Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, Volume 10 (The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination)

(2) Original text: What is clinging to desires? It refers to all craving and grasping toward sensual pleasures. What is clinging to views? It refers to all craving and grasping toward views other than the view of self. What is clinging to rites and observances? It refers to all craving and grasping toward precepts arising from perverse vows, such as when non-Buddhists believe that undergoing ascetic practices can eradicate all sins, thus making vows to endure unbearable suffering daily, tormenting themselves fruitlessly, and persistently clinging to such observances. What is clinging to the doctrine of self? It refers to all craving and grasping arising from the view of self. The first type, clinging to desires, can only produce the suffering results within the desire realm. The remaining three types can produce the suffering results throughout the three realms.

Explanation: What is clinging to desires? It is the greed and attachment arising toward all phenomena of the desire realm. What is clinging to views? It is all greed and attachment toward views and opinions apart from the view of self. What is clinging to rites and observances? It is all greed and attachment toward ascetic practices generated based on irrational, perverse vows. For example, non-Buddhists believe that undergoing severe austerities can eliminate all karmic offenses, so they vow to inflict unbearable suffering upon themselves daily, needlessly tormenting themselves while steadfastly clinging to these practices. What is clinging to the doctrine of self? It is all greed and attachment arising from the view of self. The first type, clinging to desires, gives rise to suffering results within the desire realm alone. Clinging to views, clinging to rites and observances, and clinging to the doctrine of self give rise to suffering results throughout the three realms.

Original text: What is existence in the desire realm? It refers to existence prior to birth in the desire realm, existence of karmic seeds, existence at the time of death, existence as an intermediate state, existence upon birth, as well as existence in hell, as an animal, as a hungry ghost, as a human, or as a god. Collectively, these are termed existence in the desire realm. This, moreover, is conditioned, ripened, and manifested through the accumulation of past actions, volitional formations, and defilements. What is existence in the form realm? It should be understood as all existence apart from that in hell, as an animal, as a hungry ghost, or as a human. What is existence in the formless realm? It should be understood as all remaining existence apart from the intermediate state.

Explanation: What is existence in the desire realm? It is the state of existence prior to birth in the desire realm, the existence of karmic seeds, the state at the time of death, the existence of the intermediate state (antarābhava), the state upon birth in the desire realm, as well as existence in hell, as an animal, as a hungry ghost, as a human, or as a god. Combined, these constitute existence in the desire realm. This arises due to the conditioning, accumulation, and manifestation by the volitional formations and defilements of past actions. What is existence in the form realm? Apart from existence in hell, as an animal, as a hungry ghost, or as a human, the remaining states of existence constitute the form realm. This includes the existence of karmic seeds, the state at death, the intermediate state, the state upon birth, and the state prior to birth in the form realm. What is existence in the formless realm? Excluding the intermediate state, the remaining states constitute the formless realm, including the existence of karmic seeds, the state at death, the state upon birth, and the state prior to birth in the formless realm.

Original text: Question: On what basis are the seven types of existence established? Namely, existence in hell, as an animal, as a hungry ghost, as a human, as a god, existence as karmic seeds, and existence as an intermediate state. Answer: Based on three types of conditioned activity: Firstly, that which projects existence, referring to one type (karmic existence). Secondly, that which tends towards existence, referring to one type (intermediate existence). Thirdly, that which experiences the results, referring to five types (the five destinies). What is birth? It refers to the initial taking of rebirth at the time of conception in womb-born or egg-born beings. What is arising? It refers to the time when the body parts are fully formed within that state but have not yet emerged. What is emergence? It refers to coming out from that state. What is growth? It refers to development after emergence. What is manifestation? It refers to the sudden appearance of the body in moisture-born or spontaneously born beings.

Explanation: Question: On what basis are the seven types of existence established: hell, animal, hungry ghost, human, god, karmic existence, and intermediate existence? Answer: Based on three types of conditioned activity: The first is that which projects existence, meaning karmic existence (one type). The second is that which tends towards existence, meaning the intermediate existence (one type). The third is that which experiences the karmic results, meaning the existence within the five destinies (five types). What is birth? Birth is the initial taking of rebirth at the moment of conception for womb-born or egg-born beings. What is arising? Arising is when the body parts are fully formed and complete within the womb or egg but have not yet been born, commonly referred to as awaiting birth. What is emergence? Emergence is coming out from that state (being born). What is growth? Growth is the stage of development after birth. What is manifestation? Manifestation is the instantaneous appearance of the body for moisture-born or spontaneously born beings.