釋摩訶衍論 5.26

5.26

此文為明何義？謂欲顯示精進修行之義故。云何顯示？謂有眾生作如是念：若無明體唯是一種，遍於一切諸眾生者，無明唯一，眾生眾多，易可斷除，何須敢勞可修行也。如見世間相，多人作一事，為難之不足，不勤修行。為欲對治如是懈怠癡眾生故，如來說言有無量無邊無明能覆佛性。以此義故，一無明義而得成立。若爾，一眾生煩惱盡時中，餘一切眾生皆悉亦可盡。所以者何？唯一無明故。若一人斷時，餘人不能斷者，不可得言同一無明。復次有眾生界斷絕過失故。此事不爾，無明雖一，相續別故。其相云何？頌曰：

What meaning is this text meant to clarify? It is meant to reveal the meaning of vigorous practice. How does it reveal it? Some sentient beings generate this thought: 'If the entity of avidyā is only of one kind, pervading all sentient beings, then because avidyā is only one and sentient beings are many, it would be easy to sever and eliminate; why would one need to undergo toil in order to practice?' Just as seeing worldly phenomena, where many people do one task, it is not difficult enough, and they do not cultivate diligently. In order to counteract such lazy and foolish sentient beings, the Tathāgata said that there is immeasurable and boundless avidyā capable of covering the Buddha-nature. For this reason, the meaning of a single avidyā is established. If so, when one sentient being's afflictions are exhausted, the afflictions of all remaining sentient beings should likewise be exhausted. Why is that? Because there is only one avidyā. If when one person severs it, the remaining people cannot sever it, one cannot say it is the same avidyā. Furthermore, there would be the fault of the realm of sentient beings being extinguished. This matter is not so; although avidyā is one, its continuums are distinct. What are its characteristics? The verse says: