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5.37
Characteristics of Substance
143
Different potentially generated diverse forms can exist in one substance at the same time; however, the same type of potentially generated diverse forms cannot coexist in one substance at the same time.
The soul and pudgala are substances because they possess infinite qualities such as consciousness and form. They have various manifestations, like knowledge, perception, and various infinite forms such as blue, yellow, etc. The soul manifests in different utilitarian forms through its conscious energy, while the pudgala transforms into various forms like blue and yellow through its material energy. The conscious energy cannot be separated from the soul substance and other inherent energies. Similarly, the material energy cannot be separated from the pudgala substance and other inherent energies of pudgala. Knowledge, perception, and other diverse utilitarian functions are caused by a single conscious energy that flows through different times. The function of that energy is utilitarian in nature. In pudgala, the inherent material energy, along with the diverse color manifestations like blue, yellow, etc., is the result of that single energy.
In the soul, alongside the utilitarian flow of forms, there simultaneously exist infinite flows such as pleasure, pain, and experiential flows. Therefore, as in the case of consciousness, attributing each flow's cause to a distinct source leads to the conclusion of infinite powers. Similarly, in pudgala, diverse flows such as smell, taste, touch, etc., continuously exist like the flow of forms. Consequently, attributing each flow's cause to a distinct energy results in establishing infinite powers like material energy. In the soul, different forms of powers like consciousness, bliss, and energy can coexist at the same time; however, diverse utilitarian forms of one single conscious energy or diverse forms of bliss cannot coexist at the same time because only one form of a given energy can manifest at a time. Similarly, in pudgala, different forms of diverse energies like shape and smell can coexist at the same time, but various manifestations of one material energy, such as blue and yellow, cannot coexist simultaneously. Just as the soul and pudgala substances are eternal, so too are their powers of consciousness and form eternal. However, the utilitarian forms of conscious energy or the diverse forms of material energy, such as blue and yellow, are not eternal; they are transient as they undergo constant generation and destruction. Therefore, the flow of utilitarian forms and the flow of material forms, being timeless, are eternal.
The undivided community of infinite qualities is the essence of substance; however, the consciousness and bliss of the soul...