大般涅槃經集解 23.20

23.20

Sengliang comments: Being bound by sin is likened to the time of undergoing suffering. The sins having already persisted for a long time is likened to the ten months. The kuśalamūla not being severed is likened to being held in the embrace. Now being able to generate the aspiration [for awakening] is likened to the time after birth. Practising the undefiled is likened to shifting to the dry. Severing defilements and delusions is likened to removing the wet. Restraining evils of body and speech is likened to cleaning away excrement and urine. Receiving and upholding permanence and bliss is likened to breast-feeding. Sengzong comments: The practitioner is the mother; the vaipulya is the medicine; the understanding of permanence is likened to the child. Causing people to receive and uphold it is likened to giving medicine to the mother. Having wisdom because of the sūtra is likened to life being preserved. Practising the ten stages is likened to the ten months. Eliminating craving and pride is likened to shifting to the dry and removing the wet. On the day of attaining the fruit, fulfilling the original expectation is likened to repaying kindness. 'Strength' refers to the thirty-two marks up to the ten powers. The fourfold assembly of disciples are like the attendants.