分別功德論 4.20

4.20

The reason why Kātyāyana is called foremost in skill at distinguishing the meaning is that when he was about to compile the Dharma, he reflected in his heart: "The human world is tumultuous and noisy; fine contemplation cannot be focused." Therefore he hid within the earth for seven days, and having compiled and assembled the Great Dharma, he presented it to the Buddha. [The Buddha] praised it, saying: "Excellent!" Sealed and approved by the Sage, it was made into one Piṭaka. This meaning is subtle and profound, subduing the non-Buddhists; therefore he is called foremost. Another reason he is called foremost is that the World-Honoured One went to the Śākya country, sat beneath a tree, and held a staff. The Śākyas all came to gaze upon the Buddha: "Formerly you abandoned our daughters, yet your marks and characteristics are superior to before. What is in your mind now?" He replied: "The mind does not cling to the world and is not contaminated by the mundane." The brahmacārin said: "Excellent!" and receiving this understanding, went away. Later, the monks did not understand these words and asked Kātyāyana: "The Buddha praised your honor as foremost in eloquence, analyzing principles, and understanding the meaning. What was the meaning of the World-Honoured One's answer to the brahmacārin about being uncontaminated and unattached?" Then Kātyāyana explained it for them: "Monks, you should know that dependent on form, the eye gives rise to sensation; dependent on sensation, perception arises; dependent on perception coming and going, discriminating consciousness arises, giving rise to an attached mind. From this attachment, he has permanently parted." When the monks heard this explanation, their minds were still unsatisfied. Kātyāyana observed that the monks' minds had not understood, so he drew an analogy, saying: "Suppose there is a person here who wishes to seek a solid object, yet conversely abandons the root and takes the branches and leaves. Would he obtain a solid object?" They said: "He would not." "You gentlemen are also like this. The Buddha is staying nearby, yet conversely you come to ask me; is this not abandoning the root and taking its branches?" The monks immediately went to ask the Buddha, reporting that Kātyāyana had explained it thus: "We wonder if the principle should be so?" The Buddha answered: "Just as Kātyāyana has explained, it is identical and without difference." Because of this circumstance, he is again called foremost.