Commentary on the Sūtra of the Collection of the Father and Son (Pitāputrasamāgamanasūtra) (196)

Aggregates of Death and Aggregates of Birth

Original text: 大王。识为其主。业为攀缘。二种相因。初识生起。作业受报。皆不失坏。或趣地狱。或堕傍生。琰摩罗界。及阿修罗。若人若天。各受其报。同类心品。相续随转。最后识灭。名为死蕴。最初识起。名为生蕴。

Explanation: The Buddha said: Great King, the mind consciousness is the master of karma creation and retribution; karmic conditions are what the mind consciousness grasps at. With these two as causes, the first mind consciousness of the next life arises. The karmic retribution created in past lives will not vanish without cause; all must receive its fruit. When the retribution manifests, these beings either enter hell, or fall into the animal realm, or are born into the realm of ghosts and spirits, or take rebirth among asuras, humans, or devas, each receiving their respective retribution. Thus the mind consciousness corresponding to those karmic actions appears and continues to flow and operate unceasingly within the new body of the five aggregates. When the final mind consciousness of a life ceases, it is called the aggregates of death; when the first mind consciousness of a life arises, it is called the aggregates of birth.