無量壽經連義述文贊 2.29

2.29

經曰「受持如來」至「常使不絕」者，述云：第四、重辨勝分修成德。有二：初、辨所修行；後、申所成德。初又有二：此初、自利修也。有說：甚深法藏即如來藏，暗障既除，顯在己心，故云受持。法界諸度即佛種性，護使離障、起善無間，名常不絕。此恐不然。如來藏性既是真體，必不可言受持法藏故。既言法藏，亦云受持，即知教法，非佛性也。今既受持佛教令久住世，有性之屬依之殖善，故常使不絕。即同《上生》云「汝善受持，莫斷佛種」也。

On the passage in the sūtra from "upholding the Tathāgata's" to "constantly causing it not to be severed": The commentary states: Fourth, this reiterates the virtue accomplished through the cultivation of the superior stage. It has two parts: first, distinguishing the practice cultivated; second, expressing the virtue accomplished. The first also has two parts: first, the cultivation of self-benefit. Some say: The profound Dharma treasury is the tathāgatagarbha; once dark hindrances are removed, it is revealed in one's own mind, hence it says "upholding." The perfections of the Dharmadhātu are the Buddha-lineage; guarding them so that they are free from obstacles and constantly giving rise to goodness is called "constantly causing it not to be severed." This is likely incorrect. Since the nature of the tathāgatagarbha is the true essence, one certainly cannot speak of upholding the Dharma treasury in this sense. Since it says "Dharma treasury" and also says "upholding," one knows that it refers to the teaching, not the Buddha-nature. Now, by upholding the Buddha's teachings so that they abide long in the world, those endowed with nature rely on them to plant goodness; hence they are constantly caused not to be severed. This is the same as the Sūtra on the Upward Rebirth [of Maitreya] saying: "Uphold this well, and do not sever the lineage of the Buddhas."