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[Fifth Special Term (Synonym)] [407 Gotama! Infinite atomic pudgalas, infinite two-region skandhas, up to infinite ten-region skandhas, infinite countable-region skandhas, infinite uncountable-region skandhas, infinite infinite-region skandhas, from there, Gotama! Thus it is said that they are neither countable, nor uncountable, but infinite. [503 Pra.] Bhagavan! Are they (the aforementioned four types of ajiva synonyms) countable, uncountable, or infinite? [503 U] Gotama! They are neither countable nor uncountable, (but) infinite. [Pra.] Bhagavan! For what reason do you say that they (the aforementioned four types of ajiva synonyms) are neither countable, nor uncountable, (but) infinite? [U] Gotama! Atomic pudgalas are infinite; two-region skandhas are infinite, up to ten-region skandhas are infinite, countable-region skandhas are infinite, uncountable-region skandhas are infinite, and infinite-region skandhas are infinite. Gotama! For this reason, it is said that they are neither countable, nor uncountable, but infinite.
Discussion - The distinction and sub-distinctions of ajiva synonyms and the number of synonyms are presented in these four sutras (Sutras 500 to 503). Ajiva synonyms, its two main types, and the distinctions of arupi and rupa ajiva synonyms, and the number of rupa ajiva synonyms are described.
Definition of rupa and arupi ajiva synonyms - Rupa - that which has form. In addition to 'rupa' by the word 'rupa', 'gandha', 'rasa' and 'sparsa' are also understood by implication. The intention is that that which has form, rasa, gandha and sparsa is called rupa. Ajiva with form is called rupa ajiva. Rupa ajiva is only pudgala, therefore the synonym of rupa ajiva means the synonym of pudgala. Arupia means that which lacks form (rasa, gandha and sparsa), which is abstract. Therefore, the synonym of arupi ajiva means the synonym of abstract ajiva.
Explanation of Dharma-astikaya etc. - Dharma-astikaya - the complete (undivided) mass (avayavi dravya) of Dharma-astikaya of uncountable regions. Dharma-astikaya-desa - half etc. part of Dharma-astikaya. Dharma-astikaya-pradesa - the smallest (most subtle) part of Dharma-astikaya. Similarly, one should understand the trikas of Adharma-astikaya and Akasa-astikaya etc. Praddhasa-samaya - the non-regional time dravya.
Statement of dravyas or synonyms? - In the context of describing synonyms, it was appropriate to state synonyms here, but instead, dravyas have been stated because it gives the impression that synonyms and synonymous (dravya) are somehow inseparable. In fact, the mention of the terms Dharma-astikaya, Dharma-astikaya-desa etc. refers to the synonyms of those Dharma-astikaya etc. trikas and Praddhasa-samaya, not the dravyas.
Statement related to synonyms of atomic pudgala etc. 504. "Bhanta! How many synonyms are there of atomic pudgalas?" "Gotama! There are infinite synonyms of atomic pudgalas." 1. Prajnapanamala. Vritti, Patranka 202 2. Ibid., Malaya. Vritti, Patranka 202