- Sahajāta-paccaya: The Relation of Co-Existence
- Sahajāta-paccaya: The Relation of Co-Existence
The classifications of the paccaya and paccayuppanna-dhamma of this relation will now be dealt with.
All co-existent classes of consciousness and their mental concomitants are each mutually termed paccaya and paccayuppanna-dhamma.
So also are the mental aggregates of rebirth and the physical basis of mind which co-exists with rebirth;
and so also are the Great Essentials
mutually among themselves.
All the material qualities born of kamma at the moment of rebirth, and all the material qualities which are born of mind during life at the nascent instant of each momentary state of consciousness which is capable of producing material quality, are merely termed the paccayuppanna-dhamma, of that co-existent consciousness.
All the material qualities derived from the Great Essentials are, however, termed the paccayuppanna-dhamma of the Great Essentials or the four Great Primary Elements (mahābhūta)—earth, water, fire and air, representing the properties of extension, cohesion, heat, and motion.
In what sense is sahajāta to be understood, and in what sense paccaya?
Sahajāta is to be understood in the sense of co-existence, and paccaya in the sense of rendering help.
Here, coexistence means that when a phenomenon arises, it arises together with its effect; or, in other words, it also causes its effect to arise simultaneously. Such is the meaning of co-existence implied here.
For example, when the sun rises, it rises together with its heat and light.
And when a candle is burning, it burns together with its heat and light.
also, this relating thing, in arising, arises together with related things.
In the above example, the sun is like each of the mental states; the sun’s heat is like the co-existing mental states; and the sun’s light is like the coexisting material qualities.
Similarly, the sun is like each of the Great Essentials, its heat like the co-existing Great Essentials, and its light like the co-existing material qualities derived from them. In the example of the candle, it should be understood in a similar way.
End of the Sahajāta-relation.