Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, Volume 10: Explanation of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination (Part 3)

Question: Based on what principle are the seven existences established? Namely, the existences of hell-beings (Naraka), animals (Tiryagyoni), hungry ghosts (Preta), humans (Manusya), heavenly beings (Deva), karmic existence (Karmabhava), and intermediate existence (Antarabhava). Answer: They are categorized based on three types of karmic creation: The first is that which causes rebirth in the three realms, referring to one [type]; the second is the existence that proceeds toward the three realms, referring to one [type]; the third is the existence experiencing the fruition in the three realms, referring to five [types]. What is birth (jāti)? It refers to the initial moment of taking rebirth within the womb or egg for the two types of birth [oviparous and viviparous]. What is arising (upapatti)? It refers to when the body parts are fully developed within that [womb or egg], but [the being] has not yet emerged. What is proceeding (gati)? It refers to emerging from that [womb or egg]. What is development (abhinirvṛtti)? It refers to growth after having emerged. What is manifestation (prādurbhāva)? It refers to the body parts arising suddenly for the two types of birth [moisture-born and transformation-born].

Explanation: Question: Based on what principle are the seven types of existence established: hell, animal, hungry ghost, human, heavenly being, karmic existence, and intermediate existence? Answer: Based on three types of karmic creation, they are divided into seven existences: The first type, which causes rebirth in the three realms, is karmic existence; the second type, which proceeds towards the three realms, is intermediate existence; the third type is the existence experiencing the karmic fruition within the three realms, which is the existence of the beings in the five destinies.

What is birth? Birth is the very beginning of life for beings born from wombs or eggs. What is arising? Arising is when the physical body and limbs are fully matured within the womb or egg, but birth has not yet occurred; colloquially, it is known as awaiting birth. What is proceeding? Proceeding is emerging from the womb or egg. What is development? Development is the stage of growth after the being is born. What is manifestation? Manifestation is when the body and limbs of moisture-born and transformation-born beings appear instantaneously.

Original Text: What is the attainment of the aggregates (skandha-pratilambha)? It refers to the functioning of the five grasping aggregates within those various stages of birth. What is the attainment of the elements (dhātu-pratilambha)? It refers to the nature comprised of the causes and conditions pertaining to those aggregates. What is the attainment of the bases (āyatana-pratilambha)? It refers to the nature comprised of other conditions pertaining to those aggregates. What is the arising of the aggregates (skandhānāṃ samudaya)? It refers to the sustenance and growth of those aggregates through daily food and drink, nurturing the life faculty. What is manifestation (prādurbhāva)? It refers to the continued abiding of those aggregates due to the remaining power of their lifespan.

Explanation: What does the attainment of the aggregates mean? Attainment of the aggregates means that within the stages of all existences, the five grasping aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations, consciousness) function and manifest; it signifies the arising and manifestation of the five aggregates. What does the attainment of the elements mean? Attainment of the elements refers to the nature comprised of the various causes and conditions pertaining to the five grasping aggregates. What does the attainment of the bases mean? Attainment of the bases refers to the nature comprised of other conditions pertaining to the five grasping aggregates, such as the internal six sense bases, the external six sense objects, and the contact between the faculties and objects combined. What does the arising of the five grasping aggregates mean? It means that the five grasping aggregates are sustained daily by food and drink, nurturing and preserving the life faculty. What does manifestation mean? After the birth of the living being, the remaining power of the lifespan within the five grasping aggregates causes the living being to abide continuously.

The attainment of the elements can be understood as attaining the dhatus (realms/elements), meaning one has attained the dhatu (realm) of dharmas, including the realm of faculties, the realm of objects, and the realm of consciousness. For example, within the five aggregates, each faculty has its own attribute, each object has its own attribute, and each consciousness has its own attribute. Because the attributes differ, boundaries exist between dharmas. When a dharma arises, it is the attainment of the dhatu.

Dedication Verse: We dedicate all the merit from Dharma propagation and group practice on our online platform to all beings throughout the Dharma realm, and to the people of the world. We pray for world peace, the cessation of wars; may conflicts and strife never arise, and weapons forever cease; may all disasters completely subside! We pray that the people of all nations unite in mutual aid, with minds of kindness toward one another; may the weather be favorable, and the nations prosperous and the people at peace! May all beings deeply believe in cause and effect, and harbor compassionate hearts, refraining from killing; may they widely create good affinities and cultivate wholesome karma; may they believe in the Buddha, learn the Dharma, and increase their roots of goodness; may they understand suffering, abandon its origin, aspire to cessation, and cultivate the path; may the doors to the evil destinies be closed, and the path to Nirvana opened! We pray that the Buddha Dharma may flourish eternally, and the true Dharma abide forever; may the burning house of the three realms be transformed into the lotus land of Ultimate Bliss!