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A quick excerpt I find insightful
Talisman
Veteran
"[...]there is no gradual nor simultaneous rising of existence. Why? Because,
Mahamati, if there is a simultaneous rising of existence, there would be no distinction
between cause and effect, and there would be nothing to characterise a cause as such. If a
gradual rising is admitted, there is no substance that holds together individual signs, which
makes gradual rising impossible. While a child is not yet born, Mahamati, the term father has
no significance.1 The logician argues that there is that which is born and that which gives birth
by the mutual functioning of such causal factors as cause, subsistence, continuity,
acceleration, and others; and they conclude that there is a gradual rising of existence. But,
Mahamati, this gradual rising does not obtain except by reason of their attachment to the
notion of self-nature. When the [ideas of] body, property, and abode are cherished in what is
nothing but the manifestation of Mind itself, the external world is perceived under the aspects
of individuality and generality, which, however, are not realities; and therefore, Mahamati,
neither a gradual nor a simultaneous rising of things is possible. It is only when the Vijnana
evolves by reason of discrimination which discriminates the manifestation of Mind itself [that
existence is said to come into view]. For this reason, Mahamati, you must strive to get rid of
notions of gradation and simultaneity in the combination of the causal activities. Thus it is
said:
140. Nothing whatever is born or ceases to exist by reason of causation; when causation is
discriminated there is birth and cessation."
Lankavatara
**edit: changed to Advanced**
Mahamati, if there is a simultaneous rising of existence, there would be no distinction
between cause and effect, and there would be nothing to characterise a cause as such. If a
gradual rising is admitted, there is no substance that holds together individual signs, which
makes gradual rising impossible. While a child is not yet born, Mahamati, the term father has
no significance.1 The logician argues that there is that which is born and that which gives birth
by the mutual functioning of such causal factors as cause, subsistence, continuity,
acceleration, and others; and they conclude that there is a gradual rising of existence. But,
Mahamati, this gradual rising does not obtain except by reason of their attachment to the
notion of self-nature. When the [ideas of] body, property, and abode are cherished in what is
nothing but the manifestation of Mind itself, the external world is perceived under the aspects
of individuality and generality, which, however, are not realities; and therefore, Mahamati,
neither a gradual nor a simultaneous rising of things is possible. It is only when the Vijnana
evolves by reason of discrimination which discriminates the manifestation of Mind itself [that
existence is said to come into view]. For this reason, Mahamati, you must strive to get rid of
notions of gradation and simultaneity in the combination of the causal activities. Thus it is
said:
140. Nothing whatever is born or ceases to exist by reason of causation; when causation is
discriminated there is birth and cessation."
Lankavatara
**edit: changed to Advanced**
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Comments
I think that will do nicely.