大般涅槃經集解 23.12

23.12

案僧亮曰：地獄是其歸處，譬舍宅也。畏苦發心，譬強服也。應障不障，譬患除也。夫不信者，以不顧無常、不懼罪對，誹謗以之而生。臨終之時，謗罪對現，懼而改悔，於是息謗生信也。無常罪對，是思善之堂，為舍宅也。生必歸死，為還也。苦相切迫，然後始信，為強與服。

Sengliang comments: Hell is their destination, which is likened to the house. Generating the aspiration [for awakening] out of fear of suffering is likened to being forced to take [the medicine]. Being obstructed when one ought to be obstructed is likened to the ailment being cured. Now, those who do not believe do so because they do not reflect on impermanence and do not fear retribution for sins; slander arises from this. At the time of approaching death, retribution for the sin of slander appears before them, and in terror they repent; thereupon slander ceases and faith arises. Impermanence and retribution for sin are the hall where goodness is contemplated, serving as the house. That what is born must return to death is the 'returning'. Suffering pressing close, after which one only then comes to believe, is being forced to take the medicine.