Viyahapannatti 14.7.620

14.7.620

"Venerable Sir, how many kinds of equal [entities] are declared?"
"Gautama, six kinds of equal [entities] are declared, namely: equal in substance, equal in realm, equal in time, equal in existence, equal in state, equal in shape."
"For what reason, Venerable Sir, is it said: 'equal in substance, equal in substance'?"
"Gautama, an atom of pudgala is equal in substance to an atom of pudgala; an atom of pudgala is not equal in substance to what is other than an atom of pudgala. An aggregate of two spatial units is equal in substance to an aggregate of two spatial units; an aggregate of two spatial units is not equal in substance to an aggregate of other than two spatial units. In this way, up to an aggregate of ten spatial units. An aggregate of an equal numerable [number of] spatial units is equal in substance to an aggregate of an equal numerable [number of] spatial units; an aggregate of an equal numerable [number of] spatial units is not equal in substance to an aggregate of other than an equal numerable [number of] spatial units. Likewise also with an equal innumerable [number of] spatial units; likewise also with an equal infinite [number of] spatial units. For that reason, Gautama, it is said: 'equal in substance, equal in substance.'"
"For what reason, Venerable Sir, is it said: 'equal in realm, equal in realm'?"
"Gautama, a pudgala occupying one spatial unit is equal in realm to a pudgala occupying one spatial unit; a pudgala occupying one spatial unit is not equal in realm to a pudgala occupying other than one spatial unit. In this way, up to occupying ten spatial units. A pudgala occupying an equal numerable [number of] spatial units is equal in realm to a pudgala occupying an equal numerable [number of] spatial units; a pudgala occupying an equal numerable [number of] spatial units is not equal in realm to a pudgala occupying other than an equal numerable [number of] spatial units. Likewise also occupying an equal innumerable [number of] spatial units. For that reason, Gautama, it is said: 'equal in realm, equal in realm.'"
"For what reason, Venerable Sir, is it said: 'equal in time, equal in time'?"
"Gautama, a pudgala with a duration of one samaya is equal in time to a pudgala with a duration of one samaya; a pudgala with a duration of one samaya is not equal in time to a pudgala with a duration of other than one samaya. In this way, up to a duration of ten samayas. With a duration of an equal numerable [number of] samayas it is just the same; likewise also with a duration of an equal innumerable [number of] samayas. For that reason, Gautama, it is said: 'equal in time, equal in time.'"
"For what reason, Venerable Sir, is it said: 'equal in existence, equal in existence'?"
"Gautama, an inhabitant of hell is equal in the sense of existence to an inhabitant of hell; it is not equal in the sense of existence to what is other than an inhabitant of hell. An animal is just the same; likewise a human, likewise a celestial being too. For that reason, Gautama, it is said: 'equal in existence, equal in existence.'"
"For what reason, Venerable Sir, is it said: 'equal in state, equal in state'?"
"Gautama, a pudgala of one degree of blackness is equal in state to a pudgala of one degree of blackness; a pudgala of one degree of blackness is not equal in state to a pudgala of other than one degree of blackness. In this way, up to ten degrees of blackness; likewise a pudgala of an equal numerable degrees of blackness; likewise also of an equal innumerable degrees of blackness; likewise also of an equal infinite degrees of blackness. As with black, so with blue, red, yellow, [and] white. Likewise fragrant smell, likewise foul smell. Likewise bitter, up to sweet. Likewise rough, up to dry. A state of fruition is equal in state to a state of fruition; a state of fruition is not equal in state to a state other than a state of fruition. Likewise a state of subsidence, a state of destruction, a state of destruction-and-subsidence, [and] an inherent state. A combined state is equal in state to a combined state; a combined state is not equal in state to a state other than a combined state. For that reason, Gautama, it is said: 'equal in state, equal in state.'"
"For what reason, Venerable Sir, is it said: 'equal in shape, equal in shape'?"
"Gautama, a circular shape is equal in shape to a circular shape; a circular shape is not equal in shape to a shape other than a circular shape. Likewise round, triangular, quadrangular, [and] oblong. A symmetrical shape is equal in shape to a symmetrical shape; a symmetrical shape is not equal in shape to a shape other than a symmetrical shape. Likewise circular too, likewise upper-heavy, hunchbacked, dwarfish, [and] asymmetrical. For that reason, Gautama, it is said: 'equal in shape, equal in shape.'"