Lectures on the Sutra of the Father and Son Compendium (196)

Death Skandha and Birth Skandha

Original Text: Great King, consciousness is the master. Karma serves as the conditioning factor. These two act as mutual causes. The initial consciousness of the next life arises. Actions performed and the retribution received will not vanish without cause. They will experience their karmic results, either entering the hell realm, falling into the animal realm, being born in Yama's realm, or among asuras, humans, or devas. Each receives their own retribution. Consciousness corresponding to these karmic actions arises, continuously operating within the new five aggregates. The final cessation of consciousness is called the death skandha. The initial arising of consciousness is called the birth skandha.

Explanation: The Buddha said: Great King, the mind-consciousness is the master that creates karma and experiences retribution. Karmic conditions are what the mind-consciousness grasps onto. Based on these two as causes, the initial consciousness of the next life appears. The karmic retribution from past actions will not disappear without reason; it must be experienced. When the karmic results manifest, these beings may enter the hell realm, fall into the animal realm, be born in the realm of hungry ghosts, or take rebirth as asuras, humans, or devas, each receiving their respective retribution. Thus, the consciousness corresponding to these karmic actions arises and continuously operates within the new five aggregates. The final cessation of consciousness at the end of life is called the death skandha. The initial arising of consciousness at the beginning of life is called the birth skandha.