諸經要集 12.70

12.70

As stated in the new Abhidharma-mahāvibhāṣā-śāstra: "The intermediate [state] has many names: it is called antarābhava (intermediate existence), gandharva, sambhaveṣin (seeking existence), or manomaya (mind-made). Question: Why is it called antarābhava? Answer: Because it resides after existence at death and before existence at birth; between the two existences its individual body arises. Question: Why is the intermediate existence called gandharva? Answer: Because it survives by feeding on scents; this name belongs exclusively to the intermediate existence of the desire realm. Question: Why is the intermediate existence called sambhaveṣin? Answer: Because it seeks existence at birth through the gates of the six sense-bases. Question: Why is the intermediate existence also called manomaya? Answer: Because it is born from the mind. That is to say, sentient beings are either born from mind, born from karma, born from maturation (formerly called karmic retribution), or born from sexual desire. Those born from mind are: humans at the beginning of the kalpa, all intermediate existences, the form and formless realms, and mind-made bodies. Those born from karma are: those in the hells. As the sūtra states: 'Sentient beings in the hells are bound by karma and cannot escape; they are born due to karma, not due to mental inclination.' Those born from maturation are: flying birds, ghosts, spirits, and the like; because their maturation is light and agile in force, they can fly through the sky or pass unobstructed through walls and barriers. Those born from sexual desire are: the six desire heavens and humans. The bodies of all intermediate existences are born from the mind and therefore move riding on the mind; hence they are called manomaya (formerly called zhongyin, intermediate shadow)."