Commentary on the Pitaka Sutra (140)

Why do all phenomena have neither origin nor destination?

Original Text: Great King, there is not the slightest phenomenon that can pass from this world to the next world. Why is that so? Because their nature is subject to arising and ceasing. Great King, when body consciousness arises, it arises from nowhere; when it ceases, it ceases without going anywhere. When karmic action arises, it arises from nowhere; when it ceases, it ceases without going anywhere. When the initial consciousness arises, it arises from nowhere; when it ceases, it ceases without going anywhere. Why is that so? Because their inherent nature is transcendent. Thus, understand: body consciousness is empty; body consciousness is empty. One's own karmic action is empty; one's own karmic action is empty. The initial consciousness is empty; the initial consciousness is empty. If cessation occurs, cessation is empty. If arising occurs, arising is empty. Understand the functioning of karma: there is no doer, nor is there any experiencer. There are only mere conceptual designations and nominal distinctions.

Explanation: The Buddha said: Great King, there is not a single phenomenon that can transfer from this life to the next life. Why is this said? Because the inherent nature of all phenomena is constantly arising and ceasing; they are not permanent or abiding. When the five aggregates cease at the end of life, all phenomena cease. Great King, when body consciousness arises, it has no origin; when it ceases, it has no destination. When karmic actions are created, the karmic actions have no origin; when the karmic actions cease, they have no destination. When the initial consciousness of the next life arises, it has no origin; when it ceases, it has no destination.

Why do all phenomena have neither origin nor destination? Because all phenomena are devoid of any inherent nature; the inherent nature of all phenomena possesses no characteristics whatsoever; their intrinsic nature is empty and fundamentally unobtainable. We should understand body consciousness like this: understand that the inherent nature of body consciousness is empty; understand the karmic actions created by one's own consciousness like this: understand that the inherent nature of karmic actions is empty; understand the initial consciousness like this: understand that the inherent nature of the initial consciousness is empty; understand like this: if any phenomenon arises, its arising is empty; if any phenomenon ceases, its cessation is empty. At the same time, we must understand the creation and continuation of karmic actions: there is no doer nor any experiencer; all phenomena are merely conceptual appearances and nominal distinctions.