仁王經疏 2.168

2.168

Question: For a bodhisattva of this gotra, is it necessarily non-regressing as in this sūtra? Or is there regression? If so, what is the flaw? If one says there is regression, how does one reconcile the statement in this sūtra? If one says there is no regression, how does one reconcile the *Benye jing* and others? Explanation: There are two different interpretations of this meaning. The first is the tradition of Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna, [holding that] a bodhisattva of the gotra is definitely non-regressing. Thus the first fascicle of the *Vajrarṣi-śāstra* speaks like this. However, persons of this practice gotra also have two kinds: first, of determinate nature; second, indeterminate. The indeterminate ones are not yet able to definitively enter the gotra stage, and up to the first bhūmi they may advance or regress; hence they are called indeterminate. If they meet a good spiritual friend, they do not regress; if they do not meet one, they regress into the stages of external worldlings and the two vehicles, or those of the nature gotra may even regress and fall into hell. Bodhisattva Aśvaghoṣa in the *Treatise on the Awakening of Faith* also shares this explanation. Furthermore, the *Sukhālaṃkāra Sūtra* states: a bodhisattva of the gotra stage definitely does not regress. Therefore, in the *Ratnāvalī*, someone asks Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna: 'In the *Bodhisattvabhūmi-sūtra*, it says that a bodhisattva of the gotra stage regresses and falls into Avīci Hell. What does this mean?' Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna replied: 'Although the *Bodhisattvabhūmi-sūtra* says that a bodhisattva of the gotra stage falls into hell, I do not explicitly make such a statement. Why? Because the *Anūnatvāpūrṇatva-nirdeśa Sūtra* explains that a bodhisattva of the gotra stage ultimately does not fall into hell. Furthermore, the *Sukhālaṃkāra Sūtra* states: if a bodhisattva of the gotra stage were to kill all sentient beings in Jambudvīpa at one time, although having this sin, they would still not fall into hell. If they were to kill sentient beings of the four continents or even a trichiliocosm, they would likewise not fall into hell. Why? This person has practiced for vast kalpas and made many offerings to all Buddhas; their merit, wisdom, and wholesome roots are pure and ripe. Even though they commit severe sins, due to the power of merit, the sins are extinguished immediately, and they do not fall into hell. Just like a red-hot iron plate: if a single drop of water is poured upon it, it is immediately extinguished on its own. Verifying by this, one knows that a bodhisattva of the gotra stage does not fall into hell.'