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## Chapter Five
[21i] Just as the seeds of the *badari* tree are seen in a well, so too is the *lokaakasha* not seen in the same way as the *dharma* and other substances that are born later. Therefore, even from the perspective of practical reasoning, the concept of a base and a dependent does not hold true, does it? This is not a fault, because even in things that exist simultaneously, the relationship of base and dependent is seen. For example, form and other qualities are in a pot, and hands and other limbs are in the body. Now, the nature of *loka* is explained.
**Question:** What is *loka*?
**Answer:** Where *dharma* and other substances are located, that is called *loka*. The word *loka* is derived from the root *lok* with the suffix *ghan* in the sense of location.
*Aakasha* is of two types: *lokaakasha* and *alokaakasha*. *Loka* has already been explained. The *aakasha* where *loka* is found is called *lokaakasha*. Beyond that, in all directions, is the infinite *alokaakasha*.
The division between *loka* and *aloka* is to be understood in terms of the existence and non-existence of the *dharmaastikaya* and *adharmaastikaya*. If the *dharmaastikaya* does not exist, then there would be no basis for the rules governing the movement of *jiva* and *pudgala*, and therefore no division between *loka* and *aloka*. Similarly, if the *adharmaastikaya* does not exist, then there would be no basis for the existence of *jiva* and *pudgala*, leading to their non-existence and consequently, no division between *loka* and *aloka*. Therefore, the existence and non-existence of both the *dharmaastikaya* and *adharmaastikaya* establish the division between *loka* and *aloka*.
8550. Since there can be a difference in the location of the substances that are mentioned in *lokaakasha*, the next *sutra* is stated to explain the specific location of each substance:
"The *dharma* and *adharma* substances are completely immersed in *lokaakasha*." [13]
8551. The word "completely" in the *sutra* is used to show that the *dharma* and *adharma* substances are present throughout the entire *lokaakasha*. Just as a pot is located in a house, the *dharma* and *adharma* substances are not located in *lokaakasha* in the same way. Rather, they are present in *lokaakasha* like oil in sesame seeds. This means that they are present in every part of *lokaakasha*.
**Doubt:** The relationship of base and dependent is seen only in those things that are born before and after in *loka*. For example, the well is the base for the *badari* seeds. Similarly, if *aakasha* is born before and the *dharma* and other substances are born later, then this is not the case. Therefore, even from the perspective of practical reasoning, the concept of a base and a dependent does not hold true, does it?
**Solution:** This is not a fault, because even in things that exist simultaneously, the relationship of base and dependent is seen. For example, form and other qualities are in a pot, and hands and other limbs are in the body.