Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, Fascicle 34 (55)

Original text: 当知此中。若于现见诸蕴谛智。若于所余不同分界不现见境。比度谛智。即是能生法智类智种子依处。

Explanation: In the contemplation of these dharmas, if one can observe the presently existing five aggregates (pañca-skandha) as they truly are, directly perceiving the true principle of the Four Noble Truths through direct perception, the dharma-knowledge will arise; this is the place of dependence for the seeds of dharma-knowledge. If, with regard to the remaining five aggregates that are not presently existing—dharmas other than those presently existing—one performs inferential contemplation and witnessing wisdom arises, that is analogous knowledge (anvaya-jñāna), and it is the place of dependence for the seeds of analogous knowledge.

This passage discusses two ways of realizing the dharmas: one is the truthful observation of the five aggregates that currently exist, and the other is the inferential contemplation of the five aggregates that do not currently exist; both kinds of contemplation can yield the knowledge of the truths. What do the five aggregates that do not currently exist refer to? They refer to the five aggregates before and after this present moment. If today's five aggregates are presently existing, then the five aggregates before yesterday and after tomorrow are the five aggregates that are not present; they have a boundary dividing them from the present five aggregates, differing in point of time, yet the nature and characteristics of the five aggregates are the same—they are of the same kind, share commonality, and are comparable.

If this year's five aggregates are the present five aggregates, then the five aggregates before last year and after next year are the five aggregates that are not present; if the five aggregates of this present life are the presently visible five aggregates, then the five aggregates of past lives and future lives are the five aggregates that are not presently visible. By extension, the five aggregates throughout the three great asaṃkhyeya kalpas all share the same attributes as the current five aggregates; or one may say that the five aggregates from before beginningless kalpas until after beginningless kalpas all share common attributes, nature, and characteristics—they are all of the same kind and are all comparable.

Correct inferential contemplation can give rise to dharma-knowledge and analogous knowledge. On the basis of correctly and truthfully observing the presently existing five aggregates, one then contemplates by inference the remaining five aggregates that are not presently existing, and thereby dharma-knowledge and analogous knowledge can arise, attaining the wisdom of non-arising of seeing the path. "Boundary" refers to the demarcation and division between the dharmas of different periods in the past and future and the dharmas of the present moment. When there is a boundary between dharma and dharma, the manner of contemplating the dharmas differs, and the kinds of wisdom obtained also differ. Dharmas that can be directly seen are contemplated through direct perception; dharmas that cannot be directly seen are contemplated through inference. When the contemplation is correct and truthful, one will attain the knowledge of the truths and the acceptance of non-arising.