無量壽經連義述文贊 3.75

3.75

經曰「常行法施」至「遊諸神通」者，述云：第二、勝進行修。有三階：初、勝進始。即常行法施利他始，志勇不弱自利始故。次、勝進中。為燈明福田等，利他中也。能生物解，故云世燈明。亦生人善，故云勝福田。以慧開化，故云導師。福利無差，故無增愛。樂道無欣慼，即自利中。修善故云樂道，除過故無餘。後、勝進修成。即拔欲刺等利他行成，化令離過故以安群生，導之從善故德勝尊敬。滅三垢等即自行成，滅貪瞋等故斷行成，遊戲神通故行德成也。有說：三垢即煩惱業苦。非也。業苦未必垢故。

On the passage in the sūtra from "constantly practicing the gift of Dharma" to "sporting in the various supernormal faculties": The commentary states: The second part is the cultivation of advancing practices. It has three stages: First, the beginning of advancing progress. That is, constantly practicing the gift of Dharma is the beginning of benefiting others, and their resolve being courageous and not weak is the beginning of benefiting oneself. Next is the middle stage of advancing progress. Being a bright lamp, a field of merit, and so forth is the middle stage of benefiting others. They can give rise to understanding in beings, hence they are called "the bright lamp of the world." They also generate goodness in people, hence they are called "a supreme field of merit." Transforming beings with wisdom, they are called "guides." Their conferring of blessing and benefit is impartial, and thus they are "without increase of favoritism." Relishing the path without joy or sorrow is the middle stage of benefiting oneself. Cultivating the good, they are said to "relish the path"; eliminating faults, they have no residue left. Finally, the perfection of cultivating advancing progress. That is, pulling out the thorn of desire and so forth is the perfection of the practice of benefiting others; transforming beings to lead them away from faults brings peace to the multitude of beings; guiding them to follow goodness makes their virtue supreme and revered. Eradicating the three defilements and so forth is the perfection of one's own practice; destroying greed, anger, and so forth completes the practice of cessation; sporting in the supernormal faculties completes the virtue of their practices. Some say that the three defilements are afflictions, karma, and suffering. This is incorrect. Karma and suffering are not necessarily defilements.