金剛般若經贊述 2.281

2.281

The Commentary says: Vasubandhu states that this is the second detailed doubt within the third section of explaining progressive doubts. That is, there is a doubt that says: 'If great bodhi is not attained by relying on merit, then all these bodhisattvas would lose their merit and its karmic retribution.' The meaning of this doubt is: it could be said that someone giving seven treasures equal to Mount Sumeru king does not equal a person receiving and upholding this sūtra down to a four-line verse; if so, then merit does not attain the fruit of great bodhi. Following this, merit would be empty, karmic retribution would also be empty, the teaching would be annihilated, and thus the Buddha's body endowed with marks and signs would also not exist, leaving only the empty principle of the dharmakāya. Within cutting off this doubt, there are three parts: first, revealing that the marks and signs are not non-existent; next, from 'If you were to have this thought' onwards, clarifying that cause and fruit are not lost; finally, from 'If a bodhisattva with the full' onwards, comparatively measuring the merit. In the first part, there are two: first, stating their doubtful thought; next, urging them not to have wrong thoughts. This is the first. Stating their doubt, it says: 'Since the Dharma is taken as the Buddha, then there is no physical body of reward or transformation with forms and marks.'