Even After Eradicating Kleshas, Habitual Tendencies Still Arise

If Mahakasyapa danced upon hearing music spontaneously, then all sentient beings should dance upon hearing music, or even without hearing it. The fact is that dancing upon hearing music is not a universal phenomenon experienced by everyone; it is not pervasive. Therefore, dancing is not a spontaneous occurrence; it is a phenomenon that can only manifest in individuals afflicted with the habitual tendency of attachment to music and dance. For those who enjoyed dancing in past lives, their deeply ingrained habit causes them to dance involuntarily upon hearing music, beyond the control of their consciousness.

Habitual tendencies are also called inertia. For example, when applying the brakes, although the car has been braked, it still moves forward for a distance. Similarly, when walking on ice, our feet slip; even after consciously stopping our steps, we still slide forward uncontrollably for a distance. This is called having severed the active afflictions, yet the habitual tendencies still manifest and cannot be restrained, appearing unconsciously. The faster the car is driven, the greater the inertial force after braking; similarly, the heavier the afflictions, the stronger the habitual tendencies.

Although the Arhat Mahakasyapa had eradicated his afflictions, he had not yet eliminated the habitual tendencies of afflictions. Having the habitual tendency of attachment to music and dance from past lives, he would unconsciously dance upon hearing music in this life. As for ordinary beings who have not eradicated their afflictions, if they possess the affliction of attachment to music and dance, upon hearing music, their afflictions and habitual tendencies will become even stronger. Those with severe attachment to music and dancing will, after death, fall into the ghost realm to undergo retribution; only the habitual tendencies manifest, without falling into the three evil realms to undergo retribution.