Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, Fascicle 10: Explanation of the Twelvefold Dependent Origination (Part 8)

Original text: 问。何因缘故。逆次第中。老死为先。说诸缘起。答。依止宣说。谛道理故。以生及老死。能显苦谛。如世尊言。新名色灭。为上首法。

Explanation: Question: What causes and conditions lead to the fact that, in the reverse sequence of deducing the law of dependent origination, aging-and-death is taken first in explaining the twelve links of dependent origination? Answer: This is because it is based on the principle of the Four Noble Truths proclaimed by the World-Honored One, for birth and aging-and-death can reveal the truth of suffering, just as the World-Honored One said that the cessation of the new nāma-rūpa is the foremost dharma. When the new nāma-rūpa ceases and does not arise, the problem of aging-and-death is solved; without aging-and-death, there is liberation and nirvāṇa.

Original text: 问。何故不言。诸无明灭为上首耶。答。依心解脱者。而施设故。由彼于现法中。种子苦及当来苦果。不生而灭。故说名色为先。受为最后。得究竟灭。又于现法中。受诸受时。爱及随眠。永拔不起。说名为灭。由彼灭故。以彼为先。余支亦灭。如是等类。宣说缘起。次第应知。

Explanation: Question: Why is it not said that the cessation of all ignorance is the foremost dharma? Answer: Taking the cessation of the new nāma-rūpa of future lives as the first dharma is established in accordance with those whose minds are liberated; when the mind is liberated, aging-and-death ceases. Because, within the dharmas of the present life, the suffering in the seeds and the future suffering retribution to be experienced—these fruits of suffering cease without having to arise—therefore the reverse sequence of the law of dependent origination takes nāma-rūpa as first and feeling as last, so that nāma-rūpa can ultimately cease. Furthermore, within the presently existing dharmas, when experiencing the various feelings, craving and the latent tendencies of craving can be permanently uprooted and no longer arise; this is called the cessation of craving. Because of the cessation of craving, with craving as the first, the other links will subsequently also cease. In practicing the law of dependent origination, one should understand that teachings of this kind are the proclamation of the sequence of the law of dependent origination.

Original text: 问。何故缘起。说为缘起。答。由烦恼系缚。往诸趣中。数数生起。故名缘起。此依字释名。复次依托众缘。速谢灭已。续和合生。故名缘起。此依刹那义释。复次众缘过去。而不舍离。依自相续。而得生起。故名缘起。如说此有故彼有。此生故彼生非余。依此义故。释名应知。

Explanation: Question: Why is dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda) spoken of as dependent origination? Answer: Because of the bondage of afflictions, one is reborn into the various destinies, and the five-aggregate body arises again and again; therefore the five-aggregate body is called dependent origination—this is explaining the name "dependent origination" according to the literal meaning of the words. Furthermore, the five-aggregate body relies on numerous causes and conditions; after swiftly withering and ceasing, it is again born through the continuous conjunction of causes and conditions, and therefore it is called dependent origination—this is explaining the name according to the meaning of momentary arising and ceasing. Furthermore, although the numerous causes and conditions have passed away, the five-aggregate body does not abandon them; relying on its own continuity, it arises again, and therefore it is called dependent origination. This is what is said: "When this exists, that exists; when this arises, that arises—not due to anything else." The name should be understood as explained according to this meaning.

Original text: 复次。数数谢灭。复相续起。故名缘起。此依数坏数灭义释。复次。于过去世觉缘性已。等相续起。故名缘起。如世尊言。我已觉悟。正起宣说。即由此名。展转传说。故名缘起。

Explanation: Furthermore, it is said that the five-aggregate body withers and ceases countless times, and again arises in continuity countless times; this is called dependent origination—this is explaining the name according to the meaning of the five-aggregate body being destroyed and ceasing countless times. Furthermore, in past lives, after awakening to the nature of the dependent origination of the world of the five aggregates, a five-aggregate body of the same kind as in past lives arose in continuity, and therefore it is called dependent origination. Just as the World-Honored One said: "I have already awakened, and I have righteously emerged into the world to proclaim the law of dependent origination." It is precisely because of this name "dependent origination," transmitted from one to another, that it is spoken of as dependent origination.