Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c35.s3.t5.55

v2.c35.s3.t5.55

(iv) *anonyathātva*: Bhadanta Buddhadeva and others maintain that the past, present and future are spoken of relatively² i.e., a *dharma* is described as past, present or future with reference to that which precedes and that which follows. Future is established relatively (*apekṣya*) to past and present; the past relatively to present and future and the present relatively to past and future.¹ The same woman, e.g., is called a daughter and mother, when she is referred to in relation to her mother and daughter respectively. Hence there is actually no change in a *dharma* (*na dravyāntaraḥ*); past, present and future of a *dharma* indicate only its relation to other *dharmas*.