大般涅槃經集解 15.3

15.3

Sengliang states: This chapter answers the question of 'how one attains the vast', expanding upon the above relying on the sūtra to circulate it. The four marks speak of their virtue; these four point out the dwellings of the persons. The reason for speaking of circulation is that the Tathāgata's vimokṣa is abstruse in principle and distant in application; fearing that in later times there would be no one to propagate it, and people would not generate faith in the permanently abiding cause and effect. If they do not believe in the fruit, they will not practice the cause, and although spoken it would be of no benefit; therefore, circulation is first discerned. It is broadly divided into eight sections: First, correlating the marks of the four persons with respect to the bodhisattva stages. Second, revealing the marks of the necessity of the four reliances. Sengzong and Baoliang state: Clarifying the method for subduing Māra. Third, identifying the time and place of circulating the sūtra. Zhixiu states: Broadly setting forth the transforming efficacy of the four reliance persons. Fourth, discerning the distance of cultivating causes by the masters and disciples of the four persons. Fifth, explaining the faults of not believing in the four reliances and the virtues of those who believe. Sengzong states: Exhorting faith in the sūtra. Sixth, clarifying that one should revere and respect the teacher. Seventh, recounting the benefits of the four reliance persons, meaning that relying on the sūtra for cultivation and removing the eight kinds of impurity, though inwardly transgressing precepts, one does not lose the field of merit. Sengzong states: Selecting the field of merit. Baoliang states: Broadly clarifying the marks of the field of merit. Eighth, unifying the essential purport to clarify that the person who can understand the Dharma is himself the Dharma, not contradicting past expositions.