Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c35.s3.t5.53

v2.c35.s3.t5.53

(iii) *avasthānyathātva*: Bhadanta Vasumitra and others maintain that past, present and future of a *dharma* is indicated by its difference in condition (*avasthā*). If in a certain state (*avasthā*) a *dharma* is not active (*kāritraṃ na karoti*), it is future (*anāgata*), if the *dharma* is active it is present (*vartamāna*) and if the *dharma* has ceased after being active (*kṛtvā niruddhaḥ*), it is past. In short, there is change of states (*avasthāntara*) but not change of objects (*dravyāntara*). A *dharma* is described as past, present and future, in accordance with the state attained by it at a particular moment, and not on account of the differences in characteristics.