大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 63.57

63.57

As for the Commentary from "The next three are in the path of seeing" onward: the Commentary explains these three in a text of three parts: first, proper explanation; second, from "At the time of entering the path of seeing" onward, examining with a question; third, from "The *Nirvāṇa [Sūtra]* says" onward, citing the answer. In the question, the statement that "all ten fetters are severed together" expands to make eighty-eight fetters. The answer has two meanings: first, citing the *Nirvāṇa* because it is based on the heavy ones. Fascicle 33 of the *Nirvāṇa*, in explaining the contemplation of direction, records that Kāśyapa asked: "The Tathāgata says: 'The afflictions severed by a srotāpanna are like forty li of water.' Why is it said that they sever three fetters: first, self-view; second, viewing what is not a cause as a cause; third, the net of doubt?" The Buddha answered: "Because these three are heavy, and they also subsume all the fetters severed by a srotāpanna. For example, when a king goes forth, although there are four divisions of the army, one only says 'the king goes forth.'" He further said: "For what reason do these three alone obtain the designation of heavy?" "Because they are constantly generated by all sentient beings, are subtle and difficult to recognise, are difficult to sever, can serve as the cause of all afflictions, and are the enemies of the three antidotes—namely, precepts, concentration, and wisdom. Furthermore, if sentient beings hear that many are severed, they would retrogress; therefore only three are spoken of."