ABHISAMAYALAMKARA

.-92, ANALYSIS OF
THE ABHISAMAYALAMKARA 93
Such an order is adopted here in accordance with the process
of cognition, (i.e., the Path of the Bodhisattva).—
[Abhis. aloka, MS. 58b. 7.]
If
3. DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE CONVENTIONAL VARIETIES OF
THE GOTRA AS NOT BEING IN CONFLICT WITH ITS UNIQUE
ULTIMATE NATURE.—f£§ r J 39
The element of the Absolute exclusively is the cause
owing to which the saintly properties are realized. 1
According^, the Bodhisattva whose essential nature this
element forms, is called (the bearer of) the primordial
source of the unsurpassable properties of the Buddha.
The element of the Absolute is the common (essential
nature of the Bodhisattva and of all other living beings like*
wise), and exists (invariably with all of them). If this be
so (i.e. as the Absolute is unique and undifferentiated,)
it is not suitable to make a discrimination between the
varieties of the Element of the Lineage, as; (I) This is
the primordial element which is derived from the beginningless
essence of all things; (2) this % the element which
is brought to development and which is acquired through
the previous practice of virtue; (3) this is the definite Element
of the Lineage, that of the ^ravakas, the Pratyekabuddhas,
and the Bodhisattvas; it is of a definite
character, since it cannot be changed 2 even by very efficient
factors; (4) this is the indefinite element of the
Sravakas etc, which can be changed owing to the agency
of different factors.—
However, as far as the process of cognition peculiar
to either of the (3) Vehicles, that of the ^ravakas etc., is
taken into consideration, the element of the Absolute,
being established as the cause for the attainment of the
saintly attributes (of this or that Vehicle), is indicated as
the element of the Lineage (of this or that Vehicle,
separately). Otherwise, just as receptacles made of one
and the same clay and by the agency of the same fire
are styled differently as the receptacles of honey, sugar
etc., in a similar manner, owing to the different character
of the properties that are to be realized and are included
in the 3 Vehicles, we speak of the varieties of the Ele~
ment of the Lineage and there is no mistake in this.—
[Abhis. aloka, MS. 59a. 1-15]
1 Cf. Uttaratantra, Transl. p. 230. (The dhatu as a cause).
2 Lit. 'displaced' or 'shaken 1 (harya).
mmr
Tcai 1 Misfirfe *r ^im n
[Sphut. 20b. 1-2, 3, 4-2Ia. 1.] gal-te chos-kyi-dbyins
t^ho-na hphags-pahi chos rtogs-par-gyur-pahi rgyu yinpahi-phyir
debt bdag-nid-can-gyi byan-chub-sems-dpah
blana-mcd-pahi sans-rgyas-fcyi chos~rnams~kyi ran- bzindu
gnas-pahi rigs yin-no, ho-na-ni dehi-tshe de-ni spyir
gnas-pa yin-pahi-phyir byan chub-sems-dpah kbo-nct ma~
yin-no snam (~na), jiAtar ncm-thos-kyi theg-pa-la~sogspahi
rtogs-pahi rim~gyis dmigs-pa de-bzin-du hphagspahi
chos rtogs-par-bya-bahi-phyir chos~fyiji~dbyins
r Hy u hi nc-fcor rnam-pdr-hjog-pahi sgo-nas rigs-nid-du thasnad
hdogsso.,. dper-na hjin-pa gcig-las mhon-par grubcin
me-lce gcig-gis so-btan-bahi rten bum-pa~la~sogs-pa.
brten-pa sbran-rtsi dan li-kha-ra-la-sogs-pahi snod-nidh.yis
tha-dad-pa de-bzin-du brten-pahi chos theg-pa gsum~
gyis bsdus-pa. rtogs-par-bya-ba tha-dad-pa-md-l^yis rten
iha-dad-pa-nid-do zes bstan-to.
The etymological interpretation of gotra is as follows :
The Element of the Absolute is gotra, inasmuch as it
saves (trayate = tra) the virtuous properties (of a living
being; guna = go, sic \ l) 1 Indeed, the latter have their
origin in the element of the Absolute as it is said : All
the saintly individuals have as their essential nature the
immutable (element of the Absolute).
Now (it may be said): The Element of the Lineage
should be discussed first of all, since it is antecedent to
the Creative Mental Effort for Enlightenment, to the preliminary
Steps conducive to Salvation, and to the Degrees
conducive to Illumination. Why is it then spoken of
here in such a way (i.e. after the Creative Effort etc.)
Such art objection is unfounded. However the order here
! Sic. ace. to Sutralamkara, III. 4.—For similar specimens of the
artificial etymology frequently occurring in the Buddhist texts cf. my
Translation of Buston's History, vol. I. pp. 37 and 38 (vinaya) and
109 sqq. (sambhara).