大般涅槃經集解 1.8

1.8

Master Sengliang states: This is the ultimate designation for the Tathāgata's spiritual path, the overarching name for the eight flavors of permanence and bliss. Nirvāṇa is the sound of a foreign land; sounds vary between regions, appearing interchangeably earlier and later, hence there are three names: niḥvāṇa, nirvāṇa, and niyue. Speaking of nirvāṇa, it is the central and correct sound of India. Because the name encompasses numerous meanings and this country lacks a single term to translate it, its Indian original is retained. "Parinir-" means not, and is also called non-existence. "-vāṇa" is named arising, named ceasing, named cause, and named characteristic. Arising is the root of the eight sufferings; since the Buddha is free of it, he does not arise. His lifespan is equal in measure to the great void, so he does not cease. It is not attained through productive causes, hence it is uncaused. Its essence is free of the ten characteristics, hence it is formless. The dharmas of the aśaikṣa stage are all its essence; briefly explaining three characteristics to mark the spiritual path: first, prajñā; second, dharmakāya; third, vimokṣa. Speaking of prajñā, the efficacy of the three knowledges is revealed; discussing dharmakāya, the principle of responsive transformation is identical; speaking of vimokṣa, the myriad virtues are thereby complete. Speaking of these three dharmas sufficiently illuminates the ultimate of the spiritual path. "Great" clarifies its permanence, and also because of Great Self, Great Bliss, and Great Purity, as explained below. From the seat of enlightenment to the Twin Śāla Trees, the Tathāgata spoke of nirvāṇa three times in all: two were upāya, and one was true. Initially setting forth the three ultimates was one upāya, only stating that vimokṣa is nirvāṇa, while body and wisdom are saṃskṛta. In the second upāya, he spoke the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra to refute the three ultimates, yet body and wisdom were still saṃskṛta. Now the discourse at the Twin Śāla Trees explains that body and wisdom are themselves nirvāṇa; this is called the ultimate discourse without remainder. "Sūtra" is in the Indian tongue sūtra; the name sūtra encompasses five meanings.