金剛經纂要刊定記 3.71

3.71

Regarding the "seven topics": after the treatise states the verse of refuge and veneration, it immediately says that it establishes the seven kinds of topics, and thereby this Prajñāpāramitā is fully established. "Topics" (arthapada) is chosen in contrast to mere textual phrases (padavyañjana). Since a single meaning constitutes a topic, this sūtra contains seven topics in total. The names of the seven topics are present in the Commentary itself; among them, the first six demonstrate the consummation of what the bodhisattva undertakes, and the seventh demonstrates the establishment of this Dharma gate. Indeed, the text of these seven topics fully encompasses the teaching, principle, practice, and fruit. Among them, the first, second, third, and fourth are practice; the fifth is principle; the sixth is fruit; and the seventh is teaching. Up to this point an overarching division is made, recorded solely relying on Asaṅga's terminology.