Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, Volume 10: Commentary on the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination (Part 4)

Original text:此生支略义者。谓若生自性。若生处位。若所生。若因缘所摄。若任持所引。若俱生依持。是名略义。衰云何。谓依止劣故。令彼掉动。老云何。谓发色衰变。摄云何。谓皮肤缓皱。熟云何。谓火力衰减。无复势力受用欲尘。

Explanation: The general meaning of the link of birth among the twelve links of dependent arising is as follows: the general meaning of birth may refer to the self-nature of birth, or to the stage or position in which birth occurs, or to that which is born, or to that which is embraced by causes and conditions, or to the dharmas brought forth by spontaneous sustaining, or to the dharmas upon which one relies that are present from birth. What is decline? Decline means that because what one relies upon is weak and inferior, one is made restless and unstable. What is aging? Aging means the deterioration of the hair and complexion. What is withering? Withering means the skin gradually becomes slack and wrinkled. What is ripening? Ripening means the vital fire within the body diminishes, and one no longer has the vigor to enjoy the objects of the five desires and six sense objects.

The self-nature of birth is coming into existence from non-existence; what newly appears is called birth. The stages of birth are divided into several phases, such as the several phases within the mother's womb, emerging from the womb, and then gradually growing up. If A gives birth to B, then B is that which is born. Birth is a dharma that arises from the combination of causes and conditions; without causes and conditions there would be no birth. Where there is birth, there must be the embrace of causes and conditions; therefore birth is an empty dharma. Birth is also a dharma brought forth by spontaneous sustaining; for example, when name-and-form spontaneously grows, the six sense bases come into existence; when the six sense bases mature, contact comes into existence; when the faculties and sense objects make contact, consciousness comes into existence, and so on.

Original text:气力损坏云何。谓性多疾病故。无有势力能作事业。黑黡间身云何。谓黯黑出现。损其容色。身脊伛曲。喘息奔急云何。谓行步威仪。身形所显。由此发起极重喘嗽。形貌偻前云何。谓坐威仪位。身首低曲。凭据杖策云何。谓住威仪位。依杖力而住。

Explanation: What does the impairment of vigor mean? It means that the body is prone to many illnesses, lacking the strength and power to accomplish any undertakings. What does darkness interspersing the body mean? It means that a dark pallor appears, damaging the complexion. What about the body's spine becoming bent and the breath rushing and hurried? This is the phenomenon of a hunched back and disordered breathing, manifested in the body's form; the deportment in walking, standing, sitting, and lying down loses its dignity, and as a result severe panting and coughing arise. What is the state of the body's appearance stooping forward? This indicates that although the body sits with dignified posture, the body and head are bowed and bent. What does leaning on a staff mean? It means that although the body maintains dignified deportment, one must rely on the strength of a staff in order to stand and walk steadily.

Original text:昏昧云何。谓卧威仪位。数重睡眠。羸劣云何。谓即于此位。无力速觉。损减云何。谓念慧衰退。衰退云何。谓念慧劣故。至于善法不能现行。诸根耄熟云何。谓身体尪羸。功用破坏云何。谓彼于境不复明利。诸行朽故云何。谓彼于后将欲终时。

Explanation: What does dullness mean? Dullness means that the body is in a lying-down state, the mind is very torpid, and the sleep is heavy. What does feebleness mean? Feebleness means lacking the power to quickly awaken; mental strength is insufficient and the capacity for action is lacking. What is diminishment? Diminishment means that both the power of mindfulness and the power of wisdom have declined. What is decline? Decline means that because both mindfulness and wisdom are weak, wholesome dharmas can no longer manifest. What does the senescence of the faculties mean? It means the body has become emaciated and frail. What does the breakdown of function mean? It means one is no longer sharp and quick with respect to sense objects, and one's reactions have become sluggish. What does the decay of all formations mean? It means that all bodily, verbal, and mental actions have deteriorated, and death will come before long.