法苑珠林 72.51

72.51

Second, extreme view (antagrāhadṛṣṭi): cause and effect in the world are a succession of arising and ceasing, which are not definitely annihilated nor eternal; this is the middle-way principle. Failing to understand it and one-sidedly clinging to it is therefore called extreme view. As the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā says: 'Because cause and effect are a succession of arising and ceasing, coming and going are uninterrupted. Because there is arising and ceasing, they are not eternal; because there is continuity, they are not annihilated.' Therefore we know that the succession of cause and effect throughout the three times is the correct principle. Moreover, the Satyasiddhi-śāstra says: 'By means of conventional truth, the middle way can be established. Because the five aggregates arise in succession, they are not annihilated; because they perish moment by moment, they are not eternal. Freedom from these [extremes of] annihilation and eternity is called the middle way.' Thus we know that cause and effect are not definitely annihilated or eternal. Regarding present retribution, the ordinary and foolish do not contemplate: regarding changing and perishing moment by moment, they hold the view of permanence; not contemplating new arising moment by moment, they hold the view of annihilation. If regarding future retribution their craving is not yet exhausted, their taking rebirth in the six destinies according to karma is indeterminate: a human is not eternally a human, but being deluded about this, to say it is eternal is the view of permanence; if one says that after death one will never again take rebirth and the mind-consciousness is extinguished forever, this is the view of annihilation.