諸經要集 19.62

19.62

Within the first division: At the time of approaching the end of life, by examining the cold and heat of the body, one tests their good and evil and fully knows the coming retribution. Thus the Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra states: "These sentient beings are neither matter nor mind; designated provisionally as living beings, they are the same whether great or small. Dying admits of both gradual and sudden [modes]." As handed down by the masters: For a person who has done good, cold touches from below, and the warmth is extinguished last from the navel upward, then they are born among humans; if the heat is extinguished last at the head and face, they are born into the heavenly paths. For one who has done evil, it is the opposite of this: if the heat is extinguished last from the upper body down to the waist, they are born into the ghost destiny; if the heat is extinguished from the waist down to the knees, they are born among animals; if it is extinguished from the knees downward all the way to the feet, they are born into the hells. For a person of no further training (aśaikṣa) who enters nirvāṇa, it is either warmth at the heart or at the crown. However, the Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra states: "The meaning of kalala: the place where it first attaches is named the fleshy heart. Thus, the consciousness first takes birth in this place, and from this place it ultimately relinquishes life." The commentary explains: According to the Yogācārabhūmi, because doing good leads to higher rebirth, it is gradually relinquished from below, and only after reaching the fleshy heart is it said to be relinquished above. Because doing evil leads to lower rebirth, it is first relinquished from above, and after reaching the fleshy heart it is relinquished from below.