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

(Thirty) Original text: 问。于一切生处。及三摩钵底中。皆有一切支。现行可得耶。答。不可得。谓无想天中。及灭尽定。无想定中。有色支可得。非无色支。若生无色界。无色支可得。非有色支。

 Explanation: Question: In all the places of birth within the three realms, and in the meditative absorptions (samāpatti), can all the twelve links manifest and be presently obtainable? Answer: Not all of them can manifest and be obtained. For example, in the heaven of non-perception (asaṃjñika), and in the cessation absorption (nirodha-samāpatti), there is no link of consciousness obtainable, and no contact, feeling, perception, craving, or grasping obtainable. In the absorption of non-perception (asaṃjñā-samāpatti), the links with form are obtainable; it is not that the form links are absent. If one is born into the formless realm, then the formless links are obtainable, not the links with form; it is not that the form links still exist—there is only the contact of the manas with mental objects, without the contact of the physical faculties. 

Original text: 问。颇有依支。得离支耶。答。有。谓依上地支。离下地支。此但一分非全。唯暂时非究竟。 

Explanation: Question: Is it truly possible that by relying on one link, one can depart from another link? Answer: Yes, namely by relying on the links of a higher realm (bhūmi), one departs from the links of a lower realm—for example, relying on the links of the formless realm to depart from the links of the form realm, or relying on the links of the form realm to depart from the links of the desire realm; or relying on the higher links of the form realm to depart from the lower links of the form realm, and relying on the higher links of the desire-realm heavens to depart from the lower links of the desire realm. This refers only to one aspect; it is not that all links are departed from in this manner. 

Original text: 问。几支染污。几支不染污。答。三染。余通二种。若不染污。善及无覆无记别故。分为二种应知。问。几支欲界系。答。一切支。和合等起故。问。几支色界系。答。一切一分。 

Explanation: Question: Among the twelve links, how many are defiled and how many are undefiled? Answer: Three links are defiled; the rest are links that pertain to both defiled and undefiled. As for those that are undefiled, you should know they are divided into two kinds because they are distinguished as wholesome and as neutral (avyākṛta) that is unobscured and neither wholesome nor unwholesome. Question: How many links are bound to the desire realm? Answer: All twelve links are bound to the desire realm, arising in combination within it. Question: How many links are bound to the form realm? Answer: One portion of each of the twelve links is bound to the form realm. 

Original text: 问。云何应知。彼有老耶。答。彼诸行有朽坏腐败性故。如色界系。当知无色界系亦尔。问。几支是学。答。无。问。几支是无学。答。亦无。问。几支是非学非无学。答。一切。 

Explanation: How can one know that there is the link of aging? Answer: Because all these conditioned formations (saṃskāra) have the nature of decay, deterioration, and destruction, therefore it is said that the link of aging exists. Just as the dharmas bound to the form realm are like this, the dharmas bound to the formless realm are also like this—decaying, deteriorating, and breaking down. Question: How many links belong to those in training (śaikṣa)? Answer: None belong to those in training. Question: How many links belong to those beyond training (aśaikṣa)? Answer: None belong to those beyond training. Question: How many links belong to neither those in training nor those beyond training? Answer: All twelve links belong to neither those in training nor those beyond training.