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Tattvartha Sutra
Q: What is the meaning of 'upabhoga'?
A: Upabhoga refers to the experience of pleasure and pain through the perception of auspicious and inauspicious subjects, such as words associated with good or bad, by the senses, starting from the mind. It also includes giving (daan), violence (hinsa), and other good and bad actions performed by the hands, feet, and other organs, which lead to good and bad karmas. Furthermore, it involves experiencing the good and bad results of karmas and the purification of karmas through virtuous practices; all of these are termed as upabhoga.
Q: Although the gross (oudarika), subtle (vaikriya), and food-based (ahaaraka) bodies are composed of senses and are organic, how can such upabhoga be experienced through the radiance body (taijasa), which is neither composed of senses nor organic?
A: Although the radiance body is not composed of senses nor organic in terms of physical limbs, it can still engage in activities such as digestion that lead to the experience of pleasure and pain, thereby fulfilling the previously mentioned upabhoga. Additionally, it has the power to cause curses and blessings. In other words, the radiance body can be involved in all actions related to the consumption of food, etc.; however, a particular ascetic, who obtains specialized powers through penance, can, when angry, harm objects through that body and when pleased, bestow blessings through that body. Thus, since the taijasa body can be used for curses and blessings, the experiences of pleasure and pain, and the bondage of good and bad karmas, fall within its capabilities.