In the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya, Vasubandhu interprets satkāya of satkāyadṛṣṭi as “perishing assemblages.” He states this interpretation in order to cause people to give up the idea that “perishing assemblages,” that is, the five appropriative aggregates, are an eternal mass （piṇḍa）, that is, a self.
The Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā, which precedes the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya, preaches that the conception of the real existence of a self or a living being does not occur to bodhisattvas. In the Vajracchedikā, it is said that “what involves seizing upon a mass （piṇḍagrāha）” as taught by the Tathāgata is inexpressible. In this case, “What involves seizing upon a mass” means a substance itself which is expressed in words. It is empty of a mass. But foolish ordinary people mistakenly take up “what involves seizing upon a mass.” On the other hand, anyone who would like to say something must take “what involves seizing upon a mass.”
The Abhidharmakośabhāṣya indicates that foolish people, who do not understand that only “perishing assemblages” are called a person, speak mistakenly taking up “what involves seizing upon a mass,” and that noble people who recognize selflessness also speak taking “what involves seizing upon a mass.” The Abhidharmakośabhāṣya has a similar idea of piṇḍa to the Vajracchedikā’s. It is not certain whether the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya’s idea is based on the Vajracchedikā.
