釋摩訶衍論 5.26

5.26

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: