大般涅槃經集解 19.68

19.68

Sengliang comments: This is a metaphor for the impermanent Three Jewels. In former days, taking refuge in these yielded wisdom-life. If one takes refuge in them today, one slanders the Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha, and wisdom-life is severed. This verse explains that when equally investigating the teachings of impermanence, if one grasps the purport, wisdom-life is born; if one loses the purport, wisdom-life is severed. Another interpretation says: The Great Vehicle's scriptures of permanence are amṛta to the wise and poison to the foolish. The foolish take the wise person's amṛta and die prematurely; the wise take the foolish person's poison and live long. Sengzong says: Previously, a metaphor was cited to explain the perfect teaching; now, the metaphor of poison is cited to reveal the partial teaching. It intends to clarify that the nature of the teaching is non-definitive: it gives rise to people's inverted views, so its sense as poison is clear. To be sure, one may rely on the sūtras to sever fetters, which is a separate function; what is spoken of as poison does not lie in that. Baoliang says: This further reveals the meaning of whether the Vaipulya becomes a poison or not. There are four grades of persons, meaning two teachers each instructing two disciples. How so? 'Some take amṛta and harm their lives': this is the first person who, although inquiring into and receiving the Dharma of a good teacher, cannot forget attachments to grasp the purport; for this person, it becomes a poison. 'Some take amṛta and obtain long life': this is the second person who accords with what the teacher taught and grasps the purport, so it becomes amṛta. 'Some take poison and live': this is the third person who, although studying under an unwholesome teacher who clings to characteristics, is able to attain an open understanding that accords with the principle; thus, though it is poison, they do not die. 'Some, due to conditions, take poison and die': this is the fourth person who has already studied under an unwholesome teacher and furthermore does not forget attachments, taking things strictly according to the words; therefore it is said that they take poison and die.