英語訳
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contradicts the esoteric scriptures. Why is this? The scripture says: "Dharmotpāda, the supreme body I expound is not within the realm of verbal expression that involves conceptualization, investigation, and discursive language." Therefore, Dharmotpāda, by this principle, one should understand that the supreme body transcends all realms of conceptual characteristics.
Three Types of Three Times (with Four Characteristic Bodies attached)
There are three types of three times: first, the principled three times; second, the supernatural three times; third, the consciousness-only three times. The principled three times means not discussing the creation of separate past, present, and future characteristics upon the mind, but only discussing the three times regarding the dharma essence through the gate of body that responds and guides. According to Mahāyāna understanding, dependent-nature dharmas appear to exist but are actually empty fabrications, lasting only one instant. That one instant barely arises before immediately perishing, without the slightest delay, surpassing lightning. Before and after this moment, there is absolutely no substantial nature—unborn and already perished, like empty space. However, the present dharmas of that one moment arise in response to what came before and perish while leading to what comes after. The previous moment's dharmas, capable of leading to the present, have already perished but once existed. The future moment's dharmas are led by the present but are not yet born and will exist. In this present instant, there is the characteristic of responding to the past—provisionally establishing "former causes" and naming it "past." The present in relation to this is explained as "effect." There is the function of leading to the future—provisionally establishing "future results" and naming it "future." The present in relation to this is explained as "causes" respectively. The three times are illusory phantoms contained within one moment; cause and effect are simultaneous; there is no real past or future. Since there are no real things, how could there be a real past? Since there are no real things, how could there be a real future? Since there are no real things, how could there be a real present? Those real three times are all mentally constructed. This is precisely the principle inherent in dharma essence and the three-time characteristics it possesses. The other two types of three times are both established based on mental transformation. However, among them, the supernatural three times
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are the three-time characteristics transformed by the awakened mind—eclipsing and extinguishing. Because much time and little time are absorbed into non-obstruction, it is called "supernatural." The consciousness-only three times are the three-time characteristics transformed by deluded mind. Being only one's own mind's discrimination and calculation, it is called "consciousness-only." However, speaking thoroughly of the three types of three times, they are all consciousness-only. The inherent dharma essence and the realm of divine wisdom all do not depart from mind—this is the beginningless principle. Yet now we establish them separately to reveal the various differences of the three times by establishing different names. The other two types of three times have distinct meanings, so each establishes a separate name. What the deluded mind transforms has no distinct meaning, hence "consciousness-only" is the name. The intention of the original commentary, etc., is probably here. The four characteristics are birth, abiding, change, and cessation. The dharmas of this present moment, like illusions now existing, are called "birth" in their state of existence. Like the position of illusory birth, temporarily stopping is called "abiding." Like the position of illusory abiding, being different from before is called "change." Like illusions returning to non-existence, the time of non-existence is called "cessation." This present cessation characteristic represents the future characteristic of non-existence within the present. When there is non-existence, its meaning becomes apparent. Therefore, the four characteristics exist only within one moment: birth is immediately abiding, and so forth to cessation. One should quietly contemplate this. This is truly an inconceivable matter, as in volumes two and three of the treatise, etc.
Three Transformation Interpretations
The original commentary has four interpretations. The first interpretation means that what the ālaya consciousness transforms is called "causal transformation." Name-seeds are called "causes," and karma-seeds are called "conditions." The fifth and eighth consciousnesses are called "causal transformation." The sixth and seventh consciousnesses are called "discriminative transformation." (This corresponds to the third interpretation in the Pivotal Essentials.) Regarding this, there are three difficulties: How are the eighth and five mental factors causal transformations? (This is one.) The five consciousnesses of eye, etc., along with simultaneous mental consciousness, are not karmic results. Mental factors' transformations have function—why are they not causal transformations? (This is two.) Solitary mental consciousness that is karmically produced mind should also be causal transformation, since it has real function.
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Why call it discriminative? (This is three.) The second interpretation means "causal" refers to the meaning of spontaneity—namely, all of the fifth and eighth, and part of the sixth. "Discriminative" means the meaning of forced thinking—namely, all of the seventh and part of the sixth. (This corresponds to the first interpretation in Pivotal Essentials.) Regarding this, there is one difficulty: How are the fifth and eighth mental factors causal transformations? If not included, they are already spontaneous. If included, they already lack real function. The third interpretation means only the eighth mind-king is called "causal transformation," while the remaining seven evolving consciousnesses are called "discriminative transformation"—all are reflections without real function, like fire in a mirror. (This corresponds to the second interpretation in Pivotal Essentials.) Regarding this, there are three difficulties: What meaning does this "causal" have? If discussing ālaya, it should extend to the five mental factors—why only the mind-king? (This is one.) If consciousness transformations lack real function, by what do the five consciousnesses obtain their name of "individual characteristics"? (This is two.) If only the root consciousness obtains reality and not the five consciousnesses, then the five sense-objects should be included in the dharma-source, not included in the five objects. (This is three. The above difficulties are all in Pivotal Essentials.) The fourth interpretation means what does not follow the power of subject-object discrimination but only follows the aspect-portion transformed by the power of true seeds and causes-conditions of all dharmas is called "causal transformation"—namely, all nature-realms. What is not thus is called "discriminative"—namely, all solitary reflections. The eighth and five mental factors, also not following real seeds, are also this. Regarding quality-bearing realms, the original commentary generally includes them in discriminative transformation. Pivotal Essentials divides this into two approaches: being real seed-nature, they are included in causal transformation; arising from discrimination, they are discriminative transformation. (Commentary-Essentials interpretation.) All are fourth. This interpretation has no difficulties. Commentary-Essentials are both correct. However, in Meaning Lamp, supporting the third interpretation through repeated questions and answers should be examined. Secrets refutes "certain views," completely agreeing with Commentary-Essentials. Question: The three passages in the original commentary saying "accords with the second interpretation," "accords with the first interpretation," etc.—which interpretations do they indicate? If like the establishment, the meaning is inappropriate. Next, attached to the correct interpretation, discriminative
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transformation—what are its name and meaning? If it means forced thinking, why are the eighth and five mental factors discriminative? If it means cognitive reflection, why does the commentary's later text say "from the meaning of applied practice, the meaning of forced deliberation"? Also, the seventh's aspect-portion is produced by real seeds—why is it discriminative transformation? Answer: "Accords with the second interpretation" corresponds generally to the third interpretation. "Accords with the first interpretation" corresponds generally to the second interpretation. Why is this so? Because they are the first and second among all interpretations under the referenced passages. Next, regarding the correct interpretation's meaning: "discriminative" is the general name for mind and mental factors. Not following true seeds but only following the objects transformed by cognitive subjects is called "discriminative transformation"; therefore, correspondence with the five mental factors is also included in this. The correct interpretation in Essentials has the same meaning. Only the commentary's later text truly seems difficult to understand. Now tentatively reasoning: does that text generally establish the interpretive meaning of the second forced-thinking discrimination within the general [categories]? However, it ultimately returns to the original intention of the correct interpretation—"However, one momentary mind being able to accomplish two types" and below is this. Generally, even deciding what is correct still has repeated discriminative questions and answers. The textual aspects are not yet clear. From cognitive mind reaching objects, perhaps one uses the correct interpretation's meaning? Question: Tentatively regarding the third interpretation, does one raise doubts and reason? Answer: Using the second to reject and dismiss, does its meaning ultimately return to what the fourth maintains? In my humble opinion, one should investigate apart from the text. Not yet clear. Next, though the seventh's aspect-portion is produced by real seeds, it understands being somewhat different from the above explanation.
Internal Illumination's Four Levels of Contrast
Meaning Lamp says: Generally in various scriptures, individual and common characteristics have four contrasts in total. First is essence-meaning: dharmas like the five aggregates are called "inherent nature," while [qualities] like impermanence are called "distinctions," as explained in treatises like Buddhabhūmi. Second is universal-particular contrast: generally naming something "form" is precisely inherent nature, while [things] like contaminated form, uncontaminated form, etc., are called "distinctions."