大般涅槃經集解 31.28

31.28

案僧亮曰：并藥所禁水不在例者，草石有用，捨藏不俱，而水無礙也。施有行止之異，道則唯通。何者？如經說「世有五人，不讚五事，謂不為慳者讚歎施等」也。僧宗曰：此下有六譬。前三譬明道是一，以應後三譬。後三譬前說廣顯道是一也。此譬意明道雖可是一，以眾生之病不同，致為藥亦異也。寶亮曰：諸藥者，譬種種說法不同也。水一種者，譬道也。藥性不均，譬一時之宜，進道之良荃，取無為之要資。

Sengliang comments: That 'water is not included in the restrictions on medicines' means that while herbs and stones have their distinct functions—such that taking one excludes the other and they cannot be combined—water is unobstructed. Giving differs in its practice or suspension, whereas the path is universally penetrative. Why? As the sūtras say: 'There are five persons in the world who do not praise five things, such as not praising giving to the stingy.' Sengzong says: Below this there are six similes. The first three similes clarify that the path is one, corresponding to the latter three similes. The latter three similes rely on the previous broad exposition to reveal that the path is one. The intent of this simile is to clarify that although the path may be one, because sentient beings' illnesses differ, the medicines prescribed for them are also different. Baoliang says: The 'various medicines' are a simile for the diverse expoundings of the Dharma being different. The 'single kind of water' is a simile for the path. The disparity of medicinal properties is a simile for the suitability of a particular time, serving as an excellent net to advance on the path and an essential provision to attain the unconditioned (asaṃskṛta).