大般涅槃經集解 51.36

51.36

案道生曰：如來，既人之名也。覺者，從結使眠覺也。善相者，涅槃惑滅，得本稱性，如來直善而已也。常樂我淨者，言似有不來，而實常來為相也。解脫者，人似未脫，而實解脫為相也。真實者，見常而常，則其人矣。示道者，示物正路也。可見者，示同於人，故見也。寶亮曰：如來即覺相者，謂極果法身，真實佛寶。體常樂我淨者，具眾德也。示道可見者，次明應佛寶也。若真應知，此則是善，如法修行也。

Daosheng comments: 'Tathāgata' is the designation of a person. 'Awakened' means awakening from the sleep of the afflictive entanglements. 'Wholesome characteristic' means that in nirvāṇa delusions are extinguished, the original nature is attained and conforms to nature; the Tathāgata is purely wholesome. 'Permanence, bliss, self, and purity' means that while seemingly not coming, he in reality constantly comes, which is his characteristic. 'Liberated' means that the person seems not yet liberated, yet in reality liberation is his characteristic. 'True and real' means seeing permanence and being permanent; this is that person. 'Showing the path' means showing the right path to sentient beings. 'Visible' means showing himself as identical to humans, hence he is seen. Baoliang comments: 'The Tathāgata is the characteristic of awakening' refers to the dharmakāya of the ultimate fruition, the true and real Buddha-jewel. 'Whose essence is permanence, bliss, self, and purity' means being fully endowed with all virtues. 'Showing the path and visible' next clarifies the response Buddha-jewel. If genuine and response are understood, this is wholesome, practicing in accordance with the Dharma.