大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 62.3

62.3

Regarding the commentary's "furthermore, these four divisions are the four paths of preparation, uninterruptedness, liberation, and superior progress": The second is the analysis according to the four paths, as taught in the ninth fascicle of the Samuccaya. The "Chapter on the Wise and Noble" in the Kośa says: "One should know that all paths, briefly stated, are only four: namely, the paths of preparation, uninterruptedness, liberation, and superior progress." Explanation: The path of preparation refers to the preliminary practice before leading to the uninterrupted path. The uninterrupted path refers to the path that severs afflictions. The path of liberation refers to what is called the path of liberation after the uninterrupted path, meaning that which is first generated when one has already been liberated from the obstacles that should be severed. The path of superior progress refers to all the remaining paths apart from the previous three; because one gradually advances in excellence, it refers to all the paths that arise after the path of liberation. Being the road to nirvāṇa, it is called a path. Explanation: "All the paths that arise," according to the Samuccaya, are for severing the two obstacles—namely, afflictive and cognitive—and possess preparation and uninterruptedness. There are further differing interpretations, but their general import is identical.