法華玄論 10.5

10.5

Guangzhai says: 'Here it is discussed in terms of the grades of afflictions. Dividing the affliction of the entrenchment of ignorance into nine grades, they can serve as causes for nine rebirths. From the seventh stage to the vajra[-like samādhi] there are five positions: first, the seventh stage; second, the eighth stage; third, the ninth stage; fourth, the tenth stage; and fifth, the vajra. In the former four positions, what is remedied is divided into two grades each, and the vajra is one grade, combining to form nine grades. One grade corresponds to one rebirth, which makes nine rebirths. If one is prior to the sixth stage, looking toward the vajra position, one still has nine rebirths. Now, abiding in the sixth stage, hearing the sūtra one attains entry into the seventh stage, and having severed one of them, only eight grades remain; therefore it says that after the remaining eight rebirths one shall attain bodhi. It should also sequentially reach seven, six, and five rebirths, but now in contrast to the upper number of eight, half is taken, hence it speaks of four rebirths. In this way, progressively reducing them, it is called one rebirth. Three, two, and one all follow the reduction according to the number of four continents, hence it speaks of four rebirths down to one rebirth. Therefore in the verse below there are again four, three, and two. That bodhisattvas as numerous as dust motes in four continents become buddhas according to the number of rebirths is precisely this meaning. In the ten stages, when forbearance remains up to the vajra, it is attained in one rebirth; then the four rebirths belong to the eighth stage, ultimately entering the ninth stage, as can be known by reference to the preceding grades.'

Evaluation: Now let us examine the method of severing afflictions: why would these four stages—the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth—each sever two grades of affliction, while the vajra alone severs one grade of affliction? Searching the sūtras and treatises clarifying the severing of afflictions across the stages, I have not seen this method, nor is it what should be adopted.