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Chapter 5 - June 23-35 discusses the binding of the qualities of softness and hardness.
The origin of the corporeal Skandha does not arise merely from the mutual conjunction of its elemental atoms. It is necessary to show that something else is also required in addition to this conjunction. Besides the mutual combination of elements, it is also essential that these possess the qualities of softness (snigdhata) and hardness (rukshata). When the soft and hard elements come together, they result in a binding, or unity. This binding leads to the formation of the corporeal Skandha, such as Thānuk.
The soft and hard elements can combine in two ways: harmonious (sadash) and discordant (visadash). The combination of soft with soft and hard with hard is termed harmonious. The combination of soft with hard is termed discordant. [2] The general assertion regarding binding presents an exception:
"Not of the qualities which are inferior. 33. In the equality of qualities, binding occurs together. 34. However, in the case of those with superior qualities, 35."
Inferior qualities — elements that are soft and hard — do not combine. When the qualities are equal, that is, for identical soft-soft elements and identical hard-hard elements, binding does not occur. However, two elements with superior qualities do bind together.