Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, Volume X: Exposition on the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination (Part 2)

What is kāma-upādāna (grasping for sensual pleasures)? It is the desire and attachment (rāga) towards all phenomena (dharmas) pertaining to the desire realm (kāmadhātu). What is dṛṣṭi-upādāna (grasping for views)? It is the desire and attachment towards all views other than the view of self (satkāya-dṛṣṭi). What is śīla-vrata-parāmarśa (grasping for rites and vows)? It is the desire and attachment towards precepts and ascetic practices arisen from improper, erroneous vows, such as heretics believing that enduring severe austerities can eliminate all karmic offenses, thus vowing to inflict unbearable suffering upon themselves daily, futilely tormenting themselves, and persistently clinging to such practices. What is ātma-vāda-upādāna (grasping for the doctrine of self)? Ātma-vāda-upādāna is all desire and attachment arising from the view of self (satkāya-dṛṣṭi). The first (kāma-upādāna) can only produce karmic results (vipāka) of suffering within the desire realm. The other three (dṛṣṭi-upādāna, śīla-vrata-parāmarśa, and ātma-vāda-upādāna) can produce karmic results of suffering throughout the three realms (traidhātuka).

Grasping phenomena of the desire realm binds one to the cycle of birth and death (saṃsāra) within the desire realm, preventing rebirth in the form realm (rūpadhātu), the formless realm (ārūpyadhātu), or any Buddha-land (Buddha-kṣetra), let alone attaining Nirvāṇa. Only beings in the desire realm grasp phenomena of the desire realm; beings in the form and formless realms grasp phenomena of their respective realms, as well as Nirvāṇa and other Buddha-lands. Views other than the view of self are predominantly wrong views (mithyā-dṛṣṭi), such as believing the five aggregates (pañca-skandha) body was created by Mahābrahmā or by some divine power, etc. Clinging to such wrong views means lacking right view (samyag-dṛṣṭi) and failing to attain liberation. The desire and attachment arising from the view of self is extremely widespread; all sentient beings who have not eradicated the view of self possess this kind of desire and attachment.

What is kāma-bhava (existence in the desire realm)? It is the state of existence at the time preceding rebirth in the desire realm, including the state of karmic activity (karma-bhava), the state at death (maraṇa-bhava), the state of the intermediate existence (antarā-bhava), the state of birth (upapatti-bhava), and the existences in the hells (naraka), among animals (tiryagyoni), among hungry ghosts (preta), among humans (manuṣya), and among desire realm devas (kāma-deva). Collectively, these are called kāma-bhava. This, moreover, is instigated and brought about by the previously performed karmic formations (saṃskāras) pertaining to the desire realm, sustained by defilements (kleśa).

What is rūpa-bhava (existence in the form realm)? It is, one should understand, all existence other than that in the hells, among animals, among hungry ghosts, and among humans. What is ārūpya-bhava (existence in the formless realm)? It is, one should understand, all existence other than the intermediate state (antarā-bhava) within the aforementioned rūpa-bhava.

Kāma-bhava refers to the karmic formations (saṃskāras) of the desire realm: bodily, verbal, and mental actions; feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness; as well as objects; including the precepts (śīla), meditative concentration (samādhi), and wisdom (prajñā) performed within the five aggregates; along with greed, hatred, ignorance, and defilements. Rūpa-bhava refers to the karmic formations of the form realm: bodily and mental actions; feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness; objects; and meditative concentration and wisdom. Ārūpya-bhava refers to the karmic formations of the formless realm: mental actions; feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness; and meditative states.

Dedication Verse: We dedicate all the merit from the Dharma propagation and group practice on our online platform to all sentient beings throughout the Dharma realm, and to the people of the world. We pray for world peace and the cessation of wars; may conflicts and weapons cease forever; may all disasters completely subside! We pray that the people of all nations unite in mutual aid, treating each other with compassion; may there be favorable weather and national prosperity! May all sentient beings deeply believe in cause and effect (karma), harbor compassionate hearts and abstain from killing; may they widely cultivate good affinities and perform wholesome deeds; may they have faith in the Buddha, learn the Dharma, and increase their roots of goodness; may they understand suffering, abandon its origin, aspire to cessation, and cultivate the path; may the door to the evil destinies be closed, and the path to Nirvāṇa opened! We pray that Buddhism may flourish eternally and the true Dharma abide forever; may the burning house of the Triple Realm be transformed into the lotus land of Ultimate Bliss!