Pramana/Valid cognition

Chapter on existing phenomena and non-existing phenomena

Characteristics (definition) of existing phenomena that which is observed by pramana/valid
cognition. That which is called pramana is an unmistaken mind that realizes exactly the object.
 Whatever is observed by pramana, it necessarily follows that it is an existing
phenomenon. For example, the subject, vase, is an existing phenomenon because that
is observed by pramana.
Existing phenomena, established basis, object of comprehension, object, object of
knowledge, and phenomena, all of these are synonym.
Characteristics of established basis that which is established by pramana. Characteristics of
object of comprehension that which is suitable to be cognized by pramana. Characteristics of
object of knowledge that which is suitable to function as mental object. Characteristics of object
that which is known by mind. Characteristics of phenomena that which is grasped to its own
essence.
 The subject, existing phenomena and established basis, are synonym because the
eight types of pervasion of synonymity are certain. That ascertains:
(1) If it is an existing phenomena, it is necessarily entailed that it is an established basis.
(2) If it is a non-existing phenomena, it is necessarily entailed it is not an established
basis.
(3) If there is an existing phenomena, it is necessarily entailed that there is an established
basis.
(4) If there is a non-existing phenomena, it is necessarily entailed there is not an
established basis.
(5) If it is an established basis, it is necessarily entailed that it is an existing phenomenon.
(6) It it is not an established basis, it is necessarily entailed that it is not an existing
phenomenon.
(7) It there is an established basis, it is necessarily entailed that there is an existing
phenomenon.
(8) If there is not an established basis, it is necessarily entailed that there is not an
existing phenomenon.
Characteristics of non-existing phenomena which is not observed by pramana.
 Whatever is not observed by pramana, it necessarily followsthat it is a non-existing
phenomenon. For example, like horns on a rabbit, the subject, horns on a rabbit, do
not exist because it is not observed by pramana.
Non-existing phenomena, non-object base, non-object of knowledge, and so on, all of
these are posited as synonym.
Even though horns on a rabbit, self of person, and so on are non-existing phenomena, it is not
unclassifiable because it can be postulated by mind.
Debate practice
 Some might claim, “evil deed is not Dharma”, if you accept,
 The subject, evil deed, consequently follows without an existent base because
it is not Dharma.
I accept.
 The subject, evil deed, consequently follows an established basis because it is
an existing phenomenon. It necessarily follows (1) because both existing
phenomena and established bases are synonym.
Therefore, even though evil deed is Dharma, it is not a sacred Dharma.
Chapter on entity and non-entity
Furthermore, if you classify about object of knowledge, there are two: entity and non-entity.
Characteristics of entity that which is able to perform the function.
Entity, impermanent phenomena, created things, conditioned things, aggregates, and self-
characterized phenomena, all of these are synonym.
Characteristics of impermanent phenomena that which is momentary. Characteristics of created
things that which is born. Characteristics of conditioned things that which arise from the
combination of cause and condition. Characteristics of aggregates that which is grouped together
of many things. Characteristics of self-characterized phenomena, the entity that exists with
distinguishing place, time, and nature.
If you classify entity, there are three: matter, consciousness, and non-concurrent formation.
Characteristics of matter that which is established atomically.
Characteristics of consciousness that which is luminous and aware. Characteristics of mind that
which grasps its own object. Characteristics of awareness that which is a self-luminous nature.
Mind, awareness, and consciousness are synonym.
Characteristics of non-concurrent formation, conditioned thing that is neither matter nor
consciousness. The phrase of non-concurrent should be understood as not associated with mind.
Characteristics of non-entity that which devoid of the ability to perform the function.
If you classify that, non-entity which is an existing phenomenon, for example like space; and
non-entity which is a non-existing phenomenon, for example like horns on a rabbit.
Non-entity which is an existent thing, unconditioned thing, uncreated thing, generally
characterized phenomena, and permanent phenomena, all of these are synonym.
Characteristics of unconditioned thing is phenomena which does not depend on cause and
condition. Characteristics of generally characterized phenomena is superimposition which appear
as universal. Characteristics of permanent phenomena is phenomena which cannot be dissolved.
Non-entity and unconditioned phenomena have a common basis because that space is a non-
entity and it is also an unconditioned phenomenon.
Entity and unconditioned phenomena do not have a common basis because it is impossible to be
both of them.
Non-entity and unconditioned phenomena have three possibilities: possibility of being a non-
entity while not being an unconditioned phenomenon, such as horns on a rabbit; possibility of
being both non-entity and unconditioned phenomenon, such as space; and possibility of being
neither non-entity nor unconditioned phenomenon, such as a vase.
There is no possibility of being unconditioned phenomena while not being non-entity because if
it is an unconditioned phenomenon, it necessarily follows that it is a non-entity.
Debate practice
 Some might claim, “It does not necessarily follow that it is an impermanent
phenomenon” and if someone says “That space is an entity which is permanent.”
The subject, space, consequently follows that it is not a entity because it is not able to
perform the function.
The pervasion is accepted. If the reason is unsound,
The subject, that space, consequently follows that it is not able to perform the function
because it is not able to perform an activity of producing its own result.
If the reason is unsound,
The subject, that space, consequently follows that it is not able to perform an activity of
producing its own result because it is permanent.
If you accept as your root claim,
The subject, that space, consequently follows that it is not a permanent entity because it is
not an entity. If it is not an entity, it necessarily follows that it is not a pemanent entity. Because
if it is a permanent entity, then it must be both a permanent thing and an entity.