The Practice of the Four Right Exertions (4)

Volume 29 of the Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra (Part 4)

Original Text: Furthermore, there are unwholesome and unskillful dharmas that arise solely from the power of discrimination, not from the power of the objective realm. There are also unwholesome and unskillful dharmas that arise from both the power of discrimination and the power of the objective realm. Those arising solely from the power of discrimination, not from the power of the objective realm, refer to [states] born when abiding [in the present] and mentally engaging with past or future objective realms. They arise through the force of mental engagement. Those arising from both the power of discrimination and the power of the objective realm refer to [states] born when acting and encountering present objective realms. At that time, there is definitely also irrational discrimination. It should be understood that for unwholesome and unskillful dharmas arising solely from the power of discrimination, not from the power of the objective realm, if they have not yet arisen, one can prevent their arising; if they have arisen, one can sever them. This is called 'applying exertion'. For those arising from both the power of discrimination and the power of the objective realm, if they have not yet arisen, one can prevent their arising; if they have arisen, one can sever them. This is called 'arousing diligent vigor'.

Explanation: Some unwholesome and unskillful dharmas arise solely from the power of discrimination and not from the objective realm. The power of discrimination refers to the discriminative nature of consciousness, which is also the result of following the habitual tendencies of the mental faculty (manas). It is not influenced by the defilement of the present objective realms of the six dusts (sense objects); the objective realm lacks the power to propel the arising of unwholesome and unskillful dharmas, because the inherent habitual power of the mental faculty is strong. Some unwholesome and unskillful dharmas arise not only from the discriminative power of consciousness but also from the defiling power of the objective realms of the six dusts.

Unwholesome and unskillful dharmas arising solely from the power of discrimination, not from the defilement of the objective realm, refer to states born when abiding in the present moment and mentally engaging with past or future objective realms. Such unwholesome and unskillful dharmas primarily arise from the afflictive habitual tendencies of the mental faculty. Unwholesome and unskillful dharmas arising not only from the power of discrimination but also from the defilement of the objective realm refer to states born when bodily, verbal, or mental actions are operating and encountering present objective realms. When bodily, verbal, or mental actions operate, there is not only the discriminative power of the six consciousnesses but also defilement by the present objective realm. At this time, not only does the objective realm exert an impelling force, but there is also definitely irrational discrimination present. These are unwholesome and unskillful dharmas co-produced by the afflictive habitual tendencies of the mental faculty and the defilement of the present objective realm.

From this, it is understood that for unwholesome and unskillful dharmas arising solely from the power of discrimination and not defiled by the power of the objective realm, if they have not yet arisen, one can prevent their arising; if they have arisen, one can eradicate them. This is called 'applying exertion' (celi). For unwholesome and unskillful dharmas arising from the power of discrimination and simultaneously from the defiling power of the objective realm, if these dharmas have not yet arisen, one can prevent their arising; even if they have arisen, one can eliminate them. This is called 'arousing diligent vigor' (faqin jingjin).

Dedication Verse: We dedicate all merits from Dharma propagation and group practice on our online platform to all sentient beings throughout the Dharma realm, and to the people of the world. We pray for world peace and the cessation of war; may all warfare cease and conflicts be extinguished; may all calamities completely subside! We pray that the people of all nations unite in mutual aid, treating each other with compassionate hearts; may there be favorable weather and national prosperity! May all sentient beings deeply believe in cause and effect, harbor compassionate hearts free from killing; may they widely form virtuous connections and extensively cultivate wholesome karma; may they have faith in the Buddha, learn the Buddha Dharma, and increase their roots of goodness; may they understand suffering, abandon its origins, aspire to cessation, and cultivate the path; may the door to the evil destinies be closed and the path to Nirvana opened! We pray that the Buddha Dharma may flourish forever and the true Dharma abide eternally; may the burning house of the three realms be transformed into the lotus land of ultimate bliss!