Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, Volume X: The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination

(26) Original text: Just as with the principle of ignorance conditioning volitional formations, so too is the principle of craving conditioning clinging, and clinging conditioning becoming. It should be understood similarly. Just as with the principle of volitional formations conditioning consciousness, so too is becoming conditioning birth. It should be understood similarly. Just as with the principle of consciousness conditioning name-and-form, so too is birth conditioning aging-and-death. It should be understood similarly.

Explanation: Just like the principle of ignorance conditioning volitional formations, the principles of craving conditioning clinging and clinging conditioning becoming should be understood similarly. Just like the principle of volitional formations conditioning consciousness, becoming conditioning birth is also similar; just like the principle of consciousness conditioning name-and-form, birth conditioning aging-and-death is also similar.

The same principle should be contemplated thus regarding the following factors: When what kind of name-and-form is non-existent, the six sense bases are non-existent; when what kind of name-and-form ceases, the six sense bases cease. When what kind of six sense bases are non-existent, contact is non-existent; when what kind of six sense bases cease, contact ceases. When what kind of contact is non-existent, feeling is non-existent; when what kind of contact ceases, feeling ceases. When what kind of craving is non-existent, clinging is non-existent; when what kind of craving ceases, clinging ceases. When what kind of clinging is non-existent, becoming is non-existent; when what kind of clinging ceases, becoming ceases. When what kind of becoming is non-existent, birth is non-existent; when what kind of becoming ceases, birth ceases. When what kind of birth is non-existent, aging-and-death are non-existent; when what kind of birth ceases, aging-and-death cease. All these points should be carefully contemplated and examined one by one in meditative concentration.

Original text: Question: What kind of feeling is non-existent, therefore craving is non-existent? What kind of feeling ceases, therefore craving ceases? Answer: Just as with the principle of volitional formations conditioning consciousness, it should be understood similarly.

Explanation: Question: Due to what kind of feeling being non-existent is craving therefore non-existent? Due to what kind of feeling ceasing does craving therefore cease? Answer: It is similar to the principle of volitional formations conditioning consciousness. Since the three kinds of feeling operate, and cease after operating, if there are no countermeasures applied to feeling, feeling will continue to operate ceaselessly. Due to the existence of feeling, craving consequently arises. If feeling ceases and no dharmas are experienced, craving for dharmas will no longer arise. If all feeling ceases, craving ceases entirely.