that are neither 'long' nor 'night,' which are, excluding avidyā in the first six consciousnesses, the remaining rāga and so forth, the wholesome [mental factors] and so forth in the causal stage, and, in the fruitional stage, the mental factors associated with the two wisdoms of observing [and investigating] and accomplishing actions. Now, in accordance with this, this avidyā accompanying the seventh not only is unshared with the other consciousnesses, but furthermore is unshared with the three afflictions of rāga and so forth of its own grouping. That is to say, although it arises together with rāga and so forth of the same grouping, rāga and so forth lack the meaning of the darkness of the long night: rāga and so forth have the meaning of defiled attachment and so forth, whereas this has the meaning of perpetual darkness; being unlike them, it is called unshared. Here, it is called unshared on account of the seventh's constant delusion and darkness; in the six consciousnesses, there is no meaning of constancy, but only the meaning of arising independently, which is called unshared.