Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra: Volume X

(13) Original text:

Question: Since the proclivities have not been severed, all dharmas that accord with them can give rise to grasping. Why then is it stated here that craving alone serves as the condition for grasping?

Answer: Because it arises from desire. During the pursuit [of dharmas], it can activate the proclivities and induce the mind to comply with those dharmas.

Explanation:

Question: Since afflictions remain unsevered, if the mind develops clinging toward all dharmas it desires, these dharmas will arise. Why then is it stated here that craving alone is the condition for the arising of grasping?

Answer: Because the mind desires the arising of dharmas. During the pursuit of dharmas, it can activate the afflictions within the mind and induce the afflicted mind to comply with those dharmas, thereby giving rise to grasping. Thus, the condition for the arising of grasping is compliance — it is craving, not the dormant afflictions (proclivities).

"Proclivities" (随眠) refers to afflictions that, when unsevered, perpetually follow the ālaya-vijñāna, lying dormant within it. When conditions mature, these afflictions manifest. However, afflictions also follow the mental faculty (manas), accompanying it. When conditions ripen, the mental faculty exhibits afflictions, complies with them, and karmic actions subsequently arise. Craving (爱) is one type of affliction. It is due to craving that the mental inclination of grasping arises. Afflictions like aversion, however, involve rejection — not compliance or grasping — hence it is said "craving conditions grasping," not "afflictions condition grasping."

Original text:

Question: It was previously stated that ignorance serves as the condition for initiating karmic existence (业有). Why then is it now stated that grasping conditions existence (有)?

Answer: Due to the force of grasping, that very karma is enabled to bring forth the fruits of consciousness, name-and-form, etc., in various realms of rebirth.

Question: Birth also relies on conditions such as semen and blood. Why then is it stated here that existence alone conditions birth?

Answer: Because where existence exists, other conditions are assuredly present without lack. Moreover, due to its predominance, existence alone is stated as the condition.

Explanation:

Question: It was previously stated that ignorance serves as the condition for initiating karmic existence within the three realms (三有). Why then is it now stated that grasping conditions the arising of the three realms?

Answer: Because the force of grasping causes the created karmic fruits to arise within various realms, subsequently bringing forth the fruits of the six consciousnesses, name-and-form, and so on. Hence, it is said "grasping conditions existence."

Question: A living being also relies on conditions such as paternal semen and maternal blood to be born. Why then is it stated here that existence alone conditions the arising of a living being?

Answer: Because where existence exists, other conditions necessary for birth are assuredly fulfilled. Furthermore, because existence is the most predominant condition, it alone is stated as the condition for birth.

Original text:

Question: Aging-and-death can also arise due to conditions such as traveling far, failing to avoid adverse circumstances, or being oppressed by others. Why then is it stated here that birth alone conditions aging-and-death?

Answer: Although those various conditions contribute, birth is necessarily the fundamental condition. Even lacking those other conditions, birth alone as the condition ensures the certainty of aging-and-death.

Explanation:

Question: The phenomenon of aging-and-death can also arise due to conditions such as traveling far, failing to avoid unequal external forces, and being oppressed by them. Why then is it stated here that birth alone conditions the occurrence of aging-and-death?

Answer: Although many conditions contribute to the occurrence of aging-and-death, birth is necessarily the fundamental condition. Even without other conditions, birth alone ensures the certainty of aging-and-death. Without birth, regardless of other conditions, aging-and-death cannot occur. Therefore, it is said that birth is the condition for aging-and-death.