大般涅槃經集解 19.92

19.92

Sengliang states: If the Buddha's words are truthful, now we may faithfully trust that in the future we will accomplish Buddhahood. However, a cause produces its fruit: fully bound ordinary persons do not yet possess that cause, and in the future they will certainly not immediately accomplish it; how then can they take refuge in the future Three Jewels? Fayao states: The three and a half verses below explain that the cause-stage also has the meaning of the three refuges. If one knows that within one's body there is the meaning of the three refuges, and takes refuge to cultivate goodness, that is identical to the three refuges of the fruit-stage. Guiding sentient beings by this, encouraging them to cultivate goodness, and the meaning of performing wholesome karma—the meaning lies in this. Sengzong states: The six and a half verses below express doubt about existence and non-existence. The Buddha previously urged me to take refuge in the future buddhadhātu of my own person because the nature exists. But the event is not yet within me, and the prior omens are difficult to know. Considering what the Buddha just said: is it true, or is it not true? 'If in the future it is not accomplished' means: although it is said one will become a Buddha, in principle it may not necessarily be so; if it should happen that it is not accomplished, then the intention to take refuge would be aroused in vain. Baoliang states: 'How is it truthfully spoken' means desiring that the Buddha truthfully explain the characteristics of my future accomplishment of the Three Jewels. 'If in the future it is not accomplished' means: if the mind taking refuge in the future accomplishment of Buddhahood is not established, how can it be called taking refuge in the Three Jewels?