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Tattvarthasutra
[2.9
The difference between Lakshana (definition) and Upalakshana (characteristic) is that what is found in every goal with an all-encompassing essence across all three times is Lakshana, like heat in fire; and what is sometimes present in one goal and absent in another, may or may not exist, and is not inherently established, is Upalakshana, like smoke in fire. Apart from the essence of life, the 52 distinctions of feelings are merely characteristics of the soul. 8.
Variety of Usage
It is divided into two types; furthermore, there are eight and four distinctions. 9. While the capacity for knowing (consciousness) is the same, the act of knowing (cognition or usage) is not the same among all souls. This variety of usage depends on the diversity of external and internal causes and processes. Differences in subjects, sensory means, spatial and temporal differences, etc., represent the variety of external materials. The variability of the intensity or subtlety of coverings relates to the diversity of internal materials. Because of this diversity of materials, one soul performs different acts of cognition at different times, and many souls perform different acts of cognition at the same time. This variety of cognition is experiential. To summarize this through classification is the purpose of this Sutra.
Generally, the total amount of usage is divided into two categories - 1. Sakar (with form), 2. Anakar (formless). Specifically, there are eight categories of Sakar usage and four categories of Anakar usage. Thus, there are twelve total distinctions of usage.
The eight distinctions of Sakar usage are - Mati-jnana (knowledge derived from intellect), Shruta-jnana (knowledge derived from hearing), Avadhi-jnana (extra-sensory perception), Manah-paryaya-jnana (knowledge of the thoughts of others), Kevala-jnana (absolute knowledge), Mati-agnana (intellectual ignorance), Shruta-agnana (hearing ignorance), and Vibhanga-jnana (analytical knowledge). The four distinctions of Anakar usage are - Chakshur-darshana (vision with eyes), A-chakshur-darshana (vision without eyes), Avadhi-darshana (extra-sensory perception of sight), and Kevala-darshana (absolute perception).
Question - What is the meaning of Sakar and Anakar usage?
Answer - That which knows the object of cognition in a specific way is Sakar usage, and that which knows the object of cognition in a general way is Anakar usage. Sakar usage is called knowledge or determined cognition, and Anakar usage is called perception or undetermined cognition.
Question - Among the aforementioned twelve distinctions, how many are the activities of fully developed consciousness, and how many are of partially developed consciousness?