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80
Tattvartha Sutra
[2.52]
The essence is that living beings with inevitable lifespans find some cause, be it weapons or otherwise, and die prematurely, whereas those with indestructible lifespans do not die prematurely, regardless of the strong causes that may arise.
Regarding the classification of beings - only those born through immediate birth (upalabha) are found in hell or as gods. Humans are the ultimate body and the best beings. Those who attain liberation in the same body without going through birth are called ultimate bodies. Tirthankaras, Chakravartis, and Vasudevas are called the best beings. Some humans and some non-humans live for countless years. Among these, both those born through immediate birth and those living for countless years are undeniably indestructible in lifespan. Ultimate bodies and best beings possess both sequentially indestructible and undeniably indestructible lifespans. All other humans and non-humans are indestructible in lifespan.
Question - If the pleasures of life are experienced before the predetermined lifespan, then the faults of annihilation of actions, non-fulfillment of actions, and futility will arise, which are not ideal according to scriptures; how will these be resolved?
Answer - There is no fault in experiencing pleasures quickly, because the karma that can be experienced over a long time is taken together at once. No part of it goes unexperienced without fruition. Therefore, there is neither annihilation of accomplished actions nor futility of bound actions. Similarly, death occurs according to karmas, thus there is no non-fulfillment of unaccomplished actions. Just as if a small spark of fire is released into a dense mass of grass, that spark can incinerate the entire mass over time by igniting each blade sequentially. Yet if that same spark is released into a loose mass of grass, it will burn it all at once.
For further clarification on this matter, two more examples are provided in the scriptures: the first relates to mathematical calculation, and the second to drying cloth. Just as when a specific numerical minimum is needed, there are many methods in mathematical procedures. A skilled mathematician employs a method that quickly achieves the desired result.
1. Countless year-living humans are produced only in thirty akarmabhumi, fifty-six antaradwiipa, and karmabhumi. However, countless year-living non-humans also exist beyond the aforementioned regions in the islands and oceans beyond two and a half islands.