法苑珠林 97.31

97.31

In the first chapter, at the time of approaching the end of life, one inspects the cold and heat of the body to verify its good or evil, and thereby fully knows the coming retribution. Thus the Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra states: "This sentient being is neither form nor mind, but is conventionally designated as a living being; great and small are alike in this, and death may be gradual or sudden." Masters have traditionally transmitted: For a person who performs good deeds, cold touches them from below up to above the navel, and warmth is extinguished last [at the top]; they are then born among humans. If the heat is extinguished last at the head and face, they are born into the heavenly realms. For those who perform evil deeds, it is the reverse of this: if the heat is extinguished last from above down to the waist, they are born in the realm of hungry ghosts; if the heat is extinguished from the waist to the knees, they are born among animals; if it is extinguished from the knees down to the feet, they are born in hell. When a person beyond training enters nirvāṇa, it is either warmth at the heart, or at the crown. However, the Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra says: "The initial place of lodgement of the kalala is called the physical heart. In this manner, consciousness initially lodges at this place, and is finally relinquished from this place." An explanation says: According to the Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, because performing good leads to birth above, it is gradually relinquished from below up to the physical heart, and only afterwards is it said to be relinquished above. Because performing evil leads to birth below, it is first relinquished from above down to the physical heart, and only afterwards is it relinquished from below.