大般涅槃經集解 20.40

20.40

Daosheng comments: He adduces a nearby matter to illustrate the distant principle. Sengliang comments: The three kinds of Middle Way take causes and conditions as their basis. Simply by confirming causes and conditions, the rest becomes clear of itself. First he speaks of the direct cause, like the dharmas of milk, curd, and so forth; later he refutes arbitrary grasping, establishing the meaning of arising from causes. Sengzong's record by Jingyi says: From here below is the ninth section, borrowing an analogy to reveal the intent of the Middle Way's identity and difference. First he presents three checkpoints: here, he does not allow arising from self or other, but allows arising from milk. This statement is not yet fully explained; below, because Kāśyapa raises objections, the meaning of existence and non-existence is then revealed. Sengzong's record by Falian says: The tenth section borrows milk and curd as an analogy, also corroborating the eighth section's intent of non-duality and the interrelation of cause and fruit. "Milk produces curd" means that from cause to fruit, the principle cannot be different. The principle of the ordinary and the noble are interrelated in principle. Zhixiu says: Third, he next clarifies the Middle Way of cause and fruit, which has three rounds of back-and-forth. First the Buddha speaks for himself; second, Kāśyapa objects; third, the Buddha replies. From here down to "have no two marks" is the first intent.