Chapter Seven: Analysis of the Characteristics of the Conditioned
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If arising were conditioned,
It would possess these three characteristics. If arising were unconditioned, How could it be a characteristic of the conditioned? [7.1] Arising and the other two are each Incapable of characterizing the conditioned. But how could they simultaneously Come together anywhere? [7.2] If arising, abiding, and cessation themselves Bear further characteristics of the conditioned, There will be an infinite regress. Yet if they do not, they are not conditioned. [7.3] Due to the arising of arising, There arises only fundamental arising, Yet fundamental arising is responsible For the arising of arising as well. [7.4] If your “arising of arising” Produces fundamental arising, How could it do so when not produced By this “fundamental arising?” [7.5] If the product of this “fundamental arising” Itself produces fundamental arising, Then how could fundamental arising produce it, When it has not been produced by that? [7.6] If that which has not yet arisen Were capable of production, Your assertion of production by the currently arising Would have been acceptable. [7.7] Just as a light illumines Both itself and other things, Birth produces both itself As well as other things. [7.8] Light itself and the place where it is— Neither of these have any darkness. What does light illuminate? Illumination occurs by dispelling darkness. [7.9] When light that is currently arising Does not encounter darkness, How could the currently arising light Illuminate the darkness? [7.10] If light were to dispel darkness, Even without encountering it, Then the one right here would dispel All the darkness in the world. [7.11] If light could illumine Both itself and other things, Darkness would undoubtedly conceal Both itself and other things as well. [712] When it has not arisen itself, How could arising produce its own nature? If it does so having already arisen, Having arisen, what is it that is produced ? [7.13] The arisen, unarisen, and arising Are not produced in any way. This was explained before By what was, will be, and is being traversed. [7.14] When there is arising, Current arising occurs, Yet, when there is none, how can you claim That this current arising is based on arising? [7.15] That which originates dependently Is peace by its very essence. Arising and the currently arising as well Are, therefore, peace itself. [7.16] If an unarisen entity were to exist somewhere, Then that could arise. But, when it does not exist, What sort of thing could then arise? [7.17] If arising gives rise To the currently arising, Then what, in turn, Gives rise to arising? [7.18] If arising is due to a separate arising There will be an infinite regress. If it arises without arising, Then so does everything else. [7.19] The existent and nonexistent cannot reasonably arise. Something that is both Cannot do so either. Indeed, this has already been explained. [7.20] A thing that is currently ceasing Cannot reasonable arise. A thing that is not currently ceasing Cannot reasonably be a thing. [7.21] A thing that has abided does not abide, A thing that has yet to abide does not abide, And no currently abiding thing abides either. What thing abides that does not arise? [7.22] A thing that is currently ceasing Cannot reasonably abide A thing that is not currently ceasing Cannot reasonably be a thing. [7.23] All things, at all times, Are subject to aging and death. What thing then remains Free from aging and death? [7.24] Abiding cannot reasonably abide Due to itself, or due to another. The case was the same with arising, Which arises neither by itself nor through another. [7.25] A thing that has ceased does not cease, A thing that has yet to cease does not cease, And no currently ceasing thing ceases either. What thing ceases that did not arise? [7.26] A thing that abides Cannot reasonably cease, Yet a thing that does not abide Cannot reasonably cease either. [7.27] The same state does not Bring an end to itself, Nor is it that a different state Makes the initial one cease. [7.28] When no phenomenon’s arising Makes any sense, No phenomenon’s cessation, Makes any sense either. [7.29] A thing that exists Cannot have a cessation, Because the same thing cannot Be both thing and no thing. [7.30] A thing that does not exist Cannot have a cessation, Just as it is impossible To cut off a second head. [7.31] Cessation is neither brought about By itself nor by anything else, Just as arising is not produced By itself or something else. [7.32] As arising, abiding, and cessation are not established, There is nothing that is conditioned. Since the conditioned lacks any establishment, How could the unconditioned be established? [7.33] Like a dream, like an illusion, Like a city of scent-eaters – This is how arising, abiding, And cessation are taught to be. [7.34] <- Prev Next -> |
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