Vasumitra³⁹³ says that causes are “conditioned arising” and dharmas which are born from causes are “conditioned birth.” Of the twelve links of causation, two [ignorance and volitional activity] refer to the past and are merely [the extreme of] eternalism. Two [links of rebirth and decay-and-death] refer to the future and are merely [the extreme of] nihilism. The present [i.e., the other eight links] clarifies the Middle Path. By analyzing the three causes of the present [of passion, attachment, and existence] one explains the two results [of rebirth and decay-and-death] in the future. By analyzing the five results in the present [of consciousness, name-and-form, six senses, contact, and experience] one explains the two causes in the past [of ignorance and volitional activity].

The past, present, and future all have the twelve links. By analyzing causes and results these sorts of explanations are made.

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This probably refers to the Vasumitra who was one of the authoritative commentators on the – Abhidharma-mahāvibhāṣā Śāstra. Once again I could not track down the source for, nor figure out the meaning and significance of, Chih-i’s comments. return