Yogācārabhūmi Śāstra, Volume Ten (The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination)

(Seventeen) Original text:问。云何爱望取。为三种缘。答。由欲贪俱行。于随顺取法中。欲乐安立故。为俱有缘。由无间灭势力转故。为生起缘。建立当来。难可解脱。彼相续故。为久远灭引发缘。

Explanation: Question: Why is it said that craving conditioning grasping involves three kinds of conditions? Answer: Because desire-greed operates together with grasping in constant association, and in the process of according with the dharmas of grasping there are mental activities of greedy craving and attachment, craving is said to be the coexistent condition of grasping. Because the force of craving operates without interruption and ceases without a gap, it becomes the generative condition of grasping. In future lives, craving will continue to arise and operate without end, and liberation is difficult to attain; because craving continues without interruption, it becomes the initiating condition of grasping in the distant future kalpas.

Original text:问。云何取望有。为三种缘。答。由与彼俱。令业能招诸趣果故。为俱有缘。又由彼力。于此生处。能引识等故。为无间灭生起缘。又能引发。彼界功能故。为久远灭引发缘。 

Explanation: Question: Why is it said that grasping conditioning existence involves three kinds of conditions? Answer: Because the mental activities constantly accompany grasping, causing the karmic actions performed to summon the retributions of rebirth in the six realms of saṃsāra, grasping is the coexistent condition of existence. Furthermore, because of the force of grasping, it can draw forth the six consciousnesses and other links at the place of birth; thus grasping becomes the uninterrupted generative condition of the six consciousnesses and other links. Moreover, because grasping can initiate the functions of the various links of the three realms of existence, grasping is the initiating condition for the six consciousnesses and other links to cease in the distant future kalpas. 

Original text:问。云何有望生。为三种缘。答。熏发彼种子故。为俱有缘。由彼势力。无间随转故。为生起缘。虽久远灭。而果转故。为引发缘。如有望生。当知生望老死。为缘亦尔。 

Explanation: Question: Why is it said that existence conditioning birth involves three kinds of conditions? Answer: Because there are karmic seeds that perfume and activate birth, existence is said to be the coexistent condition of birth; all karmic formations within the three realms of existence are the condition for birth in future lives. Because the force of the three realms of existence operates without interruption, existence becomes the generative condition of birth in future lives. Although the three realms of existence will cease after distant future kalpas, the retributions within the three realms of existence will continue to operate without end; therefore the three realms of existence are the initiating condition of birth. Such is the principle of existence conditioning birth; birth conditioning aging-and-death is also like this, and its conditions likewise include these three kinds.