Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
144
Tattvartha Sutra
[5. 38-39]
Charitra, virya, and other limited qualities are what ordinary intellect perceives, not all qualities. Similarly, only a few qualities of pudgala, such as form, taste, smell, and touch, come to mind, not all qualities. The reason is that knowing all the modifications of the soul or pudgala substance is not possible without specific knowledge. The qualities caused by those modifications that can be comprehended by ordinary intellect are used in behavior, which is why they are considered variable. The qualities of the soul such as consciousness, bliss, charitra, virya, etc., are variable, just like the qualities of pudgala in terms of thought and speech. All other are incomprehensible and understood through knowledge.
What is perceivable comprises the causes (qualities) of each of the endless modifications of time; this is relative. From a non-dual perspective, since modifications are inherently caused by their respective qualities, substance is considered quality-modification.
Not all qualities in substance are equal. Some are ordinary, meaning found in all substances, such as existence, location, and knowability, while some are extraordinary, found in individual substances like consciousness and form. It is the extraordinary qualities and their inherent modifications that make each substance distinct from one another.
One should consider the qualities and modifications of dharmastikaya, adharmastikaya, and akashastikaya substances in the same way. It should be noted here that pudgala substance is material, thus its qualities and modifications are called heavy/light. However, all other substances are immaterial; therefore, their qualities and modifications are called non-heavy/non-light. 37. Time and its modifications
1. Time is called as such. 38. It is eternal. 39.
Some teachers call time a substance. It is of infinite duration.
1. In the Digambara tradition, 'time' is considered an independent substance according to the Sutra discourse. It is explained that the author of this Sutra emphasizes the independent nature of time, not viewing the presented Sutra as a one-sided argument. There are various differences in how those who do not consider time as an independent substance and those who do affirm their own perspectives, and what form they define for time. To learn more about these matters, refer to the Hindi fourth karma text, appendix on time, p. 157.
Each of the power statements also reflects distinctions and qualities in substance.