大般涅槃經集解 17.3

17.3

Sengliang comments: This answers how to know that heavenly māras create obstacles for the assembly; therefore, this widely circulates [the teaching]. Fayao says: The faction of heterodoxy envies the upright, and māras disrupt the true path, capable of deluding beginners; therefore, it is fitting to distinguish their characteristics. Hence, in the chapter "The Four Reliances", using similes such as the thief, the dog, and the poisonous dragon, the question of how obstacles are created was answered. Now this one chapter, together with the chapter "The Four Truths", answers how to distinguish between what the Tathāgata and Pāpīyān say. Though both are teachings of the forty-nine years, to one who investigates well, they are clearly different. Zhixiu says: In addressing the question to 'heavenly māras', it simply refers to the heavens to show the supreme power of māras. Upon examining the disruption caused by māras, there is not merely one matter; but speaking of it, disruption by words is the most severe. Therefore the question asks: 'How are the statements of the Tathāgata and of Pāpīyān to be distinguished and known?' Although the persons and teachings are both different, they are equally capable of disrupting the path, so they are combined into a single question. Huidan says: This chapter has four sections. From the beginning of the chapter to the nine divisions of scriptures, it clarifies that the two teachings of māras and the Buddha are similar yet different. Second, from the nine divisions downward, the disciples of the Buddha seize upon the minor and negate the major, or seize upon the small and negate the great, mutually defaming one another, which is again māra. Third, from 'there are no four pārājikas' downward, it clarifies that what is expounded by people of great wrong view—that there is no principle of good and evil—is again māra. Fourth, from 'it is essential to uphold the precepts' downward, it comprehensively clarifies that whatever contradicts the Buddhadharma in past or present is entirely the talk of māras. Now, the Buddha and māras, householders and renunciants, wrong views and right views, the open and the obstructed in sutra and vinaya, are all explained.