大般涅槃經集解 24.70

24.70

Sengzong comments: Here thirteen verses are spoken, without a specific target text. One should properly set aside the four verses before and behind, taking the central verses. The broad meaning clarifies that the Buddha's dharmakāya is perfectly ultimate, responding without perishing. The first four verses are a provisional consolation; the last four verses cause them to set their minds at ease and not grieve, which answers the meaning of manifesting the culmination in nirvāṇa above. When 'manifestation' was stated above, it clarified that the Tathāgata achieved Buddhahood long ago and entered the nirvāṇa of the complete virtues of the letter *i*; preaching this wonderful principle to lead the great assembly to understanding is itself 'manifestation'. Another meaning: since the marvelous origin does not perish, the responsive traces never cease converting; merely that a single responsive trace ceases to appear is also called 'perishing'. Baoliang says: Thirteen verses are announced, but the vows are only twelve; I do not know why this is so. Perhaps some verses have been lost. Otherwise, 'thirteen' is an error for 'twelve'. Zhixiu says: The verses are divided into four tiers. First, there is one and a half lines clarifying that he has long been able to manifest entering nirvāṇa, while in truth he exists permanently. Second, there is one line clarifying that having attained nirvāṇa, he has long been free from the suffering of hunger and thirst. Third, there are fourteen and a half lines extensively presenting similes to clarify that now is not real perishing, but manifested perishing. Within these fourteen lines there are three intentions: the first line and a half is an exhortation; the middle twelve lines directly reveal the purport of the verses; the last line concludes the intention to exhort. Fourth, there are four lines citing the permanent existence of the Three Jewels to clarify the mark of nirvāṇa. There are three intentions: the first two lines exhort; the next one line cites the Three Jewels to exhort seeking the permanent fruit; the final line cites the vows of all Buddhas to conclude why he exhorts.