Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra: Volume 34 (9)

What are the eight causes of change? First, accumulation over time and storage. Second, damage by others. Third, diminishment through use. Fourth, alteration due to seasonal changes. Fifth, destruction by fire. Sixth, decay by water immersion. Seventh, desiccation by wind. Eighth, transformation through encountering other conditions.

Accumulation over time and storage refers to material things that, despite being placed in a suitable location and guarded, naturally deteriorate over a long period, resulting in observable decay and change in their form.

Damage by others refers to various material objects that, being damaged by others through various forms of beating and harm, consequently undergo various transformations in shape and appearance.

Diminishment through use refers to various colored objects belonging to different owners that undergo wear and alteration due to the force of repeated use by the possessor.

Explanation: What are the eight causes of change? The first is accumulation over time and storage; the second is damage by others; the third is diminishment through use; the fourth is alteration due to seasonal changes; the fifth is destruction by fire; the sixth is decay by water immersion; the seventh is desiccation by wind; the eighth is transformation through encountering other conditions.

Accumulation over time and storage means that for material things with form, although they may be placed in a proper location and preserved, after a long period, they will naturally decay, and their form will manifest signs of deterioration and change.

Damage by others means that various material objects, when subjected to various forms of beating by others or various types of harm, consequently exhibit various altered appearances.

Diminishment through use means that various colored substances belonging to different users undergo wear and alteration due to the continuous use by the possessor.