妙法蓮華經玄義 5.133

5.133

八、類通三涅槃者，地人言：「但有性淨、方便淨。實相名為性淨涅槃；修因所成為方便淨涅槃。」今以理性為性淨涅槃，修因所成為圓淨涅槃，此則義便；薪盡火滅為方便淨涅槃，此文便。若將修因所成為方便涅槃者，以薪盡火滅為何等涅槃？故知應有三涅槃，三涅槃即是三軌。文云：「是法不可示，言辭相寂滅。」又云：「諸法從本來，常自寂滅相。」是性淨涅槃。又云：「皆以如來滅度而滅度之」即圓淨涅槃。又云：「我成佛已來，甚大久遠。」久修業所得，慧光照無量，亦是圓淨涅槃。數數唱生，處處現滅，於此夜滅度，如薪盡火滅，豈非方便淨涅槃？《大經》題稱「大般涅槃」，翻為大滅度。大者，其性廣博，即據性淨。度者，到於彼岸，智慧滿足，即據圓淨。滅者，煩惱永盡，斷德成就，即據方便淨。此三涅槃，即是三軌也。

Eighth, subsuming and identifying with the three nirvāṇas: The Dilun masters say: "There are only nature-pure [nirvāṇa] and expedient-pure [nirvāṇa]. The real mark is called nature-pure nirvāṇa; that accomplished by cultivating causes is called expedient-pure nirvāṇa." Now, taking the inherent principle as nature-pure nirvāṇa and that accomplished by cultivating causes as completely pure nirvāṇa makes the doctrinal meaning convenient; taking the exhaustion of fuel and extinction of fire as expedient-pure nirvāṇa makes the text convenient. If one takes what is accomplished by cultivating causes as expedient nirvāṇa, what kind of nirvāṇa would the exhaustion of fuel and extinction of fire be? Hence we know that there should be three nirvāṇas, and the three nirvāṇas are precisely the three tracks. The text states: "This Dharma cannot be shown; the marks of words are extinguished and quiescent." It also states: "All dharmas from the beginning have always possessed the mark of tranquil quiescence"—this is nature-pure nirvāṇa. It also states: "All are extinguished and liberated by means of the Tathāgata's extinction and liberation"—this is completely pure nirvāṇa. It also states: "Since I attained buddhahood, it has been an extremely long time." What is attained through long cultivation of deeds, whose light of wisdom shines immeasurably, is also completely pure nirvāṇa. Constantly proclaiming birth, everywhere manifesting extinction, and being extinguished and liberated on this night, like the exhaustion of fuel and extinction of fire—is this not expedient-pure nirvāṇa? The title of the *Great Sūtra* is called *Mahāparinirvāṇa*, translated as "great extinction and liberation." "Great" refers to its nature being vast and broad, based on the nature-pure. "Liberation" refers to arriving at the other shore with wisdom fully perfected, based on the completely pure. "Extinction" refers to afflictions being forever eliminated and the virtue of severance being accomplished, based on the expedient-pure. These three nirvāṇas are precisely the three tracks.