Grigoris wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 12:44 pm
Extensive exposition of the conditioned factors (samskrta)
the conditioned factors are the fivefold aggregates:
material form, etc.
The skandha.
Etymological meaning of samskrta
"that which has been
made (krta) by causes or conditions [pratyaya] co-existing in assemblage (sametya,
sambhuya)".
So far, so good.
"that which has been made ... ", also
applies (1) to future factors, (2) to present factors, as well as (3) to past factors; in
fact, a factor (dharma) does not change its nature or type [jatiyatvat] by changing
its time period.
Really? So what happens when ice (solid) becomes water (liquid) and then evaporates as steam (gas)? Is there not a change in type?
Later, when the discussion of "partless atoms" comes up, you will see that atoms are irreducible. However, states of matter such as solids, liquids, and gasses depend on the balance of the four elements in material entities and the environment. In other words, one has ice when it is cold, and when it is very hot, water evaporates into a gas.
But the atoms themselves, according to Abhidharma typology of the Sarvastivadins do not undergo change or alteration. The Sautrantikas, you will see, reject the notion of partless atoms because they have are also claimed to have sides, etc. It is important to keep in mind that the root verses present a version of Sarvastivadin doctrine, that of the Vaibhāsikas. The commentaries mainly critiques these positions from the Sautrantika position.