The Sutra on Aggregates, Bases, and Elements: Volume I

(3) Original text: What is the characteristic of ignorance? It is seeing darkness within darkness. If there is no understanding, it causes one to fall into the characteristic of mental formations. What is the characteristic of mental formations? It is that which causes subsequent existence to arise. This is the characteristic of mental formations. From this arises the command, causing one to fall into the place of consciousness. What is the characteristic of consciousness? It is the recognition of objects and affairs. This is the characteristic of consciousness. It causes one to fall into the place of name-and-form. What is the characteristic of name-and-form? It is that which everything relies upon. This is the characteristic of name-and-form. It causes one to fall into the place of the six sense bases. 

Explanation: What is the characteristic of ignorance? It is due to the inner darkness where all that is seen is obscured and unclear. If there is no correct understanding of the Dharma, one will fall into the characteristic of mental formations. What is the characteristic of mental formations? It is the characteristic that causes subsequent compliance; thus mental formations are like a command or directive, signifying mastery, dominance, and decision. A prior directive arises from mental formations, and later, compliance with that directive causes one to fall into the place of the six consciousnesses, enabling the six consciousnesses to arise in order to comply with the directive of mental formations. What is the characteristic of the six consciousnesses? The six consciousnesses exist to recognize objects and principles; this is their characteristic. From the actions of the six consciousnesses (body, speech, and mind), one falls into the place of name-and-form in a future life. Who falls into the place of name-and-form in a future life? It is the mental faculty (manas) and the storehouse consciousness (Ālayavijñāna), which then give birth to the name-and-form aggregate of the five skandhas. What is the characteristic of name-and-form? Name-and-form is the basis upon which all dharmas rely. Without name-and-form, all dharmas cease to exist. With name-and-form, the six sense bases are produced. 

Original text: What is the characteristic of the six sense bases? It is the faculties that discriminate. This is the characteristic of the six sense bases. It causes one to fall into the place of contact. What is the characteristic of contact? It is that which arises from coming together. This is the characteristic of contact. It causes one to fall into the place of feeling. What is the characteristic of feeling? It is that which causes further sensation. This is the characteristic of feeling. It causes one to fall into the place of craving. What is the characteristic of craving? It is that which generates. This is the characteristic of craving. It causes one to fall into the place of grasping. What is the characteristic of grasping? It is that which seizes and holds. This is the characteristic of grasping. It causes one to fall into the place of becoming. What is the characteristic of becoming? It causes one to fall into various realms. This is the characteristic of becoming. It causes one to fall into the place of birth. What is the characteristic of birth? It is the existence of the five aggregates. This is the characteristic of birth. It causes one to fall into the place of aging. 

Explanation: What is the characteristic of the six sense bases? The faculties that exist to discriminate the six dusts (objects of the senses) are the characteristic of the six sense bases. From the six sense bases, one can fall into contact. What is the characteristic of contact? It is the dharma born from contact with objects; this is the characteristic of contact. From contact, one can fall into feeling. What is the characteristic of feeling? It is the characteristic that causes sensation; from feeling, one can fall into the place of craving. What is the characteristic of craving? It is the characteristic that generates offerings and sustenance; from craving, one falls into the place of grasping. What is the characteristic of grasping? It is the characteristic of seizing, holding, and preserving; from grasping, one can fall into the three realms of existence (becoming). What is the characteristic of becoming? It is the characteristic that causes the five aggregates to fall into any of the three realms; from becoming, one can fall into the place of birth. What is the characteristic of birth? The existence of the five-aggregate body is the characteristic of birth; from birth, one can fall into the place of aging. 

Original text: What is the characteristic of aging? It is ripening and transformation. This is the characteristic of aging. It causes one to fall into the place of death. What is the characteristic of death? It is the exhaustion of the life faculty. This is the characteristic of death. It causes one to fall into the place of suffering. What is the characteristic of suffering? It is bodily distress. This is the characteristic of suffering. It causes one to fall into the place of the undesirable. What is the characteristic of the undesirable? It is mental agitation. This is the characteristic of the undesirable. It causes one to fall into dejection. What is the characteristic of dejection? It is sorrow over the five aggregates. It causes one to fall into the place of grief and vexation. What is the characteristic of grief? Uttering sounds with the mouth causes sorrow, vexation, and distress. Distress is vexation and vexation is distress. 

Explanation: What is the characteristic of aging? The maturation of the physical body is the characteristic of aging; from aging, one can fall into the place of death. What is the characteristic of death? The end of life, the uselessness of the faculties, is the characteristic of death; from death, one can fall into the place of suffering. What is the characteristic of suffering? Bodily distress is the characteristic of suffering; it causes the five aggregates to fall into the undesirable place. What is the characteristic of the undesirable? Mental agitation is the characteristic of the undesirable; it causes the five aggregates to fall into the place of sorrow. What is the characteristic of sorrow? Grieving over the five aggregates is the characteristic of sorrow; it causes the five aggregates to fall into the place of vexation. What is the characteristic of vexation? Uttering sounds of resentment, sighs, and indignation with the mouth causes one to fall into sorrow, anger, vexation, and distress; distress is vexation, and vexation is distress. This series of suffering and decline arising from death leads to a low state of mind, feelings of depression, sorrow, and increasingly inferior, deteriorating emotions.